Editor’s Letter Christmas is the time of year when women like to share what is on their hearts. We look back at memories and tell ourselves again how blessed we are that Jesus came to us. This is a collection of what the Lord is speaking to the body of Christ. He is teaching us what it means to celebrate Emmanuel, God with us. The same God who humbled Himself in the form of a child, speaks to us today about letting go of the things of this world and finding Him fresh in the simplicity of worship, family, and faith. My prayer is that you will be blessed by the beautiful messages of these beautiful women and inspired to sit with your Savior, take pen in hand, and write what you hear Him say. Be intentional about your faith and find Him on purpose. Jesus makes Himself so easy to find. Whatever you are facing this holiday season, know there is an opportunity to find great joy in your salvation. Salvation doesn’t just mean we celebrate the day we reach Heaven, it means we have a God, Jesus, who is a very present help in trouble. He is in the “right now” of life. This is why He came to us, to know us and to help us. This is the God who says, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18). I believe He will meet you in these pages. Hold on, woman of God, He is with you.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
In everything, always, more Jesus,
Ashley Ennis
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6
what is Christmas? Debbie Barnhouse
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
Prophecy:
When I think of what Christmas is, I think...
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
A time for great gifts. My best gifts as a child came at Christmas. Then, I thought of Christmas as celebrating the birth of my Saviour, the "gift" of Him to the world, with his beginnings as a small helpless baby in a manger, in a stall for animals. I equated a baby with Christmas. All the manger scenes, the shepherds and wise men following a star, etc. But as my spiritual life began growing, I started seeing more of Him. And the Word of God is so alive with Him from beginning to end! He was spoken of and prophesied of from way back. Prophesy: Genesis 49:10 “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his”
Fulfillment: Luke 1:35 “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” There are over 55 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, and some say over 300. So this wonderful "gift" to the world, to all mankind, to all creation was planned from the beginning with God! What an awesome heavenly Father we have! God's love for us is so overwhelming that everything about Him is for Us! It was planned so long ago. He knew we would fail Him! He knew we would turn our backs on Him for temporary things of the flesh! He knew we would live with despair, heartache, sickness, doubt, and unbelief. He knew we didn't deserve His mercy, His love, His kindness, His deliverance, or His healing. And, yet, He chose to make a way for us, through Christ Jesus, God's son. So, today, as an overwhelmingly blessed and undeserving child of God, I see Christmas in a totally different light. I see Christmas as God's promise of hope to a desperate world, seeking Him and not even knowing what they are seeking. I see Christmas as the fulfillment of all creation of the Glory of God through His beloved Son, coming to us to be the greatest and only sacrifice that ensures that we will forever be with them, who love us most.
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discovering Christ-must Jennifer Bruehwiler
Have you ever experienced that moment when a word takes on a whole new significance? This year, every time I see or say "Christmas," my brain automatically reads it as "ChristMUST." Strange, right?
In John 3, Nicodemus struggled to understand Jesus' emphasis on rebirth and what it truly meant to be born again. Yet, Jesus used the word "must" to make it abundantly clear - this action was essential and should not be overlooked. He said, "You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear the sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (John 3:7).
I find it fascinating how certain words or numbers can leap off the page, demanding our attention. And when this happens, I can't help but dig deeper into their significance. What does the word "must" truly mean?
Another example of this profound "must" can be found in Luke 24:6-7. The angels declared, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again.'"
According to the Oxford Dictionary, as a verb, "must" signifies being obliged to or expressing necessity. As a noun, it represents something vital that should not be overlooked or missed. With that in mind, it hits me- we often overlook the true meaning of Christmas. We forget the necessity of our savior's birth, which ultimately led to His sacrifice on the cross and our freedom from this fallen world.
I am in awe of the weight, responsibility, and courage that the word "must" holds. It reminds me of this season we are in. Christmas leads us into a brand new year, just as the birth of Christ led to our spiritual rebirth. My prayer for you and for myself this Christmas is to fully embrace the gift of Christ and the peace, reverence, and joy that accompanies it.
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from chaos to Christmas Rebecca Cooper
Christmas time usually is surrounded by a swirl of emotions ranging from eager anticipation all the way to dread and despair. The truth is that the experiences of Christmases past have created in each of us a viewpoint of the holiday that varies from person to person. But no matter how we view Christmas, we will all probably agree that it is one of the most emotional and often chaotic times of the year. Why is Christmas time so chaotic, and can we change it?
We can hang signs all day long that say “Joy” and “Peace”, but if we don’t know where that peace comes from, then it’s just a sign. If we don’t know how to walk in joy, then walk are we walking in? My guess is that without true peace and joy in our lives, we are living in anxiety and chaos. And that is why I feel that Christmas is so chaotic; we have lost focus as to what Christmas is all about.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but we often get so busy in the hustle and bustle of the season, that our focus ends up being on everything but Christ. We get busy decorating, cooking, shopping, and running in every direction imaginable all in the name of Christmas. There are parties to go to, plays to attend, and Christmas dinners to be made. And don’t forget the snowman cookies! Who made Christmas all about sugary sweets, anyway? So much sugar!
Imagine that you are planning a surprise birthday party for your best friend, and you spend weeks preparing everything for the big bash. You buy and prepare food, drinks, and a cake. You decorate the house from top to bottom, and you plan games and festivities. All their friends and family showed up for the party, and it was a wonderful time except you didn’t invite your birthday friend. So, you all just party and hand gifts out to each other, then you tell your friend what a great time you had at their party. I don’t imagine they would be very impressed considering they were left out. I often wonder if this is how Jesus feels at Christmas time. We all plan a big birthday party for Him, but we don’t invite Him to our party. And we wear ourselves out all in the name of Christmas.
But I have a challenge for you; as you go out and do any kind of shopping, stroll through the Christmas section of the store and make a note of what percentage of items you see that are Christ related. You may find something labeled “Joy” or “Peace”, but my guess is that at least 90% of the items you find make no mention of Christ. I have gone into many stores and there was 0% Christ related. There are plenty of Santa Clauses, snowmen, sleighs, and reindeer; but Christ has been left out.
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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 3
His peaceHis joy Linda Duvall
Peace and Joy from JESUS. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 61: 3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” At Christmas time everyone begins to use “catch phrases” about PEACE and JOY, and many do not know REAL PEACE AND JOY, they only know a superficial peace and joy that comes from a world view that only provides for a “peace and joy” that are produced through ideal circumstances. The world gives a temporary peace and temporary joy, but I want to introduce you to the Prince of Peace (JESUS) and the Joy of the Holy Ghost. The very happenings of a weekend in September 2009 can serve as an example of His peace and Joy in my own situation. I fell ill on that particular Saturday afternoon in September 2009 with chills and a terrible headache and sore throat. Now, I was unemployed at the time and I did not have medical insurance, so the thought of having to pay a complete bill for medical services was out of the question, and quite frankly, I didn’t trust doctors much anyway. I will go
as a “last-breath-situation”, but that only. Now, I do go to a doctor at times with certain ailments and I know there are wonderful doctors out there that really care about people and want to help them, I just personally haven’t found one yet that I truly trust, so pray for me. Anyway, I could have allowed fear to really get a grip on me, but instead, I remembered the power of His promise of peace in Philippians 4:7 and as I sought the Lord in prayer, His peace (His calming delight and assurance) rushed over me like a warm summer rain; and I can’t explain how or why, I just knew I would be ok. The best way I can say it is just, I am held -in arms that won’t let me go, or will never let me be alone. That’s His peace. In the world, a person can have a sense of peace, but it is contingent upon certain conditions being met like, plenty of money, a good job, a nice house, etc. but if a person is depending upon these things and happen to lose them, then their peace goes too. The peace of God has a power behind it that will move you into a position of rest in His arms during these times of adversity and illness. And if you will put your trust in Him, He will surround you in His arms. It will be like a shield that goes up around your heart and mind, that nothing can penetrate. It’s just like the scripture declares, “past understanding, you don’t understand the how’s and why’s of it all, it’s just a “knowing.” His joy is described by the prophet Isaiah, as an oil. In biblical times oil was used as a base ingredient in most of all the medicines that were made, so then, we can take it as truth that joy has healing qualities in it. Joy is also a gift from God. His joy is poured out into your life and can heal all the places that hurt. We all seem to talk about healing in the physical sense, but God wants to heal your emotional hurts as well. The emotional hurts we receive are the ones we can hide, but God knows that these deep hurts cannot heal while hidden in the soul of a man, so He comes after us with Joy and only His oil of joy can heal and restore a broken heart. 4
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and when they saw the star
Janis Duvall “And when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding Great joy” Matt 2:10
The joy of knowing the long night was over! The joy of knowing that the King had come! The joy of knowing that the True Light was born that would save the world from their sins. The angels had declared “Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The wise men rejoiced with exceeding joy when they saw the star because they knew exactly what it meant.
I love this scripture! I can imagine just how the wise men felt when they discovered the star in the sky. They were wise and learned men who studied the stars. They were knowledgeable of the prophecies that declared that a Jewish King would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea. It was a time of great darkness, great sinfulness, a time of great silence. It had been four hundred long years of silence. There had been no prophet to declare the Word of the Lord and when they saw that a star had appeared they knew they had to travel to worship the birth of the new king. The prophet Isaiah had prophesied four hundred years prior that the people who walked in darkness had seen a great light. And that unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Today, we as Christians still rejoice the same way because we know and understand that the Light that shone so brightly so many years ago still shines across the skies today. The world that we live in is so like that dark night so long ago but we know that the “Light of the World” was born to completely dispel the darkness.
Oh, I can see them now as they hurriedly prepared to leave on this journey to find this newborn King. The excitement and the wonder of what this would mean to the world. It is no wonder they sought him in the palace because realistically that would be where kings are born.
Oh, what great joy! To know that unto us is born a Savior. A savior that will free the world of sin.
As we celebrate Christmas and the birth of the Savior of the World let us never forget the words of the angels. That we have been brought good tidings of GREAT JOY. The joy that comes with knowing that Jesus the son of God came to bring light into a dark world. That the Light shines across the generations of darkness to remain forever the Light of the World.
It is said that wise men still seek Him Let it be said that those that know Him will forever rejoice with exceeding great joy!
But he was not born there but in a lowly manger in a stable. They followed the star until it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 5
‘tis the season Cindy Fields
Does that remind you of anyone else? It’s the time of year that thoughts turn to good cheer, and who in our culture most captures that spirit? Yes, Santa Claus. We’ve all grown up with the iconic image of the jolly white-haired man with his friendly face and kind smile. But do you know the beginning of Santa Claus’ story? That legend began with man named Nicholas. If you look up Saint Nicholas in Wikipedia, you’ll find that there’s very little known about the actual man beyond his name and that he was the son of wealthy Greek Christians in the town of Myra (in what is now Turkey) under the rule of the Roman Empire – a man called Nicholas of Myra. A number of legends exist about him, many attributed to the miraculous, but the most famous involved nothing otherworldly, just the generosity of a kind heart. This story tells of a man who lost everything and could no longer afford to find husbands for his three daughters. With no husbands, these three girls were likely destined to become prostitutes because there were no other real options that would allow them to support themselves. Hearing of their dilemma, Nicholas secretly helped them. To protect their father’s pride, Nicholas threw a bag of gold through the window in the middle of the night. Using this money, the man provided a dowry for his eldest daughter, and she was married. This happened a second time when a second bag of gold came through the window. The third time, the father discovered their benefactor and was finally able to express his gratitude to the man who made it possible for all three of his girls to find husbands and avoid lives of degradation – a perfect stranger who simply wanted to help them.
Perhaps another kind man known by his name and home? A man called Jesus of Nazareth? A carpenter of humble circumstance, this man didn’t have bags of gold to throw through men’s windows, yet he still found innumerable ways to help the people around him. And while Nicholas of Myra gave up his wealth to help the poor, Jesus of Nazareth gave up the very heavens to save us from ourselves. For while he did indeed feed the hungry, heal the sick, comfort the bereft, he did indeed live the life of a good and loving man; he was actually He – the living Son of God – the Word made flesh so that the heavens would be open to all prepared to follow Him. Have you considered what He truly gave? Consider that He was the ruler of the universe – far above earthly kings and presidents and shahs – one who was so far above them that these rulers didn’t even know He was there as He sat at the right hand of God from time immemorial. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him were all things created, both in the heavens and on earth…” Jesus was beside His Father when all things were created, not simply as an observer but as a Creator. He gave us life here and then died to ensure that we could live forever in a world of no pain and no tears. The concept of sacrifice is as old as time itself in the human psyche – from the pagans to the Jews to Christ Himself, it’s embedded deep within us that only blood will suffice for blood. If one deserves to die, only blood will do – one life can be spared only at the expense of another. Blood is so sacred that throughout the Bible, God says not to eat a creature’s blood. Both the Old Testament and the 6
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a kingdom made of straw
Ashley Ennis
The idea of “free” at Christmas time is an anomaly. Every year we give gifts that cost us something, but the greatest gift we have ever received was free. Romans 8:31 tells us, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” ALL THINGS. Jesus came so that we might be free in Him and through Him. There is no cost to the kingdom. Sacrifice, yes, but hold your money because you can’t buy your way into the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God, Heaven brought down to earth, the One who dwelt with men, would start on a bed of straw. What are you striving for? Praying for? If it has anything to do with Jesus, it will start the same wayhumble beginnings and sacrifice given freely. In the book of Acts, there was a man who sat outside the gate called beautiful. Every day he cried out for money thinking this would be the answer to his dilemma. He just needed enough to get through the day, then he would be there in the same place next time, hoping for the same thing as the day before. Only one day he met up with two men who had spent time with Jesus. The humble Savior, born in a manger, told them to carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes (Luke 10:4). All they would need was the power of the Holy Ghost to guide them.
When the shepherds were told about the child who was born that would be the savior of the whole world they were told exactly how to find him, “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).
When Peter saw this man, lame since birth, begging for money, he said “...Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).
How would they know they found the right child? He would be the poorest one there. His birth would be humble. He would be wrapped in strips of clothing in the middle of a barn. This wasn’t by accident. The Lord planned it this way. How do you know you’ve found Jesus? He’s the most humble One in the room.
It turns out money doesn’t help much when it comes to kingdom matters. It pays bills, but it can’t buy your health. It can furnish a roof, but it can’t buy you a home. Everything we need, really need, can be found in Jesus. He gives us all things freely. What are we giving freely to those who are in need? When we speak the Name of Jesus are mountains moved? Do the blind see? Do the lame walk? Are the dead raised? I pray that God will give us power this Christmas. Power to see His kingdom come fully onto the earth. The child in the manger has a bride who is making herself ready. He has waited a long time to pick her up, will He find faith when He arrives (Luke 18:8)?
Throughout His life Jesus would demonstrate His humble start over and over again. When Israel expected a king, He rode in on a donkey. When they needed the best wine, He started with water. The cross where He gave up His life was made from wood. The tomb where He would overcome death was carved out of stone. His blood was shed for the redemption of humanity and He gave it to us at no cost. Even His Name, the most powerful Name on earth, is handed to us through faith alone.
Be blessed this Christmas and enjoy the freedom found in Jesus. 7
all about Him
Marylou Forrest
It’s not about presents or lights on a tree It’s not about remembering to buy for me It’s not about exactly what I want It’s not about lights and decorations on the front It’s all about Jesus, the King of the world It’s about a savior more precious than pearls It’s more about the star that led the wise men It’s about the Christ child and worshipping Him It’s a celebration of the one sent to save It’s a way to remember He rose from the grave It’s the price He would pay for a debt not owed It’s the lowly birth He humbly showed It’s the brilliant star in the sky that starry night It led the shepherds to that blessed sight It’s that lonely stable in Bethlehem town It’s Him in a manger not making a sound It’s Him we should remember on this day It’s why He was sent to light up the way It’s giving His love through serving and labor It’s sharing news that He is the Savior 8
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. Isaiah 42:1-7
Emmanuel
Peggy Foster
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV) I stood in a small community church in Peru. It was a new church built in an area that had been without a church. The land around us was desert dry. The souls were parched, without living water. This church opened only a week or two before we arrived. I watched as the building filled to capacity. Green plastic chairs filled the room from the entrance door to the platform. Holy Spirit was doing His work. As the speaker, I was seated in the place of honor, in front of the P.A. system. The music was almost deafening. I stuffed my ears with tissue and went into my closet of prayer. “Lord, what do You want me to tell them?” His reply, “Tell them I love them.” I took the microphone and before I began to speak. Tears began to stream down my face. Unstoppable, shirt drenching tears. I began the message of Love. I was speaking under the divine influence of a loving Savior. The anointing wrote the words of this simple message onto the hearts of those listening. My tears became the punctuation mark of emphasis. I spoke one phrase I had never heard anyone say before in a sermon. Jesus said tell them “I didn’t want heaven without You.” So, He came.
When the altar call was made, the plastic chairs had to be stacked against the wall to make room for the multitude coming to meet this loving Savior. And I wept. This time because of the souls sweeping into the kingdom of God. Notice how The Passion Translation says this “He shall be known as “Emannuel. Which means in Hebrew, God became one of us.” Matthew 1:23 (TPT) He does not want heaven without us! So, He came. He didn’t want heaven without me! He didn’t want heaven without you! 1Timothy 3:16 without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. Have you ever wondered how Jesus stayed strong in the face of all that crucifixion required? He said He could, at any moment, call twelve legions of angels to stop the torture. (Matthew 26:53) Here is His answer to that question. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He endured for the joy of my presence. He endured for the joy of your presence. This knowledge is beyond my comprehension. I am loved that much. We hear the name Emmanuel over and over at Christmas. But He is God with us on good days. He is God with us when we feel His presence. Even more, He is God with us when we feel deserted and all alone. For me! He who knew no sin became sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) For me! He will never forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5) For me! He became flesh because He did not want heaven without me and you. Job 9:10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. Emmanuel, what a lovely name.
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a Christmas prayer
Heidi McCullers
Dear Heavenly Father, In this sacred season of Christmas, our hearts are stirred with profound gratitude and awe as we come together to celebrate the extraordinary gift You bestowed upon us – the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of the glittering lights, the hustle and bustle, and the joyful gatherings, we are compelled to pause and reflect on the true reason for this season – Christ our Lord. Lord, our spirits are moved as we consider the depth of love expressed through the birth of Jesus. The greatest gift, the embodiment of salvation, wrapped in the vulnerability of a newborn, cradled not in a palace but in a lowly manger. It strikes us – the Savior of the world, the King of Kings, laid in a trough where animals find their sustenance. How incredible it is that You, in Your divine wisdom, chose this humble setting, inviting us to come to You just as we are. As we immerse ourselves in the festivities, may our hearts resonate with the significance of that manger – a trough meant for feeding, a symbol of sustenance and life. Jesus, the Bread of Life, laid in a place where animals gather to be nourished. It's a poignant reminder that in our hunger and need, we find fulfillment and sustenance in Him. Lord, I pray that the revelation of this truth penetrates every heart this Christmas. May the imagery of the manger and its profound symbolism draw people near, inviting them to the source of true life. Let the story of a Savior born in humility resonate with those who feel unworthy or distant. In the simplicity of that manger, may the complexities of our lives find meaning and purpose. As we approach Christmas Day, may Your love be a beacon that draws souls from every corner. May the message of salvation echo through the festivities, touching those who have yet to know You. Let this be a season of emotional connection, where hearts are stirred and moved by the profound love displayed in a tiny baby, laid in a trough for the world to see.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. 10
angels we have heard on high A wonderful part of the Christmas account is the angels arriving in the night sky to proclaim the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The shepherds were not considered great in the eyes of most people of the time. They worked and cared for the sheep day and night. These men were not men of authority, but regular, working men, yet God chose them to hear the greatest message the angels could proclaim. Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. These men immediately ran into town to see the babe in the manger. They then spread the word about the child. They did not keep it hidden. They shared the great message, the gospel. Did everyone believe them? Maybe not. Did some believe? Probably so. They were given a great gift. They were chosen to bear the message they heard the angels proclaim of the birth of Jesus.
Lori Stevens
Their lives were forever changed by this message. We too, have a great gift. We have received salvation from that same Jesus. He was born, lived, died and rose again just to give us the great gift of salvation. We are the reason he came. His greatest gift is salvation. We have received it through repentance and being baptized in His precious name. We heard his voice calling in our spirit, “Come to me and be saved.” We responded by running to the altar before him. We can now respond as the shepherds by sharing the message of salvation. We may not have heard it directly from an angel, but we were forever changed when we came to Jesus Christ ourselves. We are no longer the same and have been made new. What a blessed thing! Luke 15:10 tells us “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Can you imagine the rejoicing that took place in heaven over your soul? Rejoice for you are saved!!! Rejoice with the angels!! We are also chosen to bear the message of Jesus. We can proclaim the gospel. We can tell others about Jesus’ greatest gift. May we be as excited and changed by this gift that we cannot hide it or hold it back. May it be evident in the life we live and in the words we speak. May we be the bearers of the greatest message mankind has ever been given. Jesus is here to save us from our sins. We are called to His Kingdom. We are called to be messengers of the gospel to others who also need to hear that Jesus loves them! May the message of the angels be heard not only at Christmas time, but each and every day from the lips and lives of those of us who have accepted the greatest gift of all. Proclaim the message of the angels: I bring good tidings of great joy! Jesus the Savior is here for you! 11
Continued from Page 3: There is nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas with family and friends or having large dinners and get togethers. Gift giving can be fun and rewarding if we don’t let it pressure us into giving above our means; but it really should not be the focus of Christmas. I feel that it would be more rewarding if we took our resources and gave to those less fortunate than we are instead of giving expensive items to people who already have enough. But we need to remember to keep Jesus in the center of everything we do every day. He is the Prince of Peace. When we sing “Joyto The World”, He is the joy we sing about. Wake up every morning and give Him praise for his mercy endures forever. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and joy, and He will give freely. Ask for His guidance for how He wants you to celebrate Him in everything you do, and He will show you.
Continued from Page 6: New agree on this. Deuteronomy 12:23 states, “Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the blood with the flesh.” We see this again in Acts 15:39: “…abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled…” Look at how precious God considers blood even in creatures as lowly as sheep and cattle. How much more precious was the blood of His one and only Son? Yet Jesus allowed himself to be tortured and slain so that we might live. It is only this one blood that is pure enough that it can cover the sins of the world. So, how is it that Nicholas of Myra often gets more attention than Jesus of Nazareth? It’s easy to get caught up in our everyday lives and forget what we’ve been given, but this year, instead of looking at the lights twinkling on your tree and thinking of Santa, walk out into the night, look up at the stars He hung in the sky, and thank Him…for everything.
Continued from Page 4: In both of these precious promises - Peace and Joy - are given to us as a gift; but, as with any gift, it will do no good for anyone unless it is received and opened by the recipient. You have to choose to receive His peace and His joy. He will not make you take it, like you had to take medicine from your parents when you were a child. He offers you those precious gifts that money can’t buy and places them before you as medicine for your body and soul. Trust Him today! Accept these promises and apply them to your everyday life, only then will you experience the healing power of real peace and of real joy. 12
Jesus, the light of the world Brittani Ralston
During this season, it's easy to get caught up in the constant rush of Christmas ToDo’s and Wish Lists. One of the things that always makes me savor these precious Christmas moments are the lights…in all its various forms. Whether you are strolling down a street decorated with beautiful, twinkling lights…warm drink in hand. Or gathering around your dining table, lit by the warm glow of candles, surrounded by loved ones. These moments are undeniably peaceful and heartwarming.
However, amidst this mixed-bag of holiday craziness and cheer, let's not forget the most important light of all - Jesus, the Light of the World. His presence brings true peace and joy. Let's cherish this time to reflect on his love and the significance of his birth. Christmas is more than just a season; it's an opportunity to embrace the transformative power of His light in our lives. Since the Begining, light has symbolized God's presence–from the moment He brought forth light to illuminate the darkness during creation (Genesis 1:3), to the future where a radiant new heaven and earth will be lit by the glory of God, with Jesus Christ serving as the ultimate beacon of light (Revelation 21-22). Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim that God is light, pure and free from darkness. He is the source of illumination and salvation as the psalmist declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation." (Psalm 27:1)
hope. This beacon is described as a "light" that will illuminate the darkness. In the New Testament, it becomes clear that this light refers to none other than Jesus, the Messiah. (Isaiah 9:2) The fulfillment of God's promise as Immanuel, the miraculous and wondrous baby Jesus of Bethlehem, comes to be with us (Isaiah 7:4). Immanuel, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, brings the Father's glory and grace to the world. He is the "Light of the World," (John 8:12) illuminating the truth of who he and his Father are. Just as we see the sun and believe in its existence, we can believe in Christ and see everything through his light. In a world shrouded in darkness and sin, at precisely the right moment, God fulfilled His promise to send Jesus, the light of the world. This great light has illuminated the lives of those living in spiritual darkness and has brought hope and redemption to a world enveloped in the shadow of death.
During the Christmas season, it's important to remember that we as Christians are called to be bearers of this light. This light has the power to spread brilliance in a world that is desperately in need of it. By reflecting the light of God through our words, actions, and deeds, we can shine a light and point those who are lost in darkness to the one and only Path. This light guides them towards the ultimate source of light and salvation. Jesus came into the world to bring light to all . When you invite Him into your heart, you not only receive His light but also have the opportunity to share it with the world. Remember, Jesus is the true reason for this wonderful Christmas season.
In the Old Testament, a prophecy foretold the arrival of Jesus: The people of Israel, who were burdened by suffering and uncertainty, would be given a beacon of 13
intentional timing
Robin Ralston We all know that our timing is not God’s timing. This has never stood out to me as much as now, this beautiful season where we celebrate our Lord and Savor’s birth.
Poet John Clare observed in his optimistic poem “The Winter’s Spring,” I never want the Christmas rose To come before its time; The seasons each, as God bestows, Are simple and sublime
So why do we spend our time in areas that take us away from what we need to focus on? All of our extracurricular activities that are supposed to bring us closer to celebrating Jesus’ birthday, actually only take us away on a harried pace to check off the next event list, and there are so many. Even though many of these planned activities have to do with being with family and close friends, our mindset is on the go and not on the moment. We’re just all too busy to get one box checked so we can move on to the next.
There were no harried moments on the night of Jesus’ birth. Only reverence and love. May it be also with us.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
But what does the Lord say about this? How does our busyness reflect our Savior's love and compassion? Do we show smiles and joy, or are we showing instead frustration and impatience? I know I can absolutely get into the “Scrooge” mood when my wagon is overloaded! This Christmas season, I’m learning to say “no” to things that overload that preverbal wagon. I need and want to be more intentional in both my doing and being, as this is what brings peace, not the next Christmas party! So remember, we always have choices to participate or not. Walk the path of intentional peace this year and see how your peace in the Lord with His timing, passes that very peace on to the next person, and the person after that.
Luke 2:6-10
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Christmas shoes Mona Kaye Scroggins
Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16
Several years ago our Ladies’ Sunday School Class at Calvary Baptist Church in Morrilton decided we would join with our Baptist Missionary Association and prepare shoeboxes to be given to needy children at Christmas. We all agreed it was heart breaking to think that a child might not receive a gift at Christmas. Through the years these Christmas shoeboxes have been distributed in several different countries: Romania, Ukraine, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, Costa Rica, Georgia, Micronesia, Cambodia, Jordan, Samoa, Israel, Guatemala, Cape Verde, Brazil, and Panama.
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The BMA office sends us a list of suggested items to be included in the Christmas shoeboxes with a New Testament in the country’s language always included in every box. After all the shopping is done, we have a Christmas shoebox packing party. What started out as a Sunday School class project has now expanded to include our entire church. After the boxes are packed, they are prayed over and then taken to the offices in Conway for shipment. It warms my heart when I picture the children opening their shoeboxes. My prayer is that the contents of the boxes bring joy to these children but more importantly that the Word of God will find a place in the heart and life of each child. May each child discover the priceless gift of Christmas: Jesus Christ.
journey to Bethlehem
Anita Tilley
One of my favorite images displayed during the Christmas season is that of a young couple on a journey. They appear so vulnerable walking along the road. In my mind’s eye, I see Joseph glancing concerned over to Mary who is his love. He had made plans for Mary, but these weren’t the plans he had made.
All around the world right now, lists are being made of things that are hoped to be wrapped under the tree. Inevitably, there will be those who receive something other than what they asked for.
I prayed, but my marriage fell apart anyway, or I prayed and still it got worse. Just as Mary probably thought “This is not my will,” she knew what God's word said in Jeremiah, that He planned to prosper her and not to harm her, He planned to give her hope and a future. Yet she found herself pregnant on a donkey leaving her family to deliver a gift. Yet, she trusted.
With every click of the donkeys’ hooves on the ground, they were moving farther and farther away from security and support. Still, Joseph put one foot in front of the other, not knowing what was ahead but trusting. Then I envision Mary caressing the child growing inside her belly. I’m sure she pulled her cloak around her belly to warm the child. She had always dreamed of being a mother, but these weren’t the plans she had made.
Little did Mary and Joseph know the gift was for them as well, their child, the one that changed their plans, would be the key to eternity and redemption for all mankind. Last April, when I was in ICU after a massive stroke, I lay in bed unable to move my left side and was barely able to talk. a treasured Godly friend leaned in to kiss my cheek, I could feel her cheek wet from tears and she whispered, “This situation is going to bud”. I thought in my mind “Can life come from this body?” I couldn’t feel anything. But it did bud just like she said.
Onward, obediently the young couple moved towards the little town of Bethlehem. I’m sure they had heard prophets’ predictions that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem, but what did that mean to them? Would the Creator of the Universe select them to deliver this gift to the world? “Who are we? How can I be entrusted with such a gift?” Yet they trusted the plan of the Lord because they knew He was the Almighty.
Tomorrow is uncertain for sure but just like Mary and Joseph, we must open our tight-fisted hands to say, “Not my will but thine be done”. He will deliver the better gift to us because that is who HE IS.
When the angel appeared to Mary with the news, all Mary could think was “Here am I, the servant of the Lord, be it with me according to your word”. “It’s not the way we planned but thy will be done.” 16
Thumbprint Cookies
Why this recipe? It makes me think of my Mama. My Dad is a State
By Kristi Strain
Farm agent, and back when we were little, they had
INGREDIENTS
managers, and the managers would have awesome
2 sticks butter, softened 1 8oz cream cheese, softened
parties around the holidays. Every year, Mrs. Barrow, my
1 C Sugar
Dad's manager's wife, would make these treat baskets,
1.5 tsp vanilla
and this was one of the items in the basket.
2.5 C Flour ½ Salt 1 egg beaten with 1 T water
It was always a fun time for me because my parents
1 C finely chopped pecans
were getting all dressed up and going out, which was rare for them. My mom would include us by sharing the baskets and usually a fun story about the items. It's a long story, but it was fun because we would eventually make many items in the baskets to share with others.
1 8oz candied cherries
PROCEDURE Preheat oven to 350. Beat sugar, cream cheese, and butter until light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape down the sides as needed. Whisk together the flour and salt, then add to the cream cheese mixture a little at
My mom was an extraordinary homemaker, but more
a time until the dough comes together. Wrap the
than anything, she was an extraordinary Christian
dough in Saran Wrap and place it in the refrigerator
example. Her purpose in life was to lead us to the lord. My mom was not preachy or loud unless she had to be. We always knew what she expected, and she led us by
for 30 minutes. Beat one egg and 1 T water together. After the dough has rested, make small balls about ¾-1 ounce. Next, roll dough into the egg mixture and then roll in the finely chopped pecans. Place on a
example and doing. Oftentimes those lessons happened
baking sheet, and then use your thumb to make an
in our kitchen.
indention where your cherry will sit. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes or until slightly golden. Enjoy!
Thank you for including me in this. Please let me know if you need something else.
Variations: You can also roll sweetened coconut; rather than a cherry, you can also use your favorite
Happy Holidays! 17
jam.
1 JOHN 4:16