Pastor's messages

Merry Christmas from First United Methodist Church of Howe!

- Zack Landis.

As we all celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, we hope that you experience the joy of this season The Christmas Story that we find in Scripture is really full of joy. From the stories of Elizabeth and Mary to the visits of the shepherds and Wise Men, the Christmas story is full of joy Over the past four weeks in worship, we focused on the joy of Christmas We have looked at both gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth to examine all the ways that it brings us joy It is a season of joy Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season May God bless you and your family this Christmas

Merry Christmas from First Baptist Church of Howe -

Roger Tidwell

My little 2year-old grand-daughter Norah is really getting into Christmas this year In fact, maybe a little too much because every time she sees a Christmas present, she thinks it is for her Perhaps a poor example of Christmas giving but a great example of Christmas getting!

For a great example of Christmas giving, consider the story of the Wise men. This is found in the New Testament book of Luke (Luke 2:112) When these travelers from the East found Jesus they presented Him with three gifts For us, these

Continued from page 1 gifts may seem a little strange but actually, they are filled with Biblical meaning

Consider the gift of GOLD Gold was given as a symbol of the kingship of Christ That’s why the Bible says that Jesus is “King of Kings.” That may change the way many of us think of Jesus For many, Jesus is just some heavenly “Bellboy” who comes running to running to serve us whenever we call upon Him. But a King rules and reigns and the gift of gold is an acknowledgment by the Wise men that Jesus is King

Next is FRANKINCENSE This was a sweet smelling perfume used by the priest in the temple sacrifices Frankincense is a symbol of Jesus as our High Priest The word priest means "bridge builder" and this gift tells us that Jesus came to rebuild that which had been broken down between God and man because of man's sin

Finally is MYRRH This was a spice that was used in the embalming of the dead Myrrh was the symbol of the sacrificial death of Jesus When Jesus was born, as a little baby, they brought him a gift which represented death Isn't that a strange gift to bring to a baby? That would be like bring a casket to a baby shower! In this gift, we see the purpose of the birth of Jesus God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world Jesus died so that we might have eternal life!

I believe Bill Klein, writer of the cartoon "Family Circus" captures the true meaning of Christmas In one of his cartoons, the children were unpacking the nativity scene and the baby Jesus was the last piece. Dolly, the little girl held the baby in her hand and told the family, "Here is the star of Christmas " How true so this Christmas season take a little time to think about Jesus for the saying is true, that Jesus is the reason for the season