12/25/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Five

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Five

The Birth of Jesus

Finally - the Joy Himself has come.  All the stories told it would happen.  All of God's people and even Gentiles waited for this moment.  God has come to earth.  It was not with fanfare or pomp.  It was simple, humble, and lowly.  Only a few of the earth knew when it happened.  Finally the moment had come - God's presence dwelt with man. Mary could look into the eyes of Maker.  Mary could hold human, baby fingers - but also God's hand.  Immanuel - God with us.  Not just next to us, or visable to us, but WITH us.  What joy to know that we can have the same presence of God within us even today!  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, made possible by the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - we can have God's presence daily.  Rejoice, oh Christian!  You are so rich in Christ!  With just His presence, you have everything you need.

John 1
Verse 14 - And the Word became 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.

12/24/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Four

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Four

The Angels Proclaiming

Luke 2:8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
 
Nothing would be more brilliant than a company of angels singing!  God's Son was born!  Who does God send this company of angels to??
Shepherds.  One of the lowest of society.  They are not kings.  They are not royalty.  They are nobody important, but God sent His messengers to THEM.  Are you feeling unimportant this Christmas season?  Rejoice - God chooses the lowest to bring Himself Glory.  Many of royalty might have used this opportunity to give themselves glory - but God wanted and deserved ALL of the Glory.  Do not wallow in your self-pity that you are not important. Rejoice that God is important! Rejoice and glory in God - that He sent His son to be our salvation.

12/23/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Three

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Three

The Light of the World

Jesus is the light of the world.  We have that hope and joy this Christmas season.  We have the knowledge that even in this dark, cold world - there is light. Jesus is that Light.

When Jesus was brought to the temple as a baby, an old prophet, Simeon, came and blessed the Child. He said:

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:29-32

Jesus was to be our light.  All the people of the earth - Jew and Gentile - would be blessed because of this baby.  Is this not the promise made so long ago to Abraham? Remember God's promise?  All the earth would be blessed because of a Seed of Abraham.  He is here! God's promise is fulfilled.  God is faithful and keeps His promises.  A theme of so many things this Christmas.

Rejoice! God is faithful.  He will do what He said He will do.

12/22/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Two

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-Two

The Star

The wise men came from the East.  We do not know who they were.  They brought three gifts, so it is assumed that there were three, but there may have been more.  They were astronomers, astrologers, men of science.  Many believed that they were Persians.  Scholars also think that Daniel was also a Magi (wise man) - and these men were those that had studied Daniel's writings.  Their were costly and fit for a king.  More here and here.

We would learn from them.  We tell our children that we give presents for two reasons at Christmastime:  1.) God gave the greatest gift of all - His Son, Jesus. 2.) The wise men gave gifts to Mary and Joseph for the baby.  We must ask ourselves, what else can we give other than "things"?  In our materialistic world - we know nothing of truly giving.  We give money and toys.  We give gift cards and clothes.  What about things that cannot be seen?  Such as:
Time.
Love.
Joy.
Peace. 
Kindness.
Gentleness. 

I am convicted this Christmas that I only give my family tangible things: food, clothes, a clean house, toys.  What they truly need are the things unseen.  As Christians, we are told that it is the unseen things that are eternal.  What can I give that will last eternity?
I can give my time.  I can sit and play with my little ones, even as the dishes pile up in the sink.
I can give my love, even to those that have wronged me and hate me.
I can give joy to those that are sorrowing this Christmas season.
I can give peace, when all the world is insane.
I can give kindness, when evil is all that I see.
I can be gentle, instead of reacting in anger.

My joy will come when I give of myself.  The sacrifice of the heart brings true joy.

12/21/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-One

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty-One

The Return

The people were getting ready.  The children of Israel returned to their land.  They built a wall.  They built a temple.  They waited.  And waited. And waited. 

For 400 years they waited.

We have all waited for something.  It cannot compare to 400 years of silence.  The people had returned, done everything right, yet God STILL hadn't sent the promised Messiah.  When would He come?  Would He even come?  Many people died before He came. 

But He came.  God did what He promised.  He sent His Son.  He sent the Savior.

What are you waiting for this Christmas season?  A new job? A new friend? A promise to be fulfilled?  Be encouraged and rejoice that ALL you need has come.  Jesus is truly the answer to all of our hopes and dreams.  He is the Savior - not only from sin and death (Hallelujah!).  He is the Savior to bring us joy, love, and peace.  Do not wait to make Him Lord of your life.  Spend this Christmas rejoicing that Jesus has come - the wait is over!  Life is yours if you would seek Him.

12/20/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twenty
 

The Exile

God was still in the business of keeping His promises.  The children of Israel had rebelled against God.  They had taken up idol worship and forsaken their One True God.  Sin must be punished.  God must do as He said He would.  So, the children of Israel were taken into captivity by the Babylonians.  Yet, God was still keeping His ultimate promise of a Messiah.  There was always a remnant of the family of Israel.  Not only did God preserve the race of Jews, but also the faithful and believing Jews. 
In Daniel we read a story about three young men who stood up against idolatry - the very sin what caused their people's captivity. It shows us that God was stilling drawing men to Himself, even during a time of great sin and rebellion. They were the only three that obeyed God. God protected them. God loved them.

 Daniel 3:19-23
Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.  And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.  Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.  Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

God is still in the buisness of keeping His promises today.  We look around this Christmas season, and see so much sin and rebellion!  So many do not even celebrate the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  Our hope and joy comes in that God will ALWAYS have for Himself a remnant of His people.  Never in a time of past history did God not have people that followed Him. 

Take joy this Christmas, even if you are the ONLY one you know celebrating Christ's birth - that God knows you, takes care of you, and loves you. 

12/19/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Nineteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Nineteen

Bethlehem

Such a tiny town!  When I think of Bethlehem, I think of my little town I grew up in.  Although it wasn't rural, like a lot of West Virginian towns, it was small.  My dad and mom both grew up there.  They were now living there and raising their family.  A lot of friends they went to High School with were still around.  It seemed, growing up, that everyone knew my parents  Everyone knew my grandparents.  Our name was known.  But our town wasn't important.  We lived near a big city.  That city was bigger and more important than our tiny town.  Most people not from our area did not even consider us a town.  We were just a subdivision of the larger city.

Before Christ was born, maybe that was how Bethlehem was. Small. Unimportant - but special.  It was special to the people that lived there.  It might have seemed unimportant, but it was THE most important town in the area to the people that lived there!  It did have a lot of good history, and I'm sure that they were proud of that history.

Ruth and Noami moved back from Moab to Bethlehem.  King David grew up in Bethlehem.  And the promised Messiah was said to one day be born in that tiny city!  The city might have been small, but God uses the small things to make gloriously known His strength.

Do you feel small this Christmas? Unimportant? Insignificant? Rejoice: the joy of Christmas is found in the truth that God can use you! He can use you no matter who you are or where you are.
Yes, you mother of three who barely gets a shower during the day and dinner on the table - God is using you!
Yes, you worker number 15, sitting at your lonely desk, being ignored by the office staff. - God is using you!
Yes, you teacher, overwhelmed with responsibility and duties. - God is using you!
Yes, you father, trying to provide for your family but struggling to do so. - God is using you!

God uses those that are weak to confuse the strong.  He uses us when we are weak because it shows the world (and us) how strong HE really is!


12/18/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Eighteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Eighteen
 

The New Covenant

The sacrificial system and the Ten Commandments were part of the Old Covanent.  We learned how the those could not fully save.  The Law could not be kept perfectly, and even if it was - it was never good enough. 

Hebrews 10:1. 4
"For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things can never with these same sacrifices which they offere continually year by year, make those who approach perfect...For it is not possible tha the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

God promised, even in the Old Testament, that He would send a new Convanent and that Covnent would be permenant. 

Jeremiah 31:33
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Christ is the hope for the New Covenant.  He is our final sacrifice.  He is our joy this Christmas.

Hebrews 10:12-18
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,  from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin."

 

12/17/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Seventeen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Seventeen

The Suffering Servant

BORN TO DIE
written by Bebo Norman & Jason Ingram

And all fell silent For the cry of an infant
the voice of God Was dividing history
For those with eyes to see
the Son would shine From earth that night
Chorus Bridge:
To break the chains Of guilt and sin
To find us here To pull us in
So we can join in Heaven’s song
And with one voice around the throne

All the Angels filled the sky
And I can’t help but wonder why
Why this King would choose to be
Be a baby born for me
Be a baby born…Be a baby born to die


The joy of Christmas is that Christ came to die - so that we may have eternal life.
The HEART of Christmas gives us joy:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

12/16/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Sixteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the
Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on
finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Sixteen

The Good Shepherd


Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
My needs are always met in God.  I need love.  I have it. I need acceptance. I have it.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Sleep in peace.  God is watching over you.  Do not your lay your head on the pillow with worry.

He leads me beside the still (quiet) waters.
Rest. Relax.  Do not let the troubles of your day follow you to bed at night.

He restores my soul;
Restore can mean repair.  Do you have hurts or brokenness?  Let God fix them.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Worrying that you are being a good Christian?  God will guide you. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
Do not fear the evil of this world.  The unseen or seen evils.

For You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
The rod and staff represent the strength of our God.  Rest in His power!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
The people around you may have daily needs, but God provides for your daily needs as well.

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Even in your mistakes, God’s grace is more than enough.  It runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. The path for you and your family or life maybe cloudy – but God knows the way.  His goodness and mercy are like wildflowers growing along the path of life. Abundant and ready to be picked!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – Forever.
We know where the path ends.  There is no fear in death. Heaven awaits.


Find joy in Christmas - in the Good Shepherd.

12/15/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Fifteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Fifteen

Prince of Peace

We think that Jesus will "one day" bring peace and harmony. That "one day" He will Return a Second Time and then we will have "peace on earth." Yes. That is true. Christ will return. When He does, He will bring all things under His reign and establish everlasting peace and joy.

The here and now is what Christmas is about. Christ came to bring peace and joy even today!

Phil. 4:6-7 says " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

John 15:10-11 " If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

Jesus came so that we can have peace and joy even now! We do need to wait until heaven to have perfect peace. We can have a calm assurance, no matter our circumstances, that God is with us. We do need to wait until Christ's Return to have joy. Jesus promised that as we live a life of abiding, we will have perfect joy!

It may sound trite. It may sound "too good to be true." I can give testimony that this is true. In my own life, as the winds of a trial surrounded me, living in God's presence and focusing my heart and mind on Him allowed me to experience joy and peace. A friend lost her tiny, 11-week-old baby boy last week. She is testimony that amid this most horrible thing - God can provide peace and joy. It truly is unexplainable. It truly is not from this world. Jesus brings it. Rest in Him. Abide in Him.

12/14/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Fourteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Fourteen

Lion and the Lamb

On day Jesus will return.  He will make everything right.  Sometimes there are days when I wish He would come TODAY.  I want life to fair now.  I want death to be gone forever now.  I want the wrongs to be right now

This has been especially true recently.  For those of you who have lost loved ones, Christmas can be a hard time - not a joyful time.  Death is so inconvenient.  No matter how you had with someone, there are still more things to say.  Whether the death was sudden or known, it is still so hard. 

Christmas makes me think of those that I have lost.  It makes me remember people who have lost loved ones.  And more recent, my heart breaks for a sweet couple who lost their precious boy last week.  He was here only 11 weeks.  My heart breaks for them.  They never got to bring him home.  The first time she used the cradle was at the funeral.  My heart hurts so bad for them.  I hate death.

Death is not a part of eternity.  There is hope that death is defeated and Christ will vanquish it forever.  Although life is hard, remember that Christ's Second Coming is a reason to rejoice.  Rejoice in that Christ will make all the wrongs right and life will be fair with Him as Judge.

12/13/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Thirteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Thirteen
New Branch

Isaiah 11:1-5
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.


His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; 
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

 
The promise of the Messiah, or "Anointed One" continues into the prophets.  During the age of the kings, Israel rebelled over and over.  Yet, God never forgot them.  God sent prophets, like Isaiah, to send promises that one day, a Christ would come to redeem them.  Many Jewish scholars, even during Jesus' time, thought that they would be redeemed physically, as a country.  God had something even better and bigger in mind.  He was going to redeem their hearts. 
 
The Messiah would come to save the people from their sins.  Through the line of Jesse, which means King David, Jesus came to be that Savior. (Matthew 1)
 
God kept His promise.  We have joy this Christmas because Jesus came to save us from our sinful selves.  Rejoice - the King has come!

12/12/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Twelve

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Twelve

King Josiah Finds the Law
God's laws and commandments were long lost.  Yet, a simple boy-king arose to power and found them.  When he ordered the priests and people to clean the long-forgotten temple, they found the old scrolls.  Josiah could have left them there.  He could have had them put away.  He could have kept them for himself.  Yet, he commanded that they were read (not just for him) but for the people.  The entire nation came together to hear the reading of the scrolls.  They came to hear God's Word. (2 Kings 22)

Do we leave God's Word on a shelf? Do we open it up once a year to read Luke 2 on Christmas Day?  Or do we treat God's Word as Josiah did? He had the Word read to the people.  He wanted the Word obeyed as well.  Josiah changed things after he had God's Word read.  He cleaned the temple. He tore down the idols.  He established the sacrificial system again.  He obeyed the Word that he had read. 

James 1:22
Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

Do not open your Bible only during this time of year.  The joy of Christmas is that we have God's Word ALL YEAR LONG!  Find a Bible reading plan.  Find a simple devotional.  God's Word is for us to read and obey.  Find Joy in God's Word this Christmas!

12/11/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Eleven

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Eleven

King David

On of the most famous of the Old Testament heroes.  David truly was a "man after God's own heart."  Not only because of his actions as shepherd and king.  David slew Goliath with 5 stones and a sling-shot.  David maintained integrity when the kingdom of Saul was falling in around him.  David become a mighty king who subdued many of the lands surrounding Israel. David was more than that.  He was a sinner as well.  His attitude after his sin is what set him apart.  Even though his sin was grievous and ultimate cost his young baby's life - David was repentant. (2 Sam. 12). God accepted, not his gift on the altar, but his broken and contrite heart.  Forgiveness if found in repenting.  Anyone can say "I'm sorry." 

Psalm 51:17 says "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise."

Come to Christmas repenting. Be broken before Him.  Lay your transgressions at the feet of Jesus.  For in repenting, forgiveness is found - and so is joy!

12/10/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Ten

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Ten

Ruth and Boaz

I've always loved the story of Ruth and Boaz.  Sure it is a love story, but it is so much more.  It is yet ANOTHER picture of Christ found in the Old Testament.  At the end of the story, Boaz becomes Ruth's redeemer.  He buys the land that belonged to Noami's dead husband and marries Ruth.  Boaz is a type, or symbol, of Christ in that Christ too became our Redeemer.

Matthew Henry writes:
Our Lord Jesus is our Goel, our Redeemer, our everlasting Redeemer. He looked, like Boaz, with compassion on the deplorable state of fallen mankind. At a vast expense he redeemed the heavenly inheritance for us, which by sin was mortgaged, and forfeited into the hands of divine justice, and which we should never have been able to redeem. He likewise purchased a peculiar people, whom he would espouse to himself, though strangers and foreigners, like Ruth, poor and despised, that the name of that dead and buried race might not be cut off for ever.

Rejoice.  You are Ruth in this story.  Poor. Rejected. Unable to save yourself.  Christ is your Boaz!  He redeemed you - bought you back, with His very blood.  That is the story of why Christ came as a baby over 2,000 years ago! Rejoice, you are redeemed!

12/9/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Nine

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.


Joy of Christmas: Day Nine

Canaan, the Promised Land

Finally, the children of Israel have the opportunity to enter into the Promise Land.  Yet, they rebel.  It looks too hard.  God may call you to do something hard in your life.  Something that seems impossible.  For our family, that "something" is our adoption.  It seems impossible.  And it is - without God.  Our family cannot look at this adoption as something "hard" but as something that God will do.  And He will do it and their will be such blessing!

Eventually the children of Israel entered the Promise Land.  They did not conquer the land.  God did.  It was clear from the Battle of Jericho that God would be fighting for them. What hard thing is God asking you to do now?  What hard thing will God ask you to do this coming year? Or the next?  What will you do when God calls you to do something hard for Him?  Rest and find joy in the truth that with God NOTHING is impossible.  The very birth of Christ (from a virgin) is proof that God can do the miraculous to bring about a blessing. 

12/8/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Eight

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree. This is a site that I like: HERE

Joy of Christmas: Day Eight

Moses and the Ten Commandments

Everyone knows the Ten Commandments. We know not to lie, steal, cheat, dishonor, or murder.  Those weren't the entirety of the Law, however.  Moses received hundreds of laws from God while on that mountain.  Just read Leviticus and Numbers and Deuteronomy.  The Law become the identity of the Jewish nation.  So much so, that hundreds and hundreds of years after Moses, the Jewish people still hung on to those laws.  When Christ came, everything changed.

Galatians 3:19 says "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgression till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator." 

The law was to teach us how sinful we truly were.  God laid out what it took to be holy.  The result: We are all hopelessly lost.  There is no hope in the law.  There is hope in Christ. Our joy comes in knowing that Christ fulfilled the law.  He came to save us from the law.  We need not fear not being good enough.  Christ took our place.  The law was there to show us we needed a Savior.  Jesus is our Savior!! Rejoice!

Galatians 3:29 "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

12/7/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Seven

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree. This is a site that I like: HERE

Joy of Christmas: Day Seven

Joseph's Coat

Joseph is a familiar character in the Bible.  Mostly because so many bad things happened to him!  My five-year-old and I just finished studying the life of Joseph in his Bible lessons for school.  He is also going with my mother to a Good News Club held after school nearby.  They go every Wednesday, which gives this Momma a break!  They have been studying the life of Joseph as well. 

Other than Abraham, Joseph is the most written about character in Genesis.  So many things happen, all because of a coat.  Joseph's father, Jacob, gives him a coat of many colors - signifying royalty and importance.  Joseph's ten older brothers do not take kindly to the gesture.  After being sold into slavery, lied about, imprisoned, and forgotten, Joseph finally arises as the second in command in Egypt.  When his brothers are confronted with who he has become, they worry the Joseph will take revenge.  Instead, Joseph says what we all wish we might say in such a situation:

Genesis 50:19-20
"Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.'"

God used seemingly bad circumstances to bring about the salvation of the children of Israel.  God was preserving the linage of Christ. God still uses our circumstances to teach and mold us.  He does allow bad things to happen.  We live in a sin-filled world.  I cannot pretend to have the answer to all of life's questions concerning evil.  I can point you to God.  The same God who allowed Joseph to endure trials for the good of the family, still allows us to endure trials for our own good.  Find the joy, knowing that through it all, God never left Joseph.  God will never leave you.

12/6/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Six

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Six

Jacob's Ladder

Another type or symbol of Jesus Christ is Jacob's ladder.  In the story, Jacob was running away.  A cute quote I've heard lately is "I've thought more about running away as an adult than I did as a child."  So true.  Although I did not have a perfect childhood, I do not remember EVER thinking of running away.  I didn't like my family at times.  I didn't like my life either (mostly in my teenage years), but I never thought about running away.  As an adult, well that's a different story. The pressures of providing, loving, supporting, caring, and all of the things it means to be an adult are very overwhelming at times.

Jacob ran away.  Sure, he had a brother that wanted to kill him, but he was running away from a lot more than that.  In the midst of the running, God found him.  Not only did God comfort him, but He promised Jacob something.  He promised to keep His promise.  God reminded Jacob that the Promised One, the Messiah would be born out of his family.  God knew that Jacob had lied.  God knew that Jacob had cheated.  God knew Jacob was running away from his sin instead of facing it.  Yet, God remained faithful.  The ladder was Jesus.  The bridge from Heaven to earth. 

Genesis 28:13-15
"And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. ..and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoke to you."

Are you running away this Christmas?  Is the past too painful?  Is the future too dark?  Are you running away in your heart from God?  God will find you.  He always will.  Look for Him in the pages of Scriptures.  Look for Him - He is found.  He is there, waiting to remind you that HE keeps his promises.  Find joy in promises kept.  All the promises about Jesus in the Old Testament came true.  It should bring you comfort and joy knowing that all the promises made in the New Testament will come true as well.

**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree. This is a site that I like: HERE

12/5/13

The Joy of Christmas: Day Five

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Five

Isaac and the Lamb

The story of Abraham being called upon to offer his son as sacrifice is clearly a type of Christ.  Many scholars have written and debated on all of the implications, reasons, and motives for both God and Abraham.  This story is told from so many angles and points of view.  We need only look at one angle today.  Christ was that Ram, or Lamb, in the thicket.  Christ was our substitute on the altar.  We deserved to die.  God's law required blood. We were the guilty ones.  We deserved the death.  Yet - Christ took our place. He died so that we would not.

Reading that to our five-year-old tonight I was able to see with fresh new eyes that awesome act.  I could see it in his face when I told him that "Jesus died so that you would not have to die."  The look went from shock, to relief, to confusion.  I am sure that he cannot comprehend the entirety of the situation.  But he is beginning to see what that means.  His body language and the look in his face reminded me that I have come to spout the words: "Jesus died for me," without any feeling or emotion.  I no longer have joy because I have become numb to the idea that Jesus took my place. 

This Christmas season, find joy in this TRUTH:
Jesus died for YOU, so that YOU would not have to die.


**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree. This is a site that I like: HERE

12/4/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Four

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Four

The Call to Abraham
You may have noticed that these stories are going to trace the linage of Christ.  We began with the Creation of the world.  Then moved on to Adam and Eve and Noah.  Next, we find ourselves with Abraham.  Abraham is the Father of the Jewish nation.  He was called from his homeland in the Mesopotamian Valley and traveled to the land of Canaan.  God called Abraham to become a "Father of many nations." In Genesis 15 God is reminding Abraham of His promise.

Genesis 15:4-6
Then He [God] brought him [Abraham] outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness."

God's purpose for Abraham was to make a nation from which the Savior would be born. Jesus Christ was to come to rescue the world through the family of Abraham.  We have that joy that God is ready to bless and use us to bless.  Abraham was called to be a blessing.  If you are of Christ, you too are called to be a blessing.  Our lives are to be lived out as blessings to others.  We truly do have joy when serving others.  Christ brings joy to those that bless others.  How are you going to be a blessing today?



**Note:  A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree.  This is a site that I like: HERE

12/3/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Three

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Three

Inside the Ark
Many of our Old Testament stories point us to Jesus.  These pictures or symbols are called "types."  It is to be like a foreshadowing of something, or in this case, Someone.  One of these "types" of Christ is the ark.  Just as Noah was rescued from the flood through the ark, we too, are rescued from our sins through Jesus. Hebrews tells us that Noah preached for the entire 120 years it took to built the ark.  He invited people to be rescued and saved, but no one listened.  Noah was promised that if he trusted and believed in God, God would deliver him.  After Noah was rescued, God put a rainbow in the sky.  It is a reminder that God will not flood the earth again to destroy it.  However, rainbows can also be a reminder to us that God keeps His promises.

Today, Jesus invites those that would come and be rescued from their sins.  He promises joy to those that come. (John 15:9-17) We will not have joy that comes and goes - but joy that is everlasting.  That is the promise that awaits you.  Will you step into the Ark that is Jesus and be rescued from your sins?  Joy, love, and forgiveness awaits you.


**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree.  This is a site that I like: HERE

12/2/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Two

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!

Joy of Christmas: Day Two

The First Sin

No one likes to talk about sin.  You may be wondering what SIN has to do with joy and Christmas anyway.  Sin, however, started it all.  Genesis 3 records that first sin.  Adam and Eve had sinned and God had confronted them, but He also had a plan. 

Genesis 3:14-15 says
"So the Lord God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”

This Seed is Jesus.  We have the promise from the very beginning that God had a plan to save mankind.  Jesus would redeem us.  We were guilty.  We broke God's law.  A price would have to be paid.  That price was death.  Death is what we deserve.   Jesus is our salvation from death. The Joy in Christmas is that JESUS paid that price of death on the cross. Joy comes from knowing that Jesus is the Seed promised thousands of years earlier.  He is the Seed that crushed Satan's head and defeated death. 


**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree.  This is a site that I like: HERE

12/1/13

Joy of Christmas: Day One

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ.  Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season.  We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby.  He is so much more than that!  We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story.  But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ!



Joy of Christmas: Day One

The Light of Creation

The beautiful thing about John 1 is that it describes Creation from another perspective. It sheds light onto the mystery of the Trinity and reveals that JESUS was at the beginning with the Father.
 
John 1:1-4 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Jesus was that Word.  He was the very mouth-piece of God speaking the world into being.  Jesus was the breath that sang over the stars as they formed.  Jesus was the voice in the dark that spoke the birds into the air and the fish into the sea.  Jesus was the Word that gave life to man and woman. Jesus was the light that broke through the darkness.   Thousands of years after Creation, we still live in darkness.  Jesus came to be that Light for us.  We are no longer in physical darkness, as the world was before Creation.  But we are in Spiritual darkness.  We cannot see clearly the things of God until Jesus, our Saviour sheds light on our hearts.

True Joy is found in the light.  No one loves darkness.  Happiness and peace are found in the True Light of the World. Joy is found in Christ.


**Note: A simple google search will give you several options concerning the devotions and ornaments associated with the Jesse Tree.  This is a site that I like: HERE