Jesus - The Reason For The Season

As a child, I enjoyed everything about Christmas and the preparations for it. Lights were put around our living room window, wreaths were hung, cards written, and the biggest thrill of all - putting up the tree.

My mother's stories of how my grandfather made little scenes for under the tree inspired my own efforts. I'd cut people, houses, and winter scenes from old cards and prop them up on the snowy skirt surrounding its base. We also purchased miniature skaters, skiers, and a mirror that became a pond. One year, we found a cardboard village in the Sears catalog and added that to the collection.

There were some things that took center stage. The Nativity Scene which held my interest for hours, bringing to mind the true reason for the season. My mother always had records playing of beloved Christmas Carols. I knew every one of them by heart and probably drove everyone crazy as I belted them out non-stop.

Those early years and non-verbal lessons helped prepare my heart for the experience of knowing Jesus as my Savior. At the tender age of nine, I went to the altar and gave Him my heart and life.

I'll be taking a blog break until Monday, January 7, 2019. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Writers and Readers: I've never forgotten those precious times. How do you bring Jesus into your Christmas celebrations? Please share.

Here's one of my favorite Christmas songs:

https://youtu.be/_U2G8wsbXBo

Photo Credit:  Debbie Schiel

May You Have a Blessed Christmas!

Luke 2:1-20King James Version (KJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Photo Credit:  Debbie Schiel

Sanity During the Christmas Season

When my to-do list screams, "not done," I come away and remember:

It's His birthday.

When I'm bombarded with the glitz and clever merchandising of retailers, I come away and remember:

It's His birthday.

The once tiny hands, now nail scarred, beckon me to remember:

Come celebrate. It's My birthday.

How do you celebrate His birth?

Seize the Moment

Luke 2:15-16

As soon as the angels went back to heaven, the shepherds didn't waste a moment. They wanted to see the Christ Child for themselves. It wasn't enough to hear about him. The angel gave them clear directions.

What if they'd waited a week or even a few days? Mary and Joseph might have found other accommodations by then. They would have missed a great opportunity.

We're given a chance, sometimes multiple chances, to meet the Savior. Someone shares how Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life though he was tempted as we are, died for our sins, and rose again. Then they tell us the most amazing thing of all: We can receive forgiveness and have eternal life if we ask him to forgive us and follow him.

Have you seized that moment yet? Don't miss your golden opportunity. If you want to receive Jesus as your Savior, pray this prayer:

Jesus, I know there's no way I could ever be good enough to meet God's standard of righteousness. Thank you for coming to this earth and paying the debt I owe. Forgive me for all my sins and come into my life. Change me from the inside out, and make me like you. Amen.

If you've prayed this prayer, please share the good news with me. May the Lord bless you.

The Birth Announcement

Luke 2:8-14

Shepherds watch over their sheep through the night, protecting them against predators and other dangers. Without warning, an angel shows up on the scene, and the glory of the Lord lights up the night.

The angel reassures the frightened shepherds and gives them the good news. They're told the Savior, which is Christ the Lord, has been born in the City of David. He then gives them some landmarks or signs on how to recognize the Savior. After this astounding announcement, the angel is joined by a multitude of heavenly host praising God.

Wow! I'm sure they never forgot that night as long as they lived. Each of us has special times in our lives when God steps into our situation and turns it around for our good. They're unforgettable moments, filled with the glory of God. Thinking about those times, perhaps we can get a glimpse of what they experienced.

Happy Birthday, Jesus

Luke 2:6-7

Mary faces one of the biggest moments of her life under less than ideal circumstances. She gives birth to her firstborn son, and wraps him in swaddling clothes, and lies him in a manger.

My thoughts turn to Jesus. The King of kings and Lord of lords is born in a humble stable. He left the perfection of heaven and suffered as we do, so that we might enjoy his presence for eternity.

Thanks, Jesus, for loving us and coming to the sin-weary world. Happy birthday.

No Vacancy

Luke 2:6-7

Exhausted from their journey, Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem. The one inn has a "No Vacancy" sign out front. The kindly innkeeper takes pity on the expectant mother and allows them to seek shelter in the stable.

We reach a temporary destination on life's journey, and new difficulties crop up. Relief is short lived as we encounter crisis after crisis. Then God provides in unexpected ways. Strangers reach out and assist us. People a world away pray fervently for us. Somehow, the need is met even if it's not a permanent solution.

Today, we celebrate the Lord as our Provider.

The Journey

Luke 2:4-5

Years ago, I remember pregnant women past their due date being advised to take a bumpy car ride. Mary, the mother of Jesus, endured an 80-mile ride between Nazareth and Bethlehem. With Joseph traveling on foot and her on a donkey, the trip would have taken between four to seven days.

On our journey through life, we encounter many stressful situations. Just as Mary and Joseph did what they had to do, we can follow their example of perseverence.

Christmas Story - Part 1

Luke 2:1-3 (KJV): "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Mary and Joseph lived and met in Nazareth. When the angel appeared to Mary, he told her she would give birth to Jesus.

Hmm, the scripture said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the City of David. Mary and Joseph both walked in obedience to God. They didn't try to make the prophetic scriptures come true, but lived each day following Him.

Lo and behold, Caesar Augustus decides to tax the people. As part of the decree, they had to go to Bethlehem, the City of David, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David. God protected them from gossip, prying eyes, and brought them exactly where they needed to be at a specific point in history.

As we follow the Lord on a day-to-day basis, we'll find ourselves in the right place at the right time. He knows the path, and we can trust Him to bring us into our destiny.