TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 25
MESSENGERS
PART FIVE
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
TODAY IS THE DAY WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WEEK THE MESSENGERS THAT
HAVE INCLUDED MARY AND JOSEPH, THE SHEPHERDS, THE ANGELS, THE STAR, THE INN AND THE MANGER.
GODS WORD
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.
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 shown 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 the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying: ‘GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN.’” Luke 2:1-14
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Today you should take the time to read the entire Christmas story as recorded in Luke chapter two (above).
Remember the birth of Jesus brings deliverance, dispels darkness and determines your destiny. The baby that Mary delivered came to deliver us from our sins.
CELEBRATE not as the world celebrates. Read God’s Word, pray and rejoice in what God did. AND HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS DAY AS YOU CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS!
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Make your prayer today come from your heart and as the angels did that first Christmas day, praising God and saying: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD ALL MEN!
December 27, 2009
Messengers Part Four: December 24, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 24
MESSENGERS
PART FOUR
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
It is Christmas Eve and tomorrow we will CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS. For several weeks now we have looked at words and subjects preparing us for this most important day in the life of the Christian. On this Christmas Eve we will look at the Inn and the Manger.
GODS WORD
“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 16-19.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever noticed that when a child passes a nativity scene they will almost all without exception either stop or want to stop and see the baby Jesus? We have often heard the question asked --- why is the baby in a manger? God chose to have the birth of Jesus in a manger and the uniqueness makes the birth of Jesus recognizable to all. How many people do you know or have you heard about that were born in a manger and slept in a bed of hay in a trough?
Jesus was born as a King but born as the lowest of the lowest in a manger whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy and tired carpenter. The manger smelled because the animals were all around them. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty animal pen. There was no bed in the inn so the baby had to be laid in a manger in a stable when He was born.
There were no kingly robes to place around Him. There were no drapes like those usually found in the palace of a King. No tapestries covered the windows to keep out the cold. The worshipping angels had been replaced with kind but very bewildered shepherds. The sounds in the court were of cows munching, hooves crunching, a mother humming and a baby nursing. This was a manger out in the back of the local inn and He was born there because there was no room for Him in the inn.
It could have happened anywhere because it was a birth of a King, but God chose a manger. Step inside and worship the babe in the manger with thanksgiving because He has come and He is Lord and Savior. Tomorrow is the birthday of the Christ child so let us CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS with great joy!!
OUR MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
As I prepare for the celebration of Your birth tomorrow give me a new desire to serve You. Make me a blessing to my family. Make me more aware of their needs and give me more of a servant’s attitude. Make Christmas day for my family a day of rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving for all You have done for us.
MESSENGERS
PART FOUR
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
It is Christmas Eve and tomorrow we will CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS. For several weeks now we have looked at words and subjects preparing us for this most important day in the life of the Christian. On this Christmas Eve we will look at the Inn and the Manger.
GODS WORD
“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 16-19.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever noticed that when a child passes a nativity scene they will almost all without exception either stop or want to stop and see the baby Jesus? We have often heard the question asked --- why is the baby in a manger? God chose to have the birth of Jesus in a manger and the uniqueness makes the birth of Jesus recognizable to all. How many people do you know or have you heard about that were born in a manger and slept in a bed of hay in a trough?
Jesus was born as a King but born as the lowest of the lowest in a manger whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy and tired carpenter. The manger smelled because the animals were all around them. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty animal pen. There was no bed in the inn so the baby had to be laid in a manger in a stable when He was born.
There were no kingly robes to place around Him. There were no drapes like those usually found in the palace of a King. No tapestries covered the windows to keep out the cold. The worshipping angels had been replaced with kind but very bewildered shepherds. The sounds in the court were of cows munching, hooves crunching, a mother humming and a baby nursing. This was a manger out in the back of the local inn and He was born there because there was no room for Him in the inn.
It could have happened anywhere because it was a birth of a King, but God chose a manger. Step inside and worship the babe in the manger with thanksgiving because He has come and He is Lord and Savior. Tomorrow is the birthday of the Christ child so let us CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS with great joy!!
OUR MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
As I prepare for the celebration of Your birth tomorrow give me a new desire to serve You. Make me a blessing to my family. Make me more aware of their needs and give me more of a servant’s attitude. Make Christmas day for my family a day of rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving for all You have done for us.
Messengers Part Three: December 23, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23
MESSENGERS
PART THREE
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
It will only be two days now before we CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas morning. Today we will share with you several thoughts about the significance of the Star and the Angels.
GODS WORD
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1-2.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Every Christmas we hang a lit star on the front of our house. It hangs brightly over the nativity scene sitting on the grass of our front yard. When we drive around our community we look for other houses with stars and the nativity scene and can find very few. We see Santa in his sleigh, ornaments hanging from the trees, lights all around the homes, animals all lit up on the lawn and lights outlining the walks from the street to the door. But to us the star and the manger scene are all about Christmas and we want the world to know that on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, each year we see less and less Christmas decorations about Jesus and see more and more people celebrating Christmas as just another holiday where they can eat heavily, watch a football game and just lay around the house. People today here in America do not even wish others a “MERRY CHRISTMAS,” they just say “Happy Holidays.”
The STAR that was seen that first Christmas was very unique. God provided that star for the world to know that there was a special birth and the location was under the star in Bethlehem. Never again has that star appeared nor was there ever one just like it.
We are told by Matthew (above verse) that the wise men followed that star to worship the baby. We do not know much about the wise men who were also called Magi. The Bible only states that they came from the east and many think that it was Persia. They were scientists and men in high positions. They were wealthy and brought costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They came seeking out the “one who was born King of the Jews” to worship Him. They were overjoyed when they found Jesus and the scripture says that they “bowed down and worshipped Him” as King and gave Him gifts worthy of a King.
“WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM.” Perhaps you have seen this saying on bumper stickers or elsewhere. These wise men traveled many miles to seek Jesus but sadly today few people are willing to go even a few miles to the nearest church to worship Jesus. Do you still seek Him? Are you like the wise men that were filled with joy when they found Him.
The scriptures say that angels by the thousands followed the one angel that announced the birth to the shepherds: “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.”
The angels left and the star soon disappeared and Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem. What a wonderful honor it would have been to be one of those shepherds who heard the angels and then went to the place where our Messiah was born, or one of the wise men who saw the star and came to worship the King. The CELEBRATION DAY IS COMING. GET PREPARED!
REMEMBER THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE.
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear God that we worship a true and living God. Thank You for the excitement we are feeling about the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS on this coming Christmas day. Prepare the hearts of my family for a special touch from You this Christmas. May the joy of Christmas fill my heart and the hearts of my family so that we will celebrate Christmas in a most meaningful way.
MESSENGERS
PART THREE
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
It will only be two days now before we CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas morning. Today we will share with you several thoughts about the significance of the Star and the Angels.
GODS WORD
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1-2.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Every Christmas we hang a lit star on the front of our house. It hangs brightly over the nativity scene sitting on the grass of our front yard. When we drive around our community we look for other houses with stars and the nativity scene and can find very few. We see Santa in his sleigh, ornaments hanging from the trees, lights all around the homes, animals all lit up on the lawn and lights outlining the walks from the street to the door. But to us the star and the manger scene are all about Christmas and we want the world to know that on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Unfortunately, each year we see less and less Christmas decorations about Jesus and see more and more people celebrating Christmas as just another holiday where they can eat heavily, watch a football game and just lay around the house. People today here in America do not even wish others a “MERRY CHRISTMAS,” they just say “Happy Holidays.”
The STAR that was seen that first Christmas was very unique. God provided that star for the world to know that there was a special birth and the location was under the star in Bethlehem. Never again has that star appeared nor was there ever one just like it.
We are told by Matthew (above verse) that the wise men followed that star to worship the baby. We do not know much about the wise men who were also called Magi. The Bible only states that they came from the east and many think that it was Persia. They were scientists and men in high positions. They were wealthy and brought costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They came seeking out the “one who was born King of the Jews” to worship Him. They were overjoyed when they found Jesus and the scripture says that they “bowed down and worshipped Him” as King and gave Him gifts worthy of a King.
“WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM.” Perhaps you have seen this saying on bumper stickers or elsewhere. These wise men traveled many miles to seek Jesus but sadly today few people are willing to go even a few miles to the nearest church to worship Jesus. Do you still seek Him? Are you like the wise men that were filled with joy when they found Him.
The scriptures say that angels by the thousands followed the one angel that announced the birth to the shepherds: “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.”
The angels left and the star soon disappeared and Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem. What a wonderful honor it would have been to be one of those shepherds who heard the angels and then went to the place where our Messiah was born, or one of the wise men who saw the star and came to worship the King. The CELEBRATION DAY IS COMING. GET PREPARED!
REMEMBER THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE.
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear God that we worship a true and living God. Thank You for the excitement we are feeling about the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS on this coming Christmas day. Prepare the hearts of my family for a special touch from You this Christmas. May the joy of Christmas fill my heart and the hearts of my family so that we will celebrate Christmas in a most meaningful way.
Messengers Part Two: December 22, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 22
MESSENGERS
Part two
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message
This is day two of Christmas week. As we prepare for the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas day, we will look today at the role of the SHEPHERDS that first Christmas.
GODS WORD
“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 shown 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 a sign unto you: You shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever wondered why God chose to announce first to the shepherds that Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem? The shepherds were the poorest of the poor. They were uneducated, low class, smelly because they lived night after night in the fields and they were social and religious outcasts. Their one job was to make sure all of their sheep were cared for and none were ever lost.
We believe that Jesus was announced to the poor first because God wanted everyone to know that Jesus came to this earth to die for everyone --- the rich and the poor. He was born as a King and worshipped as a King but there are no “class” divisions in the sight of God.
The angel clearly stated to them not to fear, because they were literally scared to death seeing the angel come to them down from above. The angel also clearly stated to the shepherds that Jesus was born for all people, not just for them. The angel also gave them a sign as to how to know the baby was Jesus by saying that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
Take a minute now and think with us about some of the events of the miracle birth of Jesus. He was born of a virgin as prophesied by Isaiah some 700 years prior. He was born in the city of Bethlehem as was prophesied some 700 or more years prior by the prophet Micah. His birth was announced by angels. He was born poor, in a lowly manger and cared for in a feeding trough yet He was worshipped by Kings and wise men.
We have been to Bethlehem and have viewed the fields just outside of the city of Bethlehem. There are still shepherds there today. They still watch their flocks of sheep by night. When you stop to look at those shepherds and the fields where their flocks are roaming, you are struck by the reality that you are standing near the spot where the angel spoke to the shepherds.
As you prepare for your CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION this Christmas, do not forget the role of the shepherds even though they were the lowest of the low, God thought enough about them that He chose to announce the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to them. Jesus later in His life was known as the Great Shepherd and today He is caring for you every day and night whether you are in the fields or in your home.
THIS WEEKS VERSE TO MEMORIZE.
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
As I prepare for Christmas day help me to be reminded that You sent Your Son to be born in a manger for me and my family. Give me the strength and drive today to live my life in a way that will honor the significance of Christmas to all that I see and meet.
MESSENGERS
Part two
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message
This is day two of Christmas week. As we prepare for the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas day, we will look today at the role of the SHEPHERDS that first Christmas.
GODS WORD
“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 shown 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 a sign unto you: You shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever wondered why God chose to announce first to the shepherds that Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem? The shepherds were the poorest of the poor. They were uneducated, low class, smelly because they lived night after night in the fields and they were social and religious outcasts. Their one job was to make sure all of their sheep were cared for and none were ever lost.
We believe that Jesus was announced to the poor first because God wanted everyone to know that Jesus came to this earth to die for everyone --- the rich and the poor. He was born as a King and worshipped as a King but there are no “class” divisions in the sight of God.
The angel clearly stated to them not to fear, because they were literally scared to death seeing the angel come to them down from above. The angel also clearly stated to the shepherds that Jesus was born for all people, not just for them. The angel also gave them a sign as to how to know the baby was Jesus by saying that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
Take a minute now and think with us about some of the events of the miracle birth of Jesus. He was born of a virgin as prophesied by Isaiah some 700 years prior. He was born in the city of Bethlehem as was prophesied some 700 or more years prior by the prophet Micah. His birth was announced by angels. He was born poor, in a lowly manger and cared for in a feeding trough yet He was worshipped by Kings and wise men.
We have been to Bethlehem and have viewed the fields just outside of the city of Bethlehem. There are still shepherds there today. They still watch their flocks of sheep by night. When you stop to look at those shepherds and the fields where their flocks are roaming, you are struck by the reality that you are standing near the spot where the angel spoke to the shepherds.
As you prepare for your CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION this Christmas, do not forget the role of the shepherds even though they were the lowest of the low, God thought enough about them that He chose to announce the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to them. Jesus later in His life was known as the Great Shepherd and today He is caring for you every day and night whether you are in the fields or in your home.
THIS WEEKS VERSE TO MEMORIZE.
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
As I prepare for Christmas day help me to be reminded that You sent Your Son to be born in a manger for me and my family. Give me the strength and drive today to live my life in a way that will honor the significance of Christmas to all that I see and meet.
Messengers Part One: December 21, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 21.
MESSENGERS
PART ONE
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
This is CHRISTMAS week. For several weeks now we have looked at words and subjects to prepare us for the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas day. This week we look at the messengers that God used to bring His Son into this world. Today we look at Mary and Joseph.
GODS WORD
Here are some excerpts from Luke 1: 26-35 that deal with the role of Mary and Joseph on the birth of Jesus: “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to Mary, rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
Jesus was unique in His birth. He was born of a virgin. The angel came to Mary at her home in Nazareth and announced to her that she was going to have a baby. She was a young girl, most likely a teenager. She was a good Jewish girl raised to have a strong faith in God. Mary was troubled and confused. She said to the angel: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Even though it is thought that she was engaged to marry Joseph she was very clear to the angel that no man had touched her so how could she have a baby? This is mind boggling even to us today because it is impossible.
The angel explained that Mary’s child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that He would be the Son of God and therefore both God and man. The angel went on to say: “FOR WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.” Then Mary responded by saying to the angel: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel left. The virgin birth of Jesus is essential to the Christian faith and because Jesus was conceived from the Holy Spirit He was born without any trace of sin.
A few months prior the scripture tells us in Luke 2 that ‘a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Everyone had to return to their own city (city of birth). Joseph went from Galilee into Judea with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child, to Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David.
It was prophesied in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. It is interesting to note that God uses those who do not know Him to accomplish His purposes. God used Caesar Augustus to issue the decree that would bring Mary and Joseph to the right place at the right time.
It is from this location in Bethlehem that the excitement of that first Christmas took place. For years we have eagerly anticipated the excitement of Christmas in our lives. We have looked forward to the Christmas pageants in our church and always looked to other churches so we could enjoy theirs as well. We enjoy for at least a month before Christmas listening to Christmas music. In the car, at our house or wherever we are, Christmas music is always important to us.
We have told you before that it is a tradition in our family on Christmas Eve, now with our six children, their spouses and 20 grand children to have our own Christmas pageant. We have the costumes, the “fake” animals and the grand children play the roles. Each year the most wanted roles are Mary and Joseph. Christmas just would not be the same without this family pageant where we are all reminded from the scripture what happened that Christmas morning in the manger in Bethlehem.
The next two days we will share some thoughts on the shepherds and the star, two other messengers used by God to help us celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas day.
EACH WEEK WE HAVE A NEW VERSE TO MEMORIZE
This week let us all memorize together what the
angels said to the shepherds some 2000 years ago:
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank you for the excitement in our hearts as we prepare for the celebration that we will have this Christmas. Help us to learn the significance of each person that served as one of Your messengers that first Christmas. Thank You for sending Your Son to be born and then to die paying the penalty for my sins.
MESSENGERS
PART ONE
Defined by Webster:
One who bears a message.
This is CHRISTMAS week. For several weeks now we have looked at words and subjects to prepare us for the CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS on Christmas day. This week we look at the messengers that God used to bring His Son into this world. Today we look at Mary and Joseph.
GODS WORD
Here are some excerpts from Luke 1: 26-35 that deal with the role of Mary and Joseph on the birth of Jesus: “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to Mary, rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
Jesus was unique in His birth. He was born of a virgin. The angel came to Mary at her home in Nazareth and announced to her that she was going to have a baby. She was a young girl, most likely a teenager. She was a good Jewish girl raised to have a strong faith in God. Mary was troubled and confused. She said to the angel: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Even though it is thought that she was engaged to marry Joseph she was very clear to the angel that no man had touched her so how could she have a baby? This is mind boggling even to us today because it is impossible.
The angel explained that Mary’s child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that He would be the Son of God and therefore both God and man. The angel went on to say: “FOR WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.” Then Mary responded by saying to the angel: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel left. The virgin birth of Jesus is essential to the Christian faith and because Jesus was conceived from the Holy Spirit He was born without any trace of sin.
A few months prior the scripture tells us in Luke 2 that ‘a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Everyone had to return to their own city (city of birth). Joseph went from Galilee into Judea with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child, to Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David.
It was prophesied in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. It is interesting to note that God uses those who do not know Him to accomplish His purposes. God used Caesar Augustus to issue the decree that would bring Mary and Joseph to the right place at the right time.
It is from this location in Bethlehem that the excitement of that first Christmas took place. For years we have eagerly anticipated the excitement of Christmas in our lives. We have looked forward to the Christmas pageants in our church and always looked to other churches so we could enjoy theirs as well. We enjoy for at least a month before Christmas listening to Christmas music. In the car, at our house or wherever we are, Christmas music is always important to us.
We have told you before that it is a tradition in our family on Christmas Eve, now with our six children, their spouses and 20 grand children to have our own Christmas pageant. We have the costumes, the “fake” animals and the grand children play the roles. Each year the most wanted roles are Mary and Joseph. Christmas just would not be the same without this family pageant where we are all reminded from the scripture what happened that Christmas morning in the manger in Bethlehem.
The next two days we will share some thoughts on the shepherds and the star, two other messengers used by God to help us celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas day.
EACH WEEK WE HAVE A NEW VERSE TO MEMORIZE
This week let us all memorize together what the
angels said to the shepherds some 2000 years ago:
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL,
TOWARD MEN.” LUKE 2:14
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank you for the excitement in our hearts as we prepare for the celebration that we will have this Christmas. Help us to learn the significance of each person that served as one of Your messengers that first Christmas. Thank You for sending Your Son to be born and then to die paying the penalty for my sins.
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