Tag: Christian

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?
Baa Baa Baa I Just Want to be a Sheep
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Baa Baa Baa I Just Want to be a Sheep

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Luke 2 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Those sheep sitting in the manger scene probably had something in common with the babe in the manger.

Bethlehem sits about six miles from Jerusalem where the temple was.  The sheep in the fields, more than likely, were being raised to be a sacrifice.  At Passover people flooded into Jerusalem, they needed a lamb without flaw for their sacrifice.

The babe in the manger would grow up to be the only perfect human.  This man would lay down his life as our Passover lamb.

And on the day of His birth, the shepherds were called by the Angels to view the new born baby who would be the final Passover Lamb required.

John 1 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Journal Exercise

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.

The Babe in the manger was your gift from God.  The Father provided the Lamb to be sacrificed for your sins.  Write a thank you note for God’s love.

Checking In
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Checking In

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Joseph and Mary left their village heading  to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. The village of Bethlehem swelled with people in town for the census.  Mary and Joseph arrive to find every place filled with people.  The Inn Keeper had no rooms left.  Everything was full.  No rooms anywhere.  The only place available was in the stable.

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.

Today, a beautiful church sits over the cave which was once the stable.  A star marks the spot where a hay trough once stood and where the baby was to be lain.

The Inn Keeper had no rooms except this stable.  The bible doesn’t tell us, but it is interesting to thank about the person who sent Mary and Joseph to the stable to give birth. Have you thought about that Inn Keeper’s decision?  I see two or three options here.

1. The manager of this place was out to make a buck putting people anywhere he could find.  He cared nothing about the man, woman and baby needing a room.  But he would make more money if he put people in the stable.

2. The city had people everywhere and getting the stable was special.  He felt sorry for them.  Mary being pregnant and all.  He took time to find them the only place he could find.

I see one option being so similar to the person with a busy life that gives Jesus the small sliver of time left over in their lives.  But the other person, the one trying to make room for Jesus, cares.  He is trying to find Jesus a place in his life.

But neither one was really what the Lord of the Universe deserved.  Neither is right.  Yet it seems like all of us just give Jesus what is left over.  Some people in a careless way never thinking about Jesus.  The others making an effort to squeeze Him in.

Shouldn’t we be giving him our room.  Saying I will give up my comfort or my favorite things for Jesus my Lord.  We owe Him everything and most of us think we are remarkable if we let him stay in the stable.

Journal Exercise

Do you squeeze God in?  Do you find him a place between all the other activities of your life?

 

Do you feel good about giving Jesus the equivalent of the stable in you life?  You find him a place, but not the prime spot, not the best of your life.  Do you treat Him like He is king or do you treat Him like the livestock?

in order to excite the inhabitants
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

in order to excite the inhabitants

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Back to our Saint Francis and his Christmas Eve service.

He brought in hay, animals and a manger.  This had never been done.  Saint Francis used his creativity to reach the people attending the service that night.  He wanted them to be excited about the events around Jesus birth.

Today, the manger scene comes as giant plastic figures, tiny shelf pieces made from precious stones, living enactments, and scenes made completely of light.  Saint Francis’ idea caught on.  But do you get excited when you see that scene?

The little manger held the creator of the universe.  He stepped down from his throne in heaven to take the body of a baby.  He came for you and for me.  He came to show us how to live.  He came to build a bridge between mankind and God.  This babe would grow up to be a man who would lay down his life as a sacrifice which covers our sins.

American Heritage Dictionary

ex·cite

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ex·cit·ed, ex·cit·ing, ex·cites

  1. To stir to activity.

  2. To call forth (a reaction or emotion, for example); elicit: odd noises that excited our curiosity.

  3. To arouse strong feeling in:

Journal Exercise

John 1

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

When you see the creche does it excite you to activity?

Does it fill you with strong emotion?

Write a prayer asking God to excite you with that first love for Christ.  The excitement that stirs you to action.  The excitement that fills you with emotion when you see a manger and remember your Lord came to earth to build a relationship with you.

Light the Rose Candle of Joy
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Light the Rose Candle of Joy

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Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

The third candle of advent is different from the rest.  The rose color candle represents the Joy of the coming of the Lord.  The custom comes from the Pope handing a rose to  a person on the third Sunday of Advent.

The news of Jesus arrival was to bring great Joy to those who love God.

The song Joy to the World was written in 1719 based on Psalms 98

98 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Christmas should be a time of great joy, but so many find the season sad.  The lights, the music, the family gatherings, the parties leave them feeling depressed.

But, the joy of Christ goes beyond the revery of a song and dance.  The joy of our salvation comes from a contentment in our inner being. We are assured that even in the bad times God is in control.  This world is a journey filled with highs and lows, sometimes very low lows, but God who created the universe is on his throne.  He works all things for good even when we can not see how.

John 15:1111 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Journal exercise

Do you have the deep inner joy of knowing Christ?

 

Are you aware of people who are sad during this Christmas season, maybe they are alone, maybe they lost someone they loved?

 

Can you think of any way you might bring joy into their life?

 

 

Focus during this season not just on purchasing gifts for your family, or even giving gifts to those in need.  Keep your eyes open, looking for those who you might share the joy of Christ with.

Angels, angels, angels
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Angels, angels, angels

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Angels top our trees, angels stand in our yards, angels every where of every size can be found.

But then, angels flooded the Christmas story.

First we have Gabriel appearing in the temple with great news for Zacharias. This angel came with assurances that the priest’s prayers would be answered.  Even though Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were past the age of having kids, they would soon be expecting a baby boy whose name would be John.  He would grow to be the one who would prepare the way for the Lord.

And Zacharias’ response to this wondrous news

Luke 1 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Gabriel closed Zacharias mouth until the baby was born and he was asked what to name the baby.

 

A few months later in the town of Nazareth, Gabriel shows up with more news.

He appears to a young 13 or 14 year old girl engaged to marry.  The angel informs the young girl, a virgin,  she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit.  This baby’s name will be Jesus (God’s salvation).

Mary knows this news means she will be at a minimum mocked in her community.  There is a real possibility her husband to be would have her stoned or removed from the community.  Her life will take a significant turn with this news.

And what is Mary’s response

Luke 1 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Journal exercise

What would your response be if an Angel appeared to you?

If an angel appeared telling you that a prayer would be answered, would you believe or ask for proof?

If the angel asked you to do something really hard what would your answer be?

 

You may not get an appearance from an angel, but you may know that God is asking you to do something for Him.  How have you responded to those requests to do hard things?

 

Songs of the Season
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Songs of the Season

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The days before Christmas, every where you go, you hear Christmas carols.  No other season has so many songs–religious songs, silly songs, worship songs, celebrating songs, kid songs, songs telling stories, songs with words from almost every language.  Songs to sing and songs for dancing happy jigs.

This hasn’t always been the case.

Telesphorus, the leader of the church in Rome around 125 AD, is said to have  declared it acceptable to sing Gloria in Excelsis Deo or the Angels Hymn at Midnight mass on Christmas Eve.  

A significant span of time occurs before we add new music to Christmas.

From 125 AD until around the 1200’s, the people listened to Priests singing songs during worship, but they did not join in the sing.

Our dear Francis of Assisi, as part of his Christmas Eve telling of the story of Christ’s birth, used music to tell the story. He wrote Psalmist of Nativitate.  Francis wanted upbeat music people could sing and celebrate with.  Happy, you can dance to it music, to tell the wonderful story of Jesus birth.  He put latin words honoring Jesus birth to familiar cheerful music for people to sing where ever they went.

Psalmist of Nativitate is considered the first Christmas Carol.  Over the years more and more Christmas Carols were written and played.  Everyone can find songs they love to hear and sing.

 

Exercise –non journalling today

Play your christmas music and sing, just sing those beautiful songs in celebration of Jesus.  Sing preparing your heart for the joyous day which is approaching.  Honor God with your singing.  Pull out your Christmas Carols and tell the story of Him who stepped down from heaven to a manger in a small village for your sake.

Psalm 95:1

 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Not for Santa; For Lucy
Christmas · Christmas Traditions

Not for Santa; For Lucy

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Cookies left on the mantle for Santa were originally for Saint Lucia.

A wealthy young women who loved Jesus lived in Sicily around 310 AD.  She desired to stay a virgin and to spend her life working for God.  One powerful pagan man in her community intended to marry her even though Lucia did not want to marry him.  She set her mind to using her dowery for helping others and to stay in service to the Lord.

The man denounced her to the authorities for being a Christian in retaliation for her not being willing to marry him.   The magistrate ordered Lucia be burned to death.  The tradition says her body would not burn until she had received the sacrament.  There are many wondrous stories associated with her death and it is difficult to know all the details.

photo-24In some traditions, the 13th of December, her saint day, starts the 12 days of Advent.

Regions of Italy, and other parts of Europe, have a tradition that Saint Lucia on a donkey brings either sweets or presents to children who are good.  Bad children receive coal.  If you are not a sleep, and you see Lucia, she will blow ashes in your eyes making you temporarily blind.

Swedish traditions have a young girl with a crown of candles on her head carrying saffron buns.  The lights symbolizing both her name which means light and the fire she suffered for the Lord.

 

Journal Exercise

Do you put God first and everything else second?

 

Do you freely express your love of Christ to others or do you deny Jesus with your silence?