Category Archives: Holidays

-October 31: Celebrate Reformation Day!

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(Church Doors in Wittenburg via Wikipedia)

No, I am not talking about trick or treating or goblins and pumpkins! This is a good time for prayer and for praising the Lord in order to balance out all of the dark festivities associated with this day in American culture.

On this Day…

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted Ninety-five Theses on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and began the Protestant Reformation. Now that is something to celebrate about! The beginning 0f a sovereign work of God that transformed the world.

Merry Christmas! May the Blessings of the Lord be Upon You and Yours this Christmas.

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THE CHRISTMAS STORY:

The Christmas story is found in Matthew (1:18-2:18) and in Luke (1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored: 

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Is. 7:14clip_image002) 

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Is. 9:6clip_image002[1])

Matthew gives us the story largely from the perspective of Joseph, including the dreams that he had and his family genealogy.   In this gospel the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus is the major topic.  Starting with the Davidic Kingly genealogy through Joseph and the coming of the Magi (Wisemen) who are looking for the new king.  Also King Herod’s reaction is in Matthew.

The events in Luke are given to us from Mary’s view.  The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the coming of the child.  Mary’s genealogy is also given in Luke (3:23-38), she was also a descendent of David, but not in the ‘Kingly’ line.  Chapter 2 begins with the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

May the Blessings of the Lord be Upon You and Yours this Christmas.

-The Christmas Season: Responding to The Holy Spirit

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Sunday was the beginning of Advent on the church calendar, but the stresses of the holiday season started couple of weeks ago at Thanksgiving. Have you noticed how the Devil tries to ruin every good thing that Christians have.

I will not get into all the history of how the 25th was chosen for celebrating the birth of our Savior, regardless of the historical background, it has been a season to remember that God sent his Son to the earth to save us.

We can choose to respond to the Holy Spirit and make this season a memorable one and a blessed one for our family and friends, or we can participate in the ‘spirit of the age’ and become part of the tensions and commercialism around us that seem to bring arguments, over spending, and division.

I always get in trouble with my wife and adult children for giving too much stuff to the grandkids and spoiling them. Probably will again since that brings me a lot of joy and my grandchildren like it too.

Nevertheless, this season for me and my family, we will serve the Lord, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will rescue us from the secular ‘spirit of Santa Claus’ which dominates this season.

-Yom Kippur: The Biblical ‘Day of Atonement’

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Today, October 2, 2006, is a special day on the Biblical calendar-named Yom Kippur, or in English-‘The Day of Atonement’. It is the most important holy day of the year for Jews. It is day when Jewish folk consider their sins, ask for forgiveness and look for ways to make amends in the year to come. Many wear white shirts or clothes on this day to symbolize purity and to acknowledge the Biblical promise that sins will be made white as snow. Observances traditionally held in synagogues or temples, end with the blowing of the shofar.

While Christians do not traditionally recognize the special days or events in the Biblical (Jewish) calendar, ‘Messianic’ Christians do, and many others are enriched by the symbols, and find significance in the times and seasons that are represented. The Lord’s Supper and The Resurrection cannot be completely separated from ‘The Passover’, and the ‘Day of Pentecost’ is one Biblical/Jewish day still recognized in the church calendar.

– Significance of the Biblical New Year -A Time For Introspection and Change

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The high holy days of the Jewish calendar began at sundown Friday 9/22/06 -Rosh Hashanah and continue through nightfall on October 2-Yom Kippur. You ask, what significance does this has for Christians? The Jewish calendar is Biblical and God still seems to honor it in many ways.

The Biblical name for Rosh Hashanah is ‘Yom Ha-Zakkaron’ meaning: “The Day of Remembrance”, it is the start of a 9 day period in the Biblical (Jewish) calendar when the people of God are called upon to look at their lives and inspect the way that they lived during the year just ending. On ‘Yom Kippur’: “The Day of Atonement”, Jewish folk traditionally repent and ask for God’s forgiveness and look forward to making changes for the better in the new year.

Many Christians find that the Holy Spirit seems to call us to look at our lives and make changes especially during this time of year. Most of us have thought that it is because of the change of seasons with the kids going back to school, and the changes that fall brings to church activities and ministries. Changes in ministry for me always seem to take place around October, I use to think that it had to do with my birthday coming in that month. Lately, I have come to realize that the Lord always seems to call me to make changes during this time of year, and that it may be connected with the Biblical New Year.

I have heard from a number of prophetic people (those involved in some kind of prophetic ministry) that this time of the year seems to be a time of evaluation for them; a time when they go ‘under the shepherd’s rod’ and their ministry is tested. While everyday of the year is a good time for Christians to look at their lives, repent, and make changes. The Biblical New Year is an especially good season for it.

-A Different Vision Of September 11, 2001: “The Face of Jesus”

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9/17/01 THE FACE OF JESUS

Friday, I Saw the face of Jesus,

While I was listening to the special service at National Cathedral;
and tears were flowing down his cheeks.

Sunday, I saw the face of Jesus,

While I was worshipping at church; and tears were flowing down his cheeks, while thousands were filing past him in sorrow–those who died in the acts of terror–
and they did not recognize him.

Then I saw the terrorists, they were celebrating while they walked together, until they saw Jesus, then there was terror in the eyes of the terrorists–they fell on their knees–some on their faces, raising their arms and pleading.

Then I saw the face of Jesus, and he was shaking his head in disappointment,
and they were gone.

Later during the service, I saw the face of Jesus again, and he was smiling–as hundreds of people came before him–men and women–and he hugged them, and he kissed them, and welcomed them. They were celebrating,

Then I saw the Face of Jesus once more,
and he was laughing and celebrating with them.