Advent-ure Day 4: Here for a Reason

In Psalm 105, we find a passage of Scripture that underscores the theme of proclaiming what God has
done. We can read:
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

We are called to "talk" of His "wondrous works."  We can testify to what God has done in our lives by sending His only Son to earth so that He might die for our sins.  We can also proclaim that God has placed each of us on this earth so that He might use us to fulfill the purpose He has for us.  We can rejoice in the life He has given us and enjoy the relationship that He has made possible through Christ, our Savior.

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We are now on Day 4 of our 25-day Christmas Advent-ure, entitled, Sing Unto the Lord!  The Faith Radio Advent Guide is available through FaithRadio.org, and features a corresponding Christmas song and short Scripture passage for each day through the 25th.

We are continuing to focus in on the proclamation outside Bethlehem the night Christ was born, as documented in Luke chapter 2, verses 8 through 14, our theme verses for today.   Here are several of
them:
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Good tidings of great joy - two components here: the message itself, as well as the effect of the message, which can produce joy in the hearts and minds of the hearers, a message that resonates with our culture today.

The familiar Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, today's theme Christmas song, captures the essence of that message:

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

Rich Houck is a former respiratory therapist who has a life-affirming message that he has had the opportunity to share in a life-affirming way.  You see, his son, Jacob, is 21 years old, and at age 4, he was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid brain tumor, according to the Hello Christian website, which related the story of what Rich did over Thanksgiving weekend to make his son laugh.

Rich went to an assistant manager, Nicole Prodin, at the Buckle store at a New Jersey mall and made an unusual request:

“Hey can I ask a favor?” Houck asked the young woman. “My son has special needs and I wanna make him laugh, I’d like to pose in your window, if possible…”

Prodin was certainly “puzzled” at first, but agreed to Houck’s odd request, not expecting the heartwarming hilarity that would shortly follow.

The story continues:

As Houck climbed into the window display and played around, Jacob was so excited and amused, he had to join in!

Nicole posted her account on her Facebook page.  According to CBS3 television station in Philadelphia, Nicole said: “You guys, my night was made tonight by a man who is such a great father..."  The TV station's account relates that Rich "says he never forgets the call many years ago from his wife, Jen, about Jacob’s health." to tell him about the diagnosis of the "rare brain tumor."  Houck says, "It usually takes life before the age of two."  The story continues:

But Jacob is beating the odds, thriving – and smiling.

“Every day is a new day,” says Houck.

Houck stated, "He’s not supposed to be here. We are enjoying every day we got with him..."

This heartwarming story can actually inspire us in several directions.  For one thing, Jacob Houck has outlived what would have been expected for someone with his condition; so while one would not have expected him to be still alive, he is.  In fact, each day that any of us have on this earth is a cause for rejoicing! 

We also recognize that we are here on this earth because God wants us here - He has a purpose for us, and we can appropriate His resources every single day in order to bring Him glory and thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him.  Jesus was sent to this earth for a purpose, at a predetermined time, in order to fulfill the plan of God to bring salvation to fallen humanity.  "Christ was born in Bethlehem" is more than a geographical statement, it is a testimony to the sovereign plan of God; praise His holy name!

And, we remember those who are parents of special needs children, such as Sandra Peoples, a guest on the Tuesday edition of The Meeting House.  Parents of special needs children have unique challenges, and they can trust the Lord, see His perspective, and experience the joy He has brought to them through their child or children.

Finally, we can seek to walk in the joy of the Lord, which is part of the fruit of the spirit.  God has come to give us new life in Christ, whom He sent to earth, as a man, a man who lived a sinless life and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Because of His abundant love and promise of freedom, we can experience His joy!