Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds” (Titus 2:13-14 NASB).
When the Great I Am Became A Baby
Growing up, when I thought of Jesus at Christmas, I pictured a baby in a manger. On Good Friday, I envisioned the cross and on Easter, an empty tomb. It took a while before I realized Jesus is much bigger than those holidays. In a recent article at BibleStudyTools.com I look at “The Jesus of Christmas Past, Present, and Future” and how His life impacts us today.Continue Reading
5 Ideas to Make Christmas Decorating Easy and Meaningful
My living room looked like a tissue bomb exploded when we began unwrapping crates of ornaments. I love Christmas, but the decorating process can be overwhelming. My friend Tara Furman just released a new book with our mutual friend Lisa Grimes. I asked them to share some tips with you to tickle your creativity and help you enjoy preparing your home for this most wonderful time of the year.
Here’s Tara…
I am grateful the Christmas season is upon us. It’s been a roller coaster of a year and I’m ready to focus on the One whom one day, “the government will be on His shoulders. He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 emphasis added.)
As we decorate our homes in honor of Jesus, below are a few simple ideas my friend and award winning decorator, Lisa T. Grimes shares in 25 Days of Christmas for Your Heart and Home. They are sure to make your home a little cozier and easy for you!
As we #decorate our homes in honor of Jesus, here are a few simple ideas from 25 Days of Christmas for Your Heart and Home for you to try this #Christmas. @KnowingGodTara Click To TweetWho Jesus Was, Is Now, and Will Be
I was going to send out a simple “Merry Christmas” since this goes out on Christmas Eve, but I decided I had to share some thoughts about Jesus that have meant a lot to me during this season. I hope they will bless you.
This following verse plays through my mind at Christmas.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9 NIV).
In light of this Scripture, let’s remember who Jesus was before the first Christmas, what He gave up, who Jesus is now, and the glorious future promised to all who receive Him.
Jesus, before the First Christmas—Was Rich
Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth Isaiah saw Him in His glory (Jn. 12:41). This is how Isaiah describes what he saw.
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple. Angels were standing above him. Each had six wings: With two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They called to each other and said,
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory.’Their voices shook the foundations of the doorposts, and the temple filled with smoke (Isaiah 1:1-4 GW).”
Jesus, at the First Christmas—for Your Sake Became Poor
The same Jesus that Isaiah saw “made himself nothing” and came to earth as a baby that first Christmas and later died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11).