Advent Calendar Day Twenty-five...Christmas is Here!

Merry Christmas...after 25 boxes Christmas is finally here!

In box #25 there are three gifts to represent the gifts the Magi gave to Jesus

Matthew 2:11

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."

December 25th...the day we celebrate Christmas...the day when the Greatest Gift of all came into the world-Jesus.

But Christmas isn't just about a baby being born.  It is about redemption...a way back to God.  You see, the things in our life that are not good - bad thoughts, words, actions - keep us from God.  God is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin.  When sin entered the world, God's plan of redemption was already in place.  It would take sacrifice.  The sacrifice of His One and Only Son to enable us to have a relationship with Him.

There is no way for us to reach Him on our own.  That is why Jesus had to die.  He was perfect and came to earth wholly God and wholly man, to die in our place once and for all.  It is His birth, death, and resurrection that made the way for us to spend eternity with God.

But there is a catch.

You see, with any gift that is given it has to be received and opened.  Taking a gift and leaving it under the tree does no good.  Knowing about Jesus and what He has done isn't enough.  Going to church and being a good person isn't enough.  Dedicating your time, money, and energy isn't enough. 

Nothing is good enough...only God.

You must take the gift and open it for your very own.  It involves admitting your sin, and your desire for God to be the One in control.  It involves humility and surrender, surrender to the One who sacrificed all for you...all you have to do is to surrender your control to Him.  The One who gives good and perfect gifts, the One and Only who can restore your life and make you the kind of person He wants you to be. 

This Christmas  as you open gifts under your tree, how about opening the only gift that can never perish and that alone can satisfy your heart?  Jesus...the greatest gift of all, given for you.  Will you take the gift and make it your own?

Advent Calendar Day Twenty-four

In box #24 there is a star, to represent the star the Magi followed to find Jesus.

Matthew 2:9-10

"After [the Magi] had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

Advent Calendar Day Twenty-three

In box #23 there are jewels to represent Jesus being th King of Kings!

Matthew 2:1-2

"...Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'"

The Magi traveled a long way, at their own expense to worship the King of Kings.  With only two days left until Christmas I am humbled to think of their focus on the One who is important.  At this time of year it is so busy to fill the days with a long 'to do' list of all that needs to be done.  But my challenge is, how do I clearly use the days left until Christmas, not to fulfill my list, but to worship the One who left heaven to make a relationship with God possible for me? 

Advent Calendar Day Twenty-two

On day #22 there is a scroll in the advent calendar box.

The scroll represents the wisdom and knowledge of the Magi who were watching and waiting!

Matthew 2:1

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem." 

Advent Calendar Day Twenty-One

In Box #21 there are a pair of eyes

The eyes remind us that Jesus was revealed to Simeon as the Christ, the promised Messiah.

Luke 2:25-32

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.  He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  Moved by teh Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
'Soverign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'" 

Advent Calendar Day Twenty

In Box #20 there is a dove

The dove symbolizes the purification sacrifice that needed to be made.  It also represents a later time in the life of Jesus, when the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove after his baptism.

Luke 2:22-24

"When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord', and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord:  'a pair of doves or two young pigeons.'"

Luke 3:21-22

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven:  'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"

Advent Calendar Day Nineteen

In Box #19 we find the name Jesus...

Luke 2:21

"On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived."


Jesus...the name above all names, the only name by which we may be saved...the precious name of Jesus

Advent Calendar Day Eighteen

In Box #18 there is a heart to symbolize Mary, Jesus' earthly mother treasuring what was said in her heart. 

Luke 2:19-20, 33-35

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."..."The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'"

Mary had so many unusual experiences as a very young woman.  She was visited by an angel, was pregnant before being with her husband, traveled to Bethlehem being very pregnant, went into labor and had her first child born in a stable, was visited by shepherds from the fields announcing their visit from the angel, and now hearing of things to come with her child. 

So much for a young woman to take in.  But Mary was chosen by God.  He knew her heart and she trusted him.  She surrendered her will to His and was faithful to what God had called her to do.  The road before her would not be easy.  God never promised easy.  He promised a Savior and God is faithful to do what He promised, even if life looks like it is filled with trials.  God is not surprised.  He has a purpose and a plan...and it is Good. 



Advent Calendar Day Seventeen

In box #17 there is a rock to symbolize us kneeling on the ground in response to Jesus as God.

Psalm 95:6

"Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care."

Jesus, came as a baby, but fully God and fully man.  He is the King of King and Lord of Lords.  Our response to him is to humble ourselves and worship him.

Advent Calendar Day Twelve

December 12

In this box there is a handmade peace sign which represents Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born,
to us a child is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And his will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Jesus doesn't just give peace, He is Peace.  In a world where there is so much uncertainty, where things are shaking and out of our control, why not trust in the One who brings peace and who is Peace?

Advent Calendar Day Ten

Although today is December 13th I am catching up with our advent calendar.  The unexpected trials in life have caused us to fall behind...a sudden, unanticipated death in our extended family, cars that won't start, etc.  So, today on the 13th, I will go back to December 10th and box #10 in the Advent Calendar:

If you remember from December 8th, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to register for the census. 

Luke 2:6-7

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son..."

A long journey, and now a birth of the anticipated One.  Mary had been told by the angel that she would carry the Messiah.  He would be named Jesus.  Joseph was told by the angel that he should still take Mary as his wife because this was all God's plan.  And now that they were in Bethlehem, the very place that God had said that the Messiah would come from...Jesus was born.  God's plan, to redeem people to Himself through the birth and sacrifice of His One and Only Son, was finally entering the world.  Hope!   

Advent Calendar Day Nine

On the ninth day of December we found a lion in box #9.  The lion represents the house of Judah, from which the Messiah was to come.

Micah 5:2

"'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.'"



Advent Calendar Day Seven

In Box Seven there is a chain.

The chain represents the house and line of David - the genealogy of Jesus.

Luke 2:4

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David."

It was promised that the Messiah would come from the house of David and be born in Bethlehem. 

In Matthew chapter one the genealogy of Jesus is recorded from Abraham all the way to Joseph.  In Luke chapter three the genealogy of begins with Jesus and goes all the way back to God Himself.  The two differ slightly, one tracing the line from David to Mary, the other tracing the line from David to Joseph.  

Advent Calendar Day Six

In the sixth box of the advent calendar there is a string (I couldn't find a bridge!)
The string represents the gap that Jesus filled between God and man.

Matthew 1:22-23

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel-which means, 'God with us.'"

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

When sin entered the world, it caused a gap between God and man that man could not fill.  Our sin keeps us separate from God.  Jesus came, wholly God and wholly man to die to pay the price for our sins.  It is through his death that bridged the gap between God and man.  It is through His sacrifice that paved the way so we could have a relationship with God. 

Advent Calendar Day Five

In box number five we find a cross.

Matthew 1:21

"'[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'"

Jesus came to earth as a baby to die on the cross to be our Savior.  He was the promised Messiah.  It all goes back to the garden.  When sin entered the world, God's plan for a Savior would enfold.  Throughout the Bible we see promises made for the Savior to come and redeem His people.  At Christmas we celebrate not only the birth of Jesus, but we look to what the Gift means...that we could have forgiveness for our sins and a relationship with God.  Jesus is the only way for us to get to heaven.  His birth was for His death, so we could live forever with Him.

"I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6

As you prepare for Christmas, have you ever looked beyond the manger to the cross?  I hope that this Christmas you will take time to reflect on the gift that God has given us through His Son Jesus.  God gave us this Gift.  I hope this Christmas you will take the time to receive the greatest gift of all - Jesus.

Advent Calendar Day Four

In the fourth box in the Advent Calendar there is an angel. 

Matthew 1:20
"...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'"

In the previous verse it says, "Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."  Joseph was a righteous man.  During his time of engagement to Mary he anticipated their marriage.  But how could Mary be pregnant?  He knew the child was not his and so he sought to "divorce her quietly" rather than the alternative for her - death.  The visit from the angel opened his eyes to the truth.  Mary was chosen by God to carry the Messiah into the world.  

Advent Calendar Day Two

On this second day of Advent, we are one step closer to the Savior.  In today's box we found rings as a symbol of the engagement of Joseph and Mary.

Matthew 1:18

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

I wonder how Mary felt.  She had been visited by the angel Gabriel and told of God's plan.  But now she would have to walk a difficult road in her love and obedience to God.  Others would talk and question, but Mary trusted God and submitted her heart to His plan.  And I'm so glad she did!

What challenging road does God have you on right now?  Can you trust Him with your heart, as Mary did so many years before?

Good Friday

In honor of Good Friday, the children made a Garden Tomb. I got the idea from the blog A Holy Experience. The children planted some herbs in a flower pot we had on the deck and put a large stone in the garden to represent the garden tomb. Another rock was placed in front of the large stone to represent the stone that was rolled in place to seal Jesus' tomb. A candle is in our garden because Jesus is the Light of the World. On Easter the stone will be rolled away and we will celebrate the good news that the tomb is empty!

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said,
'Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; he has risen!"
Luke 24:1-6

Light of the World

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made that were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made.

In him was the life and that life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

John1:1-5

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light;

in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:5-9

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life-

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

"Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path."

Psalm 119:105

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16


Celebrating Jesus today...the Light of the World
Merry Christmas...now let your light shine to bring Him glory

The First Gift Under Our Tree

What can we give to Jesus?


A few years ago we began a new Christmas tradition. Before anything else went under our tree, the first gift that was placed there was for Jesus.

We talk as a family about God's greatest gift for us...His Son Jesus. God gave us Jesus and that is why we celebrate Christmas. He is God's gift to us...but what can we give Him in return?

Each year every person gets a piece of paper to record what they would like to give to Jesus for Christmas. Looking back over the slips of paper it is fun to see the responses of our children and how their ideas of what to give Jesus have changed over the years.

When they were really little they would say things like:

• candy


• I will give Jesus a boat, and an airplane and candy.
  

As they have gotten older their responses have grown with them:

• my heart



• love



• worship



• thankfulness
  

Perhaps out of all these ideas, the greatest thing we can do in response to God's greatest gift is to receive it ourselves. God gave us the gift of Jesus, to save us from our sins so we could live forever with Him. It isn't enough that He gave the gift...we have to receive it, to take it, open it, and claim it for ourselves. If it stays unopened under the tree, our destiny will not be with the One who created us and loves us.

In John 3:16 it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

This Christmas it is my prayer for you that you will open the gift of Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life that God has for you!