Resources for Holidays

Christmas

A "Christmas Hymn" from the First Century

Words in italics are from the NIV Study Bible Zondervan Publishers

Phil. 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Phil. 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

Phil. 2:6 (2:6-11) The poetic, even lyric, character of these verses is apparent. Many view them as an early Christian hymn (see note on Col 3:16), taken over and perhaps modified by Paul. If so, they nonetheless express his convictions. The passage treats Christ's humiliation (vv. 6-8) and exaltation (vv. 9-11). (2:6) IN VERY NATURE GOD. Affirming that Jesus is fully God (see note on Ro 9:5). NATURE. Essential form (see NIV text note), the sum of those qualities that make God specifically God. EQUALITY WITH GOD. The status and privileges that inevitably follow from being in very nature God. SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED. Perhaps something to be forcibly retained —the glory Christ had with the Father before his incarnation. But he did not consider that high position to be something he could not give up.

Phil. 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Phil. 2:7 MADE HIMSELF NOTHING. Lit. “emptied himself.” He did this, not by giving up deity, but by laying aside his glory (see Jn 17:5) and submitting to the humiliation of becoming man (see 2Co 8:9). Jesus is truly God and truly man. Another view is that he emptied himself, not of deity itself, but of its prerogatives —the high position and glory of deity. NATURE OF A SERVANT. Emphasizes the full reality of his servant identity (see Mt 20:28). As a servant, he was always submissive to the will of the Father.

Phil. 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Phil. 2:8 APPEARANCE AS A MAN. Not only was Jesus “like” a human being (v. 7), but he also took on the actual outward characteristics of a man (see Jn 1:14; Ro 8:3; Heb 2:17). HUMBLED HIMSELF. See v. 7; 2Co 8:9. OBEDIENT. How Jesus humbled himself (cf. Heb 5:7-8). A “servant” (v. 7) obeys. TO DEATH. Stresses both the totality and the climax of Jesus' obedience. ON A CROSS. Heightens Jesus' humiliation; he died as someone cursed (see Gal 3:13; Heb 12:2). Crucifixion was the most degrading kind of execution that could be inflicted on a person.

Phil. 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Phil. 2:9 EXALTED. See Mt 28:18; Ac 2:33; cf. Isa 52:13. THE NAME. . . ABOVE EVERY NAME. Reference doubtless is to the office or rank conferred on Jesus —his glorious position, not his proper name (cf. Eph 1:21; Heb 1:4-5).

Phil. 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Phil. 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil. 2:10 (2:10-11) BOW. . . CONFESS. Cf. Isa 45:23. God's design is that all people everywhere should worship and serve Jesus as Lord. Ultimately all will acknowledge him as Lord (see Ro 14:9), whether willingly or not.

Names for Jesus Christ in the Scriptures

"In ancient times one's name was often more than a personal label; it summed up what a person was." NIV Study Bible

Advocate (I John 2:1)

Almighty (Rev 1:8)

Alpha & Omega (Ge 48:16; Ex 23:20-21)

Angel of His Presence (Isaiah 63:9)

Anointed (Psalms 2:2)

Apostle (Heb 3:1)

Arm of the Lord (Isa 51:9-10)

Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb 12:2)

Beginning and end of the creation of God (Re 3:14: 22:13)

Beloved (Eph 1:6)

Bishop (1 Pet 2:25)

Blessed and only Potentate (I Ti 6:15)

Branch (Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8)

Bread of Life (Jn 6:48)

Bridegroom (Mt 9:15)

Bright and morning star (Rev 22:16)

Brightness of the Fathers glory (Heb 1:3)

Captain of salvation (Heb 2:10)

Captain of the Lord s host (Jos 5:14)

Carpenter (Mk 6:3)

Carpenters son (Mt 13:55)

Chief Corner Stone (I Pet 2:6)

Chief Shepherd (I Pet 5:4)

Chiefest among ten thousand (S of Sol 5:10)

Child (Isa 9:6; Lk 2:27,43)

Chosen of God (I Pet 2:4)

Christ (Mt 1:16; Mk 14:61)

Christ Jesus (Ac 19:4; Ro 3:24; 8:1; I Cor 1:30)

Christ Jesus our Lord (I Ti 1:12; Rom 8:39)

Christ of God (Lk 9:20)

Christ the Lord (Lk 2: 11)

Christ the power of God (I Cor 1:24)

Christ the wisdom of God (I Cot 1:24)

Christ, a King (Lk 23:2)

Christ, Son of the Blessed (Mk 14:61)

Christ, the Son of God (Acts 9:20)

Christ, tire chosen of God (Lk 23:35)

Commander (Isa 55:4)

Consolation of Israel (Lk 2:25)

Corner stone (Eph 2:20)

Counselor (Isa 9:6)

Covenant of the people (Isa 42:6)

Day star (2 Pet 1:19)

Daysman (Job 9:33)

Dayspring (Lk 1:78)

Deliverer (Rom 11 :26)

Desire of all nations (Hag 2:7)

Door (Jn 10:7)

Elect (Isa 42:1)

Emmanuel (7: 14)

Ensign (Isa 11:10)

Eternal Ufe (I John 5:20)

Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6)

Faithful and True (Rev 19:11)

Faithful and true witness (Rev 3:14)

Faithful witness (Rev 1:5)

Finisher of faith (Heb 12:2)

First and last (Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)

First begotten (Heb 1:6)

First begotten of the dead (Rev 1:5)

Firstborn (Isa 28:16)

Forerunner (Heb 6:20)

Fountain (Zec 13:1)

Friend of sinners (Mt 11:19)

Gift of God (Jn 4:10)

Glory of Israel (Lk 2:32)

God (Jn 1:1)

God blessed for ever (Rom 9:5)

God manifest in the flesh (I Ti 3:16)

God of Israel, the Savior (Isa 45:15)

God of the whole earth (Isa 54:5)

God our Savior (I Ti 2:3)

God s dear Son (Col 1: 13)

God with us (Mt 1:23)

Good Master (Mt 19:16)

Governor (Mt 2:6)

Great shepherd of the sheep (Heb 13: 20)

Head of every man (I Cor 11:3)

Head of the church (Col 1:18; Eph 5:23)

Head of the corner (Mt 21:42)

Heir of all things (Heb 1:2)

High Priest (Heb 4:4)

Holy child Jesus (Ac 4:30)

Holy one (Ps 16:10; Acts 3:14)

Holy one of God (Mk 1:24)

Holy one of Israel (Isa 41:14; 54:5)

Holy thing (Lk 1 :35)

Hope (our) (I Ti 1:1)

Horn of salvation (Lk 1:69)

I am (Jn 8:58)

Image of God (Heb 1:3)

Israel (Isa 49:3)

Jehovah (Isa 40:3)

Jehovah s fellow (Zec 13:7)

Jesus (Mt 1:21)

Jesus Christ (Mt 1:1)

Jesus Christ our Lord (From 1:3; 6:11,23)

Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:6)

Jesus of Nazareth (Mk 1:24)

Jesus, the King of the Jews (Mt 27:37)

Jesus, the Son of God (Heb 4:14)

Jesus, the Son of Joseph (Jn 6:24)

Judge (Acts 10:42)

Just man (Acts 3:14, 7:52, 22:14)

Just person (Mt 27:24)

King (Mt 21:5)

King of glory (Ps 24:7-10)

King of Israel (Jn 1:49)

King of kings (I Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14)

King of saints (Rev 15:3)

King of the Jews (Mt 2:2)

King of the Jews (Mt 2:2)

King of Zion (Mt 21:5)

King over all the earth (Zec 14:9)

Lamb (Rev 5:6, 6:16, 7:9)

Lamb of God (Jn 1 :29)

Last Adam (I Corinthians 15:45)

Lawgiver (Isa 33:22)

Leader (Isa 55:4)

Light of the Gentiles (Isa 42:6)

Light, true (Jn 1:9)

Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5)

Living bread (Jn 6:51)

Living stone (I Pet 2:4)

Lord (Rom 1:3)

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:11; 3:18)

Lord Christ (Col 3:24)

Lord from Heaven (I Cor 15:47)

Lord God Almighty (Rev 15:3)

Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59; Col 3:17)

Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11:17; 16:31)

Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4)

Lord of all (Acts 10:36)

Lord of glory (James 2:1)

Lord of Hosts (Isa 44:6)

Lord of lords (Rev 17:14; 19:16)

Lord of the dead and living (Rom 14:9)

Lord of the Sabbath (Mk 2:28)

Lord our Righteousness (Jer 23:6)

Lord over all (Rom 10:12)

Lord, mighty in battle (Ps 24:8)

Lord, our righteousness (Jer 23:6)

Lord, strong and mighty (Ps 24:8)

Lord, your holy one (Isa 43:15)

Lord, your redeemer Lisa 43:14)

Lords Christ (Lk 2:26)

Man Christ Jesus (! Tim 2:5)

Man of sorrows (Isa 53:3)

Master (Mt 23:8)

Mediator (I Tim 2:5)

Messenger of the Covenant (Mal 3:1)

Messiah (Jn 1:41)

Messiah the Prince (Dan 9:25)

Mighty Gcd (Isa 9:6)

Mighty one of Israel (Isa 30:29)

Mighty one of Jacob (Isa 49:26)

Mighty to save (Isa 63:1)

Minister of the sanctuary (Heb 8:2)

Morning star (Rev 22:16)

Most holy (Dan 9:24)

Most mighty (Ps 45:3)

Nazarene (Mt 2:23)

Offspring of David (Rev 22:16)

Only begotten (Jn 1:14)

Only begotten of the Father (Jn 1:14)

Only begotten Son (Jn 1:18)

Only wise God, our Savior (Jude 25)

Passover (I Cor 5:7)

Physician (Mt 9:12)

Plant of renown (Eze 34:29)

Potentate (I Tim 6:15)

Power of God (I Cor 1:24)

Precious corner stone (Isa 28:16)

Priest (Heb 7:17)

Prince (Acts 5:31)

Prince of life (Acts 3:15)

Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6)

Prince of the kings of the earth (Rev 1:5)

Prophet (Deut 18:15,18; Mt 21:11; Lk 24:19)

Propitiation (I Jn 2:2)

Rabbi (Jn 1:49)

Rabboni (Jn 20:16)

Ransom (I Tim 2:6)

Redeemer (Isa 59:20)

Redemption (I Cor 1:30)

Resurrection and life (Jn 11:25)

Righteous Branch (Jer 23:5)

Righteous Judge (2 Tim 4:8)

Righteous servant (Isa 53:11)

Righteousness (I Cor 1:30)

Rock (I Cor 10:4)

Rock of offense (I Pet 2:8)

Root of David (Rev 5:5; 22:16)

Root of Jesse (Isa 11:10)

Rose of Sharon (S of Sol 2:1)

Ruler in Israel (Mic 5:2)

Salvation (Lk 2:30)

Sanctification (I Cor 1:30)

Sanctuary (Isa 8:14)

Saviour (Lk 2:11)

Saviour of the body (Eph 5:23)

Saviour of the world (I Jn 4;14)

Saviour, Jesus Christ (II Tim 1:10; Titus 2:13; 2 Pet 1:1)

Scepter (Num 24:17)

Seed of David (2 Tim 2:8)

Seed of the workman (Ge 3:15)

Servant (Isa 42:1)

Servant of rulers (Isa 49:7)

Shepherd (Mk 14:27)

Shepherd and Bishop of souls (I Peter 2:15)

Shepherd of Israel (Ps P9:1)

Shepherd, chief (I Pet 5:4)

Shepherd, good (.Jn 10:11)

Shepherd, great (Heb 13:20)

Shiloh (Ge 49:10)

Son of David (Mt 9:27)

Son of God (Heb 4:14)

Son of he Father (2 Jn 3)

Son of Man (Mt 16:27)

Son of righteousness (Mal 4:2)

Son of the blessed (Mk 14:61)

Son of the highest (Lk 1:32)

Star (Num 24:17)

Stone (Mt 21:42)

Stone of Stumbling (I Pet 2:8)

Sure foundation (Isa 28:16)

Surety (Heb 7:22)

Teacher (Jn 3:2)

The Christ (Mt 16:20: Mk 14:61)

True God (I Jn 5:20)

True Vine (Jn 15: 1)

Truth (Jn 14:6)

Ufe (Jn 14:6)

Ught (Jn 8:12)

Unspeakable Gift (2 Cor 9:15)

Very Christ (Acts 9:22)

Vine (Jn 15:1)

Way (Jn 14:6)

Which is, which was, which is to come (Rev 1:4)

Wisdom (Prov 8:12)

Wisdom of God (I Cor 1:24)

Witness (Isa 55:4; Rev 1:5)

Wonderful (Isa 9:6)

Word (Jn 1:1)

Word of God (Rev 19:13)

Word of life (I Jo 1:1)

ADVENT

ADVENT, the season of waiting and preparing for Christ's coming, begins four Sundays before Christmas. Traditionally, Advent is a time of penitence and preparation, followed by a resounding round of festivities -- the "Twelve Days of Christmas" -- which reached its climax on Epiphany, the feast commemorating the visit of the Magi. It is the beginning of the Christian church calendar, and the holy joy of the believer in his remembrance of his Savior's birth should stand in stark contrast to the commercialism of our modern culture.

Aware of the intrusion of secular influences upon the spiritual meaning of this holy season, we would do well to restore within our families symbols of Christian significance as a visible reminder of the true meaning of this glorious season.

Our special morning services will emphasize this aspect of the season. The sanctuary color changes to purple, the color of royalty. The Advent Wreath is green with no ornamentation except the candles. The prophecy candle is lit first, representing the light the Scriptures bring concerning the coming of Messiah. The bethlehem candle represents the "house of bread" (Heb. beth=house; lechem=bread) and the preparations necessary for the Bread of Life to be born. The angels candle (the pink one) is for the heralds of the Good News on that Judean plain -- and their counterparts today, the ministers of the word throughout the world. The shepherds candle represents the humble folk who first beheld Immanuel ("God with us") and worshiped Him. The central white candle, representing the christ child, will be lit on Christmas Eve.

Whether we look back through history to His coming in the flesh and in weakness at the Incarnation, or forward through time to His coming again in glory and majesty for judgment, our real purpose is to recognize Jesus as Messiah, God's Anointed One, sent in obscurity, slain from the foundation of the world, risen in power, and some day coming again.

EVEN SO, COME QUICKLY, LORD JESUS!

The Advent Wreath

The Advent Wreath is a con-tribution of the German and Scandina-vian traditions. It is plain evergreen, without any ornamentation of ribbon or bow. Midst the drabness of nature at wintertime, the evergreen branch symbolizes the everlasting life that is found in Jesus Christ.

Advent Candles are arranged within the spray. Since candles have been used for centuries as the symbol of light, it is fitting that the Christian tradition has given candles a prominent place in the observance of the birth of the Light of the World.

The traditional act of lighting one additional candle each week tells

of the increasingly brighter light His coming brings, and leads gradually to the blazing circle of light at the dawning of Christmas, celebrating Jesus' first arrival.

He is the Light Who

broke forth on the world,

Who gradually penetrated

and overcame the dark-

ness of sin, Who will come

again, the Bright and

Morning Star.

Lent

The word Lent is from the ancient Saxon leneten, meaning "spring" which is called Lenten-tide because it is the time of year when the days noticeably increase in length. Although some of the early Church Fathers affirmed that Lent was of apostolic origin, the New Testament is silent as to a specific Lenten period. That it goes back to a very early date in church history is evident from the writings of Irenaeus and Tertullian.

About the middle of the third century it had become customary to fast during Holy Week (the week preceding Easter). The first mention of Lenten Fast, or Quadragesima (Latin for 40 days), is in the Fifth Canon of the Council of Nicaea, 325 ad. After the Reformation, Lenten laws fell obsolete among Protestant believers. By the 18th century the strict observance of the Lenten Fast was generally abandoned, but devout saints like Wm. Law and John Wesley still advocated it. The custom of women wearing mourning during Lent, followed by Queen Elizabeth I and her court, survived well into the 19th century.

While the period of Lent as practiced through the centuries is not designated in Scripture, fasting, so prominent in its observance is, of course, a biblical injunction. Fasting by necessity and fasting by choice both involved abstinence from food, either entire or partial, accompanied by humiliation, sorrow for sin, and prayer. Days of fasting were proclaimed in times of national calamity and were accompanied by a call for confession of national sins.

[See 1 Samuel 7:6 & 2 Chronicles 20:3]

Throughout the year we should be aware of all that our Savior endured willingly on our behalf. But it is not unseemly, as we contemplate His crucifixion, to spend some additional time in heart-searching, meditation and prayer. Coming before Him in genuine sorrow for our sin that cost Him Calvary will lead us into a "fellowship of His suffering" (which Paul knew so much about) and a fresh and fuller commitment to His lordship. Then EASTER will be not just another holiday. . .but a precious and holy celebration of God's love!

Saint Patrick's Day

Screaming barbarians charged up the slope from the sea. These roving bands raped, looted and took slaves for sale in their homelands. Hacking down startled defenders and casting nets over fleeing victims, they captured sixteen-year-old Patrick, son of a minor member of the nobility in Britain in the fifth century.

Wrenched from his seaside villa home and ail his family, Patrick was sold as a slave to a druid tribal chieftain in Ireland. Slavery beat all pride and dignity out of him. He had no chance for education, no friends, no possessions, no name, no hope. He labored in filth and squalor among the animals. Finally, deprived of every human consolation, he turned to God. In his book Confessions, he writes, "..1 was sixteen and knew not the true God; but in a strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes and I was converted . "

He became convinced that his slave state was a gift from God, so he served his barbarian master well, laboring as unto the Lord. And Patrick learned to pray. As he walked or worked he began to be aware of a fervent Spire praying within him. Because of his devotion to God, Patrick was called "Holy Boy." He was a slave for six years.

One night as he lay sleeping, he heard a voice in a dream tell him, 'Wake up, your ship is waiting for you." He sneaked away and struggled through two hundred miles of hostile territory to the coast. There the captain of the ship refused passage to the runaway slave. But as he turned to walk away, praying, one of the crew called him back into the ship. After an arduous voyage and near starvation, he arrived home again in Britain. In his own mind, Patrick was through with Ireland and the Irish.

But God called him to return, causing him to labor for the salvation of others. His family pleaded with him not to go. But Patrick believed his enemies were worth saving. To finance his trip, he sold his title of nobility saying, "...there is no shame or regret in this, in order to become the slave of Christ."

Patrick and his party sailed back to Ireland in A.D. 432. Their first attempt to land was met by a rock-throwing mob. As they sailed along the coast of Ireland, landing at natural harbors, Patrick preached at isolated farms, to hostile crowds and at country wells. Patrick traveled the country-side, spreading the gospel and bringing with it social reform and a written alphabet. He conducted open-air schools to teach his. converts to read and write. Patrick believed in educating his converts to read the Scriptures. As Christianity became more established, one of Patrick's converts began the task of codifying Ireland's laws, bringing them into conformity with Christian belief and morality.

A clash with the druids was inevitable. The religion of the druids was firmly entrenched in Ireland. They worshipped manifold spirits and constructed megalithic monuments to aid in their style of astrology. Druid sorcerers claimed to be able to control the weather, so it was important for them to be aware of celestial changes. One of the most important rites occurred at the vernal equinox when the sun begins its return to the north. In A.D. 433 this fell on March 26, Easter Sunday. Patrick chose that day to challenge the wizards. On a hill opposite where the druids were to build a huge bonfire, Patrick lit a blazing fire to commemorate Christ, the light of the world.

Outraged, the druids demanded Patrick appear before the council and explain his blasphemy. Patrick spoke about the Trinity (using the shamrock as an example of “three-in-one”, the mystery of the incarnation and the triumph of Christ's resurrection. Some believed; others attempted to kill him. Legend has colored that encounter with fantastic miracles. Whatever actually happened, Patrick became a national figure and his controversial message was discussed everywhere.

His burning love for Christ drove him to challenge heathenism wherever he went. Thousands were converted through his relentless evangelism, motivated by loving gratitude to God for creating him, saving him and sending him to be a witness to others. He writes, "The only reason t had to return to the people I once barely escaped from was the Gospel and its promises." By the end of his 33-year ministry he had seen souls converted and churches established. He influenced the elimination of slavery and helped change the status of women. His dignity, honesty and poetry changed a whole nation.

His message to us? "I wish that you also would exert greater effort and begin more powerful acts for God."

Easter

Evangelistic Easter Eggs

Egg Contents Represents

1 Cracker The Last Supper. Christ used bread to symbolize His body given up for us.

2. Dimes Silver coins Judas received for betraying Jesus

3. Rope Used to bind Jesus' hands when he was arrested.

4. Purple Cloth Represents royalty and the taunting Jesus faced when he called Himself King.

5. Thorn Prickly crown pressed to Jesus' head

6. Cross Jesus died on the cross so we could be forgiven.

7. Nail Jesus was nailed to the Cross

8. Piece of sponge Vinegar was given to Jesus when He asked for water

9. Toothpick w/foil tin The spear thrust into Jesus' side

10. Gauze Jesus' body was wrapped for burial

11. Rock The rock in front of the tomb was rolled away.

12 Empty Egg The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive!