“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12‬

The Christmas Gifts: LIFE

The message of Christmas is the message of new life.In the midst of this Advent season in 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.Today we focus on the gift of Life.‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21

‬‬This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Why did Jesus come? Why was the ultimate gift of Christmas given?

To save people like you and me, so that no one would ever have to be lost in sin ever again.

Perhaps one reason the Messiah came as a baby is because, each year, we would peer into the manger, celebrate His birth, and think about new life.‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬‬The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ask Jesus why He came?“…so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

“If Christmas is just a nice legend, in a sense you are on your own.But if Christmas is true, then you can be saved by grace.”-Timothy Keller

Today we focus on the gift of Life.‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭21

‬‬This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬‬

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ask Jesus why He came?“…so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

http://bible.com/events/49001422

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Christmas Gifts: PEACE

Stop searching for your peace.

Instead welcome HIS.As we enter the Advent season for 2022, we will seek to grow deeper in our understanding of the free gifts available to us through Christ and his coming. Gifts we cannot earn and do not deserve.

Today we focus on the gift of Peace.‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬‬For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.-The word for peace in the Old Testament is ‘shalom’, which literally meant ‘completeness or wholeness’.-The speak ‘shalom’ over someone was to declare ‘may God take the broken pieces of your life and put them together as they should be’.-Think about what this meant that Isaiah is prophesying a ‘Prince of Peace’.‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14‬‬Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

“Glory to God in Heaven” and “peace to those on earth.”

There is no need to proclaim peace to Heaven, since it is already there. But it those of us still living in this broken world desperately need the promise of peace.‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬‬Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

According to Jesus, there is a difference between the God’s peace and our own version of peace.

Have you experience the gift of God’s peace?

The world’s version of peace ignores the real problem.The world’s version of peace is fleeting.

The world’s version of peace cannot offer you hope and healing.The bottom line:Stop searching for your peace.

Instead welcome HIS.

Verses for further study/reflection:

John 16:33

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Isaiah 26:3

John 14:27

Colossians 3:15

Philippians 4:7

* FOR THERE IS PEACE!” Peace not of this world but for this world… 

* The Angels said to the Shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! FOR THERE IS PEACE… and a good hope given to the sons of men.” Luke 2:14 TPT

* Shalom Y’all!

* Advent Peace — Apart from an assurance that God has forgiven us [through the indescribable Gift of His Son] and without our willingness to forgive others, real peace will never be ours. 

* Pardon for us demands pardon from us. -kww

* Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. 

* ACROSTIC: 

P — Pardon

E — Extended 

A — AT

C — Christ’s

E — Expense

The Greatest Gift Exchange:

* See 2 Cor. 5:21 — TLB ” For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange He poured God’s goodness into us.” 

* Peace is never found in a location, a situation, a heath report or a bank account — Peace is only found in a Person — Jesus, The Prince of Peace.

King Jesus, Your Presence is our Peace. Amen. 

Song: Peace — “In You We Will Find Our Peace”