Let Your Mind be Filled with Awe & Wonder,
And Your Heart be Filled with Peace & Joy,
as You spend each day of Advent
Looking Intently at these Inspiring Images
of the Original Christmas.
( x 3 Images )
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~ Giving Gifts ~
The Reason we Give Gifts at Christmas is to symbolise the Gifts that The Wise Men 'Gave to Jesus'.
Gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Before Jesus was Born, there was No such thing as Christmas, because Christmas is the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus.
It was a Long Time after Jesus was Born before people started to Give Gifts to 'Each Other'.
For Hundreds of years 'the Giving of Gifts' was actually on 'The 12th Night of Christmas' (Epiphany), the day that symbolises when The Wise Men visited Jesus and 'Gave Jesus' the Gifts to Him.
It's only been within the past few hundred years that Gifts have been Given on Christmas Day.
It's a Wonderful thing to Give a Gift to see the Joy on a Loved ones face.
And it's a Lovely thing to receive a Gift from someone who has been thoughtful enough to give it to you.
But the Truth is, we Don't actually Need to give 'Each Other' Gifts, because Christmas is Not about us.
Christmas is Not about me, you or anybody else.
~ Christmas is about Jesus.
There's nothing actually wrong with Giving Gifts, it's a Nice thing to do, but if you spend More Time, Thought and Effort on Gifts than you do on spending Quality Time with Jesus, then you're Missing Out on Experiencing The True Joy of Christmas.
In the same way, if you 'Expect' Gifts from other people or if you're 'moody and complain' if you don't get the Gifts you wanted, then you'll Miss Out on the Joy of what Christmas is really about ~ Celebrating the Birth of Jesus.
The Best Gift You can ever Give is the Gift of 'Giving Your Heart to Jesus'.
The Wonderful thing about that 'Gift' is that it's 'Many Gifts in One'.
~ It will Show Jesus that you Appreciate Him and Everything He does.
~ It will 'Set You Free' to Truly Enjoy Life.
~ It will Transform Your Life in Beautiful Ways and You will be a Blessing to other people (the Best Gift You can Give to others).
~ And most Importantly, Jesus will be Blessed with Receiving something that is Very Precious to Him ~ 'You'.
~ Positive Bible Verse ~
Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul, and with all your Mind.
(Matthew 22:37)
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Let Your Mind be Filled with Awe & Wonder,
And Your Heart be Filled with Peace & Joy,
as You spend each day of Advent
Looking Intently at these Inspiring Images
of the Original Christmas.
( x 2 Images )
Journeying with Jesus
Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
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~ Wise People Still Seek Him ~
The Wise Men made the 'Wisest Choice' of their Lives to Seek Jesus, and Not stop until they Found Him.
They probably travelled over 1,000 miles through Vast Deserts and Mountains. The Journey might have took them over a year, but they remained 'Focused on Jesus' the Entire Journey.
The Shepherds also Searched for Jesus and didn't stop until they Found Him in The Stable in a Manger.
They made the 'Wise Choice' to Believe The Angel and to go to Look for Him. That one Choice Helped them Stay 'Focused on Jesus'.
These small groups of Shepherds and Wise Men were the first people to 'Seek Jesus', and they would have then Lived the Rest of their Lives Full of God's Peace, Love and Joy, simply because of making that 'Wise Choice'.
Over 2,000 years later, people are Still making the same 'Wise Choice' to Seek Jesus.
There are now Billions of Christians (Followers of Jesus) around the world, and continuing to Grow.
As you read this there will be people all over the world making that same 'Wise Choice' to 'Follow Jesus' right Now.
The word Christian literally means 'To Follow Jesus'.
The 'ian' part of Christian means 'Follower', and 'Christ' is Jesus, so Christian means 'Jesus Follower'.
The first people who were Christians were the 12 Disciples.
They knew that to Follow Christ (Jesus) means to:
~ Learn His Way to Live Life,
~ To Seek His Guidance,
~ Be Willing to Accept Jesus as their Lord,
~ To Do what Jesus Guided them to Do,
~ And Not Do or to Stop Doing the things that Jesus said was wrong.
Jesus was also known as Rabbi which means 'Teacher'. Jesus makes Life Very Simple and Easy to Understand. He teaches us what's Right and what's wrong. There's No confusion with Jesus' Way to Live Life.
The Only reason people get confused in Life is when the devil 'Tricks' people with his lies and deception into doing something wrong, and makes it 'Seem' as though it's ok.
The more people that Fall for the devils 'Tricks', the more people do wrong things, and then other people 'Think' that it's normal.
Yet Jesus keeps it Very Simple, and when You 'Follow Jesus' He Helps You to Understand and see through the 'Trickery' of the devil so that You don't Fall for it.
If You don't Believe the Truth of Jesus,
You risk Falling for Anyone's lies.
That's why it's so Important to remain 'Focused' on Jesus' Way to Live Your Life. He Cares Very Deeply about You and He wants You to Live a Happy and Free Life.
The Best way to do that is to Do what The Wise Men and The Shepherds did and make the 'Wisest Choice' of Your Life to 'Seek Jesus'.
The Good thing is You don't need to travel over 1,000 miles through Deserts & Mountains and You don't need to search for a Babe in a Manger.
You Simply need to be Willing to 'Follow Jesus'.
~ Positive Bible Verses ~
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you Free".
(John 8:32)
~ ~ ~
Let each person turn away from evil and do good;
Let each person Seek peace and pursue it.
(1 Peter 3:11)
~ ~ ~
Show me Your Ways, Lord,
Teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your Truth,
And Teach me,
(Psalm 25:4-5)
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Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
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Let Your Mind be Filled with Awe & Wonder,
And Your Heart be Filled with Peace & Joy,
as You spend each day of Advent
Looking Intently at these Inspiring Images
of the Original Christmas.
Journeying with Jesus
Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
Christmas Music ~ Nativity Prayer ~ Poem ~ Writings ~ Inspiring Christmas Films & More
~ Rest with God ~
Jesus Achieved more Wonderful & Helpful things in the 33 years of His Life than any other human being.
How did He do it?
By spending Quality Quiet Time 'Resting with God'.
Jesus performed Many Miracles, Healed Hundreds of people, Fed Thousands of people, Taught Thousands of people the Right Way to Live and Set Millions Free.
He travelled around meeting new people. There were thousands of people that wanted His Time and Attention, and He Always made Himself Available to Show His Love & Care.
He did a Lot of things, but He also spent a Lot of Time 'Resting with God'.
Jesus would often spend a Lot of Time by Himself Praying with God and Resting His Mind, Body and Soul.
He would go to a Quiet Place, maybe in the Trees, on a Mountain or in a Garden where it was Peaceful & Quiet and he would 'Rest with God'.
That is what Gave Him the Energy and Inspiration to do the Wonderful things He did.
If Jesus, God's Son needed to Rest, then Surely we All Need to Rest.
Jesus 'Achieved More' by Resting & spending Quality Time with God.
~ A Relaxed Mind is a Creative Mind.
~ ~ ~
Christmas Trees are at their Best at Christmas Time. Yet Trees are Resting in Winter.
Pines, Spruces and Fir Trees Slow Down & Rest over the Winter months, they Preserve & Build Up their Energy so that when Spring Time comes, they're Ready to Burst into New Life.
That's similar to what Jesus was doing each time He 'Rested with God'. He was being Filled with the Wonderful Power from God so He was Ready to Do Mighty & Wonderful things.
~ You'll be at Your Best when You're at Rest.
Jesus Showed us that even when there's Lots to Do, we still Need to Rest our Minds, Bodies and Souls and spend Quality Time with God.
Mary & Joseph would also have needed to Rest on their Journey to Bethlehem. Even though the Journey was Long and they probably needed to get their quickly, it was the Resting with God that would have given them the Energy & Encouragement to Reach their Goal.
No matter how busy you are this Christmas (and all through the year), and no matter how many things you need to Do, I Encourage You to Rest Your Mind, Body and Soul.
It's not only your Body that needs a Rest, it's Very Important to also Rest Your Mind from the Planning and Frantic Activities that will often make you feel tired and drain your energy.
Simply spend Quality Time with God in Peace & Quiet.
He will Give You New Idea's, Fresh Insights and Amazing Energy to Achieve More than You ever thought possible.
When You Make Time for God, He Will Give You the Power to Achieve More.
With God All things Are Possible.
~ Positive Bible Verses ~
For anyone who enters God’s Rest also Rests from their works, just as God did from His.
(Hebrews 4:10)
~ ~ ~
Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a Quiet place and get some Rest.”
(Mark 6:31)
~ ~ ~
Those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
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Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
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Let Your Mind be Filled with Awe & Wonder,
And Your Heart be Filled with Peace & Joy,
As You spend each day of Advent
Looking Intently at these Inspiring Images
of the Original Christmas.
Journeying with Jesus
Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
Christmas Music ~ Nativity Prayer ~ Poem ~ Writings ~ Inspiring Christmas Films & More
~ Adapt & Adjust to God’s Way ~
When Mary & Joseph first got Engaged to be Married, they probably would of had idea's and plans about how to Live their Lives Together.
They might have thought about where they would Live, what they would do in their Life and how they would spend their time.
Then Suddenly The Angel of The Lord appeared to them and revealed God's Plan for their Lives.
They could have Chosen to ignore God's Plan, but instead they made the 'Wisest Choice' of their Lives, to 'Welcome Jesus Into Their Lives'.
From that One Decision, their Lives were Transformed into a Better and more Wonderful Way of Living than they could ever have thought of themselves.
Even though the Plans they had already made might have been Very Good plans, God's Way is Always Better.
Jesus came to Give Life 'More Abundantly'. (John 10:10).
Later in Jesus' Life He met many people who had 'Made Their Own Plans' about how to Live their Lives.
Matthew the Tax Collector had made plans to Earn Lots of money by stealing from people on their tax payments.
Simon Peter had made plans to Live his Life Fishing.
Mary Magdalene made plans to Live as a prostitute to make money.
There were many of Jesus' Disciples that had previously made plans to Live an average Life, maybe get Married and find a good job.
Some of these plans were ok, but some of the Plans the Disciples made were obviously bad.
When they met Jesus though, He Gave them all a New Plan and God's Way to Live their Lives, which was More Exciting and Enjoyable than any of their own plans.
They All made the 'Wisest Choice' of their Lives to Adapt to God's Plan and to 'Follow Jesus'.
~ ~ ~
As you 'Make Your Plans' for how to spend Christmas time, I Encourage You to be 'Open Minded' to when 'God' Gives You a 'Better Plan'.
Many people lose sight of 'The Real Meaning of Christmas' and they Miss Out on Something Very Special.
Christmas is about Celebrating the Birth of God's Only Son.
We Celebrate this on 25th December, yet 'worldly/society ways' have become Impatient and they have Christmas parties in November and early December, shops start selling Christmas things in Summer time, and people eat their mince pies and Christmas Treats throughout December.
By the time it comes to Christmas Day many people are either too stressed from Frantic planning and shopping or they get bored with Christmas because they started too early and didn't actually Celebrate Jesus' Birth.
So they Miss Out on the 'Wonderful Gift' of being able to take part in Celebrating 'With God' for His Son's Birthday, and they Miss the True Joy and Happiness that it Gives.
If You chose 'worldly/society ways' to Celebrate Christmas and leave Jesus out, then it's likely that your Life as a whole will also be stressed, bored and Missing Out on Something Special.
Jesus is Christmas ~ Jesus is Life.
Mary & Joseph and the Disciples of Jesus All made One Choice to Adapt & Adjust to God's Way and it made their Lives Better and more Enjoyable.
When You make the 'Wisest Choice' of Your Life to 'Welcome Jesus', then Your Life will be Transformed into a Better and more Wonderful Way than You could ever imagine.
~ Positive Bible Verse ~
All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s Way was right.
(Luke 7:29)
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Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
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Let Your Mind be Filled with Awe & Wonder,
And Your Heart be Filled with Peace & Joy,
As You spend each day of Advent
Looking Intently at these Inspiring Images
of the Original Christmas.
Journeying with Jesus
Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
Christmas Music ~ Nativity Prayer ~ Poem ~ Writings ~ Inspiring Christmas Films & More
~ Simply Believe ~
Before Jesus was Born, many people had Studied Scripture for a Long Time.
At that time peoples Lives where Focused on 'The Word of God'.
For over 700 years people would have known that The Messiah (God's Son and The Savior of All people) would come through the Lineage (blood 'Line') of King David. They knew this because it was wrote in Scripture.
At the time of Jesus' Birth, it's Likely that many people would have known that Mary & Joseph were part of that 'Line'.
For many years people would have been Closely Following that 'Line' and Expecting that The Messiah could come at Any Time. They were Eagerly Waiting for their 'Savior'.
The people such as the Pharisees, Scribes and Chief Priests would have known the Scripture inside out and Studied Every Detail.
They knew that The Christ would be Born in Bethlehem. They even told King Herod when he asked them where The Christ would be Born, and they said to him "In Bethlehem, for it is written by the prophet".
(Luke 23-6).
So they knew many Details about the Savior that they were Waiting for.
After Jesus was Born, The Shepherds made it Well Known to many people about the Amazing Blessing they had Experienced when The Angel told them The Savior had been Born, and that they had Visited Him in the Stable (in Bethlehem).
Later The Wise Men came and asked "where is He who has Been Born 'King of the Jews'."
Many people would have known who they meant by that ~ The Savior, Christ, The Messiah.
All this Information would have Spread through people to the Pharisees and Chief Priests etc.
So they would have had All the Details they needed about The Savior who they were Waiting for.
- They knew what 'Line' of people He would come from.
- They knew where He would be Born.
- Then they knew that He 'Had Been Born' and 'Where He was Born' by the messages of The Shepherds and The Wise Men.
Yet even with All that Knowledge & Information, they 'Didn't Believe'.
30 years later when Jesus performed His Miracles, they still 'Didn't Believe'. They Doubted that Jesus was the Son of God and their Savior. They Didn't Believe the things that even Jesus 'Himself' told them.
The Pharisees said "Isn't this Joseph the Carpenters Son". So they knew he was part of the 'Line' of David.
The Obvious was 'Right In Front of Them', yet they still 'Didn't Believe'.
The Pharisees said that they Believed in God and God's Way to Live, but when Jesus arrived, they Pushed Him away and Showed that they Didn't Actually Believe.
Why didn't they Believe?
Maybe it was because of stubbornness or arrogance.
Maybe they Listened to people instead of God.
It might have been that they wanted to be in Control and not Accept Jesus as their Lord.
Whatever their reasons were, it Prevented them from Experiencing True Freedom & Joy, and they Missed Out on the Wonderful Blessing of having True Peace in their Heart.
On the other hand, The Shepherds and The Wise Men 'Simply Believed God', and they Experienced Exceedingly Great Joy.
These two small groups of people Discovered More by 'Simply Believing' that Jesus 'Is Who He Is', and by 'Putting Their Faith In Him' than what all the Scribes and Pharisees knew put together.
If You want Peace, Love and Joy in Your Life, ask Yourself this question:
~ Do You Believe what 'people' say about how You should Live Your Life and about 'Who Jesus is'?
or
~ Do You Believe God & Jesus? even if it's different to what other people say or even different to what you might think yourself.
Do You Believe God & Jesus 'Above & Over' Everything & Everybody?
God Reveals new things to us to help us Enjoy Life.
Jesus is 'The Way, The Truth and The Life'.
'Simply Believe'.
~ Positive Bible Verses ~
The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?
(Numbers 14:11)
~ ~ ~
Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid; only Believe.”
(Mark 5:36)
~ ~ ~
To those who Believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:12)
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Visit our’ Journeying with Jesus’ website for more Inspiring Christmas Goodness
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Journeying with Jesus 