"today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David"



Thank God for a white Christmas in the Gibbs/Corryton area

                                                                                                                                                                     View from my backdoor.

Merry Christmas all.

How many wise men visited baby Jesus?

Most of you probably answered three but if you carefully read Mathew 2, 1-12 you will notice that it never mentions how many wise men were there. Our story telling over the years have created this myth. It is true that three gifts were mentioned and this is probable where the number came from.  I see no harm in this but it does illuminate a dangerous phenomenon in our christian culture. I have heard people say that they believe something because it is in the bible but they can't tell me where they read it. It is easy to find meanings you want to but difficult to except that a long held stance may be wrong. Let us all strive to become scholars of the bible so that our biblical worldview which should guide us can never be twisted. God Bless

Several miracles surround the birth of Jesus. One in particular that intrigues me is the 80-90 mile trip made by Joseph and a very pregnant Mary on foot to Bethlehem. The only gospel to mention it is Luke 2,1-7

scripture quotation taken from the Holman Cristian Standard Bible.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus 14; also known as Octavian, he established the peaceful era known as the Pax Romana; Caesar was a title of Roman emperors. that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough-because there was no room for them at the inn.

Luke sort of glosses over it. The only importance seems to be is that the trip happened but I would love to hear the details of such an strenuous trip. I enjoy hiking and have ventured out on some 5-6 day treks. I considered it a success to cover 80-90 miles in that much time. I can't imagine the hardship on Mary or the worry that must of weighed on Joseph. I believe it is another illustration of how all things are possible through God and we can do those difficult things we need to if it is in God's will. God Bless

This Monday instead of small group bible study the CCUMM hosted their families to a screening of  "THE NATIVITY STORY" along with potluck dinner.

Here is the official description of the movie off its web site

In Nazareth, a town oppressed by the devastating taxation practices of King Herod, a teenage girl, Mary, is told by her parents that they have arranged for her to marry Joseph. Distraught by the idea of marrying a man she hardly knows, Mary takes refuge in a grove to collect her thoughts. There, she is visited by an angel, who tells her that she has been chosen by God to bear his son. Despite the public scorn from an unwed pregnancy, together, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for a census mandated by the King. It is here, with a great celestial event revealing his prophecy, in a history-defining event, that Jesus is born.

It was refreshing to watch a serious movie that attempted to stay true to the Bible. Sometimes I think we see all the media out there in the movie theaters, on T.V., and the radio and we think is there nothing concerning God in our society anymore. But there are a few gems out there to be watched and enriched by. It was nice to see the production value so high on a christian movie and all that attended had a good time. I would encourage all who can to attend any future movie nights we might have. Merry Christmas and God Bless.