Month: December 2012

Second Day of Christmas, Feast of Stephen
12 Days of Christmas · Christian. · Christmas

Second Day of Christmas, Feast of Stephen

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There is a Christmas Carol I have heard since I was a child and never under stood.  This song actually has more to do with the Feast of Stephen than with the nativity of Christ

Good King Wenceslas looked out


On the feast of Stephen


When the snow lay round about


Deep and crisp and even


Brightly shone the moon that night


Though the frost was cruel


When a poor man came in sight


Gath’ring winter fuel

 

The Feast of Stephen and the Second Day of Christmas are both on the 26th of December.  Let’s start with who St. Stephen was:

Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

 Stephen was chosen to be responsible for widows, orphans and those in need; his day represents the same principle.  People on the Feast of Stephen would take extra care to provide for those in need.  Wenceslas, a real person actually was a Duke and was known for caring for people.  He died at the hand of his brother partially due to Wenceslas willingness to give away his money to those in need. He was declared a King after his death in honor of his Christian heart for others.
Journaling Exercise
 
Identify others who have needs where you might be able to help.  This does not have to be monetary help. You could aid an elderly person by visiting them regularly or you could give a single mother a “night-out” by babysitting her kid.
Make your list and then decide on one activity and make a plan to act.  Come back to this page after you help the other person and describe how it went.
On the First Day of Christmas
12 Days of Christmas · Christmas · Christmas Traditions

On the First Day of Christmas

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Tis the first day of Christmas.  We sing the song 12 days of Christmas and assume it has to do with some tradition of counting the days prior to December 25th, but we are wrong.  Early traditions around the birth of Christ had the days before the birth of Jesus as fast days.  The days from the birth of Christ until the eve prior to the Epiphany were the 12 days of Christmas.  And they were days of celebration.

The first day of Christmas the Lover of my soul gave me a savior in a manger.

Join me in a journaling adventure over the next 12 days as we look at this old Christmas tradition.  In many ways, the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas fits our modern society better.  The days prior to Christmas day are chaotic with the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties and the secular traditions that have grown around the holy day.  After Christmas, we have more down time to contemplate the miracles of God stepping into the world.

Grab a note pad or some paper in a binder. Prepare to write your thoughts over the next couple of weeks as we study the 12 Days of Christmas.

A New Dial –12 Days of Christmas Song from the 1500’s or early 1600’s

1st Day Verse

 In those twelve days let us be glad 😐
For God of His power hath all things made.

What are they that are but one?
What are they that are but one?

We have one God alone
In heaven above sits on His throne:

Journal Exercise

Describe your Christmas day.

 

Is God on His throne in your life?

 

Do you put God before everything and everyone else in you life?

Happy Birthday Jesus
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Happy Birthday Jesus

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Isaiah 9

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

No Journal Exercise today.  Today is a day of Celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

Let’s Sing with the Angels
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Let’s Sing with the Angels

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The tradition of midnight mass originated around the year 130 AD.  Telesphorus leader of the church in Rome ( 7th Pope) established this service of worship at night  and included in the mass the singing of Gloria in Excelsis Deo.  This was to be done prior to the offering of the Lord’s cup and bread which was being celebrated in recognition of Jesus birth.  The song was referred to as the Angel’s Hymn because the song was based on the words said by the angels to the shepherds when they announced Jesus’ birth.

 

Luke 2

9 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.

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.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

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

Journal Exercise
Write praises to God for all He has done in your life.
Write praises to God for being born on Christmas morning.
Write praises to God for loving you.
Write praises to God and join with the angels in honoring HIm who was born in Bethlehem so many years ago.
And sing, sing, sing
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Fourth Candle = Love
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Fourth Candle = Love

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The fourth candle stands for love.  That deep Agape kind of love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love endures misfortunes and troubles.  It perseveres bravely with patience. Love is slow to anger or to punish. True love acts with kindness.  Love does not burn with anger or envy. A person acting out of agape love doesn’t go around bragging or building themself up.  This love behaves itself in a respectable manner; it is not selfish. This love is slow to anger, and does not keep track of the things that have been done wrong. Agape does not approve when unjust things happen to others, but, rather, celebrates the truth.  Agape endures everything.  The person expressing agape love shows trust, hope and faithfulness.

We know a few things regarding God and love.

We know that God is love.  (1 John 4:8)

We know that God loved us.

John 3:16 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

Jesus, who was worshipped by angels, stepped down from heaven to take the form of a simple baby.  Think about how helpless a baby is.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords allowed himself to become totally dependent.  He humbled himself in true agape love.

The man who grew from the baby walked the earth – not as a mighty ruler – but as a poor teacher. He cared for the outcasts.

Then, without cause, he allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for our sins.  He suffered torture and disgrace for our sake – always with you and I on his mind.

Jesus demonstrated what Agape love looks like.

 

 

Journal Exercise

Identify examples of Agape love you have seen.

Identify times you have loved with agape love.

Write your thoughts about how much God loved you to be willing to leave heaven and take a human form for you.  The bible makes it clear that if you were the only lost sheep Jesus would have came just for you.

Luke 15

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Pulling Things Together
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Pulling Things Together

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We have a nativity scene with a young woman and a baby in a manger.
A virgin will give birth as a sign.  Some argue the word means young women.  The word can be translated young women or virgin.  A young woman givng birth is not that much of a sign.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

And at her side is a man.  A man who trusted God and took the woman as his wife eventhough she was with child.

Matthew 1:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lordappeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Just as prophecied the babe was born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5

5 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

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.

We see our man and woman traveling to Bethlehem from their home and while there she gave birth.

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

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

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:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Our Christmas traditions of trees, Santa, presents, even Shepherds and wisemen are all secondary to this very simple story.

The Holy Spirit created a baby in the womb of a woman and that woman would give birth to a a baby who would be God with us.  Emmanuel–God with us.  Matthew 1:23

Journal exercise

God’s plan over time was for that babe to come into the world and to form a bridge between man and God.

That Baby was God in flesh.

To me this is the wildest thought in the world.  Write what you feel about the idea that the creator of the universe came to earth in humblest form to a humble family in a small village in a stable with the animals.  The King of Kings stepped into a babies body.  He did all of this for you and me.

Christmas Wish List
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Christmas Wish List

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Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

A group of educated men saw a star in the sky which signaled the birth of a mighty king.  They followed the star to Bethlehem.  The men brought with them gifts fit for a king.

Gold makes sense to most of us.  You are bringing gifts for a king, gold would be on your list.

Frankincense represented the Priesthood. They would burn Frankincense in the temple.  The scented smoke spiraled upward caring with it their prayers to God.  Jesus was not only a king but our High Priest.

At Christ’s death, myrrh was used in his burial as was custom.

All of these gifts were very expensive.

Journal exercise

What gift would you bring to the baby Jesus?

 

The one thing Jesus asks from us is to love one another.

What could you give Jesus as gift for his birthday this year? Don’t just think about material things. Think about things you think He would like for you to do.

Make you gift list for Jesus

Bullies, Pharisees and the Baby Jesus
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Bullies, Pharisees and the Baby Jesus

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Four days of anger, frustration, rants and hand ringing. I accept a certain amount of bullying exists whenever the wrong mix of teen girls come together. Teens and drama go hand in hand. What set me off this week were adult women bullying a teen girl.

The first day, I shook my head, but did little. The bullies not satisfied to have made a direct attack on the child started whipping others up in their little drama. I thought people would be horrified that grown women would treat a young defenseless teen in such a despicable manner. I was wrong. They allowed themselves to get sucked into the witch-hunt, repeating the gossip and picking up the stones to throw.

Tonight at a candle light service out by the creek, I stood with loving caring Christians singing Christmas Carols and listening to the story of the angels and the shepherds. As I listened a thought came to me.

The babe in the manger grew up to be the man who loved the tax collector, the women caught in adultery, the woman at the well who had been married multiple times. He gave extra time and attention to those who were broken and weak. He would tell them to go and sin no more, but he never treated them as if they were less than the most special people he had ever met.

But Jesus, love incarnate, had ugly words for those who bullied these helpless ones. As you read through the bible, the one group Jesus seems to have no patience for is the Pharisees. Those who proclaimed themselves the great religious leaders of their time but had no compassion for the sinner, for the broken, for those who could not defend themselves.

We claim the reason for the season is Jesus. We say we love Christ. I think the greatest gift a Christian could give Jesus on His birthday is to love and defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Go tell it on the Mountain
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Go tell it on the Mountain

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Go Tell It On the Mountain, over the Hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the Mountain Jesus Christ is Born.  (An old American Slave Spiritual)

 

Luke 2

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 

Those Shepherds heard the words of the angel and they headed to Bethlehem to see for themselves.  Once they found Jesus, they left the place and told others about the baby and about what the angles had said.
Journal Exercise
Do you tell others about Jesus?
Think of times you could have told people about Jesus in a way that was positive.  Why didn’t you tell them?