A LIGHT+ to Lighten the Gentiles...

...JESUS is His+ Name... the light of the world,

the TRUE LIGHT which lighteth every man

that cometh into the world.

HE+ was in the world,

and the world was made by HIM+,

and the world knew HIM+ not.

HE+ came unto His+ own,

and His+ own received HIM+ not.

BUT

as many as received HIM+,

to them gave HE+ power

to become the sons of GOD,

even to them that believe on HIS+ name.

Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of GOD.

~ ~ ~

A friend of mine has landed upon a new way for her to share JESUS during the Advent season. She is making a conscious and determined effort to bless someone each day... by phone, by visit, by sharing a treat, by prayer. She arises with this goal in mind: to share JESUS and alleviate some loneliness in the little corner of the world where she lives.

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If we must do Christmas, then let us do it as unto The LORD, redeeming the time, making every day count to draw someone closer to the LORD. The holy days should be CHRIST-oriented, focused upon The Coming of The LORD.

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However, many of us have much stronger memories of family get-togethers and gifts and feasts than we do of CHRIST-centered Holy Days. Thus, when family members die or families grow apart through distance or bickering, the holy days become a burden ... a battle with the blues. It is of serious proportions. Many, many persons even in the churches dread these holy days greatly. But, the people belonging to CHRIST can ferret out these individuals and turn the focus upon CHRIST!

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As someone has said, "In every pew sits a broken heart." Myself, I would change that to, "Most pews are filled with the broken-hearted."
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The many-fold activities that churches do during this season try to fill up the void. That awful void can only be filled up by CHRIST JESUS. But how shall they hear, if no-one tells them? How shall they know if no-one takes the time to reach out in a personal, quiet, one-to-one way? Was JESUS born so that we could give parties for our friends... or was HE+ born to give hope and love to a sad and lonely heart?

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Let us become Advent messengers of that hope and love. What is really needed is for CHRIST to be born in the hearts of man, and then HE+ will set the captives free... free from fear, free from loneliness, free from futility of life. And, free to focus upon the SAVIOR+ of Mankind.

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And we ourselves will be set free of Self-serving. We will be bearers of that LIGHT+, that was the TRUE LIGHT+, that lighteth every man which cometh into the world.

+ + +

In the name of The FATHER,

Who created us;

And HIS Holy SON+ JESUS,

Who+ saves us;

And the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT;

Who sanctifies us.

Amen.

To Bring us to CHRIST...

GOD SENT HIS MESSAGE OF "GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN."

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Historically, Advent is a man-made event. Invented, though it be, as a serious time of fasting and repentance in the 4th Century or thereabouts, the early centuries of Christendom knew nothing about Advent nor its culmination in Christ-mass.

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Advent, from the Latin, means the coming of CHRIST. It marks the beginning of the church year by several denominations. In the Greek, however, Parousia, is the word meaning "advent" and it refers to the Second Coming of CHRIST.

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Advent and the Incarnation ... The LORD JESUS coming to earth as a man... can possibly be used to remind the world of HIM+. But truthfully, I have never known, heard of, or read about a single soul being brought to a living, loving, obedient, faith-filled relationship with The LORD JESUS because of Advent and "Christmas" tide.

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While the carols, hymns, and various church traditions and rituals are comforting to Christians... they are also comforting to worldlings who have grown up with them.

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Year after year, manger scenes are displayed on mantels, the Messiah is sung, and Christmas Eve candlelight services are religiously attended. People look forward to them all and would be out-raged and depressed if such were denied them. Yet, year after year, no lives are changed, no repentances made, no salvations granted as a result of this season of the much-heralded birth of CHRIST the King.

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Thus, it would seem obvious that The LORD'S anointing does not rest upon this seasonal celebration contrived by man.

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Many, many conscientious Christians of every flavor have revealed the origins of the "Christmas" traditions, both religious and secular, yet the Church proper is un-moved by Truth.

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Why?

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To Bring Us to CHRIST is not the ACTUAL and REAL goal of this "religious season" as it should be, but rather to bring us fleshly comfort. Unity and concord flow between most denominations during the Christmas season as they celebrate in unison the birth of CHRIST JESUS. Good Will... from the keepers of Christmas... flows toward all, as an amnesty against the Judgment of GOD upon the unrighteous, the sinners, the teachers of heresy, the apostates.

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Has The LORD ordained such amnesty ?

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With repentance, yes... but there is NO AMNESTY from GOD without repentance. Instead, there is a certain fearful looking for the JUDGMENT of GOD to overtake them.

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If we Christians offer amnesty without repentence we are guilty of mis-representing the character of GOD. We are guilty of offering HIS love-gift, the sacrifice of HIS SON+, to be trampled underfoot by the un-holy.

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This is what spiritually occurs by those who refuse repentance as a means to come to CHRIST... but want HIS+ heart-comforts, especially during this season of GOD'S "Good Will towards men."

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Do we seriously look forward to the Advent, the Parousia, of CHRIST?

+ + +

In the Name of The FATHER,

Who begot us,

His Holy SON+,

Who saves us,

And His Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

Who sanctifies us.

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. . .

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