The three greatest events in all of history are the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These three events paid the price for the sin of mankind and provided a path to eternity in paradise with the Creator.

The apostle Paul tells us in the Romans 3:23 that everyone one of us has committed sins that prevent us from having a relationship with God. Romans 6:23 tells us that the price to be paid for our sins is death. All of us are going to experience physical death, but Paul is speaking of eternal separation from God and that is spiritual death. The only thing that can keep us from having to pay that price is the sacrifice of a spotless lamb of God, one without sin, and that lamb came in the form of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” In John 14:6 Christ told his apostles, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by the Grace of God and not by anything we have done, so we have no bragging rights concerning our salvation. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” These are the facts. The unique thing about the truth is that it does not require us to believe it in order to be true. Truth is turth, whether we believe it or not.

The apostle John reminds us in John 3:17 that Jesus did not come into this world to condemn it, but that the world, through Him could be saved. God loves each of us enough to sacrifice His own Son in order for us to spend eternity with Him. He gives us the choice to accept or reject that truth. The journey that ended in a tomb on Resurrection Sunday, began in a stable in Bethlehem. It was a Labor of Love. To God be the Glory. Merry Christmas to one and all.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others, the armies of heaven, praising Bod and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14

Every year I try to bring something new to the marathon, mostly in the music itself. I enjoy searching out new arrangements of familiar songs and new songs by familiar voices, or new songs by new voices. If you have followed this marathon for more than a couple of years you know that all of the images are captured by me. Photography is a hobby that I have grown to love and Christmas is a great time to add new images to my collection. As soon as Christmas displays begin to appear in retail stores I will snap photos with my phone. Many vendors in flea markets will feature Christmas items in their booths and I will take my small mirrorless camera and capture more images. I have been known to clear the clutter and create a better background for my images. Some of the images are just for fun while others capture family memories or enhance the thought that I may be sharing. Today is a flea market photo day. Have a blessed day.

What brings you joy? Have you considered the meaning of the word, joy? The New Bible Dictionary gives the following explanation;

In both OT and NT joy is consistently the mark both individually of the believer and corporately of the church. It is a quality, and not simply an emotion, grounded upon God himself and indeed derived from Him (Ps. 16:11 You make known to me ^cthe path of life; in your presence there is ^dfullness of joy; at your right hand are ^epleasures forevermore. ; Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.; Rom. 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit), which characterizes the Christian’s life on earth (1 Pet. 1:8), and also anticipates eschatologically the joy of being with Christ for ever in the kingdom of heaven (cf. Rev. 19:7).

When Christ was born, Hope walked among mankind and eternal joy was made possible for everyone to experience. I LOVE Romans 15:13. Please read it again, it is my prayer for you, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit“

Have a blessed week.

Thanksgiving with Grands & Great Grands

The Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years holiday season is the time when most families try to get together. As the children and grandchildren grow older that becomes more difficult. Our youngest grandchild is that tall young man on the back row and he is 22. The oldest granddaughter, standing between her husband and the oldest great-grandson, is holding the youngest great-grandson and they live a little over one hundred miles away. The middle granddaughter, standing between me and her big/little brother, is currently living in Phoenix but will be moving to Michigan for the next chapter in her career as a trainer in the Athletics system. The youngest granddaughter, on the front row, next to my wife is getting married in a few weeks and will be moving to Texas. The dynamics of holiday celebrations are changing dramatically. That is why family time is so precious when the grands are little. One day they will be all grown up and gone! When they were little they live in our town and we saw them all the time. Now, when we ask about the holidays, the best answer is, “I’ll be Home for Christmas”.

Mary and Joseph spent their first Christmas in Joseph’s hometown paying taxes. While they were in town Mary gave birth to the Child of Christmas, Jesus Christ. The birth of the Savior is recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke with Luke, chapters 1 & 2, being the more detailed account.

The gospel of Luke tells us the angel Gabriel visited Mary and delivered the news that she would give birth to a Son and His name was to be Jesus. Gabriel informs Mary that her Son will fulfill the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:6-7, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peach will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” Gabriel told Mary, “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever: His kingdom will never end.”

The village of Bethlehem is perhaps the most important place in human history. It is where salvation was born. Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis and it is the birthplace of Benjamin. The book of Micah tells us that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Savior. When Herod inquired of the rulers of Israel where this King of the Jews was to be born, they confirmed that Bethlehem had been named by the prophet Micah as the location where the Messiah would enter this world. The book of Isaiah is filled with references to the Savior and the Gospels confirm that Christ fulfilled everything the prophets spoke about the Him.

Christ was very clear about His purpose. While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted Scriptures, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life”, it is the seventeenth verse where John clearly states, “God did not send His son to judge the world, but through Christ the world would be saved.” We are already condemned, but a pardon awaits those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. That’s why He came.

The Faces of Santa