Terri Kelly tells us what the Bible says..."Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?”
So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 NIV
Paramount Movie Studios contracted writers, Livingstone and Evans, to produce a original Christmas song for a movie in the 1950s.
Inspired by the Salvation Army bell ringers, the Christmas tune, Silver Bells, became a hit when Bing Crosby and Carol Richards recorded the song as a duet.
Whether it’s the ringing of silver bells or the twinkling of silver coins, both create the sounds of Christmas.
Thirty-three years after the birth of Jesus, the anticipation of coins clinking in his money bag, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver—enough money to purchase a servant for seven years labor.
The sound turned sour the moment Judas heard the coins jingling and knew he’d turned on Jesus, his friend, his mentor, his Savior.
My fear is that whatever I do to create a spirit of Christmas—singing Christmas songs, shopping, decorating, or dropping silver colored coins into the Salvation Army bucket—I’ve excluded Jesus.
Smug about dropping money into the bell ringer’s bucket, counting the presents under the tree, and wishing for an even bigger Christmas . . . have I betrayed Jesus another year with my pride and greed?
While we hang silver tinsel on the tree, sing Silver Bells, drop our coins in the bucket, feeling all Christmasy, we can ask God’s spirit to lead us to hear what he wants us to hear, give what He wants us to give, minus the pride and greed.
Alone, we can’t stop the thoughts that betray us. We need Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the Son of God and man, who took our sins to the cross.
Double your prayers in December, tune in to Jesus, and turn this duet into an eternal hit."
Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image gallery
Terri Kelly is the Executive Editor of DevoKids.com and serves as a Staff Writer for ChristianDevotions.us.
She is a featured faculty member at conferences, teaching the art of writing devotions for children and how to start a children’s ministry website.
Read Terri’s devotions.
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!
Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us
A devotional book for women
contemplating marriage and
looking for godly advice.
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| Silver Bells, It's Christmas time... |
Terri Kelly tells us what the Bible says..."Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?”
So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 NIV
Paramount Movie Studios contracted writers, Livingstone and Evans, to produce a original Christmas song for a movie in the 1950s.
Inspired by the Salvation Army bell ringers, the Christmas tune, Silver Bells, became a hit when Bing Crosby and Carol Richards recorded the song as a duet.
Whether it’s the ringing of silver bells or the twinkling of silver coins, both create the sounds of Christmas.
Thirty-three years after the birth of Jesus, the anticipation of coins clinking in his money bag, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver—enough money to purchase a servant for seven years labor.
The sound turned sour the moment Judas heard the coins jingling and knew he’d turned on Jesus, his friend, his mentor, his Savior.
My fear is that whatever I do to create a spirit of Christmas—singing Christmas songs, shopping, decorating, or dropping silver colored coins into the Salvation Army bucket—I’ve excluded Jesus.
Smug about dropping money into the bell ringer’s bucket, counting the presents under the tree, and wishing for an even bigger Christmas . . . have I betrayed Jesus another year with my pride and greed?
While we hang silver tinsel on the tree, sing Silver Bells, drop our coins in the bucket, feeling all Christmasy, we can ask God’s spirit to lead us to hear what he wants us to hear, give what He wants us to give, minus the pride and greed.
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| Google image |
Double your prayers in December, tune in to Jesus, and turn this duet into an eternal hit."
Terri Kelly is the Executive Editor of DevoKids.com and serves as a Staff Writer for ChristianDevotions.us. She is a featured faculty member at conferences, teaching the art of writing devotions for children and how to start a children’s ministry website.
Read Terri’s devotions.
Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us
Our thought for today: The Word of God is sure. We will be challenged to believe what He tells us. Believe it, no matter what!
Tomorrow’s post: Expect Carrots Sandra Wood
A popular post: A DAY TO PRAY "Of course, a day of prayer won’t always change your life, and it won’t always be earth moving. But, as those who have made this a regular practice will testify, it is always worthwhile."
'Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
... they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy.
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
... they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy.
"we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
[I want to thank those who are praying for our family, after the great loss of my son Dave, yesterday evening. He would have been 54 on Groundhog's day. He had a massive heart attack.]
So You Plan to Marry
a Man
A devotional book for women
contemplating marriage and
looking for godly advice.
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