The Wise Men

            “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?’” Matthew 2:2 (NIV)

            “When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:10

The Magi travelled a great distance to see the Christ child. They had studied scrolls and watched the heavens for a sign that the scrolls foretold of the birth of the one who would save men of their sins.

The Magi came to the place Joseph, Mary and the child were staying. Their purpose was to worship the king. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   They received a warning in a dream to take an alternate route back to their homeland.

God protected these wise men. They made a journey to get to Bethlehem. They encountered King Herod on the way.  When they got to Bethlehem, they might have been very tired. They bowed down and worshipped the babe and chose to heed the guidance of the angel. He will protect us as we go through times of uncertainty and insecurity. We can depend on God to protect us as we go through life.

This is a song that has a few surprises in it. The lyrics speak of what the three gifts are and their meaning.

I found a place that refers to this carol as an Epiphany   carol.

We Three Kings

Graphic: biblepictures.net

Christmas Prayer for Two States

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I am joining in the 50 states of Prayer movement. Each of the participants has been asked to pray for their home state. I asked permission to also pray for the state where our son lives.

Prayer for Indiana

Lord Jesus;

I bring before You my home state of Indiana. We will be celebrating our state’s bicentennial birthday in 2016. I give thanks for our being able to observe the date. We love the way You have given our state the privilege of having four seasons in which to see your beauty.

Please, dear Jesus, let Your Spirit fall on all the leaders of our state, all 92 counties and all the cities. Our city still faces severe economic trials and has for almost a decade. Small businesses have had to close their doors because the people can’t support them. Our children graduate from high school or college and have to relocate to other localities in order to have work.

Lord, we know there are things that are not as You would like them here in Indiana. I ask that You work through these many issues and allow Your glory to be seen. Please let your Holy Spirit fall on each city and town in our state. Do this out of Your grace and love for our state. AMEN

Prayer for Kansas

Lord Jesus;

I bring before You the state where our son lives, the Sunflower State.  I ask You to help the farmers who grow the wheat for our nation. I ask You to protect them from harm when the weather conditions create storms, tornadoes and snow storms. Protect the farmers as they plan for their crops and care for their animals.

Father, please guide the citizens who are unemployed. Please help their families. Grant them mercy and love on this your season in which we celebrate your birth.

Lord, please guide the leaders and the lawmakers through their days. Help them as they try to decide what is best for their people. Protect the small children as they grow and mature. Remind them of Your great love for them. Do this out of Your store of grace and love for the people of Kansas. AMEN

Graphic:www.tumct.org

The Shepherds

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

“. . . the shepherds said to one another,   ‘Let us go to Bethlehem

 and see this  thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’”

 Luke 2:15 (NIV)

God sent angels to the poorest of the poor-shepherds out in the fields tending their sheep. The artisans, the merchants, and priests considered the shepherds as persona non grata. The others didn’t want the shepherds or their families around.

But God honored the shepherds by having the angels bring the good news of Jesus’ birth. The news excited the shepherds. They decided to quickly go into Bethlehem to see the new-born King for themselves.

Does our 21^st Century have people who look down on others due to circumstances in life? I’m afraid we do. In our local newspaper this past week, a head line and story caused me angst for two reasons. Someone had vandalized the air-conditioning unit at an area shelter for women who were trying to get away from abusive situations. These ‘people’ took the copper tubing from the unit. One of the women who was interviewed felt that situation could have been worse- they could have taken the tubing from the heating system. One good thing was someone working there that night heard noises outside and called the authorities.

Several years ago, I read a collection of Karen Kingsbury’s books entitled, “The Red Glove Series.” At the end of each book she lists projects that families can do to help others during the Christmas season. Some of these were very simple ideas. I wish I had made a list of them for future reference.

In a sense, we all have needs. Take a look around your area, see people whom you pass by and then ask God to care for those people’s needs. 

The Scent of Fear

First came The Moses Conspiracy, now comes..... The Scent of Fear.

The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again throw them into turmoil.

Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his tried-and-true negotiating skills?

Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission. Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family, and maybe his life.

Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall, handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will dangerous times keep them apart?

The Scent of Fear is available at:

~~~Amazon~~~

~~~Barnes and Noble~~~

The Book Series

About the Author

Blog Tour Schedule

December 16 ~Diane Estrella, www.dianeestrella.com

~Pamela Christian, http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog

December 17

~Sandie Czosek, http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/

~Linda O'Connell, http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/

December 18

~Lynn Mosher, http://lynnmosher.com/

~Jill Ivy, https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/

December 19

~Debbie Curto, http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com

~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/

December 20

~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/

~Lee Privette, http://faithfamilyfrugalityandme.blogspot.com/?m=1

December 21

~Patti Smith, http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/

~Carene Havel, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog

December 22

~Darlene Arroyo-Lozada, http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/

~Karen Korb, http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com

December 23

~Maria I. Morgan, www.mariaimorgan.com

~Beckie Stoneking, www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.com

December 26

~Leah's Good Reads, http://leahsgoodreads.blogspot.com/

~Marja Verschoor-Meijers, http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com

December 27

~Jennifer Van Huss, http://oneheartonefamily.com

~Brittany McEuen, www.brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com

December 28

~Debbie Curto, http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com

~Lori Drake, http://www.perfectisboring.blogspot.com

December 29

~Kim Justice, http://breathoflifebookreviews.blogspot.com/

~K. Dawn Byrd, Www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

December 30

~Ruth Schiffmann, http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/

~Janette Dolores, www.janettedolores.com

December 31

~Cindi Clubbs, http://ccclubbs.com/

~Kathleen Maher, http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/

January 2

~Jen Cudmore, http://www.jencudmore.com/

~Karen Lange, http://karenelange.blogspot.com/

January 7

~Jeanette Levellie, http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Giveaway Open to US addresses only. One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and a copy of The Scent of Fear. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered: a Rafflecopter giveaway The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced January 17, 2014. Good luck!

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as e-mailed, and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Susan J. Reinhardt. The author provided me with a free copy of The Scent of Fear to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Catching Up With Susan J. Reinhardt

Susan J. Reinhardt was one of my first blogging friends. She lives in the Keystone State of Pennsylvania.

She has recently had her second book, Scent of Fear, published. She is active in her church, interpreting for the deaf. Her writing has appeared in anthologies, devotional magazines,short articles. Her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy.

Susan J. Reinhardt's publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.You can connect with Susan at her Blog, on Twitter, and Facebook

A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.

Let's listen as she kindly answers a few questions.

Susan J. Reinhardt’s Interview Scent of Fear

This is your second book. Is this book a sequel, a second installment in a series, or a 'stand-alone' book? Thanks for having me on your blog, Cecelia. The Scent of Fear is the second book in the trilogy, but is a stand-alone novel. Many of the characters from The Moses Conspiracy are in the book.

Your first book, The Moses Conspiracy, started from an idea your late husband gave you after you toured a historical site. How did this story develop? I thought John and Ellie Zimmerman from The Moses Conspiracy would once again star in this book. However, a reader mentioned how much she liked Jim Kenneman. As I began writing, he tapped me on the shoulder and took center stage.

Do you foresee any more stories in this vein? Yes. In fact, I also released a Christmas novella, The Christmas Wish. This book is a peek at an event between The Moses Conspiracy and The Scent of Fear. I took two lesser known characters from the first book and showcased them. The Christmas Wish answers some interesting questions like, "Who is Striker?" (He's the enemy from The Moses Conspiracy.) I'm also working on the third book of the trilogy.

What should we see from you in the future? Since I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, I don't know. Karen Lange and I have a project on the back burner. Perhaps we'll pick it up again if we can mesh our schedules.

Thank you Susan for stopping in and visiting with us. Tomorrow we will hear about her latest book.

The Angel and the Host

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them . . . the angel said . . .

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.

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.’” 

 Luke 2:9,10-11, 14 (NIV)

God sent one of His angels to earth to announce the birth of Jesus, His Son. God just didn’t tell the angels to go down and tell the world about this miraculous birth. He told them who to visit and reassure the people whom he selected to be the first to know.

The angel knew the ones God sent them to were awe struck by this sudden appearance .The first words spoken by the angel were words of comfort and peace. “Do not be afraid.” Then a host of angels appear and began to praise God

How many times have we seen angels in this story?

1.) An angel went to Mary and told her what was going to happen.

2.) The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while he was in the Holy of Holies.

3.) An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph three times during the times of danger to the Christ child.

 4.) An angel host appeared to the shepherds.

5.) An angel forewarned the Magi to take another as they headed back to their country.

God deemed them important to His work—they were His messengers.

The Innkeeper

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (NIV)

Have you ever thought of the innkeeper and his role in the story of the birth of Jesus?

Travelers over ran the town of Bethlehem all because of Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken. The head of each family across the land had to be accounted for; each one had to go to the city where he was born.

Can you envision it, people sleeping in doorways, along the streets, and in the park? The inns were filled to overflowing.

Each inn could have used the common area to accommodate those pouring in from everywhere imaginable. We don’t know how many places Joseph sought out seeking some place for Mary to rest.

One innkeeper surveyed the situation and, busy as he was, told Joseph that all he had was the stable in back. This innkeeper might have worked long hours; his family may have had to help with the rooms and niches in the inn where people slept. They might have even given up their own rooms in order to take in a few more travelers. The innkeeper might not have done this out of the goodness of his heart; he might have thought of the bottom line-how much more money he might receive. But God used him anyway.

Graphic: jdkihlken.wordpress.com