It’s when you drop all the pretenses, when you get alone with yourself and stop being full of yourself. It’s when you look up into the Heavens and simply say “God, I need you!” It’s when you finally wrap up your self-righteous, prideful, puffed up and arrogant as we-all-can-be-about-me self, chucking it all and turning to God and saying “Lord, FORGIVE ME, for I am a sinner”.
“…but I give myself to prayer” Psalm 109:4 (ESV).
“‘Have they no refuge or resource?’ cried Scrooge. ‘Are there no prisons?’ said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. ‘Are there no workhouses?'”
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy” Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV).
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” 1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” John 3:16-17 (KJV).
“That’s Christmas and Good Friday all in one. This is the purpose for Christmas: “that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” So, Christmas is not for condemnation; Christmas is for salvation. That’s why he came: not to condemn, but to save” John Piper.
I recall as a child my siblings and I receiving a ‘lift the flap’ storybook in the shape of Noah’s ark. It was fun to open the little windows and see inside the ark. Thankfully children’s Bible storybooks often simplify the biblical accounts found within scriptures. So, while we children thought Noah gathered only two of every kind of animal, as an adult I would come to understand his ark manifest was a bit more detailed: “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female” Genesis 7:2 (KJV). The traditional nativity scene depicting the birth of Christ is no different.
The history of our much loved traditional nativity scene can be found in the Smithsonian Magazine short essay “The Nativity Scene Was Created in 1223“. As well, during the week long series, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland of Believer’s Voice of Victory joined by their daughter, Kellie Copeland, dig deeper into the biblical history behind our traditional nativity scene.
Many details including time frames, locations, and the wise men’s visit have been composited into one very special night. And that’s absolutely okay by me. Our much loved and traditional nativity scene gathers all the essential, historical and biblical details together for us to reflect, to celebrate, and to honor the much awaited birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11 (KJV).
Image by Christoph Meinersmann from Pixabay
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Now that all the gifts are opened and the decorations are coming down, should we celebrate Christmas along with the birth of Christ?
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” Luke 2:13-14 (KJV).
is the parking brake for improvement” Henry Cloud.
“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself” Proverbs 26:4 (ESV).
“Answer not a fool according to his foolishness, lest thou also be like him” Proverbs 26:4 (GNV).
“Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself” Proverbs 26:4 (MSG).
Need new motivation to help in your morning devotions? This very short video provides an easy to understand guide explaining the book of Proverbs. One can easily read a chapter a day as there are thirty-one chapters contained within the book of Proverbs.
“Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?” Proverbs 22:20-21 (ESV).
“Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them.
‘I am the Gate for the sheep,’ he said. ‘All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the Gate. Those who come in by way of the Gate will be saved and will go in and out and find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep'” John 10-6-11 (LTB).
“And it came to pass in those days, that there came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the world should be taxed. (This first taxing was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) Therefore went all to be taxed, every man to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of a city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) To be taxed with Mary that was given him to wife, which was with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first begotten son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a cratch, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraid.
Then the Angel said unto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people, That is, that unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the babe swaddled, and laid in a cratch.
And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and saying, Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace in earth, and toward men good will.
And it came to pass when the Angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, Let us go then unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed unto us.
So they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph and the babe laid in the cratch. And when they had seen it, they published abroad the thing that was told them of that child. And all that heard it, wondered at the things which were told them of the shepherds.
But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God, for all that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken unto them.
And when the eight days were accomplished, that they should circumcise the child, his name was then called Jesus, which was named of the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb” Luke 2:1-21 (GNV).
Image by Hans Rohmann from Pixabay
As children we looked forward to the holidays, especially Christmas. It seemed as if each day, Thanksgiving through Christmas, included some form of holiday festivities, whether a pageant, party or family gathering, decorating or viewing Christmas lights, Christmas specials on TV,…my Christmas memories will forever remain magical. Yes, we believed in Santa Claus. And, once we discovered his real identity, we kept his secret so as not to spoil the magic for our youngest sister.
Being reared in a Christian home we also celebrated the true meaning of Christmas. There was no confusion, no emotional or mental damage done by our parents sharing with us kids their faith in God and the virgin birth, along with the magical and imaginary side of the holidays. Our childhood was safe and secure, innocent, creative, fun,…and filled with hope and love.
While I recall our family watching the traditional Christmas movies together, we kids especially looked forward to the animated Christmas specials such as “A Charlie Brown Christmas“, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas“, “Rudolph, The Red- Nosed Reindeer“, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town“, “Frosty the Snowman“,… I also remember watching “The Little Drummer Boy” and “The Littlest Angel“. As an adult I discovered “Christmas In Connecticut” and was delighted to find the DVD included a short, black and white 1945 film entitled “Star in the Night“. I highly recommend spending the twenty-two minutes to enjoy this Christmas Eve drama with your family as Nick Catapoli discovers his star’s true purpose.
Christmas Blessings!
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” Luke 2:8-14 (KJV).
Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay
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