Christmas Goodness

This afternoon, on our way home from being assaulted at the doctor's office (flu mist/shot) and the grocery store (one lady continually ran over my heals! ouch!), we were in the car eating a very balanced and nutritious lunch-McDonalds. All of a sudden, Anna begins to talk. Below is the conversation between the two of us. I didn't coach her with any of this. I suppose it's all from memory. Now, she's only 4 and she's probably just repeating what she's heard. But, I have to tell you that it nearly made me cry and I am looking forward to the day when she can say this and mean it as a committment to her God. We've always prayed, from before their births, that the Lord would grow our girls into women who love and serve Him with everything in them. Seems like He's working on it.

Anna: Mommy, I believe in Jesus.
Me: You do?
Anna: Yes. I believe he died on the cross.
Me: Yes, he did. Why did he die?
Anna: To save us.
Me: Save us from what?
Anna: From our sins.
Me: Do you love him.
Anna: Yes.
Me: Would you do whatever he says?
Anna: Yes

I can't remember a whole lot about the conversation after that point. It was a little overwhelming for me. I guess that the moral to the story is this: your kids listen to every word you say and watch everything that you do. This happens to be one of the good things that Anna has picked up on. Trust me, she's repeated the bad as well. Hopefully she sees more good than bad. I also hope that she can come to know what is now "head knowledge" for her as "heart knowledge." If you don't already know the Truth as "heart knowledge," if you don't already have a relationship with the Son of God and therefore God himself, I hope you come to learn, know, and develop these things. And, I hope that this season of celebration helps facilitate that in your life, not distract from it.

Below are some notes I took during Billy's sermon last week and a few things I looked up on the internet. I hope you enjoy them:

Matthew 1:20-23
An angel is speaking to Joseph in a dream: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afreaid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and ou shall call His name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Behold the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means "God with us."

Jesus is:

*Jesus- "The Lord is Salvation"

*Immanuel

Regarding Matthew 1:23: "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" carries the implication that God is sovereignly working His purpose in the lives of His people to protect them and work through them. He will fulfill His promises no matter how earnestly men may oppose them (See Ro. 8:31 and following). The reference in Matt. 1:23 teaches that Jesus in His Person is truly God, but it also includes the idea that God’s plan of redemption is unstoppable and that our ultimate security and provision is in the Person of Christ. from biblicalresources.info

"God with us"-
*wasn't an angel
*not subordinate deity
*did not "grow into God" by doing the right things
Fully human-
*didn't put on a "man-suit"
Approachable-
*there was no one in the Bible who wanted to see Jesus but was afraid to approach Him"
^...or touch him, for that matter. I looked up the word "touch" in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, and there are 9 references to times when people sought to touch Jesus in order to be healed. Of the 9, there are 2 references that are the same in 2 different books. But, the 9 references were only for "touch." That didn't cover "touched," "touching," or "toucheth."
Ever present- all of the time
*in your pain
*questions
*problems
*hurts
*loss
*financial troubles
*doubt
*and He's there in His promises
from Billy Edwards' sermon, BMBC, December 14, 2008

My prayer is that everyone can look past the lights, food, and presents. That we can not worry about how perfect everything is, or even who is coming over to visit. Let our focus be on the only true and relevant aspect of Christmas: the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ-the Messiah, the Son of the God, the Salvation for all men, Immanuel-GOD with us. He is the only gift that matters on this side of heaven. He is the only source of redemption, the only way to the Father, our one shot at eternal life with the Creator of the universe. That's good stuff. May your Christmas be filled with Good Stuff :)

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Justin, Keri, Anna, and Laura Kate