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The Visitors of the Messiah

12/20/2012

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     Two stories...one in Luke...one in Matthew.  Both tell of the birth of Jesus, but both give different accounts of who visited Jesus.
     In Luke we meet the Shepherds.  Not the most educated, nor the wealthiest businessmen in the world; in fact, just the opposite.  Most likely poor and uneducated.  Though they were among the least of society, they were the first to hear the birth announcement of the Messiah.  Hearing the Good News, they hurry off to see the promised Messiah who was now in the form of a baby in a manger.
     In Matthew we meet the Magi, the Wise Men.  The opposite of the shepherds, the Magi were probably wealthy and educated.  They studied the skies and saw the star that led them to where the child was.  Skirting Herod's evil plan, they were able to bring gifts to the child Messiah and escape from Herod's country with their lives.
     Two different stories...Two different visitors...Encouragement for all.  In the contrast of the Shepherds and the Magi, we have a picture of those that Jesus came to save.  At one end of society we have the Shepherds, at the other end we have the Magi.  Rich or poor, educated or not, the Jesus came to redeem all who will come to him.  He was born to seek and to save what was lost.  He came to be love incarnate.  Jesus came for you and for me!


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12/12/12

12/12/2012

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With today being 12/12/12, we decided to give you a couple lists of 12 to give you something to think about on this 12th day of the 12th month of the two thousand and 12th year.  So, here goes:



12 Greatest Bible Characters
12. Jonah
11. Deborah
10. Noah
9. Peter
8. Elijah
7. Esther
6. The Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5)
5. Abraham
4. Paul
3. Amos
2. Mary, the Mother of Jesus
1. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit
12 Verse 12s
12. Genesis 1:12
11. Exodus 16:12
10. Job 10:12
9. Matthew 6:12
8. Revelation 5:12
7. Psalm 72:12
6.Revelation 22:12
5. 1 Timothy 4:12
4. Philippians 3:12
3. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
2. Colossians 3:12
1. Luke 2:12

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Advent 2012

12/11/2012

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      The Advent Season (Four Sundays before Christmas through Christmas Day) comes around only once a year.  Advent marks the beginning of the Christian Calendar and builds towards the celebration of the birth of Jesus; God’s incarnation into human history.  Too often, we miss out on Christmas because we allow the hustle and bustle of the season to take over our lives.  The Season of Advent helps us to slow down and  prepare our hearts, our lives and our families to truly celebrate the birth of Jesus our Messiah.
     For 2012, we are using the theme: Anticipate.  Each Sunday, during the Sunday School Hour, we will develop the theme in unique ways to help us slow down and Anticipate the coming of the baby in the manger.  The Sundays of Advent look like this:

        Sunday, December 2, 2012: Anticipate the Promise
        Sunday, December 9, 2012: Anticipate the King
        Sunday, December 16, 2012: Anticipate the Prophecy
        Sunday, December 23, 2012: Anticipate the Coming

    On Christmas Eve, we will have a special service to celebrate the culmination of what we have been Anticipating: The Coming of the Messiah and the Promise of His Second Coming!  We are excited about celebrating with you this Advent Season!


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