God's Family

Jesus’ birth was planned by God. All details concerning His birth were exactly as they should have been.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

   20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:16-20

This shows that Jesus was the Son of God. Having no human father, conceived by the Holy Spirit shows His divinity. Born to a human mother shows His humanity.

The Great News is not that we are human, but that Jesus was born, died, and resurrected so that we can have the Holy Spirit living in us.

Are you just human, or holy and human?

Holiness only comes through Jesus. Amen?

The Light of Christmas

Today we continue to look at the facts surrounding the deity of Christ. Let's look at His relationship to the world ( Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.- John 1:3-5)

He is the sole creator - Nothing exists that he didn't make

He is light and life - His light gives light to everyone, and the darkness cannot extinguish it.

1 John 1:5-7 - This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Be in the Light of Christmas.

The Deity of Jesus

Jesus is God. The next two days we will look at the proof found in the first chapter of John. First let’s look at the definition of DEITY - 1:  the rank or essential nature of a god :  divinity 2:  a supreme being 3:  one exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful

Here are some facts concerning the pre-incarnate Christ (Before He appeared in human form)

We see this in His relationship to the Father  (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2) - A Declaration of truth!

A. Christ is eternally declared - He already existed at the beginning

B. Christ's deity is declared - He is God

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

Always seek the truth. Amen?

Christmas Trees

The Christmas Tree is widely used in our celebration of Christmas. Some of our fondest memories of Christmas probably revolve around a tree that was placed in our homes during the season. Green trees, blue trees, frosty snow-covered trees, inside a warm room. Lighted trees, living trees, all are trees of Christmas. Our use of Christmas trees is so widespread, we have forgotten the beginning. Martin Luther put lighted candles on his tree to recapture the glistening twigs of the tree in the forest. He had been walking home and was amazed at the beauty of the stars. He also topped his tree with a star to commemorate that star which was in the Bethlehem sky as recorded in scriptures: "Behold, there came wise-men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and we have come to worship Him.'" He said the Christmas tree, with its top pointing up to heaven, was like hands folded in prayer, pointing to the throne of grace, from which we received our Savior. 

David said, But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

And His (and our) prayer was answered - His name is Jesus.

Amen?

Christmas Decorations

In the past two hundred years, a new element has found its place in our Christmas celebration. It is from the Christian practices and symbols in Mexico that we have adopted this tradition. In the very early part of the 19th century, an American who served the United States as an ambassador spent a tour of duty in Mexico. He admired the dramatic beauty of the bright red poinsettia that grew rooftop high and bloomed profusely at Christmas. He was awed when Mexican Christians told him why the bright red poinsettias were a part of their celebration of the birth and life of Christ. In Mexico, the story goes like this: The Bethlehem star shone over the manger where Jesus was born. Its light so bright the earth responded, reflecting that star light, receiving that star light, mirroring that star light with a beautiful flower. Star shaped, radiant shaped, pure white petals, golden star centers. In Mexican lore, it was always the Flower of the Holy Night. It grew on earth as a creation to glorify and commemorate that Holy Night "For the stars shout forth the glory of God." Then came the tragic day when Jesus dies on the cross and the blossoms changed. Pure white petals remembered the sacrifice of the Christ born when the star was over Bethlehem. Flower of the Holy Night, star shaped, radiant shaped, blood red petals, star flowers for the Holy Night. Now, everywhere, on cards and on trees, in churches and in our homes, the poinsettia takes its place; reminding us of a Holy Night, pointing to a Good Friday.

The star stands out in significance as relevant and vital today as when God hung it in space. The Bible tells us that God commissioned a particular star to serve as a travel guide for a group of men from the East who had developed an interest in looking for a child to fulfill a prophecy that in Bethlehem a ruler to shepherd Israel would be born. They found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a house where they fell to their knees, worship the child, and gave Him gifts. The star is a symbol of God’s gift of direction to us. It is His travel guide to seekers who will look and follow. The star led the wise men to Jesus, the Light of world. As we light the tree and the star remember that Jesus is the true Light in a world of darkness, He points the way to God. 

May we remember to honor Jesus this Christmas.

Advent Wreath

The lighting of the Advent candles are a part of many churches Christmas experience. It's meaning comes from Bible. And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:12-13).

We acknowledge the Bible’s prophesies and celebrate the coming of Christ with traditions, with worship, and with reverent waiting. There are many symbols of waiting, of preparation. There are many customs to hail the Advent, which is Latin for "the Coming." Foremost among the symbols is the Advent Wreath, the Wreath of Coming. The circle of the Wreath like God himself has no beginning and no end. A circle of evergreen, a circle of meaning, a symbol of that which is as eternal as God, as victorious as the coming Christ, and as everlasting as his promises. The Advent Wreath is a symbol of hope, a symbol of four Sabbaths of waiting. Four candles light the wreath. Three are purple. Purple is the color of kings; it is also the color of repentant preparation. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the rose candle is set aglow remembering the unfettered joy of the Angel's song. The center candle is white, pure white, lit when Christ is come. The wreath is made with carefully chosen materials, each a symbol of the Christ. Holly is used to symbolize the crucified Christ. Legend says holly was used to fashion the crown of thorns for the head of the crucified Christ, and that the berries were yellow until stained red by His blood. Mistletoe symbolizes Christ the everlasting. Ancient Druids noted how, when all other trees were bare, Mistletoe remained green. It was also a love symbol for them. In Christian legend it became a symbol of eternity; Christ the Everlasting, Christ the Eternal, Christ the Beloved. So in the wreath, we symbolized the coming of Christ, the Victorious Christ, the Prince of Peace; Christ, the Eternal; Christ, the Revelation of God! 

May Christ's love burn in your heart this Christmas season and always.

Christmas Grace

Yesterday was the first Sunday of the Advent season. We will be focusing on the idea of Christmas Grace and The Reason for Christmas. The birth of Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years before he was born. 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) “Advent” simply means coming as in Christ is coming. This is referring to His birth in history and in humanity. It meant the welcoming or the arrival of a special king and for us; it is our King of kings. This is what the Old Testament prophecies foretold concerning Jesus’ Incarnation, the Word made flesh for our hope and Atonement that brought us our deliverance. Advent represents our expectation, anticipation, and preparation for who Christ is and what He has done for us. He arrived into the world as a human being, being fully God and fully man. He came to identify as one of us, as the Son of Man, as a baby born in a manger. He came for us, He came for you and He comes into our lives and into our hearts. He is coming again in great power and glory to bring His Kingdom into fruition. Remember what Christmas is about as you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. 

The whole earth is at rest and quiet;

They break forth into singing.

The cypresses rejoice at you,

And the cedars of Lebanon. (Is. 14:7,8)

The glory of Lebanon shall come to you:

The cypress, the plane, and the pine;

To beautify the place of my sanctuary;

And I will make the place of my feet glorious! (Is 60:13,14) 

Welcome Jesus in to your heart and let Him shine in your life this Christmas season.