Psalm 84 A Bird’s Eye View God created the birds to fly above the earth and across the expanse of the sky.  The timid swallow feeds upon the wing across the expanse of the sky to catch insects.  It prefers the habitats of men, where insects are plentiful, and often chooses the most extraordinary places for its nests.  The psalmist reflects that in the Temple, this wee bird found a protected refuge high above in the sheltered eaves, where it had the privilege of a ‘bird’s eye view.’  He can see the comings and goings and hear the words spoken at the altar and the songs of the choirs as…

Using the story of Job: Long ago, in a land far away, a man lived with his family of ten children.  He taught them well and prayed for them each day, especially when they got together.  He was a faithful father, a faithful praying father.  Days came, days went, and the life they had together was happy and joyful.  But, while this devoted father was doing what was right, there was a bad angel named Lucifer who hated this man.  He wanted to destroy him, so he went to heaven and angrily talked about this man to God.  God asked this evil angel if he had seen this wonderful father…

Today children see ads for toys and other material glitzy gifts, and as they shop, the world has provided all the shininess it can.  But, long ago in a land far a.w.a.y. there were at least three men, called wise men or Magi, who could only think of giving, not getting! Perhaps, they had either read or learned about a King to be born in the land of Israel from the prophecy of Micah. The scriptures tell us that they made elaborate plans and chose their best gifts for this newborn king. What they probably never knew was that their wise planning would guide the newborn’s earthly parents to help…