NATIVITY-IMMANUEL

 "For unto us a child is born . . . "My mom stained these in ceramics when we were children, lots of hard work but will always be a family treasure, as she was and will remain-LOVE AND MISS YOU MOM

ADVENT-The Coming Messiah-So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23

ADVENT-The Journey to Christmas

 

God isn’t in the business of meeting expectations. He’s in the business of blowing them out of the water. Jesus is an incredible example of God’s exceeding goodness. Through Jesus, God met needs the Jewish people didn’t even realize they had. He provided much more than the fleeting prosperity of an earthly kingdom. He established His eternal kingdom, provided salvation, reconciled humans to right relationship with God, and brought hope to a broken world.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence things not seen. Romans 8:24; (2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7)

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

GOOD NEWS-From a Full Cradle to an Empty Tomb

 

Just as there was an angel of the Lord who announced to the shepherds that their Savior Jesus Christ was born, so, too, there was an angel of the Lord that descended from heaven and appeared to the Mary’s, rolling the stone away from the empty tomb and announced the good news that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead. Both at His birth and resurrection, the announcement was the same, “Fear not . . . do not be afraid.” GOOD NEWS the Savior of the world is a baby, born unto you, and lying in a manger . . . GOOD NEWS the crucified Savior is no longer lying in a tomb, He Is Risen . . . GOOD NEWS the gift of God, eternal life is ours! This Christmas let us celebrate the greatest gift and the greatest gift giver!

Luke  2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Matthew 28:1-3, 5-6 As the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb . . . behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow . . . the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ”

FOREVER KING

 

 

 

In addition to being the moment the Savior came into the world, Christmas marks the beginning of the legacy of eternity's greatest King. Jesus will continue to reign long after the kings and kingdoms of this world pass away, and we will get to live under the covering of His perfect love forever. Thank You for coming to earth and beginning Your journey to the throne among us. I’m so grateful You care for me deeply and will always advocate for me as my King.

Solid and Surrounded

 

 Scripture Psalms 125:1-2 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.

Observation Those who trust in the Lord are on solid ground which cannot be moved.

Application My faith and trust is in the Lord, my solid rock and surrounding mountain.

Prayer Thank You Lord for being my solid ground and surrounding mountain.

Ransom Paid

 

Scripture Matthew 20:28 the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Observation Jesus came to serve and lay down His life to ransom lost souls.

Application Jesus came to lay down His life to pay the ransom for my soul.

Prayer Thank You Jesus for coming to Earth to lay down Your life for me.

PRESENT PRESENCE

 Advent-Coming, Arriving, PRESENT. God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

 The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel-God with us. Isaiah 7:14

LORD help us to focus on, be aware of and treasure Your constant, abiding presence with us. What would Christmas be like if we truly celebrated the present of God's presence?

ADVENT-Hope

ADVENT-Coming

Christmas is the season of hope. Children hope for the latest popular toy or game. Families hope that everyone can make it home for the holidays. But the hope that Christmas commemorates is much bigger than our holiday desires. JESUS, the “Desire of All Nations” (Hag. 2:7), HAS COME! He has “delivered us from the power of darkness,” bought our redemption, and forgiven our sins (Col. 1:13-14).Christ in us gives us the hope of glory. Praise God for the hope of Christmas!-From the pages of Our Daily Bread

LOOK like JESUS

 

Scripture Matthew 9:36  When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Observation Jesus saw the multitudes and was moved with compassion.

Application I, too, would see/look upon others as Jesus did, with compassion.

Prayer Lord Jesus, this day, every day You bless me with, may I look/see others through eyes of compassion, like You.