David Bahn – Reflections

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:8-14

I walked into the room expecting there to be three people total – maybe four. But there were 20 or more people. I was in high school and the room was a classroom at the local university. I had never been to a vocal competition. I had no idea that I would be singing for 20 people! I lost my nerve. I forgot the opening words to the art song I was to sing. My throat was dry. My knees were knocking. Finally I got my accompanist’s attention and mouthed the words: What’s the first line? “Love’s blind they say,” came her reply. I bundled up my courage. She began to play. I began to sing. I was glad when it was over and I got to leave.

I suspect the angels on that first Christmas night were not similarly fearful. In fact, it was the other way around. The angel appears to the shepherds, and the shepherds, rightly, are afraid. “Sore afraid,” as the KJV has it. Filled with great fear.

This puts the kibosh on a picture of God as a doting grandfather, kindly tolerating his grandchildren’s pranks. He is a consuming fire. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). And don’t get me started on the idea of portraying angels as cute and chubby little cherubs: harmless and adorable. The consistent response of people – high and low – to the appearance of angels is one of fear.

But equally consistent is the message of angels when appearing to Mary, Zechariah, and now the shepherds: ”Fear not.” In previous times angels have executed God’s judgement on Israel’s enemies or pagan prophets. They protect God’s people. They are called angel armies. But the world is turning ona different axis these days. They are messengers of good news of great joy for all the people.

A Savior has been born. He will be like no one expected – in his demeanor, appearance, manner, and means of bringing salvation. His birth in a menagerie and his manger bed are just the beginning. His appearance is nothing out of the ordinary. He is available to the most meek and lowly. He will win salvation by his submission to a cruel Roman cross.

And it all starts now. Shepherds – common working men – are first to hear the Good News. If we think we’re too good to consort with the common folk, we are in grave danger of missing the message of Christmas. But if we’re OK being ordinary in our fame, fortune, power, and prestige, and willing even to be a bit afraid (sore afraid?) at an angel’s appearance, and in reverent awe when encountering God, we will delight in the Good News to the shepherds. And we will join the angelic song:

Glory to God in the highest! And peace to his people on earth!

Christmas Blessings!

For your personal meditation and reflection on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 49:5-9

Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
that he should live on forever
and never see the pit.

Psalm 79:8-9

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake!

Psalm 109:30-31

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

Paslm 139

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

Dear Reader,
I will be taking some time to reflect upon a wonderful, challenging, refreshing, exhausting, renewing, emptying, and filling experience this past weekend. For that reason, I will not be posting regularly over the next few days. I do have some thoughts about the Christmas song of the angels. I hope to publish that sometime around Christmas. In the mean time consider this beautiful song of glory to our God:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.

⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live. ” – Luke 1:67-75

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.

⁷¹ Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
⁷⁴ We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live. ” – Luke 1:67-75

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:67-70, 78-79

I was stunned to learn that Cat Steven’s song, Morning has Broken, was actually not his song. It is a Christian hymn written by English author Eleanor Farjeon. And just now I learned that the tune is also known as Child in a Manger. It was Inspired by the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, and is an ode to creation, and acknowledgment of “God’s recreation of the first day.” 

Maybe you’ve seen a particularly beautiful sunrise. Perhaps you are simply drawn to enjoy the awe of the colors of the dawn. They are beautiful. Here, however, we have a different focus of morning’s break. This focus is on Jesus as the bright morning star. It’s about his rising in the hearts of people. It’s about his appearance 2000 years ago. And just as sunrise may portend great opportunity, so Jesus’ birth portends the very greatest opportunity. Through Jesus we may know God truly. We may find peace. We may be saved. 

They often say it is darkest just before dawn. In other words, when the times are dire and dangerous, and we are desperate and discouraged, we will find the greatest joy in Jesus’ presence. He is the light of the world. He is the light that shines in the darkness. And the darkness cannot comprehend or overcome it. Light one candle and the darkest room is filled with light. When the Son of God comes into the world, the whole world is filled with light. This is indeed a re-creation of the first day, when God said, “Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good” (Genesis 1:3-4).

Here we learn of God’s tender mercy which moves him to send light from heaven. He will come. And John (the gospel writer) tells us that in the Word-made-flesh was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:4-5). 

Sometimes we try to ignore the shadow of death that darkens our world. Then a friend dies. Or a father. Or a sister. And it hits us hard. Sometimes we think we’re in the light, only to discover that we’ve only imagined the light, and it’s all glitz: fools gold. 

Jesus has come to guide us to the path of peace. It is not found apart from his presence. Peace does not come in paths that turn from his commands. We will not find it seeking the fools gold of the world’s glamor. 

We might use the saying, “It suddenly dawned on me…” Like an idea popped into our minds. Jesus’ appearing is like that – only more dramatic and far reaching. His is the light that shines on in the darkest night, and illuminates the pathway of true peace.

This version takes the first thought of Zechariah’s hymn of praise to the One who has come in the name of the Lord. The cello is elegant. The children’s choir is heavenly. The Hosanna! is dramatic. Translation of the Latin lyrics are below. 

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

‘Twas the night of the Christmas party
And all through the club
Not a flash tube was popping
We were all waiting for grub.

And I with my Sony and
Others with their gear
Were happily talking
And sharing good cheer.

When out from the kitchen
There came plates for a few
We’d all soon be eatin’
We couldn’t wait to chew.

But first things first!
We’ll have to hold tight;
Let’s remember to pray
Before we eat tonight!

Face to face, and in the flesh
We celebrate with joy and bliss
Whether Nikon, Canon, Fuji, or Pentax
Olympus, Sony, iPhone, or who did I miss?!?

So let’s bow our heads now
And offer up a blessing
For food, drink, and friends
It’s God we’re addressing!

So what’s on your list?
Will you join me in praying?
“Thank you, God, for these gifts,”
The greatest is Jesus, I’m saying.

And any who wish
Can join me again,
And speak it out loud:
A heartfelt…Amen!

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰ as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹ that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
⁷² to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:67-79

We were sitting in the cafeteria of the Towers dormitory. I was nervous and didn’t really want to make the call. But I was with a pastor whom I was training in the Kennedy Evangelism method. We had arranged to meet a girl who lived in the dorm there. We were to share the gospel message with her. She never showed, but we did manage to engage another student who was hanging out there. I was in college at that time.

The Kennedy Evangelism method had as its centerpiece two spiritual questions:

• If you were to die tonight, have you come to the place in your spiritual life that you know you would go to heaven?
• If you were to die tonight and Jesus would ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What would you say?

Two challenging questions to be sure. And helpful, possibly, to focus a spiritual conversation. But there are other ways to do this. Perhaps they are even better. You might ask someone, “What do you think are the great problems of the world?” That could be an open door into a deeply spiritual conversation. In fact, that question gets to the core of what Zechariah mentions twice in this canticle.

He speaks of God who “has raised up a horn of salvation for us.” He also prophecies how John, his son, would “give knowledge of salvation to his people.” Salvation is a theme of Zechariah’s song. He uses the word twice, and references being saved or delivered twice more. Key to all that is that salvation is more than an entrance into heaven – good as that may be. 

Salvation is being saved from something. From our enemies. From the hand of those who hate us. From the consequences of our sin: death and darkness. From eternal death, despair, and subjugation to Satan’s evil whims and ways. This is what God has done by sending Jesus. And John, Zechariah’s son, will be Jesus’ forerunner to prepare the way for the coming morning of God’s love and grace. 

So what would you number as the world’s greatest problems? War? Poverty? Human trafficking? Godless leaders? Human rights? Social injustice? Immoral political leaders? Financial inequities? To every one of these problems Jesus’ grace and truth speaks. He is the prince of peace. He lifts up the poor and needy. He speaks truth to power. He points us to faithful suffering if need be and promises ultimate relief in the resurrection and the life of the world to come. 

The world is a mess. And Jesus has come to redeem the world and all who are in it. He brings life and salvation. Thanks be to God!  

Click here for an audio version of this blog post. 

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰ as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹ that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
⁷² to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:67-79

We just finished celebrating a milestone birthday at my house. I may have been the birthday boy of honor. It was a wonderful affair. Good friends. Kind wishes. Joy shared. Conversations. Food. Drink. Music. Even a trivia game about the birthday boy’s life. “Happy birthday,” wishes were accompanied by other kind words. Thank you, friends!

I mention this because of the first word in Zechariah’s song. It is translated, “Blessed,” or “Praise be,” or “Let us praise…” And rightly so. But the word might also be “Let us speak well of…” We get the word eulogy, an almost literal transliteration of the Greek. Let’s speak well of God, is what Zechariah is saying. A footnote in the New American Bible offers this insight:

Like the canticle of Mary (Lk 1:46–55) the canticle of Zechariah is only loosely connected with its context. Apart from Lk 1:76–77, the hymn is speaking of a horn for our salvation (Lk 1:69) and the daybreak from on high (Lk 1:78) applies more closely to Jesus and his work than to John. 

Whatever the context or focus, the question for us today is whether we will speak well of God. Will we praise him? Will we declare him blessed? Is he set apart in your heart and life? Do your words acknowledge what he has done for you? Are you aware of his grace and goodness to you and to all people? Do you believe that God has raised up a horn for our salvation; a place of strength, hope, grace, love and life? Do you realize that the daybreak from on high has risen? The Daybreak from on high?

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. God opened his mouth to express his praise, and help the people look beyond even this current moment of great joy. After all, John has been born. She who was said to be barren has born a child. And no matter what anyone thought, his name would be John. As good as that was, Zechariah was moved to express praise to God for things reaching far beyond that moment. 

So now the question is two-fold. Will we speak well of God? And will we recognize any good moment as a blessing from God, but look beyond the moment to the greater blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ? That means that whether we are experiencing God’s immediate blessings, or yearning for them, looking to his ultimate blessing in Christ will move us to speak well of him. 

For your personal edification and reflection on this Lord’s Day…

Psalm 5:7