A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Thursday, December 20, 2012  Manger Scene ("Precious Moments" figurines!)  Listen to this message on your audio player. Note: For the last several days I have had a cold causing a very hoarse voice. Brooksyne is out making chaplain calls so a podcast will not be prepared for today's message."Child In The Manger" "And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger" (Luke 2:16). "Sir", they said, "we would like to see Jesus" (John 12:21b). Child in the manger, Infant of Mary, Outcast and Stranger, Lord of us all, Child Who inherits all our transgressions, All our demerits upon Him fall. I don't recall singing today's Christmas song as a child and actually assumed it was a more recently written song, easy to sing since it uses the tune of the more familiar hymn, "Morning Has Broken". However in researching the song background I was mistaken. Actually both lyrics and music were written in the mid-1800's and before "Morning Has Broken" which was first published in 1931. Take a look at a modern hymnbook that has this song you will likely see a revision by Fred Bock in place of the original words in the first verse. Child in the manger, Infant of Mary, Came as a stranger, born in the stall. Sweet little Jesus, sent down from Heaven, God's gift of new life offered to all. Certainly the revision is easier for the modern mind to understand and is true but in my view it lack the rich theological punch of the original especially these words, "Child Who inherits all our transgressions, All our demerits upon Him fall." What Christmas memories do you have that bring a smile to your face or a particular joy to your heart? Brooksyne and I encourage you to consider a family time in sharing these stories or perhaps a testimonial time in your church, small group or among friends. I have a memory that took place at a minister's Christmas party when we lived in Southeastern Massachusetts. After our meal we sat together in a circle and were each asked to share a Christmas memory. Some of the memories were funny while others were a touching reminder of the real message of Christmas. It was one of the best times I ever recall sharing with a group of my minister peers. Rich and Donna Weitzel lived on Cape Cod at the time in a town called Wellfleet where Rich served as pastor. He shared the following story: "Our son was very young and quite fascinated by the manger scene. He carefully studied the wise men, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and then would frequently rearrange them. He kept moving the baby Jesus to the very front rather than in the center as is the custom in most manger scenes. I was a bit flustered at having to constantly put the characters back in their proper place. I asked my son, 'Why do you keep moving baby Jesus to the front?' He told me, 'Daddy, I want everybody to see Jesus.'" Now that's a good lesson isn't it? Many of those kinds of lessons come out of the mouths of babes. For a number of years while I pastored I had a little sign on my pulpit facing me as I preached with today's second text on it as a reminder, "Sir, we would see Jesus." It reminded me what was of supreme importance as I proclaimed God's Word; may people see more of Jesus and less of me! In the daily text a group of Greeks had come to Philip with this request, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." The request is simple and very specific. These Greeks knew what they wanted. And in their seeking they had it right; they wanted to see Jesus. Philip goes to Andrew and together they tell Jesus that some people wanted to see Him. They didn't take center stage or try to speak for Jesus, but instead they complied with the request. That's also a good lesson for us. Today, I ask you, are our words and actions helping people to see Jesus? Certainly the most accurate picture of Jesus is portrayed in Scripture, but in reality the majority will not look in the Scriptures but at the lives of Christ's followers. May we truly reflect the heart of Christ in all we do. Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder; Angels behold Him on His throne. Worthy our Savior of all our praises; Happy forever are His own. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we consider the role of John the Baptist who was forerunner of Your Son, Jesus. He was the voice of one calling in the desert, "Make straight the way for the Lord." He prepared the hearts of men for Jesus' coming and he surrendered his life even to death for his Master. May we have the same spirit as John who told his followers, "He must become greater; I must become less. The One who comes from above is above all." We bow in surrender, adoration, and praise to the Christ child born in a manger who grew in favor with God and man, who laid down His life so that we might be raised to newness of life. For all that You are and all that You have done we give You thanks. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.The original version of the song also includes a second verse not usually found in modern hymnals: Once the most holy Child of salvation Gently and lowly lived below. Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer, See Him victorious o'er each foe.  Today we shared a story from Rich Weitzel, a friend from our ministry years in New England. Rich and I both pastored in the same area of southeast Massachusetts in the nineties. Several years ago I visited with Rich at a banquet. Today's story reminded me of another more humorous story that was shared at the same minister's Christmas party that I felt is more appropriate on my humor blog. It's titled "Do You See What I See?" This is a true story! Today's manger scene in the photo is from the communion table at our church here in Mount Joy. Brooksyne and I smile as we see the "Precious Moments" display as we have fond memories of the Precious Moments visitor center in Carthage Missouri, where for many years we met Brooksyne's parents, since it is about 1/2 way between Tulsa where she is from and the KC area where I am from. Years ago we shared a daily encouragement message based on the chapel. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Child In Manger" Video Kelly Willard "Child In Manger" Video Jonathan Van Risseghem An interesting arrangement using both songs. "Away In A Manger/Child In The Manger" Video Michael W. Smith Article about Morning Has Broken/Child In The Manger Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. 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 and love 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. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/19/12: $17,266.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry! SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  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 to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "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! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) (Note: This material is satire!) "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!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. 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 2012 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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