Tidings of Joy

December 17, 2016

Christmas is one week from today. You may be busy with parties, shopping, Christmas programs and all the preparation for your special family traditions. But do not forget the true meaning of Christmas in your busy life.

It is a good thing to read the Christmas story in Luke 2. God gave us the greatest gift of all, salvation through His Son Jesus. Thank you, Father, for sending your Son, Jesus, to be born to die on the cross for our sins.

Our prayer at SOS Events is that everyone we know and people who read the blog will have a wonderful time with family and friends.
To those who of us who have lost loved ones this year it can be a difficult time but God also sent the Holy Spirit to comfort our hearts and bring joy in the times of grief.

Some of you may have no family, but remember you have a friend that sticks closer than a brother and we can have joy in our heart no matter what the circumstance.
God meets every need and we need to Praise Him.

Luke 1:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

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Santa

December 16, 2016

What do you do with Santa?You can’t ignore him because he is pictured everywhere. Your children will see and hear about him. Other children will be excited and talk about him.

Do you really want your children to find out you did not tell them the truth?

In our home, having a large family, we did talk about Santa this way;

Santa is pretend. A fairy tale like Cinderella or Snow White. Fun to think about but they are not real.

They were allowed to sit on Santa’s lap and have their picture taken but they knew that he was just a man pretending to be Santa.

The gifts they receive come from Daddy and Mommy because God gives blessings of being able to work.

We had fun with our children and played make believe with them about Santa but always told them the real meaning of Christmas is because it is Jesus birthday.

The manger scene was always in a prominent place in our home. (Still is)

We celebrated His birthday with a cake. Also, taught the true joy is in giving not receiving.

Did this hurt our children? No. They really enjoyed Christmas but never had the pain of finding out that Santa is not real and that their parents had not told the truth.

We always told them not to tell their friends because their Mom or Dad must tell them when it is time for them to know.

Have fun with your children this Christmas. Make some memories that are uniquely yours.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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John, the Miracle Baby

December 14, 2016

God’s miracle preformed in Zachariahs and Elizabeth’s baby, John. A child conceived in old age but chosen to go before The Lord to prepare his way. We see John in later scripture doing that as he preached and Jesus came to him to be baptized.Can God preform miracles today? He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

John the Baptist knew who Jesus was and declared it to everyone who would listen. He was a witness. Those of us who are saved also know who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we have a responsibility to tell others.

Ask The Lord to give you opportunity to tell someone about Him today.

Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

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Hark the Herald Angels Sing

December 13, 2016

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was written in the 1700’s by Charles Wesley. He and his brother John were dynamic preachers in that time and were responsible for revival in both England and America. They founded the Methodist Church.Charles wrote hundreds of hymns, first published in the Methodist Hymnal. He was saved under the preaching of George Whitfield, who also had a part in the lyrics of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” as he changed some of the words to the hymn as we know it today.

The influence of these great men of the faith are still being felt today. If only we would see men today of such dedication to the preaching of the Gospel.
Unfortunately a lot of the churches have started singing “new” Christmas songs and the old familiar hymns are being tossed aside, along with the power of the Holy Spirit. Programs have replaced power in many churches today. If you hear or sing this great hymn this Christmas stop for a minute or two and pray for revival. Our churches need revival, our homes need revival and our nation needs revival.

1. Hark! the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!

(Chorus)
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

2. Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with  with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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Caesar Augustus

December 12, 2016

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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Joseph, Husband of Mary

December 11, 2016

Joseph was a good man. Engaged to Mary and most likely looking forward to taking her for his wife, when an angle came to him and told him to not fear to take Mary as his wife as the Child she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Ghost. He was a brave and righteous man to believe God and take on that great responsibility. He was an obedient person, Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus and we know from scripture that he was still living when JESUS went to the temple at twelve years old.
That is the last mention Joseph in the Bible and he must have died before Jesus started His public ministry.

Matthew 1:24-25 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:and he called his name Jesus.

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Mary, Mother of Jesus

December 10, 2016

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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Elizabeth

December 9, 2016

Elizabeth was well beyond child bearing age but God gave her a child in answer to many years of sadness and grief because she was barren. He used miracle baby, John, to be the forerunner of Jesus.Elizabeth and her husband had dearly longed for a child. They had prayed for one and the culture of the day had demanded they needed one. Yet no child came.

The miracle told to Zachariah by the Angel happened and the pregnant Elizabeth hid herself for 5 months.

Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

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Zacharias

December 8, 2016

Zacharias, husband of Elisabeth, was a righteous and blameless person was childless! Zachariah was also a priest. One day as he was serving in the temple the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that his wife would have a child.

Although Zacharias was moved by the awesome presence of the angel, he could not accept that his aged wife could still give birth because she was beyond child bearing age. In order to stop him confessing his unbelief he was unable to speak and remained speechless until the day that the baby should be given a name.

The custom was to name the baby after his father but Zacharias asked for a tablet and wrote, his name is John as instructed by the angel. Then he was able to speak.
Luke 1:63-64 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

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Gabriel, Angel Sent From God

December 7, 2016

Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Only two angels are mentioned by name in the New Testament. Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel was an archangel who was a messenger sent by God to deliver news to Zacariah and then later to Mary. Gabriel is also mentioned in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Angels had an important role in the birth of the Lord Jesus. Their presence brought fear into the hearts of the people they appeared to according to scripture.

We tend to forget that people like Zacariah, Mary and Joseph were just ordinary people that God used in extraordinary circumstances. If Gabriel appeared to us today we too would be afraid. As Christians we can look forward to the time when we will see angels in Heaven. What a wonderful future we have and there will be no fear, only wonder and beauty as we behold Heaven and meet Jesus face to face.

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