CHRISTMAS EXPECTATION

Gloria Phifer

Christmas for me as a child was always a let down. Expectations...all of us... trying to fill the emptiness that filled our home and our hearts.
After the presents were opened and the food was eaten...it was over.

Living in a home of alcoholism, alcohol was used by the adults to fill the emptiness...cover the pain. There was no peace on earth for us.

At 22 I asked Jesus to come into my life. I found Someone Who loved me. I found The Real Gift. 

No longer is the expectation to fill my emptiness. It has been filled by my Savior. 

I know this can be a hard time of year for people. they can expect it to fill an area of emptiness.

Peace, Good Will unto man was heralded by The Angels.

The birth announcement was for you and me...Jesus Christ...Emmanuel...God with us...came for you and me. To fill the emptiness. To comfort and heal our hurts. To bring peace into our chaos. 

Unto us a Son is born. Unto us a Child is given. His Name is Wonderful, Counselor, The Almighty God, The Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9

The true meaning of Christmas is God loves you so much that He sent His Son so you could know Him. Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us. God put on flesh so you would know Him.  (John 1:14)

He came into this world to pay the price of our sins on the cross so we can be reconciled to Him and belong to Him. It is astonishing . that He loved us so much He came as a baby...become a man...and took all of our sins upon Himself at the cross so we could have fulfillment, hope, comfort...a reason to live...and eternal life...never to be afraid of death again. 

If you have never received Jesus...He is standing at the door of your heart. He won't push His way into your life...when you ask Him to come in, you will find the One Who fills that emptiness and gives you the reason to really live. Live with The One Who loved you enough to come into your world...yes..."Your world". Emmanuel God with you!

EMMANUEL...GOD WITH US.

       by gloria phifer



At the fall of man in the garden...God promised a Redeemer...The Seed of the woman. Gen. 3:15.

                                                          HEAVEN CAME DOWN

  John 1....He came into this world. Jesus left the halls of glory...He stepped onto the scene of mankind. How did He do that?...He was carried in the womb of Mary for nine months. God planted Him as The Seed in a virgin's womb. Luke 1. Matt. 1: 23 "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His Name EMMANUEL,  which being interpreted is GOD WITH US!

  He became vulnerable to mankind. He allowed Himself to be born as a baby. To grow up in the world. To experience life.  As a Man, He began His ministry. He taught. He healed. He loved mankind.

  He was rejected by the elders who called for his crucifixtion.  John 1:11-12. He came unto His own but they received Him not. "As many as received Him gave them power to become the children of God...even to them that believe on His Name....Jesus.

Isaiah 53 1-12. was a prophesy given about the Suffering Messiah...approximately 712 B.C. He redeemed us...bought us back...He paid the price for our redemption...our salvation.  1 Peter 1:19 redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot.

Psalm 22 is another prophesy of the cross ,written by David. (Gentiles were called dogs in those days by the Jewish people).

  Jesus said in John 10:15..."I lay down My life for the sheep." He is the Good Shepherd (read Ps 23.)

John 10:17-18 "No man takes my life from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father."

  He willing laid down His life.  On the Feast of First Fruits...the Sunday after Passover...He was resurrected. John 20

John 11:25 Jesus  had said to Martha "I Am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die."

   Isaiah 9:6-7. Prophesy given 740 B.C.  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: And His Name shall be WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Open our eyes Lord so we can see!!! He was given for US!!! He came to be with US!!!

EMMANUEL...GOD WITH "US".

Do you know Him? Have you received Him? He came into this world for you. He gave His life so you would belong to Him and be one of His sheep. He came to be a Good Shepherd for you. He took all of your sins on Himself on the cross, so you can be forgiven and know that you have eternal life. He knocks at the door of your heart...ask Him to come in...and He will always be With you.... Emmanuel.