FROM OUR WMF PRESIDENT

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY

By Cecil F. Alexander

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed.
Where a Mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed.
Mary was that Mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all.
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey.
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay.
Christian children all must be –
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood’s pattern
Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless;
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav’n above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him but in heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high.
When like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

When Advent arrives, this is one of the first carols that come to my mind. It is probably not as familiar as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “Joy to the World”, but it is one of my favorites. It is one of my favorites because it gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a child and as an example for children everywhere. One of my favorite children’s books when our boys were little was a book our oldest got from his Sunday school teacher. It was called, When Jesus was a Little Boy. The book certainly did not belittle the holy nature of Jesus but it did help us all realize that Jesus was truly human and did the things little boys like to do – play with toys, have pets, help their Dads, help their Moms, - but Jesus did it as a sinless child. He likely fell and scraped his knees and looked to Mom or Dad for comfort as well.

This song reminds me again of the fact that our Holy God sent Jesus to this world, to be born among the lowliest creatures on earth in a cattle barn, to live in a family as a child, to be obedient as no other child on earth could be, to grow up to serve and heal others, to take the cross literally upon His shoulders and then be nailed to it and die. The Bible tells us that Jesus took our sin upon Himself because He was the only One who could fulfill the requirement that a “Lamb without blemish or spot” be the payment for the sins of the world. Only Jesus could do that.

The final two verses of this song tell us what the future holds for those who trust in Jesus as Savior. We have a hope of eternity that is not obtained anywhere else – only through faith in Jesus. What an exciting time that will be. “And our eyes at last shall see Him through His own redeeming love. . . .And He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, WE SHALL SEE HIM: BUT IN HEAVEN SET AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND ON HIGH. When like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around.”

Won’t you spend some time during this special season of the year thinking about Jesus – why He came, what He did for you, spending time reading about Him in the Word, listening to the beautiful Christmas carols, and thinking about the true meaning of Christmas? Isn’t He the reason we celebrate?

DEVOTION

Change

is NO Surprise to God

By Carolyn Feldman
Our Savior’s Free Lutheran Church
Stanley, North Dakota

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity underheaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seasonal Change

The word “season” denotes change. As a farmer’s wife, I like to see the fall color-change in grains so they can be harvested. This year with the beautiful, but uncommonly cool, summer; many wondered if the grains would even ripen. Many complained about the weather, but now the farmers in our region have been blessed with a harvest like no one has seen before. We must always remember what God promises us in Ecclesiastes 3:2: “a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Our anxious thoughts can be consoled with this promise. It is way-too-easy to complain about the current situation and forget about God’s bigger plan and its fulfillment.

Life Change

Happenings in our daily life bring changes. Some events we want to happen and others are surprises that are not always easy to accept. Selling our dairy herd this fall, after milking for 41 years, has brought a dramatic change to our family. The routine of milking twice-a-day and always having to be home for chores instantly changed. It was a difficult decision knowing that another chapter of our life is closed and that there would be no cows milked on this farm again. But, as some doors are closed, God opens new doors. Now it is great to do our devotions together in the morning and not have to rush to do chores. In February, we will be first-time grandparents. We have waited a long time for this occasion, only to find out that we will be doubly blessed. Yes, twins!! My husband says that the only bad thing about this is that he will now have to sleep with a Grandma! God knew that selling those dairy cows would allow this Grandma to spend a whole lot more time with the twins.*

Economic Change

I am sure many have heard about the oil boom in Mountrail County of northwestern North Dakota. This has brought many changes to everyone living in the area. It has impacted our city businesses, housing has become a problem, paved roads have been broken up and put back to gravel, many new homes are being built, new jobs were created, and school enrollment has increased. God has truly blessed the community. As we sit back and reminisce about the changes in our lives, we realize that none of it was a surprise to God,and this brings inner peace knowing “that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)



*Shortly after this devotion as written, the daughter that was carrying the twins went into premature labor at 22 weeks. Baby Abby was born, baptized, and taken to her heavenly home on October 6. Twin sister, Libby, continues to fight for her life. Even in this dramatic change of events, the Feldmans’ trust is in God who is their ever-present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1).

THE DOORS ARE OPEN

REACHING OTHERS IN TANZANIA

God has laid on your heart for a long time His command, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 0and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20a) You finally make the decision—“I have to go and help in the Mission field”.

God opens doors, the paperwork is approved, you pack a select few items that are suited for your adventure, and say goodbye to your loved ones. Off you go to Tanzania to tell others about Jesus. Soon, dressed in your khaki clothes, you climb into a noisy old truck for your transportation. The physical surroundings are beyond anything you imagined. Poverty is everywhere. But you have God and His Word to share. Your task—to work with the team that is showing the Jesus film to several villages in the area. It’s hard work. Generator, projector, speakers and screen need to be unloaded from the truck, set up and taken down at each stop. You are hot, dusty, and thirsty. You are happy though, as you are doing the Lord’s work.

But wait – as you open your eyes, it is morning, in your comfortable bed at your home in the U.S. You aren’t in Khaki’s, you aren’t hot and dusty. But you still have the desire to share Jesus’ saving love to those who have not heard it. There is good news—you can share in that worthwhile project that Jesse Long and Ben Jore have been closely involved with. They have found a compact, durable, solar-powered unit that has the projection, power, and sound sources in an easily transported 25 lb. kit. The native people in Tanzania are capable of doing their own showings of the Jesus film to multiple locations with this piece of equipment.

Having some sponsors for this project, Jesse has ordered three units. But more help is needed to complete payment for the equipment, and make this a reality. You and your church groups are invited to donate money toward the purchase of this equipment that will spread the life-changing message of salvation through Jesus Christ. No khaki’s, passport, or immunizations needed- just a desire to share his Word.

For more information, contact the AFLC World Missions’ Department or send your donation to the WMF treasurer Lois Grothe, designated for the Tanzania “Vista units”.