IMMANUEL - Emmanuel
Some 2000 years ago another infant boy was was named in an unusual way. A young Jewish maiden was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her that she would conceived and have a baby and he would be named Jesus for he would save his people.
Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means "Jehovah saves."
Just as the Old Testament Joshua led believers into the promised land of Canaan, so Jesus would lead followers into the promised land of salvation and life eternal.
Another angel later appeared to frightened shepherd to reassure them and to bring tidings of GREAT JOY "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Christ is the Greek word meaning "the anointed one" which speaks of Jesus' priestly role. As priest Jesus is the mediator between God and man. Old Testament priests provided the link that transcended the vacuum between a holy God and sinful man.
Names are important to us. Everyone loves to hear their own name, but there is ONE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES - JESUS CHRIST. During this season allow that sweet name to minister the promise and hope to your spirit.
Some 2000 years ago another infant boy was was named in an unusual way. A young Jewish maiden was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her that she would conceived and have a baby and he would be named Jesus for he would save his people.
Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means "Jehovah saves."
Just as the Old Testament Joshua led believers into the promised land of Canaan, so Jesus would lead followers into the promised land of salvation and life eternal.
Another angel later appeared to frightened shepherd to reassure them and to bring tidings of GREAT JOY "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Christ is the Greek word meaning "the anointed one" which speaks of Jesus' priestly role. As priest Jesus is the mediator between God and man. Old Testament priests provided the link that transcended the vacuum between a holy God and sinful man.
Names are important to us. Everyone loves to hear their own name, but there is ONE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES - JESUS CHRIST. During this season allow that sweet name to minister the promise and hope to your spirit.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:23
In Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.
Advent Calendar Dates for 2019
December 1 - First Sunday of Advent
December 8 - Second Sunday of Advent
December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent
December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
For denominations that celebrate Advent, the holiday marks the beginning of the church's liturgical year. Advent is primarily observed in churches that adhere to an ecclesiastical calendar of liturgical seasons, feasts, memorials, fasts, and holy days. Those churches include Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican / Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian.
The season of Advent is a period of both repentance and celebration. Christians spend time in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Believers remember not only Christ's first coming to earth as a human baby, but also celebrate his continued presence with us today through the Holy Spirit.
Advent is also a time for worshipers to anticipate his return at the Second Coming of Christ.
The word "advent" comes from the Latin term "adventus" which means "arrival" or "coming," particularly the arrival of something or someone of great significance.
The lighting of an Advent Wreath is a traditional custom that originated in 16th-century Germany.
On the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple (or violet) candle is lit. This is called the "Prophecy Candle" and recalls the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents hope or expectation of the coming Messiah.
Each Sunday following, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle, called the "Bethlehem Candle," is lit. This candle represents love and symbolizes Christ's manger.
On the third Sunday of Advent, the pink (or rose) candle is lit. This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning "rejoice." The change from purple to pink signifies the transition in season from repentance to celebration. The pink candle is called the "Shepherds Candle" and represents joy.
The last purple candle is called the "Angels Candle," It is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent and represents peace.
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This "Christ Candle" represents the life of Jesus Christ that has come to light the world. It represents purity.
The Angels Cried - Alan Jackson
Let not our HEARTS be busy inns, that have no room for thee,
but cradles for the living CHRIST and his NATIVITY.
Mercyme-God with us
God Is With Us Amy Grant
each time I see someone I love and get their hug, each time I eat a special treat, each time I'm given an opportunity to gift someone in need, each time some one reaches out to me in my grief or sorrow, each time a memory pops into my head, each time I see the beauty in nature, each time I attend church, each time all the bills are paid in full, each time there is a knock at my door, each time I get a phone call, each time a stranger smiles, each time my grandchildren come for a sleep-over, each time I picnic on the beach with my husband, – on and on my list could go for LIFE TRULY IS THE GREATEST GIFT I KNOW so I unwrap it gratefully a bit each day in my work and in my play.
Boney M Feliz Navidad
CARDS – I love hearing from friends and family and the beauty of each card and the loving words written within.
CANDY – Candy is the savored and through the years I've truly enjoyed making holiday treats to share and I always remember who gave each special recipe to me.
SNOW – I really don't like icy roads or cold days, but I amazingly do love the sparkle of white snow on a sunny winter's day or on a moon lit night.
SANTA – The secret part of Christmas that he brings – Giving is just such an enchanting magical thing.
SONGS – Christmas music blesses my heart like no others sounds I hear – so pure and peaceful to my ear.
MEMORIES – Old times, Old rituals, Old customs, Old friends, all take my mind back through the years sometimes with joy – sometimes with tears.
GIFTS – The joy of watching children unwrap anything with awe and appreciation.
COLOR – I love the decorations in the stores & homes being so bright, cheery, and colorful.
FRIENDS – The faith, the hopes, the fellowship, and the encouragement their time and inspirations brings to me.
FAMILY – Indescribable! I love each unique one so extremely much it brings me to tears when I think of my blessed life with them through many wonderful years; be they near or far away they are ever dear to me.
JESUS – Nativity sets are everywhere in homes, churches, and in business. They are a beautiful reminder of the one who was once was a baby child who then became a man who so greatly loved (in spite of all our sins). Jesus set forth an eternal plan for life eternal with him as savior and king – He is the answer to everything be it a mental, physical, social, or spiritual need.
"Maybe Christmas, he thought,
doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps,
means a little bit more!"
MY CHRISTMAS PRAYER : Don Moen
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IS IN KEEPING CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS is a CONSPIRACY of LOVE!
The only time of the year
in which one can sit in front of a dead tree
and
eat candy out of socks.
CHRISTMAS CASUALTY
It was almost evening of the day after Christmas, and the night watchman of a large department store was setting out on his usual rounds.
Floor after floor presented the same wild disorder. Piles of mixed up goods, boxes, and cartons of all shapes and sizes uncovered and tipped indeed a miniature cyclone could not have left a worse jumble behind.
But a bigger shock awaited the watchman when under one of the counters he found a man who apparently have been PUSHED ASIDE AND TRAMPLED IN THE MAD RUSH of shoppers on Christmas Eve.
THE MAN WAS AN ABSOLUTE STRANGER, AND NO ITEM OF HIS CLOTHING PROVIDED A SINGLE CLUE OF HIS IDENTITY.
BUT WHEN HIS BODY WAS EXAMINED FOR MARKINGS, NAIL PRINTS WERE FOUND IN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS.
The
miracle GIFT of this one birth
Brings
mankind together
In
Spirit and Truth
While
the price of the Cross
Becomes
the Eternal Promise
Of
Hope for those who Believe
Their
souls shall not be Lost.
less attitude
more gratitude
The gifts I'd leave beneath your tree,
Aren't those that you can touch or see,
Not wrapped in Christmas tissue gay
But gifts to bless you every day.
The gift of friendship warm and true,
Is one that I would leave for you
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year.
The gift of peace that comes from God,
With prayer to guide each path you trod
And when your heart has lost it's song
The gift of hope to cheer you on.
These are the gifts I'd leave for you.
To bring you joy your whole life through.
by Kay Hoffman
HIS KINGDOM SHALL HAVE NO END
Luke 1: 33
LIFT UP THINE EYES
Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
The angel said unto them,
“FEAR NOT; for behold,
I bring you GOOD TIDINGS
OF GREAT JOY
which will be
TO ALL PEOPLE.
Luke 2: 10
JOY is not feeling sad or happy –
Neither is it getting what you want.
JOY describes our connection with God.
No other emotion can take that away from us.
JOY runs deeper than the emotional rivers
of happy or sad.
JOY is the vast ocean where all rivers flow.
MAY YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF FAITH
THE BLESSING OF ETERNAL HOPE
THE PEACE OF HIS LOVE
AND
JOY OVERFLOWING
MERRY CHRISTMAS
The kid in the manger
is out of the straw,
He's a ruling King
who guides us from afar,
One day he will Come
Quickly like a twinkling Star.
The
shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a
symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus.
The
red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ.
The
white leaves represent his purity.
The Legend of the Poinsettia
The
legend of the poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named
Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always
looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger
scene was set up in the village church, and the days before
Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children
loved Christmas, but were always saddened because they had no money
to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give
something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.
One
Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the
service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the
roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in
the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when
they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew
they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the
green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top
leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was
surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.
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Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
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