Sunday Words of Encouragement December 11, 2016

It was good to be back in our home church this morning. Our Sunday School teacher completed a lesson he started last week that was meaningful and encouraging. I will share more on that another time.

Our Pastor is doing a series of messages in December to Celebrate our Savior – from birth to the gift of redemption. This morning’s Sermon was titled “The Gift”. He noted that some people are good shoppers while others struggle. Often we have to wonder what to give the person who has all they need or doesn’t want a gift.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke share different perspectives of the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew writes to a Jewish audience so he focuses on showing the lineage and importance of Jesus. Luke gives more detail with a broader picture. Both were written sixty or so years after the events.

We might not fully understand the nature of the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the wise men. Although everyone recognizes the value of gold, Frankincense and Myrrh are somewhat like a candle and perfume. But they were gifts of value in the time and place. Bethlehem was a small town estimated to have no more than 1000 occupants, probably less (as low as 300). The shepherds were low on society’s class list. They only came in to town for supplies and they would have little to give as a gift. What did they bring? They brought themselves and gave of their humbleness by acknowledging the birth, go out to tell others and returning to the fields giving glory and praise to God. Luke 2:20.

Question: What gift would you bring to your Savior? What is a worthy gift to give to God?
And a more important question would be: What is on God’s wish list to receive from you?
Some of the items on God’s wish list are surrender, release of pride, release of any idol or competing distractions. God is worthy of all the glory and honor and praise. What each person can give is like the shepherds: ourselves, our adoration and our praise!

I found this Christmas Adoration Medley which I think fits today’s message.

A Verse for Today:
Luke 2:20 NIV
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Lord, let me never stop giving You all the praise, honor and glory - for You alone are worthy!

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 14, 2014

This morning we lit the third candle of advent, which is the candle for Praise. The people have been given Hope and a message of Joy. How else should they respond but with Praise and Worship!

We presented our Choral Christmas program today. There were six songs from Hallelujah! Light Has Come, A Christmas Choral Collection plus another five from a prior year's book, Gloria. We have a choir of about 17 people, four bass, three tenor, five altos and five sopranos, plus three more for the Christmas special when our Pastor sings special and our pianist and organist join in. We have some fantastic voices with seven different people singing solos and duets! Then we have those of us who love to 'make a joyful noise' to one degree or another.

The songs this year have been beautiful, though some were challenging with the echos. Our music director added some narration that enhanced the program.

I chose this song to share today. It is truly beautiful plus it leads to praise.

Hallelujah, Light Has Come

A Verse for Today:
Luke 2:20
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I thank you and praise you for sending your only son to find us in our sin and deliver us through His own sacrifice. Please help me to focus on hope, joy, praise and love this Christmas season.