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Podcast

Episode 54: Should Christians Get Involved in Politics? A Biblical and Historical Perspective

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In this thought-provoking episode of ‘A Few Moments with God’, we tackle the question: Should Christians get involved in politics? Drawing from biblical examples and the teachings of the early Church Fathers, we explore the responsibilities and challenges of Christian engagement in the political arena. We also debunk common misconceptions about the separation of church and state and discuss the importance of being the salt and light of the world.

Join us as we delve into this timely and relevant topic, and discover how your faith can guide your involvement in politics. Don’t miss out on this insightful discussion that will inspire you to make a difference in your community and beyond.

Religious

People of the First Christmas: The Magi

Welcome to the final post in my mini-series on the People of the First Christmas. Today, I’ll be focusing on the Magi, also known as the Wise Men or, less accurately, as the Three Kings. Contrary to popular Nativity scenes, the Magi were not present at the stable on that first Christmas night. Instead, they visited Jesus in a house when He was about two years old, bringing their gifts and worship.

Before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to explain just who the Magi were and were not. The word “Magi” is a translation of a Greek word that referred to the astrologer-priests of Zoroastrianism, a religion in what is now modern-day Iran, but was known as Persia in ancient times. They were experts in observing the skies and predicting future events, both through their interpretations of celestial phenomena and their studies of religious texts—both their own and those of other cultures. They likely had heard of prophecies such as Balaam’s in Numbers or Isaiah’s, both of which referred to celestial signs about the King of the Jewish People.

So when they saw the sign of a bright new star, they would have understood its significance and decided to follow it to see where it led. This extraordinary event aligned with the prophecies they had studied, such as Balaam’s words in Numbers 24:17, “A star will come out of Jacob,” and Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Recognizing the importance of this celestial sign, the Magi embarked on a long and arduous journey, driven by their desire to honor the newborn King of the Jews.

Now, before I dive into what the Bible has to say about their visit, I want to pose a question: When we see a sign in our lives, are we ready to show such faith and follow God, or do we resist because we are living a comfortable life and don’t want to change anything? It’s something worth pondering!

The visit of the Magi is described in the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The passage tells us that wise men from the East came to Jerusalem during the time of King Herod, seeking the child who had been born king of the Jews. They explained, “For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

King Herod, disturbed by this news, gathered the chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Messiah was to be born. They referenced the prophecy: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Herod then secretly met with the Magi to determine the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with instructions to find the child and report back to him under the pretense that he too wanted to pay homage.

The Magi followed the star to the place where it stopped over the house where Jesus was. Overwhelmed with joy, they entered and saw the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down, paid him homage, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another route.

After the Magi left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. This fulfilled the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

Unfortunately, Herod did not react kindly to the Magi’s decision not to report back to him about the child’s location. Knowing the timeframe in which the star had appeared to them, he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem with orders to kill every child aged two or younger. This horrific act fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, which spoke of Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more.

Now, what can we learn from this bit of biblical history? I think we can learn quite a bit! First off, we see that the Magi were humble in asking the people of Jerusalem where the Messiah was to be born and then following the directions given to them. Do we show such humility by asking for help when we need it, or do we let our pride get in the way and refuse to ask?

Secondly, the Magi were devoted and wise because they paid homage to a child living in a humble home with his parents. They recognized greatness even without the earthly trappings of such. Are we willing to overlook what the world sees in others, or are we only looking skin-deep at our fellow human beings? As believers, I hope it is more of the former and not the latter!

Third, the gifts they gave Him were prophetic in nature. Gold symbolized royalty, signifying that He was the King of Kings. Frankincense, used in Temple worship, revealed His nature as our High Priest. Myrrh, a spice used to bury the dead, foretold His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we offer a gift to someone else, does it hold such meaning as well, or is it merely given because it’s customary, and we want to appear nice?

Finally, their visit led directly and indirectly to the fulfillment of several prophecies, including God’s calling His Son out of Egypt and the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem. While we can see today that it was all part of a larger divine plan, it must have been terrifying for Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus to flee for their lives into Egypt to escape the mad King Herod. When we look back at our own lives, can we see God at work, or do we attribute events to coincidence or fate?

In conclusion, the story of the Magi is more than just a tale of a journey guided by a star. It’s a testament to faith, humility, devotion, and the fulfillment of divine prophecies. As we reflect on their story, let’s be inspired to seek guidance with humility, give with meaningful intention, and recognize the divine workings in our own lives. May we always be ready to follow the signs God places before us, trusting in His greater plan.

Thank you for reading another blog post on my Ko‑fi page. I enjoy writing these posts each week, and your support for my writing and other family-friendly content is greatly appreciated, whether it’s financial or otherwise. Until the next time I post here, go live on Twitch, publish a podcast episode, or release a video on YouTube, may God bless you all!

Religious

People of the First Christmas: Simeon and Anna

Welcome back to my mini-series here on Ko‑fi entitled People of the First Christmas. While Christmas may have come and gone for another year, now is the perfect time to reflect on those who encountered Jesus during His early years—long before He was a young lad of twelve or began His ministry around the age of thirty. This week, I will focus on two remarkable individuals, Simeon and Anna, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when He was still a baby. They witnessed His presentation in the Temple by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, in accordance with the Law of Moses.

I shall begin by examining what the Gospel according to St. Luke has to say about Simeon. The Bible describes him as a righteous and devout man, eagerly anticipating the consolation of Israel, with the Holy Spirit upon him. The Gospel also states that Simeon knew he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Before I dive into what Simeon prophesied about Jesus and the Virgin Mary, I want to take a moment to reflect on what the Bible says about his character. The main thing I noticed is that he was righteous and devout while looking forward to the Messiah’s coming. Do we look forward to our Lord’s second coming and strive to be faithful to Him, or do we live for ourselves without concern? This is something we need to think deeply about and decide what path we need to follow going forward.

The Gospel says that when Simeon’s eyes laid upon Jesus, he took the young child in his arms and praised God for fulfilling the word He had spoken to him—namely, that Simeon would see the Messiah before his death. Jesus’ earthly parents were amazed by what Simeon said about Him. Simeon then blessed Mary and gave her the following prophecy from Luke 2: “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Now, I want to examine Simeon’s encounter in the Temple. Firstly, Simeon praised God for fulfilling His Word. We too ought to praise God whenever we witness His promises being fulfilled in our lives. Secondly, Jesus’ parents were amazed by what Simeon had said about Him. One might think that by this time, Mary and Joseph would have realized that Jesus was no ordinary child, but rather the fulfillment of divine prophecy. Yet, it appears they still hadn’t fully grasped the significance of who He really was. Finally, let’s consider Simeon’s prophecy to Mary. Throughout the Gospels, we see how Jesus’ ministry revealed the inner thoughts of many. I believe the sword Simeon mentioned symbolizes the deep sorrow Mary would experience, especially as she witnessed her Son’s suffering and death on the Cross for our sins.

Now I want to examine the other person in this story: Anna. According to St. Luke, she was the daughter of Phanuel and a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. She had been faithful to her husband during their brief seven-year marriage and then lived as a widow. She never left the Temple, fasting and praying both night and day. What a powerful testimony of someone who was faithful to God their whole life—never wanting to leave His house and always seeking to speak with Him after fulfilling her duties as a wife.

The Gospel says that when Anna saw Jesus, she began to praise God and shared the truth about the child with all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. I wonder, do we do the same thing when we witness what God has done in our lives? Perhaps we just say a quiet prayer of thanks and then forget about it, instead of sharing the good news with others who could use something to brighten their day. This is something we should commit to doing if we are not yet doing so already.

Both Simeon and Anna had profound encounters with the baby Jesus. Though Jesus may no longer be a baby, our encounters with the Lord are no less significant. If anything, they are more important, for He is the only Way to the Father and the sole means of being saved. If you haven’t already trusted Him with your life, I encourage you to consider doing so today—it’s a decision you will never regret.

Thank you once again for reading another blog post in this mini-series. Next Saturday, I will be concluding this mini-series by examining the visit of the Magi to the young Jesus when He was about two years old. If you don’t want to miss it, consider following me here on Ko‑fi if you aren’t already!

If you enjoy what you see here on my Ko‑fi page and my other channels, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Any contribution is welcome and will be used to help me produce more family-friendly content for you to enjoy!

Religious

People of the First Christmas: The Virgin Mary

Welcome everyone to the first post in this mini-series where I’ll be looking at some of the people who participated in that first Christmas about two thousand years ago. In this week’s blog post, I’d like to examine one of the central characters, the Virgin Mary.

As a Roman Catholic, I deeply admire the extraordinary woman of faith that Mary is. However, for this post, I’ll focus solely on the biblical accounts of her life, rather than delving into later traditions. While such traditions are good, they don’t help us understand the woman God the Father chose to become His Son’s earthly mother. With that being said, let’s examine three pivotal moments in Mary’s life that are central to the Christmas story:

  1. The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel: The moment when Mary receives the life-changing news of her divine mission.
  2. The Visitation to Elizabeth: Mary’s encounter with her cousin Elizabeth, a moment of joy, revelation, and shared faith.
  3. The Nativity in Bethlehem: The fulfillment of the prophecy and the birth of Jesus Christ.

Imagine, if you will, a time long ago. The Promised Land, once a beacon of hope, now groans under the weight of Roman occupation. A people yearn for the Messiah, the long-awaited deliverer. In the quiet town of Nazareth, nestled in the hills of Galilee, lived a young woman named Mary, a descendant of the royal line of David. Her life was about to be forever changed. 

Mary, a young woman of Nazareth, was going about her daily routine when a startling interruption shattered the quietude. A radiant figure, bathed in celestial light, appeared before her. The man, a messenger from heaven, announced a divine mission that would forever alter the course of human history. Let’s turn to the biblical account to delve deeper into this extraordinary event. According to the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter one, we read: 

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[c] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Let’s ponder Mary’s response. Despite her initial confusion, she didn’t shy away from questioning the angel. Her honest inquiry, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ reveals her humility and desire for understanding. Yet, when she fully grasped the divine plan, she responded with unwavering faith: ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’

Like Mary, we too are called to embrace God’s plans, even when they seem impossible. Her example teaches us the importance of both questioning and accepting God’s will in our own lives. By questioning what we think is God’s will, we can truly discern His divine plan and avoid being misled by worldly desires.

After the astonishing encounter with the angel, Mary wasted no time. She set out for the hill country of Judea, to the home of her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth, miraculously pregnant with St. John the Baptist, was also carrying a child of divine destiny. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded with a beautiful prayer, now known as the Magnificat: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is his name…’

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth offers profound spiritual insights. Let’s delve deeper into the significance of this encounter. Elizabeth’s proclamation, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ (Luke 1:42), is a powerful affirmation of Mary’s divine role. This clear declaration from Scripture leaves no room for doubt about Mary’s unique position as the Mother of God. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth also serves as a powerful example of gratitude. Despite the life-altering news she had received, Mary responded with praise and thanksgiving. Her Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise, reveals her deep faith and trust in God’s plan.

After the shepherds visited the newborn Christ, Mary continued to ponder the extraordinary events unfolding before her. As Luke’s Gospel tells us, she ‘treasured these things in her heart’ (Luke 2:19). She likely reflected on the shepherds’ awe-inspiring encounter with the angels, the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth in a stable, and the kindness of the innkeeper who offered shelter to the holy family.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season, let us follow Mary’s example by pondering the wonders of God’s love. May we, like her, treasure the blessings in our lives and strive to serve God with all our hearts. May we, too, be open to the unexpected ways God may call us to serve Him.

Want to learn more about the other fascinating figures of the first Christmas? Be sure to follow my Ko‑fi page to stay updated on future posts in this series. Your support, no matter how small or what type, helps me continue creating content that inspires and uplifts. Thank you for your continued support!