The Apostle Paul always made a point of thanking those he was writing to. He showed his appreciation to the people who meant so much to him by thanking God for their faith and love. When we were first married, my husband and I decided we would not exchange gifts at Christmas, but rather write a letter to each other. On Christmas morning we read the letters to each other. Over the last 26 years these letters have evolved, but always include appreciation for the mundane and unnoticed things we both do for each other daily. The letters give us a chance to focus on just why God brought us together in the first place, reminiscing about the past year, and looking forward to the future. This Christmas Season, I encourage you to write a letter of appreciation to someone special, thanking them for their love and faithfulness.
Tag: christianity
Titus 2:11 ” For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
Babies were being born all the time, so what was so very special about this baby Mary was about to give birth to? At the very moment Jesus was delivered, salvation suddenly appeared and shone its light on mankind…and God’s loving kindness was made flesh in the body of this tiny babe.
Colossians 1:15 ” He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
That baby lying in the manger was the personal manifestation of God…not a resemblance or facsimile…Jesus was God incarnate. In Colossians, Paul wrote that Jesus was placed above all creation in that He was the first to rise from the dead with a transformed body…leading the way for us.
Isaiah 40:11 ” He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart…”
Like many of you, I have been trying to put my mind around the senseless killings at the grade school in Newtown, Connecticut a few days ago. We were at our Bible Study Friday night and were praying for all those affected by this tragedy, when I asked the Lord to show me where He was during those horrific moments in the classrooms. Suddenly I saw Jesus in those classrooms gently picking up tiny baby lambs one by one and gathering them all close to Him. I was struck by how calm and peaceful the picture was, the lambs weren’t scared, but rather were running up to Jesus waiting to be picked up. He gathered those little lambs in His arms and will now and forever carry them close to His heart.
Isaiah 42:1 ” Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him and He will bring justice to the nations.”
There are four “Servant Songs” within Isaiah…Chapter 42:1-9, Chapter 49:1-7, Chapter 50:4-11, and Chapter 52:13-53:12. All these songs are prophecies of Christ Jesus; His life, death, and resurrection. In speaking with His disciples, Jesus used these scriptures to show that He was the fulfillment of the words foretold by Isaiah. This Holiday Season I would urge you to take time to read all these passages and marvel at that tiny baby in the manger, and what He stood for.
Luke 1:34 ” How can this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?”
Elizabeth was the wife of Zechariah. She was old and barren. But the angel of the Lord came to Zechariah and announced that Elizabeth would have a son. Six months later that very angel visited Mary and told her the same mind-boggling news. When Mary asked the angel how this could happen he told her of Elizabeth and stated,”For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke then states that Mary got ready and hurried to the hill country of Judea to Elizabeth’s home. Why? This shell-shocked young pregnant teenager needed answers to questions, and Elizabeth was the very best person to answer them. Only Elizabeth could relate to what was happening to Mary, and God knew that only Elizabeth and her wisdom could prepare Mary for the path ahead. The Lord will bring Marys into your life also…searching young people who need you to share your grace, mercy, love, but most importantly your Godly wisdom with them. You will be the very best person to answer their questions. Be that Elizabeth to them.
Romans 8:3 ” For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering…”
That tiny baby in the manger was fully man…and fully God. What the Old Covenant and animal sacrifices were unable to do, Jesus came to accomplish…once, for all. God offered His Son as an atonement for our sins. But Jesus was also fully man, sharing in our humanity…He looked like a baby, cried like one, acted like one. The biggest difference was that this baby had come to save us from our sins.
Micah 5:2 ” But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”
The Prophet Micah was given the privilege of revealing the birthplace of the Messiah, and 700 years later the chief priests quoted him to King Herod when he asked where Christ was to be born. Like Jesus, Micah also came from a very insignificant town, and though he was called one of the Minor Prophets, his prophecies carried tremendous importance for the world. Our Lord continues to do this today…He uses unimportant people who think they are worthless to do mighty things for Him. Never dismiss anything the Lord has laid upon your heart as insignificant or irrelevant…just be obedient.
Isaiah 46: 4 ” Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
“Getting old is not for sissies!” I tell many an elderly patient. With advancing age can come chronic health problems, loneliness from loss of a spouse, and limited independence due to physical disabilities. But God doesn’t forget us when we’re old and gray…He’s still there supporting, and carrying our burdens. He’s there to refresh and lift us up as we go through each day looking towards Him.
Ephesians 6:2 ” Honor your father and mother- which is the first commandment with a promise.”
As I was making one of my husband’s favorite holiday cookies today, it reminded me of a few years back when his twin brother was visiting over Christmas. One evening over Dinner we started reminiscing about Christmas treats our Mothers made when we were children. Both of them talked raptly about one certain cookie they remembered. As I asked questions about it, there seemed to be a very similar cookie my Mother use to make a Christmas. So I called her, got the recipe, and made them for the “boys”. They ate them, and they were very polite, but my cookies just didn’t measure up to their Mother’s. That’s when I called their Sister and got the “official” recipe…you guessed it- the recipes were identical! I just couldn’t add their Mother’s love, or all the fond memories to my batch of cookies.
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