Christmas
Advent Calendar thought - December 24
24/12/11
We made it! The last thought before Christmas morning. If you have enjoyed the series then please do contact me and let me know what you found enjoyable and helpful.
As we will be opening presents tomorrow, let’s finish with the gifts the wise men brought.
For me they were wise to the end in their devotion (Matthew 2:11)
When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. To be truly wise is to recognise that it is not enough to discover who Christ is or even what he has done. We also need to give ourselves to him in faith and worship. With their gifts the wise men gave:
A Gift Worthy of His Lordship – Gold
Gold has obvious worth. It is a gift fit for royalty. God deserves the very best that we can bring in our hand and hearts.
A Gift Worthy of His Holiness – Frankincense
Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. It was used as one of four sweet scents compounded together to make the ceremonial incense of the Jews. Frankincense was used in both sacrifices and prayer. Its aroma was always present in the Temple grounds.
So frankincense symbolised praise and worship of Christ as the Holy One of God
A Gift Worthy of His Sacrifice – Myrrh
Myrrh is an aromatic resinous gum obtained from several trees and shrubs found in both northern Africa and throughout the entire Middle East. It was used in Egypt in the embalming process of mummification. There are 22 references to myrrh in the Bible. Myrrh was used to anoint every part of the tabernacle in the
wilderness. It was myrrh that was poured out on the feet of Jesus just a week before his death. How prophetic to have myrrh as one of the gifts presented to him at his birth – this child was born to die. In Matthew 1:21 it says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins”.
Christmas is sharing our gifts, not purchasing gifts. It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present and loving those who love you and those who have no one to love them. It’s not getting cards out on time. It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time throughout the year. It’s not having the biggest and best display of Christmas lights, it’s displaying the light of Christ to lighten up others lives. It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, it’s Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of eternal life.
I pray that you may experience a very happy Christmas and a wise New Year.
Rosemary.
As we will be opening presents tomorrow, let’s finish with the gifts the wise men brought.
For me they were wise to the end in their devotion (Matthew 2:11)
When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. To be truly wise is to recognise that it is not enough to discover who Christ is or even what he has done. We also need to give ourselves to him in faith and worship. With their gifts the wise men gave:
A Gift Worthy of His Lordship – Gold
Gold has obvious worth. It is a gift fit for royalty. God deserves the very best that we can bring in our hand and hearts.
A Gift Worthy of His Holiness – Frankincense
Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. It was used as one of four sweet scents compounded together to make the ceremonial incense of the Jews. Frankincense was used in both sacrifices and prayer. Its aroma was always present in the Temple grounds.
So frankincense symbolised praise and worship of Christ as the Holy One of God
A Gift Worthy of His Sacrifice – Myrrh
Myrrh is an aromatic resinous gum obtained from several trees and shrubs found in both northern Africa and throughout the entire Middle East. It was used in Egypt in the embalming process of mummification. There are 22 references to myrrh in the Bible. Myrrh was used to anoint every part of the tabernacle in the
Christmas is sharing our gifts, not purchasing gifts. It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present and loving those who love you and those who have no one to love them. It’s not getting cards out on time. It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time throughout the year. It’s not having the biggest and best display of Christmas lights, it’s displaying the light of Christ to lighten up others lives. It’s not Santa coming down the chimney, it’s Jesus coming down from heaven and giving us the gift of eternal life.
I pray that you may experience a very happy Christmas and a wise New Year.
Rosemary.
Advent Calendar thought - December 22
21/12/11
When Jesus came to earth as a baby, God made sure that all sorts of people heard the good news in a variety of ways. Mostly these people were not the ones we would have chosen to receive the good news Those that we would expect to hear the news were too busy or too blinkered to do so and so they missed out on an amazing experience.
An unmarried teenager had a personal visit from an angel; Joseph, the future step-dad had the news given to him in a dream; the shepherds got a full on spectacular display in the sky. The angels sang about this good news being “for all mankind”. Wisemen from as far away as Persia discovered the news by studying the stars but then had to make a long, involved and potentially dangerous journey to understand the news more fully.
How did you first hear the good news that God cared enough for you to send Jesus to this world as a baby who would grow up to be a man passionately interested in people before finally giving His life for people everywhere?
God still speaks powerfully to people as they go about their everyday tasks. He wants to talk to you today. Will you have listening ears?
How did you first hear the good news that God cared enough for you to send Jesus to this world as a baby who would grow up to be a man passionately interested in people before finally giving His life for people everywhere?
God still speaks powerfully to people as they go about their everyday tasks. He wants to talk to you today. Will you have listening ears?
Advent Calendar thought - December 20
19/12/11
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING continues with encouragement. "Do not be afraid”
The shepherds were fearful because they encountered the “glory of the Lord”. Knowing their sinfulness, the shepherds trembled in the presence of God. But Jesus came so that we might no longer live in fear of God’s judgment and condemnation, but so that we might have peace in our hearts as a result of knowing we have His forgiveness. When you experience this then what the angels say next makes a lot of sense. “GREAT joy to all the human race"
Advent Calendar thought - December 19
18/12/11
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING.
The tune for this classic song was written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. The words were written by Charles Wesley. Charles and his brother John Wesley were pioneers in the Methodist Church. In his life time Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING has sometimes been named the most popular hymn in the English language.
Picture by R. Lyall (Used under Creative Commons Licence)
This hymn is based on the scripture from Luke chapter 2 where the Angels appeared to the shepherds. In the message the angels delivered to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, we discover what Christmas is all about. Christmas is all about God sending His Son to earth. Christmas wasn’t man’s idea, it was God’s idea. Christmas wasn’t man’s initiative, it was God’s initiative. Christmas came about because of God. Christmas came about because of God’s desire to embrace us with His love - "Good News that will be to all the people"
This world is filled with people who feel lonely and unloved. Pollsters say that one out of five of us say that life is meaningless. Who can you bring good news to this Christmas? Who can you help feel more loved and valued? It doesn’t have to cost the earth but you can make a difference.
The tune for this classic song was written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. The words were written by Charles Wesley. Charles and his brother John Wesley were pioneers in the Methodist Church. In his life time Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns. HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING has sometimes been named the most popular hymn in the English language.
Picture by R. Lyall (Used under Creative Commons Licence)
This hymn is based on the scripture from Luke chapter 2 where the Angels appeared to the shepherds. In the message the angels delivered to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, we discover what Christmas is all about. Christmas is all about God sending His Son to earth. Christmas wasn’t man’s idea, it was God’s idea. Christmas wasn’t man’s initiative, it was God’s initiative. Christmas came about because of God. Christmas came about because of God’s desire to embrace us with His love - "Good News that will be to all the people"
This world is filled with people who feel lonely and unloved. Pollsters say that one out of five of us say that life is meaningless. Who can you bring good news to this Christmas? Who can you help feel more loved and valued? It doesn’t have to cost the earth but you can make a difference.
Advent Calendar thought - December 18
18/12/11
The birth of Jesus was not just a difficulty, it was an impossibility. Mary was a virgin. Only God could breathe life into her womb. And just as God caused her to conceive the perfect Saviour both fully God and fully human He can accomplish through you, the things that seem impossible in your life.
Advent Calendar thought - December 17
16/12/11
One of the most familiar carols is, “ Away In A Manger”.
Of all the events that have shaped human history, one moment stands above the rest. The moment was not filled with fanfare or frills but fantastic nonetheless. It was the day when God became a man, a day when baby Jesus was born. That event has been marked by all historical events being classed as either BC or AD.
Jesus traded all of heaven for a human life. It was not enough for Jesus to come to earth, but He came to humble circumstances. Earthly royalty would have had specific circumstances: political power, privilege, position, prestige and possessions.
The following poem tells us why this Kings of kings had such an unroyal birth and life.
“Why Lord, why?
Why did you exchange the spaciousness of heaven
And the warmth of God the father’s presence
For the squalor of a manger on earth and the limitation of life as a man?
Why did You who made the heavens, the mountains, the stars, the sun
Strip yourself of your glory to become a helpless, homeless baby?
Why did you come here, to this little town of Bethlehem?
I came, my child, because I love you.
I have always loved you, I will always love you.
I came to rescue you from the clutches of the evil one.
To be your Saviour, to bring you life I enjoy.
I came as the prophets foretold: to Bethlehem, to a woman’s womb
To indwell in you as I did in her
To become - Emmanuel - God with you and God in you.”
(Author unknown)
Of all the events that have shaped human history, one moment stands above the rest. The moment was not filled with fanfare or frills but fantastic nonetheless. It was the day when God became a man, a day when baby Jesus was born. That event has been marked by all historical events being classed as either BC or AD.
Jesus traded all of heaven for a human life. It was not enough for Jesus to come to earth, but He came to humble circumstances. Earthly royalty would have had specific circumstances: political power, privilege, position, prestige and possessions.
The following poem tells us why this Kings of kings had such an unroyal birth and life.
“Why Lord, why?
Why did you exchange the spaciousness of heaven
And the warmth of God the father’s presence
For the squalor of a manger on earth and the limitation of life as a man?
Why did You who made the heavens, the mountains, the stars, the sun
Strip yourself of your glory to become a helpless, homeless baby?
Why did you come here, to this little town of Bethlehem?
I came, my child, because I love you.
I have always loved you, I will always love you.
I came to rescue you from the clutches of the evil one.
To be your Saviour, to bring you life I enjoy.
I came as the prophets foretold: to Bethlehem, to a woman’s womb
To indwell in you as I did in her
To become - Emmanuel - God with you and God in you.”
(Author unknown)
Advent Calendar thought - December 16
15/12/11
This is a lovely Christmas story.
On the night before Christmas, a young father was annoyed and told his 3 year old daughter off for having wasted expensive gold tasselled ribbon on a Christmas present. Christmas morning she proudly presents him the present, a box wrapped with the golden tasselled ribbon. When he opened the box, he saw there was nothing in it and once again began to tell his child off.
“You can’t give an empty box as a Christmas present” he said “It has to have something in it “His daughter started to cry and then sobbed: “Daddy, the box is full – it’s full of kisses for you”
It is so easy to miss the present if we are looking for something different.
The innkeeper in Bethlehem missed out big time. Inns in those days weren’t smart five star hotels. They were a bit more like campsites - rough and ready with no running water. Having made the difficult journey Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem to discover the inn was full. There was no room for them.
If the innkeeper had known who was going to be born that night I am sure he would probably have found room in his inn. But he was too busy.
Please don’t be like the innkeeper this Christmas. Don’t be so busy with running a business, buying and wrapping gifts, enjoying parties and fun to spare a moment to recognise the baby Jesus at your door. Let’s spare a thought and put ourselves out for those who look tired, who are homeless, for those who for whatever reason feel hopeless and helpless.
On the night before Christmas, a young father was annoyed and told his 3 year old daughter off for having wasted expensive gold tasselled ribbon on a Christmas present. Christmas morning she proudly presents him the present, a box wrapped with the golden tasselled ribbon. When he opened the box, he saw there was nothing in it and once again began to tell his child off.
“You can’t give an empty box as a Christmas present” he said “It has to have something in it “His daughter started to cry and then sobbed: “Daddy, the box is full – it’s full of kisses for you”
It is so easy to miss the present if we are looking for something different.
The innkeeper in Bethlehem missed out big time. Inns in those days weren’t smart five star hotels. They were a bit more like campsites - rough and ready with no running water. Having made the difficult journey Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem to discover the inn was full. There was no room for them.
If the innkeeper had known who was going to be born that night I am sure he would probably have found room in his inn. But he was too busy.
Please don’t be like the innkeeper this Christmas. Don’t be so busy with running a business, buying and wrapping gifts, enjoying parties and fun to spare a moment to recognise the baby Jesus at your door. Let’s spare a thought and put ourselves out for those who look tired, who are homeless, for those who for whatever reason feel hopeless and helpless.
Advent Calendar thought - December 13
12/12/11
All over the world Christmas is celebrated. Part of that celebration often comes in the form of carols. I hope you will enjoy this carol from the Middle East that I recently found, called “On the Eve of Christmas”.
On the eve of Christmas hatred will vanish
On the eve of Christmas the earth will flourish
On the eve of Christmas war will be gone
On the eve of Christmas love will be born.
When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person
it is Christmas
When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love
it is Christmas
When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes
it is Christmas
When the spirit of revenge dies in me
it is Christmas
When in my heart I no longer want to stay apart
it is Christmas
When I am buried in the being of God
it is Christmas
This certainly echoes the song the angels sang to the shepherds announcing the birth of a baby. That was good news as it would bring about peace and goodwill to all men. At the moment that is far from the truth. More wars have been fought in the name of religion than for any other cause. In my own life I have discovered that whatever God promises DOES get fulfilled, even if it isn’t in my timescale. Jesus, also called Prince of Peace, that I mentioned earlier in these advent blogs passionately desires that there be peace; no more tears, pain, suffering or death.
I pray that God will give you strength this Christmas to bring about even a temporary halt to hostility, trouble and strife in your life and that you will experience the rest that comes form the Prince of peace.
On the eve of Christmas hatred will vanish
On the eve of Christmas the earth will flourish
On the eve of Christmas war will be gone
On the eve of Christmas love will be born.
When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person
it is Christmas
When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love
it is Christmas
When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes
it is Christmas
When the spirit of revenge dies in me
it is Christmas
When in my heart I no longer want to stay apart
it is Christmas
When I am buried in the being of God
it is Christmas
This certainly echoes the song the angels sang to the shepherds announcing the birth of a baby. That was good news as it would bring about peace and goodwill to all men. At the moment that is far from the truth. More wars have been fought in the name of religion than for any other cause. In my own life I have discovered that whatever God promises DOES get fulfilled, even if it isn’t in my timescale. Jesus, also called Prince of Peace, that I mentioned earlier in these advent blogs passionately desires that there be peace; no more tears, pain, suffering or death.
I pray that God will give you strength this Christmas to bring about even a temporary halt to hostility, trouble and strife in your life and that you will experience the rest that comes form the Prince of peace.
Advent Calendar thought - December 9
08/12/11
Advent Calendar thought - December 4
03/12/11
God’s love comes to me most powerfully through people. That is why Christmas is such a special time for me. It is at this time of year that I make a special effort to ensure that my family and friends know they are loved and valued by me. 
I show my love through giving handmade cards and by trying to find gifts that will be appreciated. This is after all what God did by sending His Son Jesus as a baby into this world. A love gift from the designer and ruler of the universe reminding us that we are loved, valued and not alone.
So as you rush about baking, posting cards and buying gifts pause to give thanks for having people in your life that make it richer. Give thanks you are not alone. Be glad that because of His great love for us God gave Emmanuel - God with us. That’s a reason to celebrate.
So as you rush about baking, posting cards and buying gifts pause to give thanks for having people in your life that make it richer. Give thanks you are not alone. Be glad that because of His great love for us God gave Emmanuel - God with us. That’s a reason to celebrate.