Issue 1327 – Focused – December 21, 2023

When I was younger, I was fascinated by magnifying glasses (and  maybe not so young as well.) I find it amazing the way the lens made things appear larger.

Even more fascinating was the way it could focus light to a pinpoint. You could start a fire with it! I lit more than one piece of paper on fire, ignited matches and built many campfires using a magnifying glass. It is an excellent survival hack to start a fire on a sunny day, but it is not so helpful when the sun is not out.

It is possible to build solar ovens using a cardboard box and some aluminum foil. The magnified and reflected sunlight generates enough heat to bake a pie or roast a chicken. Amazing stuff.

I have seen some videos online that show someone who has built a solar furnace. He has focused the sunlight enough to melt metal and various stones.

I started thinking about magnifying glasses today because of Christmas. No, I don’t recall getting one for Christmas, although I got a cool chemistry set one year, but that is a story for another day.

Christmas is a focal point for the universe. Ever since humanity sinned in the Garden of Eden and fell from God’s grace, the Lord has pointed the world towards the saving hope of Jesus.

The prophecies start very vague in the early chapters of Genesis and become increasingly detailed and focused as time progresses. By the time of the minor prophets, things were becoming very explicit.

In Matthew’s gospel, we see numerous fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy.

In Matthew’s gospel, we see numerous fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy.

Jesus was born of a virgin (1:22–23). Matthew speaks of the birth in Bethlehem (2:5–6) and the angelic warning to flee to Egypt. He recounts the horrific murder of the children in Bethlehem that Herod ordered. (2:17–18). We are told about the return from Egypt (2:15) and the move to Nazareth (2:23).

Matthew speaks of John the Baptist, who would announce the Christ (3:1-3) and of Jesus’ ministry, where those walking in darkness see a great light (4:13-14).

All heaven looked towards that day long ago in Bethlehem. Creation held its breath, awaiting the time of redemption.

The sentimental nativity story is a marvellous narrative, but there are plenty of sentimental stories out there. This one stands apart because it is true and shows the faithfulness of God.

It reminds us that:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21

That is the truth of the Christmas story when we focus on the why. We are lost forever without Jesus, and He came incarnate as an infant to save us.

That is the greatest gift of them all.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)

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