Archive for the ‘Jesus’ Category

Bethlehem Where Jesus Was Born

December 19, 2023

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.

Mary and Elizabeth

December 18, 2023

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.

Praise the Lord for Everything!

December 17, 2023

One week until Christmas Day! Are we so busy that we forget the most important thing we need to do this season and everyday?

That is to Praise the Lord in everything. If we are not doing that, we have missed what Christmas is all about.

God sent His Son, the LORD JESUS to be born. Not as King but as a lowly baby, to grow up and die on the cross for payment for our sin. That alone is worthy of all our praise. 

Then our daily blessings. Too many to even count. So stop today and right now give Him the praise He deserves. Take time from your business to honor the One who give you everything.

An Angel Visits Mary

December 16, 2023

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 humbled 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.

Christmas Stockings-Symbol of Service

December 14, 2023

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 this Christmas Season?

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.

The Christmas Star

December 12, 2023

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees.

The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. The star led the Wise Men to Jesus and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find Him.

Have you found him as the Wise men did? Not as a baby but as Lord and Savior in your life.

Matthew 2:1&2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Christmas Candles-Symbol of JESUS

December 11, 2023

Candles are a tradition of Christmas. Before electricity they were used to light Christmas trees, as well as light for the home after dark. Today, we use them as decorations. We scent them with Christmas smells, pine, peppermint and others to make our homes smell like Christmas.

The Christian meaning of the candle is that Jesus is the light of the world. We no longer walk in darkness of sin when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jesus, God’s Gift to Us!

December 10, 2023

God’s gift to us, JESUS! Today as you go about your Sunday, remember to thank GOD for His gift to us. Without Jesus we would have no hope. no Heaven, no healing, no comfort. Jesus the most wonderful gift!

Candy Cane-Symbol of the Good Shepherd

December 7, 2023

In Indiana, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that could be a reminder of Jesus Christ, so he made the Christmas candy cane.

He started off with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white color symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and the hard candy symbolized the solid rock which was the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a J, which represented the name of Jesus and the staff of the Good Shepherds. 

He then stained it with three stripes which showed the scourging Jesus received, and symbolized the blood shed by Christ on the cross. 

When you break the cane, it reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken for us.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Symbol of Christmas! The Poinsettia

December 5, 2023

One of the beautiful symbols of Christmas is the pointsettia plant that we like to decorate with for the holiday. In Florida and other warm climates the plants grow and bloom in December. 

The shape reminds us of the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. 

The red color the precious blood of Jesus, shed for us, the only we can have our sins forgiven. White plants, a symbol of Jesus’ purity. 

The poinsettia, a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.