Christine's Blog – December 2010 Archive (14)

Luke 2.10 ~ I bring you good tidings of great joy. . . today. . . a Savior!!

Christmas Greetings to you, dear friend~

‘You know those letters people send at…

Hope springs eternal. With just a couple days left until we officially celebrate Christmas, my mind turns to the whole specter of hope. Hope ~ a feeling of expectation that something will happen. Yes, hope. The Messiah was the epitome of hope for the entire world—indeed, the Jewish people endured persecution, enslavement, and captivity, their light never going out because they held to the hope of the Messiah. Part of the beauty of the Advent—the time of preparation—for the birth of the…

‘Just got back from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping in the 11^th hour—you know, running around to collect those few desired items that had not yet been purchased. Yes, the stores were busy, but I don’t mind the crowds; in fact, I rather like them—‘love the energy, the noise, and also the thought that our economy is indeed going to be okay!…

After the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, ‘good news of great joy which was for all the people,’ the shepherds gathered their robes and hurried to the babe.  Later, the wise men prepared to travel to make an acquaintance with the King. [Some say “Magi”, others “wise men” . . . what’s the difference?…

Why do we give gifts at Christmas time? I’ve been giving it some thought. Where did it all begin? It seems that gifts in the Old Testament were seen as an appropriate way for an inferior to express submission to, or to win the favor of, a superior individual. But with the dawning of the…

Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor; perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night-watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him--so on this cloudless night, he went to simple shepherds.…

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6…

I love this time of year. There is a feeling of anticipation in the air … some of it lies in gift-giving and celebration, and some in the joyful fulfillment of Christ’s birth. In combining the two expectations, I should like to give Christ a gift this year for Christmas.

I have been…

I wish I could have been there . . . I wonder when he first knew he was different. I wonder when he knew that he was God in a man's body. I wonder if Joseph and Mary sat him down and told him about how the angel had announced his birth to the shepherds out in the country. I wonder what other kids thought about him, and when they realized that he was different from them. I

wonder what he…

It is a busy time of year … have you noticed? ‘Tis a good time to look at one of the regular practices of our Lord, and make it our own. In all four gospels, the writer noted that Jesus would go to a place to be alone with his Father; if the Savior needed that time, how much more do you and…

Without faith it is impossible to please God. You must believe that he is, AND that he rewards those who diligently seek him—those who keep the faith! Are you a person of great faith, or do you waver? Let’s look again at the life of Abraham, and his great faith. Paul writes in Romans 4.18-25:…