When we look at vintage photos of Israel, the population change was not that great over the millenniums. So we are seeing "Bethlehem."

Luke 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea,



And like 2 millenniums ago, many of us spent Thanksgiving registering in with family. Where God has placed us. And I saw in prayer groups many, many, many people more than usual decided prayer was a good thing. We want to get along. To have a godly Word to speak, to go home with joy and peace.

When God tells us His Story - we see our own. Today. We are meant to connect to the Word of God with Power and Heart.

to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.


Many of us, 1 of 6 of our Nation, traveled in crowds and in cars and sat for hours to reach a destination. Somehow, even airports, with crowds, can look like a forlorn Nativity beginning.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Nothing is more appealing than the Shepherd we arrive and are greeted by.
And sometimes we are that Shepherd.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

And as travel weariness is shaken off and we gather as a company, we find out the new and good news for the family. Next, because this is life - we are going to find the Changes that will rattle our world.


11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

The Roman World was a veritable Trick or Treat.  Congratulations your king has made you a slave in the Roman Empire. Congratulations you are hired for the brand new idea of trade around the world - oops deathly illness. Oops Shipwreck and death. The Bishop of Myra, named Nicholas, was in prison for being a believer - by Emperor  Diocletian - who slew the great nephews of Jesus in Nazareth.  Bishop Nicholas had to decide if being summonsed from Diocletian's-dead- prison- is- over  by the new Emperor Constantine for some Council in Nicaea about the Word of God - was  a reason to put all one owned in travel fare, cross a shakey sea, and risk being beheaded, burned or eaten by Lions by the Emperor. Nicholas trusted Jesus Christ.

In other words, more of our day to day security - is about being Easter People. We believe because generations and generations of the saints of God - gave demonstration of trust in God to their lives and decisions. Our world allows us to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune - were we decide to Trust God.

Even in Thanksgiving with Family.   No one is really going to come away from people we are separated from daily and not have a 'situation' or a 'moment'. And instead of falling dead in a heap of upset, we are going to trust God who has seen us this far - to continue down the path - having had some time where 'that' happened.

We have more trust in our world because of Jesus, than we acknowledge or Know. We dwell much more securely because Jesus is 2/3 rd's of believers around the world. Jesus has impacted and soothed generations. We will learn 1,000 year old stories in Heaven of how faith saved our ancestors and grandparents.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"



The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. Our generations of faith.

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
"Let us go
over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

We blithely say Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple for the purification.

This was not cozy, it was not anonymous. 

This was going into where Zechariah - was known to have encountered Gabriel. This was what Zechariah described as "his reproach among the people."

Luke 1
21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."


When the subject of Jesus was brought before the Sadducean Council, out came the ancestral tribe records.  This is how we know Luke 3 is the genealogy of Mary.   All the people who are seeing the couple, have a very good idea to whom they speak.


Luke 2 is not just the story of Jesus God put out there. Luke 2 is the story of going home when the family is going to discuss serious things. Luke 2 is profoundly uncomfortable. This is not the story of betrothed Joseph and Mary skipping out on the Church thing. This is facing the music. This is Courage.  This is unwed and the parents had Mary leave for months.

This is the part where we realize the Holy Spirit is in mankind. We see God Himself greeting us. We see why God delights in mankind.

This is a Genesis of the Church. This is Family. This is the place where the Holy of Holies would have seated Father God as his Throne. This is the House of God welcoming their own. This is the nitty gritty of trouble and Love. Where Mercy meets Holiness.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

Can you see with me the role of saints through the Millenniums. From Simeon to the Brothers of Jesus in Acts 1, on to St Nicholas of Myra traveling to the First Niuean Council to find 80 Books of the Bible.



25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple,
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel."

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.



What had Simeon and Anna accomplished? The Shepherds - what was given to Mary, Joseph and the Holy Family -  his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  Amazing what a Word of God can do to carry us through.  All for going on the trip to be registered with the family - the voyage. 

Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Comforted and sustained, by Words of God - life and in Him Light, way, truth, Life was established.

Deuteronomy 31:20
When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey,
the land I promised on oath to their ancestors,
and when they eat their fill and thrive



The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."

49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.

And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.





Abba,

What we want to do for ourselves, for our Loved ones, the people You have given us. For our Churches, communities, county, state, Nation, the world asking for You and Your Love and Mercy is this daily...

Making the daily journey of Life - meaningful - creating a path for the Light of the World - Jesus. And with Your help - we will.

Amen in Jesus. Amen.

 
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 2:25 ~ in each person

How do we arrive from Jesus to this?

Without a doubt it's a Terrible Title. Wretched in fact. Yet the movie is Superb. Rotten Tomatoes Movie Goers give the Movie a rare 90% Approval.

A man points his finger at others easily with good cause. What could cause him to figure out the Path of Christ? Charles Dickens was amazingly awake about the Character of mankind. Jesus knew mankind.

John 2:25

He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.


Charles Dickens had more to say about mankind than Freud and lived 100 years prior. Dickens lived a life of more situations than England allowed. The United Kingdom had been Awakened by the Holy Spirit with the Wesley Brothers in the late 1700's. Yet Christmas had never recovered from Oliver Cromwell (1650) and his class warfare from Henry VIII's legacy of starvation destroying the monasteries in 1500. Christmas had been on the decline for Centuries. Oliver Cromwell would place a family in stockades for two weeks for eating ham as celebration of Christmas. Righteousness is interesting - all the different layers of appropriate behavior.

This movie moves with the stealth of Sherlock Holmes. The result of "A Christmas Carol" being published December 16, 1843 - a Nation awakens to Charitable Giving. It's a mystery, it's true among the literary implications, and it's amazingly entertaining. A must see.

Abba,

Let our culture embrace what is Good. Let our entertainments be entertaining. Let mystery lead us to Jesus Christ. Help us all to be inspired of Jesus, Abba and the Holy Spirit. Then we will truly have "It's a Wonderful Life!"

Abba, we hope this movie will be "Take a Chance on Thee!!!"

With Jesus Christ, I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!

God bless Us, Every One!

In the Highest Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You, Father God

Thank You, Father God, for the Day to Give Thanks. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Philippians 1 ~ belong to Christ Jesus

Blessed to attend a prayer meeting this week, where the prayer requests went up about 100%. Lots of travel - a different sort of week - lots of hope. Lots of hope to connect with hearts and meaning. The people who pray, really pray a lot for others. Which is a very, very, very, very, very good indication of heart.

Is the Lord God, our Almighty Father boggled by prayers? We can pray for peace, but wouldn't we really like to give and receive the Very Peace of God Himself?

There is not a faithful believer who has not contemplated - Peter. Peter is a - Comfort. Well, consider this: Peter is given the Keys to Heaven. One minor detail. God is so assured of His Kingdom and His Peace, the 12 Gates of Heaven have a closure of one Gigantic Pearl and remain perpetually - open.

Now for me - this assures me - no human being is going to separate us from Jesus. We have assess to God Himself in our prayers through Jesus. Our Father is not alarmed by our prayers and is not going to forget. Our prayers are not going to be forgotten, unheeded or ignored. Our Father, who has called the Stars by Name, who does not find the Universe large - is Loving you and planning you for His eternal Kingdom. The people who have researched prayer - have found that prayer is ASTONISHING. Those studied with prayer have vastly different results. Prayer partners are a very good thing to have. Prayer groups are to be vastly encouraged. The person who will stop what they are doing and pray with you and for you. Love is a dramatic prayer. To pray, like Jesus, with God and with Love - can take on the world. The Gates of Heaven and Father God's heart is - OPEN.

And if you have any Peter type concerns - you are not going to be able to blow up someone's hope to God. Father God is leaving the Gates Open. Jesus spoke of seeds, when we pray - many, many times - we are planting seeds. The answer is the Lord's.


Paul knew about Prayer. He developed his knack for prayer. The Disciples of Jesus felt having a knack for prayer was a very great blessing to have.

Philippians 1

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.


3 Every time I think of you,
I give thanks to my God.

4Whenever I pray,
I make my requests for all of you
with joy,

5 for you have been my partners
in spreading the Good News about Christ
from the time you first heard it until now.

6 And I am certain that God,
who began the good work within you,
will continue his work
until it is finally finished
on the day when Christ Jesus returns.


We tend to learn the words and skip the heart. God is saying mature, old, grey headed people pray. God is saying the people we have an idea pray - should be asked to pray. The people with this "tendency". Seek them out to pray. God's saying we get grace and peace being prayed for. These praying people will probably pray for you when they think of you and the way the Spirit of God is moving. These praying people we know have a certainty. Good works of God are going to follow. And God's like this - as you collect prayer for yourself and discover the relief of a praying community - you are going to find you increase in hope and prayer 'ability'. Never hesitate to contact others for prayers.

This is pleasing to Father God known for Words.


Works of God have a benefit - a Blessing.


7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you,
for you have a special place in my heart.
You share with me the special favor of God

8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

Praying one to one tends to do this. And in Youth Ministry, we learn there is a time frame. Earning the Right to be Heard. These prayers begin holding up, with a very diligent Love - those we Love. We do not leap into this many times. We plant seeds and look to the willingness and time frame of God Himself. We do not take prayer and say "my will". God's Good and Gracious Will and Timing. Our steadfast Love continues. Psalm 136 - God never has to repeat Himself and, yet, Steadfast Love is completely required and tells us of what Love truly is. Forgiving and believing.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christb—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.



12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters,

The Bible mentions women more than we speed by and realize.

that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard

A true Work of God includes people from:
Herod's Palace,
From Caesar's Palace,
People of Color,
and the Sinners of the Temple,
and the Saints.
Even the Siblings of Jesus who have merely been lay abouts.


All know that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my seasons, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.




Prayer


And I will continue to rejoice.
19 For I know that as you pray for me
and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me,
this will lead to my deliverance.




Prayer is - the expectation of Joy. The appeal of seeing the willingness of Jesus Christ. The healing of Father God. The endurance and steadfast Love of the Holy Spirit. The Process of all things working for Good. Knowing His Will is Good. The Fruit of the Spirit is not worry, continue to talk of problems. Discuss the sadness of current events. The Fruit of the Spirit is not status quo. The Fruit of the Spirit is condensed to be: GOOD NEWS.



20 For I fully expect and hope
that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ,
as I have been in the past.

And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ,
whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

22But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ.

So I really don’t know which is better. 23I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive
so I can continue to help all of you
grow and experience the joy of your faith.
26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

27 Above all,
you must live as citizens of heaven,
conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.


Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.



Abba,


1 Timothy 2:2
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

What we have seen for high and low in answered prayer, we pray upon ourselves, our families, our loved ones and friends. For our nation.

1 Thessalonians 1:2
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

And for all the people who pray for one another - circling not only our counties, work places, communities, Churches, States, Nations and covering the world with God's Love and our Hopes.


For many, many blessings we are renewed to see. Thank You, Abba. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †