Archive for December, 2020

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No Room

December 21, 2020

Joseph must have been frantically looking for a place to stay for the night. Mary was probably already in labor. She was young, it was her first child and she was going through the same pain in childbirth that every mother has when giving birth. Bethlehem was full of travelers. It was a small village with a very limited number of inns. Maybe only one, and the was no room. The innkeeper took pity on Joseph and Mary and allowed them room in his stable.

Most people look at the innkeeper as unfeeling but if you think about it he really did an act of kindness, plus scripture was being fulfilled.

If the innkeeper had known who was to be born in his stable, maybe he would have given up his own room for JESUS.

JESUS wants the best from us. Our gift to Him this Christmas should be giving Him every room in our heart.

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

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Christmas Sunday

December 20, 2020

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Bethlehem

December 19, 2020

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus was foretold by Micah 700 years before Christ’s birth. Micah named the exact town and Matthew records the event. Bethlehem is still standing today and both Biblically and historically is proven to be the actual place where Jesus was born.

The journey to Bethlehem took Mary and Joseph about 4 days. It was not an easy journey for a woman about to give birth. Tradition says she rode on a donkey but that is not in the Bible account. She may have had to walk that distance.

Today take a few minutes from your busy Christmas preparation and think about the obedience of Joseph and Mary. They were willing to sacrifice time, ridicule, and hardship to bring JESUS into the world.

Two humans that made a difference to everyone from that time for all eternity.

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

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Caesar Augustus

December 18, 2020

All those even vaguely familiar with Luke’s Christmas account have heard of Caesar Augustus and his famous decree. It was this decree that sent Mary in the ninth month of her pregnancy 80 miles south to Bethlehem, along with husband Joseph. Caesar Augustus reigned as emperor of the Roman empire from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. 41 years in all. His decree had two purposes, for an accurate census and to determine taxation.

Caesar Augustus’s reign was marked by peace and security. Augustus was very interested in the number of citizens in his empire; he was especially interested in whether that number was growing.

Augustus was so concerned about the declining marriage and birth rate in his empire, that he passed legislation that made promiscuity a crime, which penalized bachelors in their right to inherit, and which bestowed political advantages on fathers of three or more children. Because of his demonstrated concern about marriage and birth rate in his empire, it is likely that one of the reasons that Augustus authorized the censuses was to see whether his legislation was working, or, at the very least, to see if the birth rates increased. Each Citizen had to return to the place of their birth fulfilling God’s prophecy that The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

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Elizabeth

December 17, 2020

Can you imagine Elizabeth’s joy to share with her friends and family that, after all this time, in her old age, she was finally going to be a mother? And how exciting that her son was the one God had chosen to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah!

Elizabeth had a visitor. Mary, her cousin came to see her, probably to share the news that she was expecting a baby, who was to be the Savior.

When Elizabeth saw Mary, her baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth what is overjoyed that the mother of the Savior came to visit her.

Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Luke 1:41-42 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

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Mary, Mother of Jesus

December 16, 2020

Mary, a young virgin, was engaged to Joseph. God chose her to be the mother of the Lord Jesus. When Gabriel came to her she was frightened at first, listened to his message and then was humble and honored. In those days being pregnant without marriage was a great disgrace but Mary was willing to obey.When the angel told her of Elisabeth’s pregnancy, Mary, went to stay with her. Elisabeth confirmed what the angel had told her because the baby leaped in her womb.

If you have not read and thought about the people in the unfolding Christmas story it would be good to read it again. We learn much about obedience and love of God as we realize that every person was human and had the same emotions, fears, joys and problems we do. Mary is a great example to us and she surely was blessed among women.

Luke 1:30-31 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

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Find the Perfect Gift

December 15, 2020

The next 10 days for a lot of people will be the busiest time of year preparing for that perfect Christmas gift. Shopping in crowded stores, looking at catalogs, shopping on line.

The best gift you can give anyone is telling them about Jesus. For your unsaved friend, coworker or relative their best gift would be receiving Jesus as their Savior.

For your Christian loved ones a time of fellowship, a phone call or a message. Your time is more precious than any gift you could possibly buy.

Enjoy the Christmas season but don’t forget the best gift ever given…..Jesus.

John 3:16 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

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Stockings A Christmas Symbol

December 14, 2020

If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in an old sock. But like many Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend.

A long time ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry (money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s family). In those days, it was very hard for a woman to get married without a dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the problem and wanted to help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one landed in a stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter found a gold ball in her stocking. With this bounty, they were all able to get married.

Stockings can remind us of the importance of service. The greatest example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38).

Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service. How can you give Christlike service and show kindness to others?

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

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The Best Gift, Jesus

December 13, 2020

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Christmas Tree- Symbol of Eternal Life

December 11, 2020

It wasn’t until about the nineteenth century that we find Christianity absorbing the bright, cheery symbolism of the Christmas tree. The Christians had long held the fir as a symbol of the Tree of Life.

Early Christians knew their symbolism well, as they added candles and apples to their Christmas firs. These candles represented the light of Christ. The apples symbolized knowledge which spawned man’s original sin according to Christian belief.

Here we see the light of Christ absolving the “fall of man” within the immortal symbol of the Christmas tree.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

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