Over the Christmas weekend, we experienced a painful loss in the children's ministry. Floyd Hodges, aka "Prof. Gadget", died of complications from something similar to pneumonia. Floyd's wife died suddenly from cancer back in July, and Floyd became ill not long after that, and never recovered. I've known Floyd ever since I came to Hebron, and he has served as our "Time Machine" professor, a Sunday School teacher, bus driver, VBS leader, etc. He was a long-standing, loved leader in our children's ministry, and a good personal friend. What is also sad about his passing is that his and Cindy's daughter has lost both parents, and within 6 months. My heart breaks, not only for losing a friend, but for a young girl who has lost both parents. That is most sad to me.
Rob

I was thinking today about the tremendous, life-changing experience the birth of Christ was to His earthly dad, Joseph. Here he is, a simple construction worker in Nazareth, getting ready for his upcoming marriage to his bride-to-be, Mary. Nothing extraordinary about him- just a regular, working class guy. Then he finds out his fiancé is pregnant, obviously NOT by him! I can’t imagine the horror, shock, anger, fear, and sorrow he must have felt. But being a good guy, he was just planning to break everything off quietly, try to pick up the pieces and get on with his life- until the night an angel came to him, with some incredible news…
I found that, in the book of Matthew, an angel spoke to Joseph a total of 4 times, from the first revelation that Mary was carrying the Messiah, to the final word that it was safe to go back home from Egypt. No matter what his circumstances looked like, no matter what anyone might have thought, no matter how crazy it all seemed- Joseph trusted and followed God, and reaped the blessing of helping raise up God in human skin.

Imagine- those rough, calloused hands cradling Divinity; those worn-down fingernails tickling holy infant toes and nose; those thick arms playfully wrestling with the toddler God; stopping the cart, because his 10-year old son, who also happens to be the Lord of all the universe, wants to ride to the supply store with him. It must have been amazing almost every day to think that, “this cute little kid running around my house is the Lord God Almighty in human skin. And I’m teaching Him to fish and play ball and swing a hammer without smashing His fingers.” Wow.

We don’t hear anymore about Joseph after Jesus turned 12. All we know about him we find in the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. But I know one thing- he was a man blessed by God, no doubt. And I look forward to meeting him someday, and hearing his stories about being “dad” to the Son of God. I’m sure he has some incredible stories to tell…
Rob

I've been watching a Christmas special on tv with the Brookyn Tabernacle Choir. This choir has been raising praise to Christ for over 30 years, and itself is an amazing story. It is made up of people from all walks of life- executives and janitors, business owners and construction workers, waitresses and immigrants, "red & yellow, black & white". There are also many former drug addicts, prostitutes, and criminals- all changed by Jesus Christ, and living for Him. As I see the incredible diversity of this choir, and the whole church they represent, I am reminded of what the Bible says about the Kingdom of God- "from every tribe and language and people and nation." Rev.5:9
Christ came into this world to show us the Father's love, and bring us back to Him. And when He comes back, eternity will be filled with the praises of those who have "loved His appearing." If viewing that choir is any hint, it will be nothing short of fantastic!
Rob

I took my family to see the new film, "The Nativity Story" Sunday night. What a fantastic movie! It accurately and vividly portrays the birth of Jesus accounts of both Matthew and Luke, making the pages come alive on the screen. I loved it- during parts of the film I was so caught up in the story I choked up as "the greatest story ever told" came to life in front of my eyes. So often, we think of the birth of our Savior only in terms of our porcelin nativity scenes and "baby Jesus" pictures & ornaments. This film puts the human faces on the most beloved birth in history, telling their story in such an amazing way. This story is our story, the reason for our faith and hope. This is a must-see for Christmas, for the whole family.
Rob