God With Us

Jean Oathout: When we see a picture like this, we wonder at the information given us, as to Who it is, and what it means for us today, some 2,000 years later.

Let's hear what Charles H. Spurgeon said in his writing, Christ in You, (Found in the December 2016 issue of HERALD OF HIS COMING magazine). [Google image, Baby Jesus]

"What a wonderful conception it was that even the infinite God should take upon himself the nature of man! It never would have occurred to men that such condescension would be thought of.

Even now that it has been done, it is a great mystery of our faith. God and man in one person is the wonder of heaven, and earth, and hell.

The first thought of the incarnation was born in the unsearchably wise mind of God. It needed omnipotent omniscience to suggest the idea of "Immanuel, God with us." Think of it! The infinite an infant, the Ancient of Days a child, the Ever-Blessed a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief!

The idea is original, astounding, and divine. Oh, that this blending of the two natures should ever have taken place! Brethren, the heart of the Gospel throbs in this truth. The Son of the highest was born at Bethlehem, and at His birth, before He had worked a deed of righteousness or shed a drop of blood, the angels sang, 

   "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
     toward men" (Luke 2:14).

They knew that the incarnation had within itself a wealth of good things for men. When the Lord Himself took our manhood it meant inconceivable benediction to the human race...and in that Child and Son we find our salvation. God in our nature can mean for us nothing but joy.

(Jesus) is still God and man. Still He can sympathize with our manhood to the fullest, for He is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. And yet He can help us without limit, seeing He is equal with the Father. Though manifestly divine, yet Jesus is none the less human. Though truly man, He is none the less divine, and this is a door of hope to us, a fountain of consolation which never ceases to flow. (p. 1, Vol. 75 No 12 (900).

"The identity of Jesus is the central question of eternity."

Taken from Our Daily Bread®, ©12/18/16 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org

Let's pray-

      Father, when we realize the love You had for us to commit Your Spirit to dwell in Christ Jesus, that tiny baby in the manger, in order to provide for our salvation, we are truly overwhelmed with gratefulness . . . not that we can  fathom it all yet.
    Thank You that Jesus is even now, 2,000 years later, as available to us today. His commitment to You to follow through with the plan You had for Him is beyond our comprehension. 
   May we be obedient to work out our salvation with the help of Your Spirit in our daily lives, in preparation for joining You and Jesus in heaven some day, when we're called home.
   To see His face and thank Him for His sacrifice, will be our joy! We ask Your blessing on each of us, and may we listen and obey His Word, as we live consecrated lives to Him. In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen

Please check out my friend, Debbie McEwen's new blog post to join with me to discover:

 And the Angels Rejoiced

Today's Bible verses-

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding." Prov. 3:13 (NIV)

 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (KJV)

"Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given . . ." (Isa. 9:6)

Today's quotes-

~ David McCasland- "The most important headline in our lives every day is the very best news ever spoken-Christ the Savior is born!"

"The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever received!

(Our Daily Bread Taken from Our Daily Bread®, ©12/13/16) by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org

~ Max Lucado- "God knows what it’s like to be a human. When we talk to him about deadlines or tough times, he understands. He’s been there. He’s been here. Because of Bethlehem, we have a friend in Jesus. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the cross. He doesn’t tell us, 'Clean up before you come in.' He offers, 'Come in and I’ll clean you up.' It’s not our grip on him that matters, but his grip on us!  And his grip is sure! " From Because of Bethlehem

   

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MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Samples of Jean's crafts

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