David Bahn – Reflections

For your personal meditation and reflection on this Lord’s Day, the day after Christmas.

Psalm 26:8

O LORD, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 86:11-13

Teach me your way, O LORD,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalm 116:12-14

What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 146

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son^[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth.¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. – John 1:1-18

The Word Became Flesh.

What a mystery!

What a blessing!

Merry Christmas!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸ 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

There is a time and season for everything. A time to mourn and a time to dance. So says the Preacher (cf. Ecclesiastes 3). Now is the time to sing! It’s Christmas Eve. Thousands upon thousands will join the heavenly host in singing praise to God this night. From the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica to the Christmas in a Barn at LifeBridge Church (a yearly tradition since its founding) carols and choirs, bells, organs, guitars, violins, horns, and voices will raise a song of praise to God. Glory to God!

My favorite among them all is the sublimely beautiful and inspiring ancient (4th or 5th century) Christmas hymn: Of the Father’s Love Begotten. This ancient song expresses, better than I could ever do so, the majesty, mystery, and blessing of Jesus’ birth. I cannot possibly stress enough the depths to which it reaches my soul. I hope its message touches your heart as well.

1 Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see
evermore and evermore.

Those are the verses of which I am most familiar. But there are others as well.

At His Word the worlds were framèd;

He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun,
evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men,
thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens,
with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring,
evermore and evermore!

———————————–

He is found in human fashion,
death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children
doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below,
evermore and evermore!

—————————–

O that birth forever blessèd,
when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

Christmas Blessings!

Here is a unique version of this Christmas hymn. Another more traditional version is below this one.

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 2:13-14

A line from a movie: I want peace on earth, good will toward men.
Reply: We’re the United States Government. We don’t do that sort of thing.
The conversation goes on with the final agreement: I’ll see what I can do.

I’m very proud of all four of our sons. They have each served in the United States military, and one is a U.S. Navy officer. We enjoy a great deal of peace here in the western world in great part due to the strong military presence and readiness we maintain around the world.

But armies rise and fall. Peace is all too fleeting. In spite of our defenses, strength, and readiness, the upheaval of war and pestilence is too often upon us. In fact the United States Government doesn’t bring peace on earth, good will toward men. Their necessary role is to subjugate our enemies and force bad characters and evil nations to behave. Peace is more than a secession of war. Peace in the fullest sense is the secession of hostility in the heart. Jesus is called the prince of peace because he is the one who brings these hostilities to an end.

Thirty years after his birth, Jesus has some interesting and challenging things to say about peace. [See the list of verses below]. He tells repentant sinners to go in peace. He offers peace to the woman who is criticized for sinful lifestyle and immodest display of attention to Jesus (washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair). In the days before his death, he comforts his disciples who might have much to worry about with the promised gift of peace. He announces his resurrection triumph over death at his resurrection with the greeting, “Peace!”

I need this word from Jesus! Because when God speaks, things happen. Jesus’ word of peace is not just a wishful greeting, but a promise founded on his identity as the Son of God and sealed by his resurrection from the grave.

These are troubling days for life in this world. Fears of inflation. The COVID-19 pandemic. Political turmoil. Immigration crises. International power plays. Threats of war.

But this is the world into which Jesus has come. He brings peace. The sword divides those who do not believe his word and promise from those who do. But it is a sword that will be quickly sheathed by a repentant cry of faith. So I will read these verses to bolster my repentant cry of faith. How about you?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. – Matthew 10:34

And [Jesus] said to [the woman who touched his garment], “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” – Mark 5:34

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. – Mark 9:50

And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:50

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” – John 20:19-21

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” – John 20:26

Christmas Peace!

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 2:13-14

We traveled recently. Through that experience we were very high – 41,000 feet, if I recall correctly. And 20 feet or more underground (traveling through the tunnel from Concourse A-B at Chicago O’Hare airport). In every place, both high and low we counted on God’s providential care and gracious presence. From keeping the plane in the air to sustaining the tunnel supports and moving sidewalks along the way. God is everywhere, and in all situations, he desires that we enjoy his favor and honor him as our greatest good in life.

The first Christmas carol reflects this span of God’s presence and glory. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace…”

Beyond the long span of God’s presence and the blessing of his omnipresence, is the calling for high and low to give God the glory. From kings and lords, to demons and Satan himself, properly comes praise and glory to God.

This is also referenced elsewhere in the New Testament:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

It ought to make no difference when we see a high and mighty person kneeling in prayer or serving others in an attitude of humility. But it does for me. When I see a person of power or financial means honoring Jesus, it goes a long way toward showing just how high and worthy he is.

Equally true, however, is that God honors the praises of the lowly. Not only do the high and mighty properly praise God, but God shows up and visits the lowly shepherds with the Good News of the Savior’s birth. Some want to make the shepherds special, citing the likely possibility that they tended sheep some of which would be sacrificed in the temple. But they were still just shepherds. They had no special standing. Theirs was a menial task.

But here in this moment, as angels praise God, lowly shepherds hear the angel chorus. And the Good News: God’s glory reaches to the highest heights. And he who is mighty has come to earth and invited the lowliest to receive his gift of salvation.

Christmas Joy!

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 2:13-14

I’m not a fan. It doesn’t do anything for my Christmas joy. It may be funny. You may like it. Your kids and grandkids probably love to sing it to the limits of your patience. But in my mind it ranks below the Chipmunk Christmas song. I’m speaking of the song that celebrates an act of animal cruelty on an elderly woman on Christmas Eve. Although not all grandmas are elderly, I suspect you know the song.

The first Christmas carol was anything but trite and funny. I speaks of glory to God and peace on earth.

Glory belongs to God alone. He is worthy of praise. Songs that extol him are fitting at all times. But this is especially true at Christmas. God has come to earth. He is laying aside his glory to become a baby. The angels announce this amazing moment to the shepherds and then sing God’s praises, “Glory to God in the highest!”

God speaks through Isaiah, ”I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8).

Angels and elders cry out ”with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:10)

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13)

Even before his exaltation, and ascension to the right hand of God, Jesus is receiving the praise he deserves. I love Christmas carols! This is the first one. But here are a few other favorites of mine. You won’t find a mention of a reindeer in any of them.

Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Joy to the World

O Come All Ye Faithful

Silent Night

O Holy Night

These are a few of my own favorites. Maybe you have a few other ones. I’d love to learn of them! Just leave a comment below.

Merry Christmas!

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