We, as authors have been gifted by the Lord Almighty, artistically, in the art of storytelling as Jesus Christ did in ancient days:
‘All who are gifted artisans among you shall come and make all that the LORD has commanded’. (Exodus 35:10)
He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works. (Exodus 35:35)
With that in mind we bring Christmas Carousel 2011 as a gift unto the Lord during this holy season which also fulfills the Lord’s mandate to preach the gospel to the ends of the world:
Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year. (2 Chronicles 9:24)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
Seven (7) articles have been provided for your enjoyment ending with a bonus free ebook. The ebook download expires December 30, 2011. We hope you enjoy this carousel:
With Christmas upon us I thought it only fitting to talk about the real meaning of Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. While we do all the things we do during this holiday season to celebrate, let’s keep our focus on what the real reason for the season is. It is not about decorating the tree, shopping and wrapping presents, family gatherings, baking goodies, or anything else that we do to celebrate, it is all about HIM!
Let’s go back to the beginning, when it was first discovered that Jesus Christ was going to be born into this world through a miracle of God. The scripture we will look at is from Matthew 1:18-25. Matthew tells about the birth of Jesus.
Mary was a virgin, chosen by God, to be the mother of Jesus. It was a miraculous birth, because Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Think about how Mary must have felt when she found out she was expecting a child. She had never had a physical relationship with a man. Mary was engaged to Joseph, who was a just man. At first, Joseph thought he should put her away privately and not make a public example of her. But, the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed that Mary had conceived of the Holy Ghost. He told Joseph, Mary was going to have a son and they should call him JESUS.
Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt when he had that dream? He was engaged to a woman who was expecting a baby that was not his. Then, he had this dream saying it was conceived of the Holy Ghost. How was he going to explain this to his family and friends? The angel also told Joseph that JESUS would save his people from their sins. This was the purpose of JESUS’ birth, from the beginning; God brought JESUS into the human race to be the Savior of the world. He used Mary, as an instrument to allow Jesus to be born as a human, so He could live in this world and ultimately so He could be the sacrifice for our sins. Think about the responsibility that Mary and Joseph must have felt. God had chosen them, they didn’t volunteer.
This baby was different than any other baby that had ever been born into this world. He was the Son of God. He was the Savior of the world. He would grow up and be crucified on the cross. As we celebrate Christmas let’s remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate the one whose birthday we honor today.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 1:18-25 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 publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared 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.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for this account from Matthew about the virgin birth of your Son, JESUS. Thank You for sending Him to the earth to be our Savior. As we celebrate Christmas, help us to keep our focus on the true reason for the season. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen
Things to think about: Can you imagine how Mary felt when she found out she was expecting a baby? Can you imagine how Joseph felt when he found out his fiancé’ Mary was going to have a baby even though they did not have a physical relationship? Think about the miracle God performed when He caused Mary to be expectant of the Holy Ghost.
Do you celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ?
Yesterday I was invited to taste quail. Never had I experienced, had the interest, or had the opportunity to eat quail. Yes, I’m from south Texas and hunting quail is not uncommon. In fact, one of my nephews goes hunting for quail and I hear he does quite well.
I’ve never tasted it until yesterday. Yes, I was a bit hesitant unsure of something so foreign.
One look at it made me laugh. This animal is so small, about 4″ by 5″. I estimated perhaps it had four ounces of a rather dark meat. It was cooked in a simple way: oil, salt and pepper for flavor and baked in the oven face down with legs outwardly sprawled.
But being rather busy, I declined to eat it and asked to bring it home to eat later. I bagged it into a sandwich sized baggie and refrigerated it.
Today, I took it out of the baggie and zapped it in the microwave, and now I’m rather curious about it. One taste had me hooked (I think it’s because I’m extremely hungry). I like it. There isn’t anything particularly outstanding about it. It doesn’t taste like chicken, beef, pork, doves, rabbit, armadillo, or even frog legs (yes, I’ve tasted frog legs and they taste like fried chicken). I guess it would have been tastier if it had some savory sauce, or maybe even fried or lemon drizzled over it. It’s a good experience.
I laughed again at the smallness, thanked the Lord for my “new” meal and then, in a flash, I remembered a biblical scene where the Israelites had complained that they wanted something else to eat, other than manna, and the Lord literally provided “birds” from the sky.
Curious about what I was thinking that I asked myself if quail was that type of bird. Hey! I searched the bible and sure enough, quail was what the Lord had provided to the Israelites.
The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven. (Psalm 105.40)
So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. (Exodus 16:13)
Now a wind went out from the LORD, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and about a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. (Numbers 11:31)
And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. (Numbers 11:32)
Ok, I had one more question in my spirit:
Q. Is a quail and a partridge the same animal?
A. Most birds called partridges belong to one family, this family also includes the North American quail!
I was remembering a rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas…”and a partridge in a pear tree.”
What is the percentage of chances that I am experiencing quail for the very first time, and this is the season of the twelve days of Christmas?
That’s what I love about my Christ Jesus. He likes to give me new meaning as I am as receptive to receive it. He doesn’t just drop the information into me, I get to experience it–step by step. It gives me a deeper appreciation and I rather think He gets joy at me “discovering.”
I ran into the following excerpt that I think you might enjoy:
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ (because the partridge is noted for its voracity to protect its own)
The four calling birds were the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).
The five golden rings recalled the Torah’s first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
Eleven Pipers piping (the 11 disciples/Apostles, excluding Judas who was the 12th, but was not faithful).
Twelve Drums a drumming (the 12 points of the Apostles Creed)
The Lord provided my meal today and I not only received a physical meal but I also received my spiritual food, as well, in the form of my Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the Sunday before Christmas Sunday next week. I was listening to a sermon teaching when I heard this scripture: ” seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Oh my God, my favorite scripture! It was resonating deeply in my spirit causing my heart to start racing in excitement because I love this scripture.
The Lord reminded me that He hadn’t dropped a specific scripture on me and that since I had dedicated this column to Him, it was He who would give me my guidance.
I wanted to cry. I am always grateful when He speaks to me, ever so gently. My burden lifted from me and I got even more inspired and open to Him.
So a few questions came to mind with their dictionary explanation:
Q. What’s a kingdom?
A. A kingdom is a state or government having a king or queen as its head.
Q. What’s a king?
A. A male sovereign or monarch; a man who holds by life tenure, and usually by hereditary right, the chief commanding authority over a country and people, a monarch ruler, royal, regal, supreme ruler over an empire.
A king assumes responsibility (carries a particular burden of obligation) over a country or an individual.
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 11: 27 thru 30:
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In a nutshell, turn first to the Lord Jesus Christ, all of whom you are, what you are, all of what you have, all of what you dream–all, (your life, your family: your mother, father, husband, wife, children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, your job, your friends, your health, your finances, etc.) seek Him first.
How many kings do you know today, or from days past, who can give you a promise of this kind, of this level of integrity, that the Lord promises and actually guarantees it to you to come to pass?
10 For this is he of whom it is written:
‘ Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,Who will prepare Your way before You.
Jesus has all your corners of life covered, if you seek His kingdom first.
In Praise of a Proper PartisanshipPatheosBy JE Dyer, May 28, 2012 I enjoyed David French's post last week, "An Open Letter to Young, 'Post-Partisan' Evangelicals." I definitely "get" it, even if I never really went through the despising-my-Christian-elders stage. (That's not necessarily an ...
Evangelical pop star Joel Osteen to visit DenverDenver PostBy Electa Draper Joel Osteen preaches during a 2007 worship service at Lakewood Church, the Houston congregation he took over after the death of his father, John Osteen, who founded it. (Associated Press file photo) Maybe it's because Joel Osteen tells ...
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