 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionFriday, December 19, 2008  Mini-boxwood Christmas tree (Table top Tree Arrangement by a dear woman in her 80's. These were colorful decorations at our Christmas party yesterday in Palmyra.)  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."This Thing" "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about'" (Luke 2:15).  When an extraordinary news event is discovered in our generation the paparazzi, camera crews and journalists of all the network affiliates and major magazine outlets go into stat mode, racing to be the first to report. No expense will be spared in an attempt to bolster ratings for the television networks, newspapers and magazines. I can picture it now in my mind, "Coming to you live in the little town of Bethlehem, you're hearing it first at WXLV…" The camera zooms in to feature an infant newly born to very ordinary people. He is lying in a feeding trough as His mother is resting from her long, demanding journey and subsequent delivery of her firstborn. But, of course that is now, and our story took place when fresh news spread only by word of mouth or through an angelic visitor. The very first recipients of the message of the birth of Christ was a group of shepherds. They were blessed with an inspired announcement from a single angel who was later joined by a heavenly host of angels who praised God, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). The shepherds received this message as directly from the Lord and responded by promptly going to Bethlehem. Two bland, non-descriptive words in the text intrigue me as I prepare this message. The shepherds, surely in a state of wonderment and perplexity, call the blessed event "this thing". Thus the very first human designation for Christmas is "this thing"! The shepherds were blessed to receive this unexpected announcement from extraordinary beings, yet they could not fully picture in their minds just what to expect or the verbage to describe this historic event. God did not require statesmen to be out in the field with the shepherds so that they could eloquently describe this incredible moment in history.  Today I thank God for "this thing" which the shepherds went to see. The holy Son of God came as a baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. That's the redeeming message we must continue to focus on! Some are hesitant to witness to others about Christ for fear that their message might not be delivered as eloquently as a preacher or gifted speaker. The words we speak are important but the lives we live may have more meaning when we share of Christ's redeeming work in the hearts of His creation. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a Child and yet a King; Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we're so thankful for Jesus whose infant birth took place in a smelly stable and whose bed was a feeding trough padded with stubbly straw and hay. It was certainly not a welcome setting for the infant born King but we can now see the stable as a composite of this unwelcoming world toward King Jesus. We're so glad that He was willing to come to earth though He would be rejected by the majority. Mercifully we number among the many who receive Him as our personal Savior. We thank You that He came to deliver us from our fears and release us from our sins. Through Your own eternal Spirit rule in our hearts today and raise us to Your glorious throne on Your appointed day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.   Adoree and David enjoyed leading the residents in "Jingle Bells"   We would like to share our online Christmas newsletter we prepare for our family and friends Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources (Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) Today's musical selections are both instrumental numbers, a photo slide show with the music. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" Video "Away In A Manger" Video "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" Wesley, Charles / Prichard, Rowland H. © Public Domain Resources for Christmas Celebrations It is our desire to share online resources that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. We will continue to post these resources through Christmas Day. Christmas Memories Here's a collection of Christmas memories sent in by daily encouragement readers several years ago, along with an opportunity to share your own story. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Stephen and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online?  Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents? Here's an idea! The best gift you can ever give your parents Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children? Here's an idea! It is our desire to offer this site as a free service to readers all over the world. If you find value in our ministry, you can help! One of the special features of this web site are recommended resources related to the topic designed to enhance your spiritual growth. If you decide to purchase any of the titles you see listed, simply click on the book title or book photo and you will be transported to CBD's giant online catalog. Everytime you make a purchase directly from our site links (providing you do not leave our site prior to ordering) we get a small percentage of the total sale as a CBD affiliate member. This will over time help offset some of the costs involved in growing and maintaining this ministry. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/08  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net through 12/18/08: $19,351.00) SUBSCRIPTION INFO  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs we will be happy to remove your address from the list immediately. To remove your address merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass these messages on! "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "A Little Foolishness" - A humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) I haven't had time or "inspiration" for this for awhile but it has several stories that get regular page views. "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us |
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