🎄 Christmas Movies Arrive This Week! 🎁 Receive the First Gift of Christmas Here:

As we prepare for a new season of Christmas movies coming later this week, I thought today would be a good time to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. My heart’s desire is to always make the focus of the season on the One who came that first Christmas Day to save us from our sins... Jesus!

Sometimes the busyness of the season can pull us in all sorts of directions, but it’s important to take some quiet time and rejoice in the first precious gift given to us all.

Here are 3 points to encourage you in your walk with the Lord this Christmas season...

1. God sent His Son, Jesus, for You!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~John 3:16

God, the Father, gave us Jesus so we could be saved. He seeks our hearts and calls us His children. God has such an amazing love for us...

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." ~Romans 5:8

Even before we took our first breath, God made a way possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and spend eternity with Him. What a precious gift from our Heavenly Father!

2. Jesus is the True Gift of Christmas!

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." ~Luke 2:7

The word wrapped always jumps out at me in this scripture. She (Mary, His mother) wrapped Him (baby Jesus) in swaddling clothes. Since Jesus is the first gift of Christmas, then that means Mary wrapped the very first gift!

Just like mothers wrap gifts each Christmas all around the world, how meaningful that the first gift was wrapped by Jesus’ loving mother.

Every year we all seek the perfect present for family and friends, but the most important, perfect, priceless gift of love was born over 2000 years ago in a manger, Jesus!

3. Receive your Gift... Receive Jesus!

Why did Jesus come? God sent His Son as a light to save us, in this dark world, from us our sins. Jesus was crucified on a cross and resurrected so we could be born again.

John 1:14 tells us "And the Word was made 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."

It’s God’s amazing grace towards us that forgives us of our sins. When we ask for forgiveness and invite Him into our hearts, He is gracious enough to forgive us.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ~1 John 1:9

That is God's promise to us, His children. I pray you will receive the first incredible gift of Christmas today, Jesus, and walk with Him throughout this holy Christmas season.


Prayer:

Father, thank you for giving us your Son that first Christmas. Forgive me, Lord, of my sins and guide me each day in my walk with you. Help me daily to seek you and live out the grace you’ve given me toward others. Wrap me in your love, joy, and peace this Christmas. Prepare my heart for receiving this amazing gift.

In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!


Whatever season you are in today in your life, know that God sees you, He loves you and cares deeply about you. James 4:8 reminds us that if you draw near to God, He’ll draw near to you.

May God be with you, bless you, 

and keep you all this Christmas season and always, Net

Christmas Morning + Free Printable

One of my favorite traditions on Christmas Morning...

The morning is fresh. The day is new. Presents are wrapped and waiting all pretty under the tree. Our family is all gathered around, we've had our delicious breakfast feast, surprises and delicious treats are peeking out from Christmas Stockings, the Children are filled with Wonder and Excitement, and the Grown-ups, too! It's a Joyful Scene, and yet the best time is when we share that quiet moment, before the opening of any physical gift, we receive the best gift of all.. the reading of the first gift of Christmas, the Christ Child.

I have created a Special "Print Out" of the reading from Luke 2, if any of you would like to print it and share with your family.


There are 2 versions to choose from:

(you can either click on the link or picture to load the image)

Nativity Printable - Large - White Background

Nativity Printable - Large - Gold Background

(*Please Note: The Large versions should print out just fine on a regular 8.5 x 11 in. paper. Click on links or pictures above to open images. Tip: If you open the image, you can click Copy, then Paste the image to a page at Microsoft Word, center and print.)

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

 

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Story - Free Printable!

Here is a "Free Printable" of the Christmas Story from Luke 2. I created them to share the true meaning of Christmas - so anyone can print them and read the story at your Christmas gathering...

There are 3 versions to choose from:

Nativity Printable - Large - White Background

Nativity Printable - Large - Gold Background

Nativity Printable - Small - Gold Background

*The Large versions should print out fine on a regular 8.5 x 11 in. Paper. Click on links above to open images. You may want to do a File - Print Preview to be sure!

Merry Christmas

to You All !!!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

The Christmas Story

The true meaning of Christmas is the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Sometimes I know we can get caught up in the decorating, baking, shopping, bright lights, and glitter that this Christmas Season brings.

Every year I feel as if I have my own Charlie Brown moment- wondering if anyone remembers what Christmas is all about. It's such a sweet and simple cartoon, yet it means so much.

Let us all take time to remember the true meaning... that our Savior was born to save us from our sins and give us eternal life in Him.







Do you personally know the JOY of knowing JESUS?


God's Simple Plan of Salvation

I am asking you the most important question of your life....

Are you saved?

Are you sure you will go to Heaven when you die?

God says in order to go to Heaven, you must be born again.

In John 3:7, Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again."

In the Bible God gives us the plan of how to be born again which means to be saved. His plan is simple!

"...God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Although we cannot understand how, God said my sins and your sins were laid upon Jesus and He died in our place. He became our substitute.

"God… commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

This repentance is a change of mind… Simply believe on Him as the one who bore your sin,died in your place, was buried, and whom God resurrected.

His resurrection powerfully assures that the believer can claim everlasting life when Jesus is received as Savior.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).

Whosoever includes you.

Right now, wherever you are, repenting, lift your heart to God in prayer….

Just say these words out loud to God and believe them in your heart:


"Oh God, I know I am a sinner.

I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross.

I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me.

I now receive Jesus as my Savior.

I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins,

the gift of salvation and everlasting life,

because of Your merciful grace.

In Jesus name, I pray...

Amen."



Believe, and you will be saved.

No church, no lodge, no good works can save you.

Remember, God does the saving. All of it!

God's simple plan of salvation is this: You are a sinner. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith.

Stand on God's promises. After you are saved, there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth:

*Pray -- you talk to God.

*Read your Bible -- God talks to you.

*Witness -- you talk for God.

You should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ as a public testimony of your salvation, and then unite with a Bible-believing church without delay.

"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...." (2 Timothy 1:8)

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32).

God bless you... as you begin your walk with Him.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)