Hello friends. As Christmas Day approaches to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I hope these resources will inspire you and draw you closer to our beloved Jesus Christ.
https://www.davidjeremiah.org/whythenativity
If you watch this movie, you’ll see toddler Jesus. That toddler reminded me of this picture that I saved few years ago. 🥹
Joseph and Mary were a young couple – teenagers by our modern standards. I’ve heard and read so much about Mary but I never gave much thought to Joseph’s story. These two messages about Joseph were very good and imaginative while staying close to the scriptures and the historical context.
https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/1218467-why-joseph
https://sermons.love/david-jeremiah/4058-david-jeremiah-the-forgotten-man-of-christmas.html
After watching the movie “Why the Nativity?” I was bothered by the lack of any information on the parents of Mary and Joseph, and their struggles seeing their good, godly teenagers go off the rails. I guess it’s because I’m a parent now. lol. Then this morning, I read Luke 2 in the Voice. Please read verses 39 and 40. ❤️ It had to be so incredible to be grandparents of Jesus Christ and be involved in raising him!
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&version=voice&lctg=5ef562a275b76a7d67479d26
This blog about Mary and Joseph was really good too.
When Mary was 9 months pregnant, there was an official decree by Caesar for a census throughout the Roman Empire. Mary didn’t have to travel with Joseph but she accompanied Joseph. As a mom, I would have imagined that Mary’s mom would have pleaded with her to stay behind to deliver the baby safely at their home. Both Mary and Joseph must’ve prayed to God and felt strongly that they should stay together despite the dangers of traveling so late in her pregnancy. Oh my goodness, Mary and Joseph’s parents must have lost a lot of sleep and wept a lot over these two!! Don’t forget that until God showed up in their lives, these two teenagers were probably your role models for everyone in their synagogue and community. I’m sure other parents would say to their kids that they should to be more like Mary and Joseph. Anyway, I digress too much now, empathizing with their parents. I’m reminded of Psalm 30 as I’m feeling for the parents.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2030&version=NKJV
If you want to read more on why a census was decreed by the Roman Empire, here are some information:
https://www.gotquestions.org/Augustus-Caesar.html
Pastor Dawie shared more historical information about the Roman Empire. They were both very cruel and civil. I didn’t know that to permanently destroy the rebellion in Israel, they killed a million Jews in 70AD and sent off over 100,000 as slaves throughout their empire. 💔
https://www.youtube.com/live/Y6bLDT8Q9-U?si=SnIcvthrJM_4f-7q
Before you listen to his message, please start from minute 32:00. I want you to hear a testimony by a member who was miraculously healed from her chronic blood illness! It’s a short testimony.
Please read this message below and let us remember the persecuted Christians. Please keep them in your prayers this Christmas season. 🙏
As 2024 comes to a close, the world feels darker than ever.
Wars rage, divisions deepen, and for many, Christmas only magnifies the ache of isolation and the yearning for meaning.
For over 70 years, the government of North Korea has tried to destroy Christianity, imprisoning or killing millions of Christians. And yet, in just a few days, Christians there will secretly gather at great risk to honor Jesus, very much like travelers held around a campfire in the depths of a bitter winter night. They draw warmth, strength, and courage from His spirit.
They honor a King like no other, born into poverty without power or possessions. He never wrote a book or commanded an army, and yet His life reshaped history and is still transforming the world today, one heart at a time.
What compels believers to gather and worship at the risk of their own lives? It’s the gift He left behind and His spirit that warms their souls. It fills the deepest ache of the human heart, and it’s a light that cannot be extinguished, a current that can’t be turned off — no matter how dark the world becomes.
This Christmas, the underground church reminds us of the true meaning of the season. And like the shepherds and kings who knelt in awe at Christ’s birth, the persecuted will risk everything to gather and honor the only One who offers life and light in the dark.
That light shines out in our own darkness as well and draws us. Follow His light, and you will find Him waiting.
Merry Christmas,
Jeff King (President of International Christian Concern)
FYI on the rising religious intolerance around the world.
https://julieroys.com/global-pew-survey-shows-rising-religious-intolerance/
If you want to attend a Christmas Eve service on 12/24, there are extra services added in many churches. We, in the USA are very fortunate to be able to attend without fear of persecution. Please let us not take this for granted. God bless you abundantly.
Journal of Faith 