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Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” NIV

If we had an angel light up our bedroom in the middle of the night, we might find ourselves a little rattled.  The messengers from God bring the presence of God.  Isaiah exclaimed, “Woe is me, for I am undone.”  The angel heralded, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you tidings of great joy.”  I cannot hear the tidings of great joy until I hear the words, do not be afraid.  The holiness of a perfect God undoes us.  The love of a perfect God embraces us.  Jesus embodied both  He was full of grace and truth.

I wonder this Christmas what the Father may wish to undo in your life that you might live a life after Him?  Selfishness, pride, anger, bitterness, jealousy, indiscipline, anxiety, greed, to name of few.  When we give HIm the gift of our lives, He undoes us, that He might redo us, transform us.  The Holy Spirit continues to carve away anything that does not resemble Jesus, that is, if we allow it.

Jesus came to transform; you, me, neighborhoods, villages, cities, nations, and the world.  “Do not be afraid.”  “We can do all things through HIm who gives us strength.”  “Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.”  This Christmas, hear the words of the angel. Give Christ your life of fear and let him transform it to joy.

Acts 9:17-19
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  NIV

Ananias obeyed.  Because he obeyed, Saul could see, was baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  God had a plan for Saul to become Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.  He would write half of the New Testament.  If Ananias said no, God would have sent another.  Ananias would miss out a moment of a lifetime.  He went, and a new champion for the gospel was born.

Sometimes I wonder who and where God is sending me.  Who did I miss because of my self absorption? What champion for the gospel was overlooked?  The shepherds came and saw, went and told.  I pray the scales can fall from my eyes to see with the heart of the Father.  I, we, can bring Christmas every day to those who can open the indescribable gift of Jesus.

Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  NIV
God has a plan for you . . . and it includes lots of suffering!  We don’t hear that statement much in evangelism circles.  Most tracts speak more about a “golden parachute” than fiery trails.  Would you sign up as a follower of Christ if you knew the cost?

In mediation, I constantly deal with what is “fair,”  what is “my right.”  These are certainly legitimate questions when it comes to legal matters.  However, more often than not, it is more about retribution, or making the other party pay.  There were moments when Paul stood up for his rights.  He wanted the Philippian magistrates to escort him and Silas out of the city acknowledging they had publicly beaten a Roman citizen.  Paul was beaten, imprisoned, stoned and left for dead countless times.  He wound up in Rome under house arrest and beheaded.

What if, as followers of Christ, we expected suffering?  What if we knew the prize was worth the price?  What if we knew God would do amazing things through us?  We could see churches planted, lives restored, and cities changed?  Paul died with no regrets.  He ran the race.  His life was poured out.  He received all that was stored up for him.   I want that said of my life.  Will I pay the price?

Acts 9:10-14
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”  “Yes, Lord,” he answered.  The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”  NIV

Yes, Lord, you want me to do what?  Rarely does Jesus call us to be safe.  The reputation of Saul had spread through the Church.  They knew he was a dangerous man on the hunt.  Not only did Jesus want Ananias to go to Saul, but to heal him.  Ananias must of have thought better to keep him blind.

Where has Jesus called you to go and you stayed home, played it safe?  Ever thought what might have happened if you went?  Some of you reading this today took the risk, you went where Jesus called.  I have friends who are over 60 serving orphans in Africa and making a difference in the AIDS pandemic.  I have another who heard the voice of Jesus call him to the children of Nicaragua.  God used him along with Food for the Hungry to make a difference in the life of many.  Jesus does not always call you to a distant land.  He more often calls you to minister to a neighbor, a colleague, or friend.   My heart is aching for a family in Beaverton who has no place to go.  The dad has a Ph.D. in physics.  They are one week away from homelessness.  Yesterday, I met with a man on a non-profit board with me to discuss how we can make a difference building low cost housing with sustainability.  Every day I see a picture of an apartment complex on my dream board.  I am asking Jesus to use me to build low cost housing with mentoring programs attached to the residents.  I ask Jesus to please use me to make a difference.  I pray my hands become His hands, that people living in darkness and despair can find light and love.  How has Jesus used you?  How might He use you?

Acts 9:3-9
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”   “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  NIV

Saul was blindly zealous for God.  He was on a mission to wipe out the Way, this new cult of believers who followed Jesus.   Saul was present at the stoning of Stephen.  He heard the words, blasphemous words attacking the faith of Israel.  These new Christians were a threat.  Conventional wisdom stated once the leader is dead, the followers disperse.  Not this group.  They were growing stronger.  They believed Jesus had risen from the dead.  This gave them more boldness.  They were dangerous.  Gamaliel warned the Sanhedrin.  Be careful.  You might just find yourself fighting against God.

Saul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus.  He hears the words, “Why are you persecuting ME?”  Then, darkness.  Saul is blinded for three days.  Three days to hear  without sight.  A forced time to listen with new ears.  Three days to consider the blindness of belief.  Three days, just as Jesus laid in the tomb for three days before resurrection.

If you were struck blind for three days, how might your life change?  How might you listen differently, especially to God?  How would you emerge when sight returned?  Is there any part of your life where you might be against God, you are causing more harm than good?  May we all hear from God and move forward where He desires us to join Him in His work.