Saturday, December 25, 2010

Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus



“ ‘ Glory to God in the highest, .

and on earth ,peace, goodwill to men!’ ’’

Luke 2:14 (NKJV)





Several years ago, my mother brought me a collection of recipes she purchased at a craft sale. In looking thorough the pages, I found the following:



“In all the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas, we may forget we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To help our children place the right importance on the Christmas holiday, we can explain what the birth of this special

Baby means to us. Make a birthday cake for Jesus, a “Jesus Cake.” All little children know the importance of birthdays and birthday cakes. The cake symbolizes His love for us.



Make a round cake. (Chocolate to symbolize our sins)

Cover with white frosting (His purity coves our sins)

Top with a yellow star (A guide to those searching for the new born King)

Put an angel on top (Bearer of the first glad tidings)

Place 12 (Christ our light through12 months of the year) RED (for his shed blood for us) birthday candles on top.

Encircle the cake with evergreens. (Symbolizes everlasting life.)

________________

In the mid 1980s I made several of these cakes one Christmas to give to people at the church we attended. One of the families who received one thought it was very meaningful. When my husband and I started going to another church almost eight years ago, the mom and dad of that family attend there. The mom worked at a craft sale one fall. She shared with me that they still used this recipe and the thoughts in their Christmas observance.

That year, I put the print out in Christmas cards of families with kids or grandkids at that new church. Last year,I shared it with the board members of the ministry with which I volunteer.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Prepare



“A voice of one calling,’ . . .

prepare the way for the Lord; . . . . ‘”

Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)



In one of my favorite Christmas carols, Joy To The World we sing: “Let every heart prepare Him room”. I wonder what would happen if we were to practice the words of the song.

We prepare to go on vacation. We plan to go to the grocery store. We ponder our steps through our days, if we can.

Our relationship with Jesus is the most important one we have in life. Do we take the time to get to know Him, prepare ourselves to work for Him or plan to spend time with Him, to pray, to study His Word? We will find out how effective our prayers and preparations were when we go to meet Him.

Do we choose to consult Him before we begin to do something and allow Him to take control? Or do we wait until things are in one big mess before we access God and His power?

As we participate in this season of Advent, let us learn more of Christ. Let Him fill our hearts with His love. Love for Him and for others.

Monday, December 20, 2010

We Wait for You, Jesus



“And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier

than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not

worthy to stoop down and unloose.” Mark 1:7 (KJV)

Dear Lord:

We wait for your arrival to rule our world. We know you will come again. The events of our time signal your arrival could be at any moment.

Only Your Father knows the exact time. God’s Holy Word tells us to be ready. We strive to prepare our hearts for that meeting. Is there anything we have yet to do before that long-awaited day?

We understand You have given our world time to allow those who don’t know You to get right with You. Please guide us to do just that.

While we wait for You to return, let us praise and worship You. Let us display Your love for others and allow us to lift You up.

In the name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...