Tag Bethlehem

What if instead of Santa Claus you got a visit from Jesus Christ?

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

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Here is is a thought to ponder as you end 2014 and make plans and preparations for 2015. Now that Christmas is behind us now maybe a good time to ask this very important question.

We say December 25th is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth, okay what day do we set aside to celebrate his SOON RETURN?

What instead of spending so much time and energy making preparations for the jolly fat man, who is never going to come because newsflash he is not real, we put the same amount of energy and preparation into a imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Nary a thought is given to a returning King but we sure do spend a great deal of time preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus.

Isn’t something out of kilter here? Shouldn’t the Christian church be focusing people’s attention on the upcoming arrival of King Jesus? Isn’t that what Advent is supposed to be preparing hearts and minds for? Isn’t the coming of a Messiah the reason for Christmas?

He has already been born, he has been crucified, he was buried, he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, his next big move will be to return to gather together all his believers. Since no one knows the date or time of his upcoming arrival it really would behoove us to be ready and waiting by the door when he comes to call don’t you think?

Many call this generation the Millennials and perhaps they are for this may be the generation that ushers in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. What are we doing to prepare the Millennial generation for the millennial reign of Christ? Was there any talk around the Christmas tree of Jesus’ second coming? Or were we too busy opening presents and talking about all the stuff we got? You do know that you will not be able to take any of it with you.

The greatest gift ever given to man was when God gave us his own son to die in our place. There is not a gift under heaven that can compare to that great gift of God. Nor is there anything under heave that is able to keep you from the wrath of God that is going to come to this earth. Therefore the gift God gave us is the only thing that we can take with us and will protect us from the coming wrath, everything else is worthless by comparison.

Since we do not know when Christ will return we only know that his return is guaranteed shouldn’t we be working hard to make preparations for his return? Just saying.

That is the way I see it, what say you?

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Following the Stars

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse ?of the heavens?, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Following the Star

The Wise Men followed a star to the place where Jesus was. For they saw his sign and came to worship Him. They brought with them gifts fit for a king. We consider these star-gazers as wise men because they sought out Jesus Christ. Daniel tell us that the truly wise will be like that star which leads others to Christ.

Many people try to be stars in the world of entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. With the advent of the Internet and social media almost anyone can become an overnight sensation. YouTube has launched many an unknown into super stardom when a video goes viral.

Reality TV is another avenue that turns ordinary citizens into media stars. Their exposure on these programs (some exposing more than others) cause them instant fame and recognition. These stars however soon become dim and fade from view.

Contrast these temporary examples stardom with the stardom spoken of by Daniel.

God tells us how we can be eternal “stars”-by being wise and leading many to God’s righteousness.

A wise man not only seeks Christ but leads others to him as well. We are called to be LIGHTS in a dark world. We are to be the stars that others can use to navigate their way through life. We should be the light that shines on the place where Jesus can be found.

Are you a star in God’s Kingdom or are you seeking temporary stardom in an earthly kingdom? Will you be the star that leads wise men, women and children to Christ or should we look for another?

If we share our Lord with others, we can be true stars-radiantly beautiful in God’s sight!

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The Real Night Before Christmas Story

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

The true night before Christmas story does not annouce the arrival of Santa Clause but of the arrival of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. So here once again is the real night before Christmas story:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line 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, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
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No El: A Christmas Message

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

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And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

Hear ye! Hear ye! Have you heard the good news? Today in the city of David a Savior was born who is Christ the Lord!

Birth announcements do not usually cause visits from heaven nor bring an angel choir and a brand new star. Wise men from the east traveled many miles to pay homage to this new-born King. Relatives might make a trip across the country to see a new-born but to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I would think not.

The angels sang Joy to the world! They proclaimed good news to all men! He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace! What a birth announcement! What a proclamation!

My birth announcement amounted to a small space in the local newspaper. No fanfare or celestial beings in attendance to announce my arrival and certainly no bright new star shining overhead. No one came from afar to witness my birth nor were any kings or governors quaking at the thought of a new king being born. Other than a three-day blizzard my arrival onto this planet was less than spectacular.

For most people, their entrance into the world is usually without much fanfare or production. I performed a Google search to see if I could find any famous person’s birth announcements and found none. I guess the lack of those is due primarily to the birth of most infants is not considered extraordinary. To be famous one has to do something in this life to be worthy of such acclaim. Merely being born would not need a royal announcement of heavenly proportions.

On this night angels were dispatched to Mary, Joseph and lowly shepherds, to proclaim the birthday of a King. The angels foretold of the greatness of this child. All of heaven was dispatched to make this special delivery. This was no ordinary birthday. This was no ordinary child. This was not just another birth.

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More Than a Babe in a Manger

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

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Born of a virgin in the city of Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, such humble beginnings for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Although he came to earth as a child, Jesus is far more than a babe in a manger.

He was from the beginning. He was with God and He is God. He is the firstborn over creation and in Him the fullness of God dwells.

All things were created by Him and for Him. He laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of His hands. Without him nothing was made that has been made.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He upholds the universe by the word of His power. It is through Him that we exist. He is the mystery of God who created all things by Jesus Christ.

In the fullness of time God sent Him to be the Savior of the world. He came to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

He was made flesh and dwelt among people. Full of grace and truth, He was the image of the invisible God and the exact representation of his being.

Born in the likeness of man, He took upon himself the form of a servant. He became poor so that we may become rich.

The radiance of God’s glory, He walked in love and compassion. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize him.

Meek and gentle, He was treated harshly yet He did not protest. Despised and forsaken, He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Though He was tempted as we are, He did not sin.

He came to deliver those who through fear of death were all their lives subject to bondage. He humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. He assumed human form to mediate between God and men.

Continue reading “More Than a Babe in a Manger” →