Scenes of the Nativity

12/22/2016

Day 22, December 22. From.."Because of Bethlehem." by Max Lucado. No one know for sure. But this much is certain: Christ could return at any time. More sand rests in the bottom of the hourglass than the top. This could be the generation that witnesses the Second Coming. "Tis the season to be looking for for a jolly man in a red suit but for a grand King on a white horse. At his command the sea will give up the dead, the devil will give up his quest, kings and queens will give up their despair, and God's children will lift up their worship. Wise is the saint who searches like Simeon. "Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God; Now, Lord, you can let me,your servant, die in peace as you said. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you prepared before all people." Luke 2: 28-31 If you knew Jesus was returning tomorrow, how would you feel today? If you knew Jesus was returning tomorrow, what would you do today?

12/22/2016

Day 21, December 21 from "Because of Bethlehem." by Max Lucado. Christmas and Travel. The first has a way of prompting the second and has done so ever since the delegation from the distant land came searching for Jesus. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. Matthew loved the Magi. He gave their story more square inches of text than he gave the narration of the birth of Jesus. He doesn't mention the shepherds of the manger but he didn't want us to miss the star and the seekers. It is easy to see why their story is our story. We are all travelers.In order to find Jesus we must follow the directions God gives us. What gift can you bring Jesus?

12/22/2016

Day 20, December 20, "Because of Bethlehem." by Max Lucado....Worship does to the soul what a spring rain does to a thirsty field. It soaks down, seeps in, and stirs life. Are you stressed? Worship God, who could store the universe in his pocket and oceans in an eyedropper. As you ashamed? Worship Jesus, whose love never fades. Do you feel small? A few moments in front of the throne of your loving King will evaporate any sense of insignificance. Worship works wonders. For your own sake do what the angels did, make a big deal about the arrival of the King. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. Hebrews 13:15 How can you "make a big deal about the arrival of the King?

12/20/2016

Day 19, December 19. Christmas and gift giving. Taken from: "Because of Bethlehem." by Max Lucado. The two have always been associated with each other for good reason.The wise men brought gifts. The shepherds gave gifts of time and belief. Mary gave Jesus the gift of her womb. The offerings seem practical. The wise men's treasures could be used to fund the family's escape to Egypt. The shepherd's visitation would keep the family company. Mary's womb would protect the growing child. But there is one gift that might appear a bit curious. The angel's gift of worship. God is on the hunt for those who will imitate the angels. "Glory to God on the highest heaven."

12/18/2016

Day 18, December 18, "Because of Bethlehem." Max Lucado It's never too late for Christ. You are never too old, too messed up , or too worn out. Elijah was depressed. God still came to him. Abraham was old. God still led him. Moses was long retired. God still called him. Jonah was on the run. God still used him. Jacob cheated his family. God still had a place for him. Peter betrayed Christ, Saul persecuted Christ, Thomas doubted Christ, but each learned it was not too late for Christ. "Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved. Romans 10: 11-13 What blessings has the Lord given you since you've trusted him? Do you know anyone who has been labeled it is too late for them to accept Christ.?

12/18/2016

Day 17, December 17, "Because of Bethlehem" Max Lucado. Life is crowded. Your life is crowded. Heaven knows, you already have more than you can do. And because heaven knows, Jesus comes not with a list of things for you to do but with a list of thing he has already done and will do. Your death? Defeated. Your sins? Forgiven. Your fears? He will give you courage. Your questions? He will guide you. Jesus lifts burdens, he doesn't add to them. "Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 In the midst of our busy lives, how can we set aside time for Jesus? In what ways has Jesus lifted burdens in your life?

12/17/2016

Day 16, December 16. "Because of Bethlehem" by Max Lucado... Simple Villages, they were. Had Mary and Joseph been Queen Mary and King Joseph, the innkeeper would have responded differently. Had they arrived with camels and servants instead of a few clothes and a tired donkey-had they been uncommon -the response of the innkeeper might have been uncommon. but no trumpet sounded. No herald proclaimed. No courier announced their arrival. There was only a knock.... at a late hour...by a common couple...when the inn was crowded, so the innkeeper missed the opportunity. Many still do. "Here I am!" Jesus invited. "I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me." Revelation 3:20 Have you ever let Jesus "pass you by?" In what other ways does the miracle of Bethlehem still happen today?

12/16/2016

Day 15, December 15. "Because of Bethlehem" by Max Lucado. Joseph built a fire and heated water. Mary cleared a spot on the straw and set about the task of bringing God into the world. With cows as her witnesses and Joseph as her midwife, she did just that. Within moments the hand of the star hanger clutched Mary's finger. The feet of the sky walker lay in Joseph's palm. No wonder the angels filled the sky with worship. "She gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a box where animals are fed." Luke 2:7 In what ways has God ministered to you in chaotic times? Have you ever had your plans interrupted by God?

12/14/2016

Day 14, December 14, Taken from "Because of Bethlehem" by Max Lucado. All the love of God was in Jesus. All the strength of God was in Jesus. All the compassion and power and devotion of God were, for a time, in the earthly body of a carpenter. No wonder the winds obeyed when Jesus spoke, he was God speaking. No wonder the bacteria fled when Jesus touched the wounds, he was God touching..No wonder the water held him as he walked, he was God walking. And no wonder ten thousand angels stood in rapt attention as Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was God dying. "He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." Romans 8:29 The Message. Is what ways has Jesus shaped your life? What evidence shows you that Christ is living in you?

12/13/2016

Day 13, December 13, taken from "Because of Bethlehem" by Max Lucado. God saves, not God empathizes, cares, listens, hopes, assists, or applauds, God saves. Specifically, "he will save his people from their sins." Jesus came to save us, not just from politics, enemies, challenges or difficulties, He came to save us from our own sins. Here's why: God has high plans for you and me. He is recruiting for himself a people who will populate heaven. God will restore his planet and his children to their Garden of Eden splendor. It will be perfect. Perfect in splendor. Perfect in righteousness, Perfect in harmony. One word describes heaven, Perfect. One word describes us, imperfect. "God was pleased for all of himself to live in Christ." Colossians 1:19 What was God able to save us through Jesus? What do you think heaven will be like?

12/12/2016

Day 12, December 12, taken from "Because of Bethlehem" by Max Lucado. We may not see the connection between the name Jesus and the phrase "save his people from their sins," but Joseph would have. He was familiar with the Hebrew Language. The English name Jesus traces its origin to the Hebrew work Yeshua. Yeshua is a shortening of Yehoshuah, which mean "Yaweh saves." Who is Jesus? God Saves. What did Jesus come to do? God Saves. God saves, Jesus was not just godly, godlike, God-hungry, God-focused, or God-worshiping he WAS God. Not merely a servant of God, Instrument of God, or friend of God, no Jesus WAS God. "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believe in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him. John 3: 16,17. What has God saved you from? Is there anyone you need to share the news with that God saves?

12/11/2016