Sunday, December 25, 2022

THE WORD

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:18-25/ Matthew 2:1-12/ Luke 1:26-56/ Luke 2:1-20

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity is built over the place traditionally considered the birthplace of Jesus. A silver star in the floor is said to mark the very spot where Christ is believed to have been born. The olive oil lamps are like those that provided light in the Temple at Jerusalem.

 

Key Verse: John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

The “Word” is one of the many names given for Jesus of Nazareth. God has essentially one “Word” to say to humanity: “JESUS.” Yes, we have many words in Scripture, but the Person and work of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), sums it all up. “WE BEHELD HIS GLORY.” Pilate, the Roman Governor, said to those gathered in his courtyard, “ECCE HOMO!”…”BEHOLD THE MAN” is the translation of Pilate’s Latin tongue. Behold Him in the word pictures contained in today’s readings. Let us make this Christmas Day in 2016 A.D. (Anno Domine, the “Year of our Lord”) a day when we “Behold” Him with new insight. Almost 1,000 years ago, the 14 point star pictured above was placed on the floor of the cave, 17 feet below the level of the floor of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The points of the star represented the 14 Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem, which were marked for middle-ages pilgrims to remind them of the passion of Christ. We cannot separate the birth of Jesus from His suffering and death. The prophet Isaiah made this clear. Isaiah 7:14 (a virgin shall conceive), Isaiah 9:6 (a Child is born, a Son is given, and another of His Names, Mighty God), and then it’s well worth the time to read Isaiah chapter 53 (click here). These Scriptures will help us to “BEHOLD the MAN.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I am beholding (gazing at intently) You now with a fresh comprehension of Your Glory! Surely You are the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!!! I ask for an ever-increasing flow of grace so that I “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge…” (Ephesians 3:18-19). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’ve taken the liberty to go well over my goal of 100 words to comment on today’s Bible reading, so I’ll just take this time to lift my heart and hands in worship. I believe I’m beholding His Glory. Hallelujah!

Yours for a truly Merry Christmas,

David

P.S. Here’s an extra photo for today from Bethlehem….and here’s another one of the interview videos on Christmas locations in the Holy Land with Moira Brown and Dr. Craig Evans (click here).

A man in Bethlehem carving olive wood. He creates these figures for those who want to buy mementos during their visit to the birthplace of Jesus.

6 thoughts on “Sunday, December 25, 2022

  1. Merry Christmas fellow saints in the Lord, as we celebrate the birth of our living Saviour. May you be well, safe and warm in this wintery weather. If you don’t have to go outside, please be wise and stay in. The love peace and joy of Christ our King be with you all, today and always. Amen, amen, and amen.
    ⛪️✝️🦌🎄❄️️👼🔯👼❄️️🎄🦌✝️⛪️✝️🦌🎄❄️️👼 🔯⛪️ ✝️🦌🎄 ❄️️👼 🔯

    And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 ESV

    Josh Groban – What Child Is This? with lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1cfCEzniEg

  2. Father God, You are amazing. Thank You for loving me, delighting in me with gladness, and rejoicing over me with joyful songs. Help me to hear the songs You sing over me. I want to walk with You and talk with You daily. Help me to draw near to You even when it is hard. You are where my hope comes from. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Jessica Teed.

    Jesus Christ is the best gift of all!! Merry, merry Christmas all brothers and sisters.

  3. Thank you blog friends for your comments and prayers. Great music as well for the Christmas Day. Blessings all. My friend and I drove around today and the snow covering was beautiful. Our city did a great job of clearing out the minor and major roadways. Praying for those travellers who were stranded and the many people who had no electricity. Blessings all.

  4. Amen to the prayers and thoughts above. We are so blessed to have Jesus as our saviour. Thankfully the wind has died down here so it was about -20, but with no wind and bright sunshine, it was a nice day.. Amazing to drive around and see the ice candles were still burning this morning in the cemetery
    Blessings to all bloggers

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