Tag: Christmas

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

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.