Christmas Facts and Fiction #3

Did the "Three Wise Men" from the East arrive in Bethlehem in time to see the baby Jesus in the manger?

1) There is no record of how many "wise men" came to see Jesus. Since three gifts were given to the child, it has been assumed by some that there were three who carried the gifts. Most likely, there was a sizable entourage of "wise men" (magi) accompanied by soldiers to protect them and the cargo that they carried.

2) Luke 2: 11 says, "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh"

Note: By the time the "wise men" had arrived to see Jesus, He was in a house - not in the manger. It must have been a considerable time after His birth that the "wise men" found Him.

The text also tells us that Jesus was a child when the "wise men" found Him. The Greek word for "child" is different from the word for "infant" and refers to someone who is around two years old.

While folks attempt to include everyone and everything in the nativity pictures, we do know that the "wise men" were not yet present in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.

The important fact, however is that they worshiped and adored Him even when he was a child. They recognized the child as Deity.

Wise Men still adore Him ~ Bob

A Very Lavish Gift

This link was sent by a woman whose faith in Christ has nurtured a passionate zeal to reach out to those who are wounded and hurting ...

"The key to building up people is kindness -- giving them what they need and not what they deserve. When you consider the way Jesus built up people, He did three things: challenged, encouraged, and spoke honestly."

Read more ...

Thank you, my friend. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit {Galatians 5:22-23}. It's not some magical thing we can drum up on our own. It seems to be a rare commodity today in our self-serving society, and sadly seems to be in short supply in our homes, churches, and workplaces.

1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that "love is kind." Here's a simple guideline ... can you put your name in place of the word "love"?

What might the Spirit lavish on you if you surrendered to His filling and control? Most likely, it would be a beautiful gift destined to be poured into another's weary, parched soul.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen ... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"
- Ephesians 4:29, 32.

A gift we each need to give ... and receive ~
Linda

Christmas Fact or Fiction #2

Was Jesus born on December 25th?

Neither the Bible nor history place Jesus' birthday on a specific day. Many scholars believe that Spring is the most likely time of year for His birth. The primary reason is because shepherds were watching their flocks at night and Spring is when ewes bore their young. In fact, around 200 AD, some of the church fathers declared that Jesus was born on May 20th. Others argued for dates in April or March. The actual date of His birth was not a major issue for early Christians. The fact of God's Incarnation was the primary concern.

In 385 AD Pope Julius I declared December 25th as the day for celebrating Christ's birthday. That date was chosen in part to challenge the pagan celebration of the Roman god - Saturnalia - which was celebrated with social disorder and immorality.

The world has continued to use the December 25th date to celebrate the birth of Christ and to maintain it's holiness instead of worshiping the gods of materialism and revalry. Will your celebration be that of honor and worship of God's Incarnation or will it be focused on bowing before the god of things?

Anticipating the celebration ~ Bob

Christmas Facts and Fiction

Many skeptics have attempted to discount the coming of Christ (the Messiah) by stating that the town of Nazareth never existed in historical reality. Atheist Frank Zindler has noted that Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament, by the Apostle Paul, by the Talmud, or by the first-century historian Josephus. In fact, no ancient historians or geographers mention Nazareth before the beginning of the fourth century.

However, Dr. James Strange of the university of South Florida is an expert on the area where Nazareth is said to have existed. He describes Nazareth as being a very small place - about 60 acres - with a maximum population of about 480 at the beginning of the first century.

When Jerusalem fell in AD 70, priests were no longer needed in the temple because it had been destroyed so they were relocated to other areas (including Galilee). Archaelogists have found a list in Aramaic describing the twenty-four families of priests who were relocated and one of them was registered as having been moved to Nazareth.

In addition, archaelogical digs have uncovered first-century tombs in the vicinity of Nazareth which would establish the village's limits, because Jewish law determines that burials take place outside the town proper. In fact, among archaelogists, there has never really been a big doubt about the location of Nazareth. The burden of proof is on those who dispute its existence.

Other skeptics have said that "such findings suggest that Nazareth may have existed in Jesus' time, but there is no doubt that it must have been a very small, insignificant place."

So small that Nathanael's musings in John's gospel make more sense: "Nazareth!" he said, "Can anything good come from there?"

Fact - Jesus grew up in an insignificant village named Nazareth.

Keep tuned for more facts and fiction about Christmas ~

Believing the truth of the Bible ~ Bob

Pockets of Delight

Some snippets from recent journaling ...

Underneath all the busyness and craziness, a deep sense of peace and gratitude is present for the blessings that have come my way in recent months. My growing family, my marriage, my work, my health (with its glitches), my friends, my home, my past, my future. I hold all these gifts with reverence and joy, thankfulness and peace. I choose to reflect on them when tired or discouraged, apprehensive or fearful. As the old hymn instructs, I count them, I name them one by one, and I thank God for all He has done.

The gratitude runs deep and wide. Miracles, pockets of delight, joys that were so unexpected, answers to prayer ... intermingled with deep disappointments, ongoing frustrations, and moments of searing heartache. Writing it all down allows me to sort through things, to learn lessons I need to learn. I am learning to contemplate what is true about me and about You, oh God. To explore the impact of these truths. To acknowledge and accept and embrace what You are teaching me. And from all these learnings, freedom and joy and peace spring forth.

You bring truth to my life. You seal it in my heart. You allow me to reflect on all the gifts, great and small, that You have lavished on me. Some make me smile. Others cause me to shed some tears. But they are all deeply-valued gifts, given to me by the One who loves me.

You fill my heart and my hands, my hours and my days. And I offer all back up to You. All that You have blessed me with. It is all Yours to own, to control.

And I like it that way. You have taught me to loosen my grip on all that I consider valuable. And so I choose to present these priceless treasures back to You.

They're all Yours anyway, aren't they, Lord ...
Linda

8 Keys to Healthy Feasting

It's that time of year ... Thanksgiving looms with it's groaning board of very hearty foods. As you invite family and friends to join you or as you make your way to someone else's home, do keep these 8 practical tips from Weight Watchers in mind ...

1. Eat normally up until the big meal.

2. It’s all about the white meat.

3. Drink lots of water all day, especially with dinner.

4. Eat your favorite dish.

5. Start with a salad and/or soup.

6. Stick to your exercise plan.

7. Impress your relatives and contribute to the meal.

8. Wear form-fitting clothes during dinner.

Here's the details ...

Planning the menu? Please keep it simple so that you have energy to focus on what really matters. It's not about elaborate presentation of gourmet food or the elegance of the table settings. It's about joyful hearts overflowing with gratitude. And the relationships that make life worth living. And adoration of the One through whom all blessings flow.

Linda

"Praise the Lord, all you nations;

extol Him all you peoples.

For great is His love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord"

- Psalm 117.

Operation Christmas Child

November 16th - 23rd

Operation Christmas Child's National Collection Week

It's not too late to participate with millions around the world in giving and praying.

Meet the extraordinarily gifted author of this heart-felt prayer, and then join him in intercession for this life-changing ministry.

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, ASKING FOR YOUR TENDER MERCY AND BOUNTIFUL GRACE TO BE EMBEDDED IN EACH AND EVERY SHOEBOX HERE, AND IN EVERY ONE COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THIS IS OUR JOY TO GLORIFY YOU, OUR ALMIGHTY GOD, WITH THESE FEW GIFTS, BECAUSE, DEAR LORD, YOUR STRENGTH COMES TO US THROUGH YOUR JOY. THESE BOXES ARE FILLED WITH OUR LOVE FOR YOU, THAT OTHERS WILL COME TO KNOW YOU AS WE DO; OUR HOPE AND OUR SALVATION.

WE ASK YOU TO WORK IN EVERY ASPECT OF THIS ENDEAVOR. WHETHER IT BE IN PACKAGING, SORTING, TRAVELING ON FOOT, THE ROAD, OR SKY, BY BOAT, OR EVEN ANIMAL. WE PRAY FOR SAFETY. WE PRAY GATEWAYS TO BE OPENED. WE LAY ON THE ALTAR FOR EACH BOX TO GO TO THE CHILD THAT NEEDS IT, WITH YOUR AWESOME WISDOM. THAT MEMBERS OF FAMILIES WILL KNOW OF YOUR LOVE. THAT FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WILL COME TO YOUR TABLE TO EAT AND DRINK.

WE PRAY FOR FRANKLIN GRAHAM, BRENT CARL, AND EVERY MEMBER OF SAMARITAN'S PURSE STAFF. PLUS ALL THE VOLUNTEERS TO BE RENEWED BY YOUR SPIRIT. FOR THEM TO FEEL YOUR TENDER TOUCH UPON THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE ESPECIALLY THANK YOU, LORD FOR ENVELOPING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE. AND GIVING US THE BURNING DESIRE TO SERVE OTHERS IN YOUR NAME. THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU! WE TRULY LOVE YOU, LORD!

IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN

"MapQuest" Jesus

"Discernment both eludes us and surprises us because it's more about relationship than outcomes. God is not a dispatcher of answers from a faraway office, but an up-close-and-personal being who wants to converse back and forth with us. God is relentlessly relational, inviting us into an interactive life so that discernment and decision making are fleshed out within ongoing nudges within our everyday life with God.

So while people mostly want a 'MapQuest Jesus' from whom they can request directions and find that a map pops up with five 'to-do' items, Jesus will have none of this mechanical approach. We hang out with One who will not be charted or check-boxed."
- Johnson -

Cherishing that ongoing, interactive conversation ~
Linda

"He who walks with the wise grows wise..."

- Proverbs 13:20.

"The Gleam of Hope"

"Do you wonder why you are having to experience some great sorrow? Over the next ten years you will find many others afflicted in the same way. You will tell them how you suffered and were comforted. As the story unfolds, God will apply the anesthetic He once used on you to them. Then in the eager look followed by the gleam of hope that chases away the shadow of despair from the soul, you will know why you were afflicted. And you will bless God for the discipline that filled your life with such a treasure of experience and helpfulness.

- Chambers -

Attesting to this redeeming truth ~
Linda

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten ... You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you ..."

- Joel 2:25-26