Much of the next few months we will be building the foundation of the theme this year and asking God to help us grow! I don’t want to be the same I was last year. I wasn’t more of Him, less of me. We will start that process again today. 

Prayer of dedication for the new year!

Titus 2:7-8

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

What is being taught here is integrity, reverence, and the incorruptibility of the Christian, and the structure that God requires within the church and the Christian home. There is order to all of this! God designed, we are to obey it.

The Maggi that brought Jesus gifts is the basis and foundation for much of what we did this morning or did yesterday or will do later. The giving and receiving of gifts on Christmas.

There obviously is enjoyment in receiving gifts, but it’s even more special to give a gift. Thats not a hallmark movie idea, rather the Bible tells us.

Acts 20:35

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

This is the only direct quote from Jesus’ earthly ministry recorded outside the Gospels. The Bible does not record all the words or deeds of Jesus 

John 21:25

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

https://www.tbcasheville.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ThreeCandles1x1.jpg

On Christmas Day in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born most likely in the bottom of an old Jebusite military outpost tower that had been converted into a birthing center for lambs that were to be taken to the temple for sacrifice. 

The tower of Migdal Eder would of had lower level where a stone feeding trough served as a manger for the Son of God to live his first few moments. Ironically, it would be a stone shelf where they would lay his body, in a grave owned by Joseph of Arimathea, and it would be stone they would place in front of that grave to try and contain what had been initiated on Christmas Day in Bethlehem.