Friar Tuck's Occasional Wisdom

As the old saying goes, “Welcome to the real world, baby.” In this week after Christmas, put aside your traditional warm and fuzzy stereotypes of the Nativity. The real world that Jesus was born into was a dangerous place… a place of death, violence, abuse, indifference, and neglect. Herod felt threatened by this newborn King and to fix the problem, he killed all the boys in Bethlehem under the age of two. It was a day that lives in infamy. Welcome to the real world, baby! Things haven't changed very much because humanity hasn’t changed very much. In spite of our so called “evolutionary progress”, we still live in a world where people have no room for God. We live in a world of school massacres, constant war, terrorist bombings, and abortion on demand. People are still killing babies and children with abandon every day. Lord, have mercy! -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

The Virgin Birth is unbelievable unless you believe that nothing is impossible with God. But the real argument is not about what Mary was or wasn’t…. it’s about who Jesus is or isn’t. Mary is called the “Mother of God” because her first-born son claimed to be Immanuel, God with us. Jesus wasn’t just “godlike”. He wasn’t “a god” with a small “g”.,, He is God with a big “G”!  He is Creator, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the great I AM, the Word become flesh! Jesus is Lord! Being born of a virgin is no big thing for a God this big. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

The Magi came from far away looking for Jesus. This makes them the very first “seekers” in the New Testament. They came in faith, seeking Truth and Light. They came to worship and even though they found Christ in a stable rather than a palace, they bowed before Him because one bows in the presence of a King. They were "overjoyed" to be in the presence of God. Genuine joy bubbles up like fizz in soda pop when it’s genuine and identifies the heart that has drawn near to God. They also came prepared to give and opened their treasures to the newborn King. Joyful worship always give generously. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

On that first Christmas night, eternity stepped into the confines of time and lived for a while among us. God subjected Himself to hunger, pain, aging, and even death. Jesus was God incarnate… God in flesh. He was not a created being like the angels -- He is the Creator! Christ’s life breaks free from the confines of time because He created time. He is the great “I AM”. You can kill a man like this, but He won’t stay dead. Although Jesus had a human birthday and a time of death, because He is eternal, He rose again. And those who follow Him will also rise again and receive this same eternal life. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

Christ came to flood the world with peace, not drown it in anxiety. Be done with the anti-Christ spirit of Black Friday and manic gift buying. Rise above the chaos that consumes the marketers and the coveters. They stumble because they are chasing the wrong gods. Bathe in the serenity of “Oh Holy Night”. Make room in your inn. Bring your gifts and lay them before the King. The angels have come near to us. God is with us. Unto us a child is born. Sleep in heavenly peace. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

During this Thanksgiving season filled with food, family and football, could we squeeze in a little gratitude to God? God’s people are called to overflow with thankfulness. This can happen in two ways. We can be so full of thanksgiving that it naturally runs over the sides of our cup and onto those around us. Or our cups can overflow (spill out) when we get bumped hard by life. When our cup gets shaken hard by tragedy, trials, and testing, it will naturally overflow with what’s inside it. We cannot overflow with something we are not filled with. So what’s in your cup?” -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom

Be careful what you swear to in front of God and witnesses. Peter declared that he would die before ever denying Christ. He declared it. He promised it. He vowed it. He swore to God. But when the soldiers came, the disciples all scurried like rodents off a sinking ship. They weren’t ready to die for Jesus yet. Later, when he was asked if he knew Jesus, “Peter the mouth” became “Peter the mouse” and swore in a whole different way. It’s easy for us all to do the same. A little denial here… a little silence there… and the next thing you know, we too have become mere church mice. -- Friar Tuck’s Occasional Wisdom