For by
grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8
The
Greatest Gift
If I search thru the pages of history,
Look thru the halls of time,
Seeking for the greatest gift of all,
A gift to all mankind,
I would stop at a manger in Bethlehem,
Bow in wonder there.
See a tiny present wrapped in love,
A gift beyond compare.
Oh the
greatest gift,
Oh the greatest gift of all,
Sent from a loving Father
In the form of a child so small.
All the wealth of Heaven's splendor,
Wrapped up in a child so tender--
Oh, the greatest gift in all the world
Is JESUS.
If I look
for a gift that reigns supreme
Above the hills of time.
A gift to fulfill each prophet's dream,
The highest gift sublime,
If I ask every angel in Paradise
"Where can it be found?"
Heaven's mighty host would start to swell
Till earth and sky abound.
Oh the
greatest gift,
Oh the greatest gift of all,
Sent from a loving Father
In the form of a child so small.
All the wealth of Heaven's splendor
Wrapped up in a child so tender.
Oh the greatest gift in all the world
Is JESUS.
Oh the
greatest gift of all,
Oh the greatest gift of all,
Oh the greatest gift in all the world
Is JESUS.
By Ron and Shelly Hamilton
A
Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would
be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated
several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began
with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize
the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to
symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and
firmness of the promises of God.
The
candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to
represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as
our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd"
with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift
out the fallen lambs who like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking
that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker
stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show
the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed.
The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross
so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately,
the candy became know as a Candy Cane--a
meaningless decoration seen at Christmastime. But the meaning is
still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear". I
pray that this symbol will again be used to witness To The Wonder
of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at Christmas and remains
the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.
The Christmas Story
1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:1-12
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We
wish you a
Blessed Christmas Season
If you
haven't already received the Greatest Gift of all,
it is our prayer that you receive the Lord Jesus Christ
as your own personal Savior today.
Click HERE
if you want to find out how to do that.
Love, Steve and Linda Snyder
