Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Got A Name" (Jim Croce)

Welcome to Tuesday and another edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  We love getting the opportunity to visit with you each week!  For over ten years, Tuesday's Musical Notes has given you insight into a wide variety of music with a unique perspective.  We hope that you are educated about music, encouraged in your day, and enlightened in your life as you take a moment to read this blog each week.  Thanks again!!!

Have you ever wondered where you got your name?  I was given a derivative of my father's name as my middle name.  I have known of fathers who have started the tradition of giving their exact names to their sons and that going at least 5 generations.  Perhaps you know some that have gone past that.  It's probably more common than any of us imagine.  This is not an exclusive practice on the patriarchal side, it happens on the matriarchal side as well.  Moms give their names or a portion to daughters, and sometimes sons.  

I love names.  The more complicated they are spelled the more my phonics teaching in elementary school kicks in.  While I confess to being inconsistent, I attempt to say the name of anyone who wears a nametag at the establishments I frequent.  Sometimes I nail it, other times the name owner corrects me and I make a new friend.   I've discovered that there are some beautiful names out there and let's face it everyone likes to hear their name every once in a while.  They might even go so far as to write a song about it...

"I Got A Name" the September 21, 1973 title track from the album by Jim Croce

"I Got A Name" would be the first single released after the death of singer/songwriter Jim Croce.  It was released the day after a plane crash took the life of Croce and five others.  The title track from the posthumous album would peak at #10 on Billboard's Hot 100 after spending 17 weeks on the chart.  The song was released as a single from the album in September but had also been used as the theme song from the July 27, 1973, 20th Century Fox motion picture release, The Last American Hero.  (Main Title and End Credits - The Last American Hero)  It has since continued to be used in motion pictures as seen in the films, The Ice Storm, Invincible, Django Unchained, Logan, and The Lego Ninjago Movie.

"I Got A Name" was one of the rare occasions that Jim Croce recorded a song that he did not write.  The song appealed to him as a tribute to his father who had died before seeing Croce achieve the success of his dream.  The story song tells about having the fortitude to go about life and being proud of the name you've been given, the strength to sing the song of your life, and the tenacity to see your dreams lived out.  All wrapped up with a beautiful acoustic backdrop serving as a tribute to fathers who have given names throughout the centuries.

The Gospel of Jesus according to the physician Luke, chapter 2, verses 21-40 New American Standard Bible, The Amplified Bible, King James Version of the Bible, Engish Standard Bible parallel

We step a bit backward in the exploration of the narrative about Jesus from the Bible.  Last week we visited about the Magi from the east and how they honored Jesus anywhere from 1-2 years after he had been born.  Today we backtrack and focus on how Jesus was honored by His earthly family and others just over a week after His birth.

Mary and Joseph's Hebrew heritage and obedience to the Law shine through in the days after Jesus is born.  Jesus wasn't given his name until after 8 days at the time of His circumcision.  .  In Luke 1:26-38 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV, and The Gospel of Jesus according to the Tax Collector Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18-25 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV Mary and Joseph had already received instruction as to what to name the child.    Remember, Bethlehem and Jerusalem are only about 11 miles from each other.  The family was in a perfect location to be able to follow the Law of Moses about newborns and as the law dictated, after the days of purification passed, they presented Jesus at the temple with a sacrifice.  This sacrifice consisted of 2 turtle doves, the new birth sacrifice for those who had very little in the way of resources.  

While in Jerusalem, Jesus' family encounters 2 elderly folks.  The Bible gives us the indication that they were both devout Jews and were waiting for the appearance of the prophesied Messiah to restore Israel.  One was a priest, the other a prophetess.  Both were being influenced by Holy Spirit.

Luke tells us that Simeon was "righteous and devout".  That is not said of very many of the priests of the time.  Luke also hints that Simeon was advanced in years as the prophecy had come to Simeon that he would not die until He saw with his own eyes the Lord's Christ.  Following Holy Spirit's guidance, Simeon goes to the temple at the same moment Mary and Joseph are offering their sacrifice and becomes the priest who guides them through the sacrifice they had come to make.  Simeon calls Jesus a couple of things of note.  He praises God for allowing Him to see "...Your Salvation".  More interesting to me is the fact that Simeon, a devout and righteous Jewish priest, calls Jesus, "...a Light for revelation for the Gentiles and the Glory of Your people Israel."  This all-inclusive statement was miraculous for a devout Jewish priest to make as he included Gentiles in on the salvation he had just witnessed.  Simeon further makes prophecies regarding Jesus and Mary and the difficulties they will see because of who Jesus is.

Luke then tells us about what is going on outside the temple as the newborn rituals were being performed inside.  The Bible says that she was 84 and at this point in her life she never left the temple area as she served through fasting and praying with those she encountered.  Luke never tells us that she encountered Jesus, but it does tell us that while the "services" were going on inside, she was having "revival" outside.  Showing those of us who follow Jesus that He isn't just for Sunday mornings in the church...

Luke wraps this passage up with our intrepid little family making their way back to Nazareth, where they were from.  They had fulfilled the law of their government by submitting themselves to the census, and they had fulfilled the law of God by making sure that Jesus' birth was by the newborn laws of Moses.  Most importantly during this whole process, Jesus came away with the ability to say...I Got A Name...I Got A Name.  And oh, what a beautiful, wonderful, and powerful name it is!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

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Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Counting Stars" (OneRepublic)

 

Well, here we are.  It's the middle of July.  School supplies should begin hitting the shelves soon, and school year planning starts in earnest.  High school football teams are having morning practices and high school marching band programs are drawing up half-time shows.  Soon it will be time for preschool practices and rehearsals to begin.  We find ourselves slowly getting back into the annual nine-month routine that begins after a summer filled with nonschool events like vacations and maybe a summer job.  Hopefully, this edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes finds you having the summer of your plans, a respite if you've needed one, and maybe even a new adventure you've enjoyed. 

So welcome to Tuesday!  It's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes!!  We are here to assist you with a needed diversion amidst your preparation for the up and coming school year.  Perhaps the school year is not the center of your universe, we're here for you too as all of us transition slowly out of summer!!!  

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not attempting to hurry time.  I just love the fall and have a great disdain for cutting the grass and other outdoor activities when temperatures are above 100 degrees. (No judgment for those who disagree.  You are loved here...)  That being said we are fortunately in a time when the summer solstice has passed providing days that are beginning to get shorter.  The cooler temps and the earlier twilights give us more time to spend on fun outdoor endeavors like...counting stars.

"Counting Stars" the June 14, 2013 single by OneRepublic, from the album Native

OneRepublic spent 5 years honing their craft until they could get a solid label signing.  The culmination of 5 years well spent was their debut album, 2007's Dreaming Out Loud.  The lead single "Apologize" went to #1 in 16 nations and received a Grammy nod. The band followed up with an equally successful second single, "Stop And Stare" from the album setting up the continual success with subsequent records.  

Success defined 2009's sophomore offering Waking Up as OneRepublic released 4 singles from the release. The final single, "Good Life" reached the top ten on Billboard's Hot 100. 

Today's featured song comes from the band's third studio effort, 2013's Native. This album would be the band's highest charting record, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart.  "Counting Stars" was the record's second single and the band's most successful song to date.  It peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 and spawned a  video that became the first music video to receive 1 billion views. It has since been viewed more than 3.6 billion times on YouTube making it the 16th most viewed on the site.  Just in case you were curious and wanted a glance at the list...Top 1000 Most Viewed YouTube Videos of All Time - updated March 7, 2022  

Have you ever been so anxious and stressed that you couldn't sleep?  The old advice to count sheep has never worked for me nor for "Counting Stars" songwriter/lead singer Ryan Tedder.  He says about the song that it comes from the inclination to stress our lives.  So many folks are wrapped up in the struggle to make ends meet or make their relationships work.  All of this activity piles up on folks and causes sleepless nights.  So much so that counting sheep isn't enough.  Their apprehension is so high that they turn to count stars to entice sleep and rest.  This wouldn't be the first time that folks gazed at the stars...

The Gospel of Jesus according to the tax collector Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-12 New American Standard Bible, The Amplified Bible, King James Version of the Bible, English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

One of the most misrepresented stories of the Bible comes to us in today's passage, the visit to Jesus by the Wise Men, Magi as Matthew calls them.  Tuesday's Musical Notes has provided perspective on this story before:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" (Barenaked Ladies with Sarah Mclachlan)  Today, we wish to reinforce some of the assertions we made in the previous blog and perhaps provide more enlightenment to the beloved story that has many ideologies that don't align with the Biblical narrative truth.   

The first artistic license that must be eliminated is the timing of the magi's visit.  They were NOT present at the manger.  Only the shepherds, Mary, and Joseph were at the grotto at the time of Jesus' birth.  The Magi appear on the scene sometime after.  The Bible doesn't address specifically how long after, but it was enough time for Mary and Joseph to be settled in Bethlehem.  Movies would be far too long to be accurate.  Let's face it babies are always much cuter than 2-year-olds...just sayin'.

Next, the Magi first go to Jerusalem, the capital city of the region, not straight to Jesus  They thought that the birth of a king would certainly be heralded there.  What they found was Herod the Great seated on the throne.  Herod had no clue about a "King of the Jews" and sought out the chief priests and scribes on the matter.  They took to Scripture, specifically Micah 5:2 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV, and responded to Herod that Bethlehem was the place the King was to be born.  

To affirm Jesus was already alive at this point, the Bible points out that Herod then proceeded to determine the birthdate of the King by inquiring of the Magi, deceptively we might add, as to when the star first appeared to them.   He sent the Magi to Bethlehem to scout things out and bring him a report so that he (Herod) could avail himself to "worship" the new King.  

The star reappeared to the Magi in Jerusalem.  The Bible says they rejoiced at the sight of the star.  This gives us the indication that God wanted them to stop off in Jerusalem and perhaps they had lost sight of the star.  We see later that this delay served to fulfill prophecy.  The star led them to Bethlehem and stopped.  It is easy to see the miraculousness of this event even if you have only a cursory knowledge of astronomy.  Stars typically don't move much from day to day, and they certainly don't move positions in the sky to the point of "resting" over a specific spot.   This star first appeared in their homeland, the region of Babylon and Persia in their time, and what is probably modern-day Iran, Iraq, or Afghanistan in the modern world.  Just in case you were wondering "In the east" refers to where the Magi were, not the part of the sky in which the star appeared.  (I wondered, thought you might...) The Magi would have known to be looking for such a star because of their ancient literature.  In Numbers 24:17 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV we read about an ancestor to the Magi, Balaam (Yup, he's the one that had a conversation with his donkey, Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Talk to the Animals" (Rex Harrison as Dr. Dolittle)).  Oral tradition and the occasional manuscript would have been passed down from one generation to the next.  Balaam's prophecy regarding a King and a star that points the way to Him would surely have lasted the test of time. 

Also, after the fall of Israel and Judah in 587 BC, 2 Kings 25 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV, many of the populace were taken into exile in Babylon and Persia. God gives the exiles instructions on how to face the 70 years they will be away from Israel.  Jeremiah 29:5-7 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV gives us the indication that the Jews were to make a life in their exilic status. It stands to reason that there was influence by the exiled Jews in the land of Babylon and Persia. This influence reached the highest levels as evidenced by Daniel and his friends rising to power in the government.  Daniel would have easily been considered a Magi in his day and his many writings would have certainly been preserved.  The Magi of Jesus' time would have had these texts as well as a part of their overall prophecy literature.  

Another misconception is that there were three magi.  While the Bible does not indicate the number of Magi, the assumption is made because there were three gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh given to Jesus.  Gold served as a symbol of royalty and could also have been used to finance Jesus' family's escape to Egypt. Remember Joseph's trade was a carpenter.  Only shepherds were seen as lower on the Jewish social status totem pole. One would imagine that Mary and Joseph's resources were limited and the finances were tight. This gift of Gold could have served as God's provision for the journey that lay in their future. Frankincense was an incense usually reserved in the worship of Jehovah and symbolized Jesus' service to the world as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  Myrhh was used as one of the spices applied to the body upon death.  The Bible doesn't say that Mary held on to this gift through Jesus' life, but it isn't too hard to imagine that she did and it was one of the spices applied to Jesus' body before being placed in the tomb.  (Again, no Biblical evidence to that fact, supposition on my part!)

Some Biblical scholars suggest there is some Biblical precedent to 3 Magi, however.  In Psalm 72:10-11 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV, the Bible hints at three kings.  This reference could be interpreted as an indication of three Magi representing all nations as the descendants of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth have been thought to have settled in these regions. This assumption is however NOT ever substantiated through the Biblical text.  

The next portion of the Magi's interaction with Jesus and His family IS usually given proper artistic treatment compared to the narrative.  After providing the gifts to Jesus, the Magi prepare to embark on the journey home.  Their hearts are full as they have been witness to the fulfillment of their own, pagan land's, Jewish-influenced prophecy regarding the King of all kings.  God shows up in a dream to them and tells them not to return to Herod.  One thing that is rarely pointed out in this circumstance is that the Magi, who were probably some of the most inquisitive folks of their time and were considered pagans to the Hebrews of their day, didn't hesitate to obey God. 

When the Magi don't report back, Herod, who is intimidated by the possibility of the birth of a King in the line of David (He was not genealogically linked), has all of the male children in Bethlehem under the age of two (as determined again by the timeline of when the star appeared to the Magi) killed, thus fulfilling yet another prophecy:  Jeremiah 31:15 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV

The story of the Magi, even the one that is misrepresented in TV and Movies, provides some illustrations that believers should embrace and pre-believers should study.  1) Be watching for God.  He can use anything or anyone He wants to show you what His will and plan are. Including things that are not easily associated with Him. The Magi would have been considered pagan and unclean, yet God used them to give us this beautiful illustration of how He draws ALL to Him.  The Gospel of Jesus according to the fisherman John, chapter 12, verse 32 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV   2) God will lead you to where you need to be if you are obedient to how He leads you. That process should cause you to rejoice.   3) Worship Jesus. Seek Him out and you will find.  Bring to Him the gifts that you have at your disposal.  Those could be your time, talent, or as in the case of the Magi, your treasure.     

If lately, you've been, you've been losing sleep, these are lessons we all could learn as we lie awake at night counting stars...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Roll With It" (Steve Winwood)

Welcome to Tuesday to old friends and new.  We've been waiting to start, that's right! Waiting for you.  It's not been a problem 'cause you're well worth the wait.  To do something else, well, just doesn't seem great.  You're here because music is the thing that you love, and maybe, just maybe this fits like a glove. 

A blog about music and pondering life. We promise no harm, we promise no strife.  So tis the moment it's made itself clear.  It's the soundtrack of life and you'll find it all here!  We must get it started it'll be a great fit.  With Winwood a leadin' his song "Roll With It"!!!

"Roll With It" the title track to the June 21, 1988 album by Steve Winwood,

In the summer of 1988, Steve Winwood was huge.  He had just come off the success of his 3 times platinum, #1 album Back In The High Life (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Higher Love" (Steve Winwood)).  Then in June, he released Roll With It.  The title track went all the way to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart and secured Winwood as one of the preeminent solo acts of the 80s.  

"Roll With It" was written by Winwood and Will Jennings.  BMI, the publishing rights organization, later added the writing credit of Motown songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland as "Roll With It" had a close resemblance to the 1966 hit by Jr. Walker, "(I'm A) Roadrunner".  "(I'm A) Roadrunner" - the title track from the 1966 album by Jr. Walker  Yup, I think BMI got this one right!  

"Roll With It" would be the last #1 hit for Casey Kasem in his original 18-year run on the American Top 40 radio program. Casey would later return, but during his absence, Shadoe Stevens would assume the mic, making "Roll With It" his first #1 hit. "Roll With It" would also be nominated for 2 Grammy Awards in the Record Of The Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance categories and be used in the 1990 movie Nuns On The Run.  All of this and a groovy video with a dance sequence that would make Kevin Bacon proud.  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Footloose" (Kenny Loggins) 

Roll With It would be the last album to feature a single to go all the way to #1 for Winwood to date.  However, anything can happen in the music industry as we continue to see classic artists release new recordings (Winwood's last album would be 2008's Nine Lives).  You never know when a single from this new music might hit and be as big a surprise as say a heavenly host in the middle of the night!

The Gospel of Jesus according to the Physician Luke, Chapter 2, verses 8-20 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

Rembrandt's  The Angel Appearing To Shepherds - 1634

We continue with Dr. Luke in our retelling of the great stories of the Bible.  He is the only one of the Gospel writers to include this episode in the birth narrative of Jesus.  As we alluded to last week, Dr. Luke's training would have caused him to be a man of some detail.  We see this detail orient come to life as Luke gives us the birth narrative of Jesus. Luke's telling of the story is so illustrative that it is easy to see how Rembrandt used Luke's description as the inspiration for this piece of art.

It is a scene recreated in the most adorable fashion by children all around the world every December.  The wonder of the shepherds is sometimes equally captured by these children as they look out on the audience of encouragers.  But there are some interesting points that we're not completely confident that our children convey at Christmas.

"...Now there'll be a day
You'll get there, baby
You'll hear the music play
You'll dance, baby
You'll leave bad times way behind
Nothing but good times on your mind..."

In the Hebrew social ladders, shepherds were the lowest position one could hold in society.  It was an important position as the sacrificial lambs for the temple would be kept in this region. The distance between Bethlehem and Jerusalem is just under 10 miles and that land was perfect for grazing large herds.  Luke doesn't tell us how many shepherds and if this is the flock from which the sacrifices were chosen, but it isn't too far-fetched to think that this was a possibility.  

Luke tells us that the angelic appearance happened at night.  One could imagine that the night sky was lit.  The darkness would have provided a more magnificent backdrop to the glory of the Lord as it shone all about them.  Also, to keep predators away, more of the shepherds would have been awake at the time, making it doubtful that this could have been a case of sleepy shepherds relaying a dream story.  

All of a sudden, life was too much.  The Bible says the shepherds were afraid.  Ya Think!!!  These were more than likely uneducated men, whose only source of Bible Prophecy school would have been the oral tradition that had been handed down to them by their fathers.  An angel shows up, night turns to day, and you bet I'd stop and lose my touch.  Then the angel says, "Don't be afraid.  This isn't about you! I bring you the news that something incredible has happened in Bethlehem.  This incredible event is for everyone in the whole world, including shepherds!"  Last on the totem pole, first to hear about Jesus' being born.  Let's roll with it...

The angel spoke to them using the language of a shepherd.  Swaddling clothes and mangers were all tools of the trade for the shepherds.  They understood immediately what to be looking for when they came to Bethlehem.  Christ would also have been a name/title with which they had some familiarity due to the oral tradition of Messiah and their association with the priests in Jerusalem.  

So as if one angel wasn't enough, the entire sky filled with heavenly beings.  They bust out into a jam that would have probably been nothing like the shepherds had ever heard, felt, or encountered before.  They made sure that the shepherds would not confuse this scene with a dream.  The song they heavenly hosts sang?  

“Glory to God in the highest,  And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”  

While the shepherds may have not been allowed in the temple due to being perpetually unclean, they were allowed and encouraged to join in singing with the heavenly hosts and being counted among the ones with whom God was pleased.  This was quite the change of pace for them.  

What happened to the sheep?  After their heavenly choir rehearsal, the shepherds took their flock with them as they excitedly trekked the distance to Bethlehem.  Luke doesn't tell us how long they took, but chances are it took them 3-4 hours to get to Jesus' manger.  But oh, what they saw when they got there!!!  Just like the angel had said, a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  This relatable image was just like the lambs they had taken care of their entire lives and they were witnesses to the first day of life for the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.

How do you top that?  "...People think you're down and out You show them what it's all about..."  That's right!  Lowly shepherds became the very first evangelists of the Gospel of Jesus as they went about telling everyone with which they came in contact, the events they had experienced.  The Bible says that the people they told were "amazed".  They were amazed by the story, they were amazed by the excitement of the shepherds, and they were amazed at who was telling them!  Shepherds!  And the shepherd's reaction to the people's amazement, they rolled with it baby as they kept telling the story over and over and over again. 

Mary pondered.  Just like a good mother to savor every moment of this special occasion.  She wanted to remember the special guests who came to see Jesus.  She wanted to remember the nuances of everything around her.  She pondered.  We've said it before and we'll say it again...I wish I pondered more...

The shepherds?  They went back home.  Back to tending their sheep.  But they were changed.  They went back with a song on their hearts.  One wonders if it was the song given to them by the heavenly hosts.  They were praising God and telling everyone the Good News!  That my dear friend is how you Roll With It baby!!!

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

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"Let's Say It With Firecrackers/Song Of Freedom Medley" (Bing Crosby and the Chorus of the Paramount Pictures release Holiday Inn)

Happy Independence Day!!!  

If you live in the United States, you've just experienced quite the celebration.  Our country's 246th birthday as a nation was yesterday!  United States neighbors, I hope you were able to enjoy safe glorious fireworks displays as well as a burger, a hot dog, s’mores, or perhaps other traditions you may share with family and friends.  It truly is a great day to celebrate the freedom that we experience in our country!  Yesterday, we were all brothers who come with the moniker...Americans.

Don't get me wrong, there are issues we have in the United States that must be resolved. Those resolutions should come from our elected officials after they have sought out constituency feedback and wise council.  If you are not happy with the state of the country, vote.  Do your research and vote!!  Dig deep into the lives of the men and women who are asking for the career opportunity to represent us given to them through our vote.  Do their beliefs, values, and character align with your own?  Ok, support them.  If they don't win, ok.  Be active in communicating to the elected official that does get the electors' vote, especially when you have concerns about their performance for you.  If your candidate does win, hold them accountable for the characteristics by which you chose them.  

The resolutions that we need as a country don't come in the form of demonstrations and destruction of property as we have seen in recent years, they may have in 1776, but we were dealing with a dictatorship in the form of a king at that time, which is very different from the constitutional republic we celebrated yesterday. Yes, you read that correctly.  The United States government is a form of a constitutional republic, not the media-fed, often misquoted term... democracy.  Look it up!  We really don't want democracy as a government...Shall we reinstate Civics as a course requirement for High School graduation now? Maybe your elected official could write a bill that gets turned into a law!  If we were to do that, I think we should have the law signed on the 4th of July, and that way we could say it with firecrackers!  Noisy 4th anyone?

"Let's Say It With Firecrackers/Song Of Freedom" from the Soundtrack of the 1942 Paramount Pictures theatrical release of Holiday Inn, featuring Bing Crosby and the Chorus

80 years ago we certainly celebrated the 4th of July a bit differently!  Can you imagine sports coats, ties, and those dresses in the heat?  Yikes!!!  

Today's song comes from composer Irving Berlin's holiday-themed movie Holiday Inn.  Filming for the musical began on November 18, 1941.  19 days later the "date that will live in infamy" occurred as  the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and created a nationalistic revival that had not been heard of since the Revolutionary War.  One could say that we haven't had one until 9/11, yet that revival didn't seem to last too long.   The movie production halted for a brief time because of America's entry into World War II.  This gave producers the opportunity to lengthen today’s feature song in an effort to heighten the exposure of America's military might. The expansion of the song included adding the Song of Freedom portion and the "newsreel" footage that pans behind Crosby's vocals.  It fits very nicely into the film and is a good reminder that our freedom is never free...

The Gospel of Jesus according to the tax collector Matthew, chapter 1, verse 25 New American Standard Bible/The Amplified Bible/King James Version of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel

The Gospel of Jesus according to the physician Luke, chapter, 2, verses 1-20 NASB/AMP/KJV/ESV

"...but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he named Him Jesus."  FREEDOM!

"...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord..."  FREEDOM!!

Here comes the FREEDOM man!!!

"I'm singin' a song of Freedom for all people who cry out to be free..."

The birth narrative of Jesus, the Savior of the World, the first begotten, the Lamb of God...you get the idea...once again shows the tax collector and physician providing the detail to the birth of freedom.  Matthew says it happened, and Luke piles on the details complete with angels, shepherds, Innkeepers, and a weary couple who bring a child into the world at a tumultuous time.  

Jesus was born exactly as the angels had pronounced to Mary and Joseph.  His birth fulfilled the over 300 prophecies found in the Old Testament that pronounced a Messiah bringing freedom was coming.  For a more detailed look at the birth prophecies and narrative, click it... Prophecy Of Jesus Birth In Old Testament - endtimesalvation.com  

With Jesus' birth, freedom was delivered to all of mankind.  This is not the kind of freedom that a declaration of independence can achieve.  This is the kind of freedom that restores the broken relationship between God and man that was destroyed by man's disobedience in the Garden.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Don't Know What You Got (Til It's Gone)" (Cinderella))  You see friend, even Adam and Eve needed the cost of freedom that Jesus was able to pay.  Ultimately, Adam and Eve had to make the same kind of choice we are faced with every day.  Do we do what we want to do or do we do what God, the One who created us and knows what is best for us, wants us to do?  One choice is selfish and places the shackles of Adam and Eve's curse on us.  The other choice is to experience a type of freedom our minds cannot even fathom.  When Jesus was born, the pathway was cleared for mankind to come back to God in a real, flesh and blood, way. Now, we get to choose...every...single...moment.  We report, you decide!

Jesus' birth is the most dramatic event that occurs in the Bible.  The physician Luke is really the only Gospel writer who gives the richness of detail from which many a Christmas drama is derived.  He paints the picture of the darkness of the world and contrasts that with vivid colors and imagery of the angelic experience of shepherds (lowest dudes on the social stratosphere), as well as the stress of Mary and Joseph finding a place for Jesus to be born.  The grotto in Bethlehem where believers and sightseers make their way every Christmas is not much more than a small cave. Luke brings the awe of the experience from different vantage points and pulls them all together to make it as beautiful a narrative as has ever been woven together.  

Everything prior to Jesus' birth points to Him.  Everything that occurs after His ascension is because of His being on earth.  Everything that will happen in eternity is due to Jesus paying the price of freedom that can never be paid by anything we can do.  

The original Holiday Inn had no room for the Son of God, how about you?  The angels sang of His glory, how about you?  The shepherds were astounded at the sights and sounds of the season that they were experiencing, how about you?  Mary and Joseph were amazed at the comfort found in each other as well in their own angelic proclamations.  Has your chance for freedom caused you to be amazed lately?  

This Independence Day season, make sure that you take full advantage of the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.  Most nations do not have what we have.  But also explore if you haven't already, the freedom in this life and the one to come, that belief in Jesus and the salvific price He paid provides.  Trust me, you'll want to say it with more than firecrackers...

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,

randy

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