The Birth of the King
December 6th, 2009
Last evening, our family experienced Christmas as never before. We traveled to "Bethlehem" on the night of our Lord's birth.
We came upon humble shepherds tending wooly, gentle sheep on the outskirts of Bethlehem and met sarcastic census takers at the city gate. As we strolled through the dark, chilly town, gruff and imposing soldiers made Imperial Rome's presence known to us with a sneer and a rattle of the sword.
Hobble kneed camels carrying gifts pushed their way past us, as wise men from the east spoke in hushed, urgent whispers. One of the magi took a moment to explain to the younger children the purpose of their long travel and why they searched the night skies. Wide-eyed and speechless, the children just nodded.
The most moving reenactment was the manger scene, when the wise men presented their gifts and knelt in worship before the newborn King. It moved us to tears.
Bethlehem Revisited is a living nativity, an interactive recreation of the famous town as it would have appeared over 2000 years ago. The experience brought to life the Scripture, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ our Lord" (Luke 2:11).
The crackling bonfires, the smell of smoke and livestock, bleating sheep and angelic pronouncements, the marketplace, the inn that turned Mary and Joseph away─truth be told, we were all speechless. We had been taken back to another time and place, to the focal point of history!
We left "Bethlehem" with more wonder for our King and more awe for His Kingdom. The babe lying in the manger is now seated in the thrown room of heaven as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Experiencing the birth of our King reminded us, His Kingdom has come. It is already here. Now we pray His will be done through us, on earth as it is in heaven. We pray that for you to, dear friends. May we advance God's Kingdom together this New Year!
IN HONOR OF OUR KING'S BIRTH
In honor of the birth of our King, the following is an excerpt from Rusty's teaching on the Glorious Incarnation.
"Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
We are all familiar with the traditional Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World." But how many of us have stopped to consider its meaning.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Jesus came to earth as the King of Kings. That our King would die for us is the incomprehensible wonder of his love. But as the song indicates, Jesus Christ didn't just die for us. He rose again and He reigns in heaven and upon earth. He rules "the world with truth and grace."
Miracles of miracles. The Creator of all came to earth as a helpless child in a manger. His majesty and power shrouded in the frailty of a human babe. We call this event, the glorious incarnation.
The glorious incarnation is a time when we celebrate Advent. Advent means the glory of the coming of the Lord, the dawning of God's salvation light to a lost and darkened world. It celebrates the fulfillment of the many prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the birth of Messiah. It unfolds what had been hidden in times past. It announces from the roof tops that Emmanuel is finally here; God is actually with us and is amongst us. The Word was made flesh.
Christ's birth breaks forth the divine into human history with unparalleled might and splendor. It introduces the supernatural into the natural, in the highest possible order. It sings from the heavens that the King is born. His Kingdom has invaded the earth, and the world will never be the same again. It makes the invisible God visible through the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The glorious incarnation represents an undying hope that through faith and patience, we can expect heaven's visitation will manifest itself in the earth. His Kingdom has come and now we give our lives to further His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus' birth not only points to His miraculous entrance into this world, but it also affirms the sacredness of life, particularly the life in the womb. Almighty God humbled Himself and clothed Himself in a tent of human flesh. Jesus was once an embryo, a fetus, and a baby in the womb. Though His conception was indeed supernatural, everything else concerning His development as a baby went according to nature. Thus He completely identifies with every person conceived, which has been born of women since the world began.
The truth is, Jesus began His earthly pilgrimage when He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and not when He was "born of a virgin." (Luke 1:31). It was at conception where the famous "emptying" of Christ began. This "emptying" of course, did not divest Jesus of His deity, but He voluntarily restricted His preincarnate glory and prerogatives as God in order to humbly fulfill His Father's will on earth. The glorious incarnation reveals all of Christ's deity and humanity were fully present at conception (which is why abortion is such a grave evil). Christ was no less God or human while in the womb.
May the revelation of Christ's birth burn bright in our hearts this holiday season. May it shine brighter than the artificial lights of the season and may it inspire our faith, increase our hope, and abound His love to us, our families, and to the world at large. "Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King."
We are all familiar with the traditional Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World." But how many of us have stopped to consider its meaning.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Jesus came to earth as the King of Kings. That our King would die for us is the incomprehensible wonder of his love. But as the song indicates, Jesus Christ didn't just die for us. He rose again and He reigns in heaven and upon earth. He rules "the world with truth and grace."
Miracles of miracles. The Creator of all came to earth as a helpless child in a manger. His majesty and power shrouded in the frailty of a human babe. We call this event, the glorious incarnation.
The glorious incarnation is a time when we celebrate Advent. Advent means the glory of the coming of the Lord, the dawning of God's salvation light to a lost and darkened world. It celebrates the fulfillment of the many prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the birth of Messiah. It unfolds what had been hidden in times past. It announces from the roof tops that Emmanuel is finally here; God is actually with us and is amongst us. The Word was made flesh.
Christ's birth breaks forth the divine into human history with unparalleled might and splendor. It introduces the supernatural into the natural, in the highest possible order. It sings from the heavens that the King is born. His Kingdom has invaded the earth, and the world will never be the same again. It makes the invisible God visible through the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The glorious incarnation represents an undying hope that through faith and patience, we can expect heaven's visitation will manifest itself in the earth. His Kingdom has come and now we give our lives to further His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus' birth not only points to His miraculous entrance into this world, but it also affirms the sacredness of life, particularly the life in the womb. Almighty God humbled Himself and clothed Himself in a tent of human flesh. Jesus was once an embryo, a fetus, and a baby in the womb. Though His conception was indeed supernatural, everything else concerning His development as a baby went according to nature. Thus He completely identifies with every person conceived, which has been born of women since the world began.
The truth is, Jesus began His earthly pilgrimage when He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and not when He was "born of a virgin." (Luke 1:31). It was at conception where the famous "emptying" of Christ began. This "emptying" of course, did not divest Jesus of His deity, but He voluntarily restricted His preincarnate glory and prerogatives as God in order to humbly fulfill His Father's will on earth. The glorious incarnation reveals all of Christ's deity and humanity were fully present at conception (which is why abortion is such a grave evil). Christ was no less God or human while in the womb.
May the revelation of Christ's birth burn bright in our hearts this holiday season. May it shine brighter than the artificial lights of the season and may it inspire our faith, increase our hope, and abound His love to us, our families, and to the world at large. "Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King."
Dad's News
Between Elijah Ministries and the publication of his first book, 2009 was a busy year for Rusty. In the months of November and December he had book signing events at Barnes and Noble and at Borders. Aunt Judy is his "booking agent." She is in the beginning stages of contacting 150 bookstores in Texas to line up dates for after the holidays.
Rusty also launched an interactive blog, based on his book. His ministry is now "multimedia." In addition to our Elijah Ministries website, Rusty's teachings can be found on Youtube and on his blog http://kingdomleadershipinstitute.blogspot.com/
(through both video and audio). He can also be found on facebook.
He traveled more this year, ministering in several states. When possible, he loves to bring his family to minister with him. He brought the family to Las Vegas and New Orleans for two evangelical, pro-life outreaches. On our return from Sin City, we stopped and visited Nana and she brought the children to Disneyland for an early Christmas gift.
In addition to preaching, Rusty was privileged to do a host of TV, print, and radio interviews. At times, he even served as a guest-host for a radio program. He began a weekly Bible study in our home. College students from Baylor are experiencing a "quiverful" of children, home cooked meals, served by content young ladies, and Rusty's passionate preaching. During these times, they learn the meaning of the battle, patriarchy, authentic biblical femininity, and the importance of a godly education. Rusty is discipling another young man from our church and cousin Jamie too. Rusty is honored by the opportunity to mentor these godly, young men.
Finally, he's especially blessed to minister once a month to the men from "The House Where Jesus Shines," an after-prison outreach.
Mom's news is a reflection of everyone else's news. Between homeschool, homemaking, the family ministry, and the "love needs" of 13 children, Kendra's life is overflowing with fullness and joy.
On a sad note, the chickens she so happily and eagerly planned for died on the day now known as, "The Great Chicken Massacre." She called Rusty in Washington, D.C., explaining through her sobs, that the neighbor's two dogs had attacked and killed all the chickens the family had nutured for over a month. Rusty was in the office of a congressman lobbing against the Health Care bill, yet chivalry demanded he comfort his wife before proceeding with his very important meeting. Yes, he's a sweetie.
The poor baby chicks were laid to rest with an elaborate eulogy by the children and a sad dirge sung by Torah. 26 sunflowers were laid on their grave site. It was a beautiful and emotional funeral.
On a sad note, the chickens she so happily and eagerly planned for died on the day now known as, "The Great Chicken Massacre." She called Rusty in Washington, D.C., explaining through her sobs, that the neighbor's two dogs had attacked and killed all the chickens the family had nutured for over a month. Rusty was in the office of a congressman lobbing against the Health Care bill, yet chivalry demanded he comfort his wife before proceeding with his very important meeting. Yes, he's a sweetie.
The poor baby chicks were laid to rest with an elaborate eulogy by the children and a sad dirge sung by Torah. 26 sunflowers were laid on their grave site. It was a beautiful and emotional funeral.
Kid's News
Shekinah (22) left New Life Drama Company and is now living and working in Tennessee. We were able to catch up with her over Thanksgiving, at the Merritt Family Reunion in Mississippi. There were many hugs and tears, as we listened to her share her new interests and experiences. We love and miss you, Kinah.
Cassia (21) and her husband Robby Wachsmann are the proud parents of Elizabeth (2) and Levi (1) and just learned they are expecting their third child! They live just down the road, so we are blessed to see our grandchildren often. Robby was recently in a motor cycle accident and was spared serious injury or death. We are grateful for God's mercy. He has also been promoted at his company and Cassia is busy at home.
Our beautiful and adventurous Destiny (19) is now ministering with Rev. Flip Benham and Operation Save America in North Carolina. She left with her father's blessing...and his heart. Rusty describes the family's loss in simple terms, "She was a pillar in the family." This is a reference to the Scripture, "Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace." (Psalm 144:12). She is proving to be a source of strength and support there, just as she was here.
Cassia (21) and her husband Robby Wachsmann are the proud parents of Elizabeth (2) and Levi (1) and just learned they are expecting their third child! They live just down the road, so we are blessed to see our grandchildren often. Robby was recently in a motor cycle accident and was spared serious injury or death. We are grateful for God's mercy. He has also been promoted at his company and Cassia is busy at home.
Our beautiful and adventurous Destiny (19) is now ministering with Rev. Flip Benham and Operation Save America in North Carolina. She left with her father's blessing...and his heart. Rusty describes the family's loss in simple terms, "She was a pillar in the family." This is a reference to the Scripture, "Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace." (Psalm 144:12). She is proving to be a source of strength and support there, just as she was here.
Charity (17) graduated this year. She and her father celebrated her success with a father/daughter road trip to North Carolina. Her passions include guitar, writing poetry, and photography. She has blessed us by her faithfulness in serving our family vision and ministry.
With football season over, Micah (14) and Elijah (15) are playing basketball. But their favorite sport is FOOTBALL. Elijah and Micah are both doing high school studies. They are learning discipline (their day starts at 6:00 am to incorporate chores, Bible study, homeschool and afternoon sports) as well as learning to tutor (Micah teaches a weekly art class for the girls and Elijah teaches the boys athletics). We are very proud of their hard work and diligence.
The three younger boys love to play sports with the older ones. Josiah (11) was given a special gift recently by the Sochia family in New Orleans. A drum set! Now he plays the drums and bass, in addition to the guitar. He is also pursuing piano. He still leads worship when the family goes out to the abortion clinic. Jeremiah (8) and Valiant (9) are our precocious "puppy dogs." They love to play and wrestle like puppies do and are ferocious and faithful in protecting their sisters.
The twins, Maranatha (7) and Sophia (7), are as close as ever but now they insist on dressing differently. Although their outside appearance is identical, their personalities are not. Mara is more nurturing and motherly; Sophia more adventurous and passionate. Her favorite shirt reads, "Daddy's girl." Torah (5) and Jubilee (2) are very close. They love to cuddle, play, and sing together. Torah was given a violin recently, for she loves music. The girls take ballet lessons while Jubilee watches them practice. They performed at our local fair. But it was Jubie who stole the show. In her mind, she was the prime ballerina. At one point she ran up directly in front of the stage and copied, as only a two-year old can, the fluid movements. It was precious.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!
