NO GREATER GIFT

NO GREATER GIFT

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” —Revelation 21:1-6

“These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” —Revelation 2:6-7

            Christmas 2023— What do you want for Christmas?  What did you give for Christmas?   The greatest gift ever is salvation from sin to a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.  That is what Christmas is supposed to be all about.

            Look at what God has already given us—

• He has given us Jesus
• He has given us His Spirit
• He has given us His Word
• He has given us the future of a new heaven and a new earth
• He has given us the future of a new Jerusalem
• He has given us the future of Him being among us
• He has given us the future of no more shed tears
• He has given us the future of no more death
• He has given us the future of no more mourning
• He has given us the future of no my crying
• He has given us the future of no more pain
• He has given us the future of all things being made new
• He has given us trustworthy and true words
• He has given us the expectation that these things will be done

Christmas and Easter/Passover is all about what God has given to us!  When we understand this, how can we not live for Him and seek to honor Him?  May we do so!  Yes, Dear Father, it is my desire to be faithful to You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYHpJnfy2lQ

FIRST CHRISTMAS

 

And on that night

that starry, starry night

the angels sang in the sky

Blessed be the Son

of the virgin born

whom reigneth from on high

 

He came to save the world from sin

but the world, it did not know

This One who came to save their souls

would serve them here below

 

He taught and healed and told them

secrets from above

Gentle, He was, this Lamb of God

with infinite wisdom and love

 

Truth was He and so He taught

to all that would come near

Many believed and followed Him

this One who knew no fear

 

Others were angered to hear such things

with which they didn’t agree

He knew to Pilate He would go

but still He would not flee

 

“To die my Lord,” the disciples said

“can this be really true?”

Jesus answered, “Yes, My flock

this is what I must do.”

 

You see My Friends to be with Me

I first must die for you

I’ll take your sins upon Myself

and give you life anew

 

 

 

 

 

 

But do not fear or shed a tear

for I will rise again

Victorious, I will be

over the grave and over sin

 

A cross was given to the Son of Man

to carry on His own

Rejected by His people Israel

his identity is still unknown

 

At Calvary He was crucified

suffered in the midst of thieves

Yet still, in all that torment

He could continue to answer pleas

 

“Jesus, remember me in Your kingdom”

the voice of a thief did say

The Son of God did answer

“You will be with Me in Heaven this day”

 

“Why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus, of the Father, did ask

All our sins were upon Him

in that moment of His sacrificial task

 

His followers scattered, confused and scared

Christ’s words they didn’t recall

While the religious leaders of that day

sealed the tomb to ensure His fall

 

A short time later, first day of the week

out of the grave He arose

He appeared to many who believed in Him

since then the faith still flows

 

Jesus ascended into Heaven

to the glory He knew before

He promised to be with us always

if only we would open the door

 

-ted white 1982