The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea

in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the

east and have come to worship Him.’”

I have read rather diligently on this verse in order to bring you what I believe

to be the truth. History is filled with legends that twist this way and that, so

we are left not knowing all we would like about the experience of the Magi,

or Wise Men, as they are sometimes called. The Person (Jesus) and the

Place (Bethlehem) are well-known to be accurate. Herod is Herod the

Great, who reigned from 37 B.C. to A.D. 4 (the time of his death). The

Magi are believed to be astrologers from ancient Persia (Iran), basing their

belief of Jesus’ birth somewhat on the teachings of the Prophet Daniel.

They boldly said to Herod, “For we saw His star in the east and have come

to worship Him.” It might better be translated as, “We in the east have seen

His star…”; for had the star been to the east of the Magi, they would have

journeyed toward Afghanistan and China. ~ What is of prime importance

is that the Magi were not Jewish, but pagans. Some who seek Jesus today

surprise us because they don’t attend any church or belong to a specific

religion, yet they have a longing to know the peace that only Jesus can bring.

Be alert and ready to share Jesus with them. He alone is the solution to their

needs.

Our love and prayers are with you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:17-20, “When they had seen this, they made known the statement

which had been told them about this Child.

18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that

they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

Having verified by sight and sound all that the angel of the LORD

had told them of the Child, they began spreading the news. Everyone

who heard the news marveled in amazement! They people were

aware of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, so it was easy and

exciting for them to know that He had come in their lifetime. Mary,

however, kept and treasured every single thought in her heart. There

seems to be a fundamental difference between men and women in that

women often think deeply and mull over things quietly within themselves,

while men come to immediate conclusions. This is true of Nana and me.

I tend to come to conclusions quickly, but when I discuss matters with her,

she has thought it out at a different level and often come to a different

conclusion. Meanwhile the shepherds were magnifying in praise everything

and sharing it with everyone with whom they came into contact. All of this

points to how important it is that pastors preach the Word and that we

listen carefully. Had the Jewish priests not emphasized biblical prophecy,

the people would have taken a “ho-hum” attitude about the shepherds’

announcement. Think deeply about that.

Our Love and prayers for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:15-17, “When the angels had gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then,

and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’

16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby

as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement

which had been told them about this Child.”

What do you do, when something wonderfully exciting is told to you?

You want to see it for yourself. That’s exactly what the shepherds did.

But, what about their sheep? Who would care for them with the

shepherds gone? What would the priests say when they discovered

their shepherds had abandoned the sheep? What the shepherds had

witnessed and heard was simply too astounding, too important! They

had to see for themselves. And can you imagine the difficulty that lay

before them trying to find a Baby lying in an animal feeding trough

with thousands of people in town for the census? Surely, the LORD

led them –yet the Bible does not say. The word for “baby” is ?????? brephos,

meaning a “newly-born child.” (This will become significant when we learn

of the Magi’s visit much later on.) What the shepherds saw and learned

about this Baby, they told everyone! How else would the hoard of people

in Bethlehem learn of Him unless they told them? How will people today

know about Him, unless we tell them? Don’t let your “sheep” distract

you from the Shepherd!

We love you all immensely!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:13-14, “13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men

with whom He is pleased.’”

Have you ever noticed how many times suddenly is used in

the Bible? Forty-seven times! When the LORD does things,

He does them quickly. Here in verse 13, a multitude of angels

suddenly appear. The word host means an army. We usually

think of an army as a group that fights, but here they are

praising God! Maybe that’s what military units ought to do!

They sing songs and play music to honor our nation. They

should praise the LORD, just as we ought to do. In fact, this

“army of angels” is looking for peace, not war! Remember

that Solomon said, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the

LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov. 16:7).

Incidentally, there is no clear indication here that the angels

sang. They may have, but the Bible says “praising God and

saying.” However the LORD leads us to praise Him, is His

business. It is our responsibility to praise Him by the way

we live our lives. Think of ways you can praise Him today!

We praise Him for you –every day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:8-11, “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields

and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood

before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy

which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a

Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

Shepherds are everywhere in Scripture. The word itself (?????? poimen) is mentioned

more than 100 times in the Bible. Our word pastor comes from that same Greek word.

But these shepherds were not ordinary shepherds in that the sheep over which they

kept watch were pure and destined for sacrifice in the Temple. Is that not significant?

Jesus Himself is called the “Chief Shepherd” (1Pet. 5:4) and the “Great Shepherd”

(Heb. 13:20). So these shepherds were honored to be the first to receive the angelic

pronouncement. ~ Understandably, they were terrified! But the angel quieted them,

saying that he had “good news of great joy.” Then the angel said that this Gospel

(good news) was “for all the people.” The word “people” (???? laos) speaks of the

Jews. [Just remember that Paul said, “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Gentile;

Rom. 1:16)]; thus, the message is ultimately for us, too. And who is this One, who is

born in Bethlehem? He is Christos ??????? the Kurios ?????? – the Messiah, the

Promised One, who has legal authority over all. Wow! Does that resonate or what?

Love to you in the Love of our wonderful LORD,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas