The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:21-24, “And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ‘),

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’”

Being born male and Jewish in ancient times required three ceremonies: Circumcision, the Redemption of the First-born, and Purification after childbirth. A lot could be said here about these factors, but it is important not to overlook that behind all of these requirements is the conviction that every child is a gift from God. The Stoic philosophers used to say that “a child is not given to the parents, only loaned’; and of all the

gifts one might receive from God, none is so precious as the gift of a child.

In offering the required sacrifice, Mary and Joseph revealed their poverty. Had they been wealthy, they would have brought a lamb; but being poor, they were only required to bring either two turtledoves, or two young pidgeons. Jesus was born under the Law, and met all the legal requirements. The Father provided

for impoverished parents. Jesus Himself later said, “The poor you always have with you…” (Mark 14:7). Those without wealth are as much the concern of the LORD as are those with wealth. The LORD places all of us where we are best fitted for His service and His glory. We should never despair of being poor. Instead, we should rejoice that we are His and are ever and always under His protective care.

Parents today should recognize their children as gifts from the LORD, and should school them well in His Word. Parents should live a godly example before their children. I spoke recently with a woman, who has a wayward son. While she recognizes that her son has strayed from the things of the LORD, she is not fully aware that her own misgivings have allowed, if not encouraged, her son’s waywardness. Not all children with wayward parents turn out to be wayward themselves. Yet, as Alexander Pope once said, “As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.” Parents must accept their failures in parenting and should repent before the LORD.

In the final analysis, no child can blame his parents for his own evil involvements. The most evil of men can come to know the LORD by simply trusting Him to forgive their own sin. Blaming one’s parents for trials and temptations will not stand before God. Peter tells us that the LORD keeps “…the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority” (2 Pet. 2:9-10). No, none of us can do wrong and get by. So, if you have sins or even an inclination toward doing wrong, you had best clean up your act. God will not forget, but He will forgive.

You are ever in our thoughts and prayers,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:15-20, “And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that 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 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.

17 And 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 up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

What would you do if angels suddenly physically appeared to you and scared you out of your wits? The tendency might be to run and hide somewhere. But shepherds in New Testament times were used to preditors coming after their sheep, so they had developed courage to stand and protect what they were guarding. The more battles we face in life, the stronger we become in facing and defending them.

What is strange here is that the angelic message so superseded everything, that the shepherds all left the sheep they were tending and rushed into Bethlehem to find the Baby of whom the angels spoke. Some things are more important than others, and it’s imperative that we assess what is truly important and seel it.

Every day we face decisions. We have only so much time that we have to decide what things are more important and attend to them. How do you spend your time? What do you read? and how much? Are you more concerned for truth or frivolous things? What you seek is what is most important to you. Think about it.

The old addage, “Seeing is believing” relates well to those shepherds. What the angel had said was indeed true; so the shepherds told everyone they saw about all that had happened –especially, about the Child — who He was and how He had miraculously been born without and earthly father! Never before in human history had such a phenomenal event occurred! The shepherds established a pattern for all who have heard of this Child. We are responsible to share Him and His message with everyone!

Important in this passage is the use of the word “baby” –brephos! I will remind you of this when we come to the Magi (wise men) and their discovery of the Child.

Mothers –true mothers—think deeply about events in their lives. They notice and retain thoughts about their children that fathers often miss. Mary was no different. She pondered and mulled over everything that had happened, and no doubt speculated about the future of her Child and what He would eventually become.

Mothers are the key to their childrens’ learning and guidance –factors that will influence their ultimate behavior.

The shepherds spread the word about this newborn Child, but they returned to their responsibilities with their sheep. Not everyone who comes to experience Jesus needs to become a preacher or a missionary. He simply needs to share the story of salvation with others. The LORD has placed each of us in workplaces where we touch the lives that pastors and full-time Christian workers could never reach. Thus, we become His spokesmen in those areas of life. Our lives, our conversation, our humor display love and concern for others, and they attract others as “different.” That’s the first step in witnessing, just being Christ-like! Examine your life, your interests, your time, your conversations, your concerns. Just remember: “Missions is a word. It can mean across the oceans of the world or across the street from where you live.”

We love and pray for you daily,

Nana & Dado III

P. S. Rose Marie has received another unit of blood and is recovering nicely. We would deeply appreciate

your remembrance of her in your prayers. Her hospital rooms have become her places of witness.

And while we pray earnestly for her recovery, we rejoice in the opportunities He has given us to share

Jesus with doctors, nurses, cleaning women, and all who enter her space. Amen!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:6-14, “And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And 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 And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall 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.

12 ‘And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.’

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.’”

It’s a terrible experience to travel far, been worn out, and then find that every place of rest had been taken. You have to settle for whatever you can get. That’s exactly what happened to Joseph and Mary. Only, with them it was worse because she was about to give birth to her first-born Son. A cattle stall was where they were quartered and the new-born Child was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in the feeding trough. As there was no proper room for them, there is no room for Him in the hearts of many people today.

Interesting, too, is the fact that shepherds were keeping watch over sheep –sheep that were destined to be sacrifices in the Temple, a foreshadowing of the Child’s destiny as His Father’s own sacrifice for man’s sin.

The Angel of the LORD suddenly appeared and the shepherds were scared out of their wits! Yet, they were

calmed by the Angel, who brought them historic Good News of the Savior’s birth. The Angel gave them all the information they needed to find the Savior. So it is today. The Scriptures provide all the information one needs to come to know Him. That’s why Bible reading and study are so important.

Then a multitude of heavenly host appeared, praising God and declaring glory to Him! What all that heavenly host knew, we do not know. It was sufficient that they were praising the LORD for what they did know. We don’t have to know the reason for everything that transpires in our lives; we just need to keep praising the LORD, knowing that it is His will that the Earth He created might know peace –“peace, through the blood of His Cross” (Col. 1:20). So, don’t despair, whatever comes your way. Just trust that your Heavenly Faither knows, and that He is always doing what is best for you.

We love and pray for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:1-7, “Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.”

According to Roman law, a census of the people was taken every 14 years. The purpose was for taxation and for eligibility for military service. Everyone was compelled to return to his city of birth to register. The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem was some 80 miles.

Apparently, it was necessary for both Joseph and Mary to register. Both were Jewish, although they came from different lineages. From Joseph, Jesus received His legal right to the throne of David. Matthew carries the genealogy of Joseph back and through David to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. For Luke, the concern and emphasis was that Jesus was actually, truly, and humanly the Son of Mary. So, he traces Jesus’ bloodline back through Mary to David, back to Abraham, back to Adam and back to God. Thus, Jesus is both “The Son of Man” and “The Son of God.”

Marriage arrangements in biblical times were legal contracts and usually undertaken by the couples’ parents. The parents engaged in a contract for their children that was as binding as the marriage itself. In some instances today, that is arguably a good idea. Christian parents want their children to be happy and successful in marriage. Parents also, having themselves lived together, are aware of the elements that make for a successful marriage and the dangers that work against a marriage. Physical appearence and personal mannerisms often today displace the true elements of love and devotion –elements that are indespensable to a loving, lasting marriage.

There are multiple pitfals that await marriages today. Yet, with the couple’s devotion to Christ, they can be foreseen and avoided. Preparation for engagement and marriage commences with personal commitment to the LORD Jesus Christ and His Word. The Holy Spirit then steers those who are dedicated to Christ into the right pathway, so as to bring them together. When we live as the LORD would have us live, He Himself is glorified. And His glorification is the ultimate purpose for all of His children.

We love you and wish the LORD best for you always,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Matthew 1:22-25, “Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,

23 ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.’

24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took her as his wife,

25 and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”

Prophecy is history written before it occurs. The prophet alluded to here is Isaiah (7:14) and occurred 740 years before Christ. Ahaz was king of Judah and Judah was being threatened with invasion by Syria and Israel. While Ahaz contemplated calling upon Assyria to help him, the LORD spoke to him when Isaiah urged him to look to God for help, rather than to others. The sign was that a virgin would have a son, and before the son was born, those who threatened Judah would be eliminated.

Joseph was probably acquainted with Isaiah’s prophecy, given to him in a dream. And when he awoke, he did precisely what the angel had told him. He put off the thought of divorcing Mary, but refrained from any sexual contact with her until the birth of Jesus.

Why are we always in such a hurry to do things our own way? We look to Scripture and learn that the LORD is with us and available to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20), yet we worry and frustrate ourselves needlessly! My dear old grandmother used to say, “They haven’t reckoned with the LORD.” And it is so! Joseph entertained no extraneous thoughts. He simply did what the angel had told him, and everything turned out far better than he could have otherwise imagined.

“…and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” Once we have trusted Christ as our LORD and Savior, He is always both to us forever! He guides every step of our lives. Even in those dark times, when it seems as if nothing is working out for us and few if anyone cares, He is there! He cares! Don’t get discouraged! Don’t give up! Just stay in the Word and trust Him. As the old song says,

Ask the Savior to help you,

Comfort, strengthen and keep you;

He is willing to aid you,

He will carry your through.

Our prayers are with you all,

Nana & Dado III

(Gene & Rose Marie)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”