Christmas Hope

The Old Testament prophesies*:  

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, one of you will come for me , one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from ancient times.  Micah 5:2

. . . *a prophecy 
is a prediction,
 a foretelling, 
a divine forecast.


The New Testament confirms the prophecy. . . 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David. . .   He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger . . .  Luke 2

Mary, did you know?

Have you heard Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene's lyrics
"Mary Did You Know?" . . .
{If you have a chance, listen to this on utube.} 

One can not help but be touched by this song.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?

. . . calm a storm with his hand?

. . . has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

. . . This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

This sleeping child Mary held would be a leader, a prophet, a lawgiver, a deliverer, a teacher, a priest, an anointed one, a mediator, a human and an intermediary between God and man. . . and Our Savior.

He is All this.

And, because He is ALL this,

we have hope.

And, when we have hope,

each day is new.

Your Christmas celebration
 may be past,
or you may be
putting the house in order,
baking goodies,
and wrapping gifts. . .

. . . in the midst of it all . . .

Considered the season of the "Good News,"

 when it is all done and over. . .

for some of us, there's a let down. . .
a feeling of what-now?

There are no extra cars in the driveway.

The front entry way is missing fourteen extra pairs of shoes.

We prepared and prepared and now it's passed.

Passed?
Many have this feeling after December 25th.
But actually, it has not passed.
It is just a beginning for Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem.

He was made like us (a baby) so that he might deliver us.  
He became man to save man. 

(His genealogy is given in Luke and goes back to Adam, "son of God.")

He was God manifest in the flesh.  Although becoming a "man," he was born holy.

{from "What the Bible is All About" by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears}

Our homes may seem empty....

Our hearts are not. . . "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"

 I leave you contented because of God's promises.

May you always have hope and dwell on the Good News.

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. . .John 1:1

Merry Christmas. . 
   from our house to yours.



                                                 Next blog:  January 5