

**The Best Love Story Ever**

**Babatunde** Smith

**LITERAL GUIDE INITIATIVE**

An imprint of Literal Guide Publishers international

Lagos, Nigeria

+2348064308507, 09083278064

Literalguide@gmail.com

**The Best Love Story Ever**

**CHRISTMAS (The Best Love Story Ever)**

Copyright © 2018 by Babatunde Smith

ISBN:978-xxxxxxxxxxxx

First published in Nigeria 2018

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work in

any form or any entity whatsoever must request for a permission

in writing from the author or publisher except for brief passages

in connection with a review.

Literal Guide Publishers International

Johannesburg Lagos Windhoek

**Babatunde** Smith

**3**

Foreword

5

This body of work is excellently written to call the attention of

Acknowledgment

7

Christians into another dimension of Christmas we had not

Dedication

9

known before. It is written to affirm and encourage the pilgrims

Introduction

10

already in this narrow but slippery road without side walks and to

awake the sleeping sojourner whose love and zeal is draining.

**Part One**

Chapter One - Everyday is not christmas

13

It is carefully written with everyday grammar, easy to understand

Chapter Two - What christmas is

20

and also an eye opener into the forgone responsibilities of

Chapter Three - King Xerxes' example

26

Christianity in the family, community, nation and in the world at

Chapter Four - Merry Christmas

42

large.

Chapter Five - The love He gave

66

Its instructive and educative nature is distinct and it lingered into

**Part Two**

the family, church and nation. Its very dangerous to ignorance

Chapter Six - Before Christmas

99

and unfriendly to close mindedness. Its depth is beyond words.

Chapter Seven - Biblical Joseph(s)

105

Its a book even the Bishops must own and read and also every

Chapter Eight - Meet The Biblical Mary(s)

137

layman Christian needs a copy too.

Chapter Nine - The Love of Mary the Mother of Jesus

177

Chapter Ten - The Fulfilled Christmas

207

The book is revolutionary and it will untwine the tangled

Chapter Eleven - Christmas Gift Pack

222

mythological perceptions of people about Christmas and clear

the warped perspective of everyday person about Christmas. It

Conclusion - Christmas on earth

240

will enlighten the church and will cause a paradigm shift from the

money conscious church to a God centered church, wealthy in

good works than in flamboyant showmanship.

The depth knowledge from this book triggered my imagination

far and wide on Christian ethics. Sincerely, that's the kind of book

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I yearn for at my stage as a Christian, a book that is

I appreciate everyone who had impacted my life in one way or

multidimensional and not just a stereotyped single storied

the other, especially those who have made me see the love of

religious jargon. It also anchored on relationship and delve some

Christ in practice not just as a teaching.

phantom deep on premarital counseling and virtuosity. I

recommend this book to everyone who is a seeker of the true

The Christ Apostolic Church at large especially the family of the

light of Christmas.

Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu Lagos. Also, the family of God

in the Reformation Platform, Dominion Height Christian

**MICHAEL MBUKO**

Missions, Unfailing Life Ministries and The BlackSmith House. I

_**C.E.O Literal Guide Publishers International**_

learnt to love through these different families.

I appreciate men and women who have added virtues to my life;

Brother Abraham, Pastor MacPaul Okolo and Reverend Hizkiah.

Brother Gbile Akanni's life and works have been a huge blessing

too.

To my different families who made it easy for me. I have seen how

love is lived through our daily experience. Thank you so much

Oluwaseun, Jochebed and Zion for making our everyday a

Christmas and for helping us be a blessing to many.

The Williams, Ayeni, Ariyo, Thomas, Ojenike, Babatunde, Orogun

and more; all of you made this work easy.

A big thank you to Adetayo Esho who encouraged me to give this

work out after it has tarried a long while on my desk. The story is

about you too. Also to Literal Guide Publishers International, you

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edited and made the manuscript ready for publication.

To the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ and His Bride, the Church, their

love story is all consuming and eternal.

Everything of praise belongs to God. If there is any error in this

work, I take the blame. To God be the glory.

To my wife, Babatunde-Smith Deborah Oluwaseun, the one I am

making a divine love history with here on earth.

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**9**

Two forms of love are portrayed through Christmas. The first is

beings, we need to take a lift from this experience as we consider

the most heard of though less understood and believed; THE

our relationship with one another and with God.

LOVE OF GOD to humanity as revealed in the birth of Jesus the

Son of God. This is the greatest form of love ever shown, there is

none like it and there cannot be any like it ever again. Christmas

preaches the greatest love ever revealed to man. The part of

gaining the true understanding of what the love entails is of great

concern and will always be. Though men speak of, read of and

hear about this love not just in season as Christmas but all the

time, yet they seldom appropriate the weight of the love it

presents into their lives. The love of God is often looked upon in

the light of the corrupted love of man.

The other form of love, which is the thrust of this present study, is

the love that came out of the revelation of the earlier mentioned

love. It was this love and it was by this love that the love of God

was introduced to man. This was after man failed to internalize

the love shown to him in the beginning perfectly. Joseph loved

Mary; likewise, Mary loved Joseph with the love of Christmas. It

was from the love these two express to each other that the love

of God (Christmas) became revealed. They brought the love of

God into a physical manifestation. Through them, the love of God

became flesh.

The drama, which their relationship unfolded, in that more or

less unrecognized town, is a great wealth for mankind. As human

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As often said and believed, "Everyday is not Christmas." By

'everyday,' we mean every given opportunity, every time, and

every passing moment. People say this when they want to shy

away from a responsibility or the help they are ought to render

their fellows. When someone asks for something and you do it, it

is Christmas, but when the person asks again and you cannot do it

or you do not want to do it, then you say, "Every day is not

Christmas".

Is everyday Christmas? Can every given day, the entire day of

every human life on earth be Christmas? This is the major

question we intend to probe into through this study. I am so sure

that many people want all of their days to be Christmas, since

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Christmas for them is a time to stretch their hands to receive gifts

to miss the essence of Christmas at the point of defining it. These

from others. Christmas in the literal sense is funfair, joy and

are general opinion about Christmas and they are personal views

feasting. I guess there are people who would want their days to

what people see Christmas as not what it is. What people see

continue as a feast and festivity. There are beggars on the streets,

Christmas as defines their opinion on the statement "Every day is

homeless people, paupers and many of such kinds who know

not Christmas". If Christmas is just about family traditions, church

that they will feed on sumptuous meals a Christmas through the

traditions, functions and the like you cannot see the whole

philanthropic gestures of Christians and Christian groups.

essence of this glorious opportunity God has given to man to

Christian for them is the time they have new wears to put on.

understand His love.

Such a group cannot but desire that all their day would be a

By Christmas we

_**In a way, both views are correct, but**_

Christmas. It is so unfortunate that it is only on Christmas (the

mean the time we

_**they limit what Christmas is all**_

day) that many people in the world have the opportunity to feed

celebrate the birth

_**about and all it should be. People**_

on sumptuous meals.

o f J e s u s C h r i s t

_**tend to miss the essence of**_

(December 25, or

_**Christmas at the point of defining it.**_

This idea of "Every day ought to be Christmas" is due to the

whatsoever date

mindset that these people have concerning Christmas. Apart

we choose). Christmas is just a day, a day to celebrate. It is like the

from those who wait for Christmas at the receiving end, there are

days we celebrate our Birthdays, Marriages, and House

those who are the givers, such people are those who wait to give

warming. Like several dedications we do, of childbirth, baptism

on Christmas. The sense of preparation these people make for

and the likes. It is nothing beyond a day and the day or perhaps

Christmas, their mindset and the like buttresses this idea. They

the season.

prepare themselves so much to show their philanthropic

character during this festive period. People expect something

One thing that is appreciable in all our thoughts and actions

from them and they would not want to let them down. For the

towards the day we have chosen to celebrate Christmas is that

givers, "Everyday cannot be Christmas" because they cannot be

we are portraying some kinds of belief system or a tradition

doing the giving everyday. Since for them Christmas is all about

passed on to us. Beyond this, we are showing that we are aware

giving gifts (materials). In a way, both views are correct, but they

of the birth of Jesus Christ and that it is worth celebrating.

limit what Christmas is all about and all it should be. People tend

Through our celebration, we reference the fact that the birth of

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Jesus is a gift of some kind, so we have to give gifts to others

those who at sometimes had given gifts to me. Christmas is the

during the season. This is good at least.

day, we reward people who have shown us favor and appreciate

good gestures for this year in preparation for another.

People also celebrate Christmas, with or without a belief in the

essence of the birth of the person being celebrated. It is obvious

Christmas is a season for Carols, the Silent and Holy Night where

that less people understand the essence of His birth, Christians

all is calm and bright a time to reflect upon the birth of the

and Church faithful inclusive. We only celebrate Christmas and

Messiah. We sing Carols, read scriptures reflecting the birth of

not show or reveal it as it was revealed to us. How do we know

Christ and then depart never to share such again until the next

that we are to reveal the essence of Christmas not just celebrate

season for Christmas. We do a lot to show that we truly

it, since we were not told. All that was passed unto us even in the

remember the birth of Jesus this stipulated day but not

community of believers was 'you need to prepare for Christmas;

afterwards.

you need to "show" as in "show off" the love of Christ to the

unbelievers so that you can win some of them to the Master.

Since this cannot (or perhaps is not meant to be a continuous act)

in our religious gathering, we conform ourselves to the mood of

**What Christmas is not but has become**

the season, try as much as we can to prepare the atmosphere for

Christmas has become just a day in the timing of man, a

such reflections and all sort. One wonders why our reflections do

stipulated date on our calendar, fixed and unchangeable. A

not translate into an experience that can be carried all through

holiday period preplanned for family communion, homecoming,

the year. A reflection that can be so much impressed on our

end of the year party, pleasurable relaxation, from the stress

hearts, that it will become permanent and eternal, such that we

filled working year and all sort. It has become just a day for

will need not to gather like that again for another reflection. May

festivity, glamorous outings and fun fairs, grandeurs of all sorts. A

I ask, since we have been running this course year in, year out

singular day for sharing material gifts, the day for the revelation

what has been the result?

of Santa Claus. The world system has helped to add another day

to Christmas so that we can open all that was given to us on

Christmas is just a December thing and we have to wait at least

Christmas, and ever share and receive more, the Boxing Day. A

for Easter to come so that we can at least have something to

day we can give back to those we love, some selected few and

reflect upon, now it is the death of the one we celebrated His

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**17**

birth the previous December. In Easter, the reflection is different

so is the mood.

Christmas has become a Religious ceremony, not just a

celebrated feast. Christmas today has we have it, is what it has

become, not what it is meant to be. We try to add some

sacredness to this day as we celebrate a part out of the life of

Jesus. However, our sacred attitude and outburst of emotions

only stand to corrupt the essence of this gift, the Son of God, in

the sight of men, because what they see us proclaim on our

Christmas day is different from what they see us practice

afterwards.

C h r i s t m a s h a s

_**since we have been running this**_

become a time to

_**course year in, year out what has**_

share and send

_**been the result?**_

Christmas greetings

and cards. We try some special line of words to express our

Christmas feeling to those we think we love. We speak with

words that we do not use for them before this time; something

new and dramatic. We so much prepare for it and even train our

children for it. It is now a religious ritual that must be performed.

Christmas is not just about words we prepare to tell people at a

particular point in time, it should be about words that are

consistent in our mouth day in and day out, words that translates

into positive attitude towards those we have said our good words

to, and not to them alone but everyone around us. Christmas is

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_love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his_

_one and only Son into the world that we might live through_

_him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us_

_and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear_

_friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one_

_another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another,_

_God lives in us and his love is made complete in us._

_**1John 4:7-12**_

Lots and lots of texts in the Bible define what Christmas is all

about. Our failure is that we look beyond the scriptures for

answers to our pressing questions. We seek understanding about

what is divine from this natural world. The world system teaches

_What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us,_

that we have to say thank you to only those who do good to us.

_who can be against us? We who did not spare his own son, but_

Therefore, we think that Christmas is an opportunity to say thank

_gave Him up for us all-how will he not all alone with him be_

you to God for doing a worth of good to us, while we lack a clear

_graciously **give us all things** " _

cut understanding of the good He has done and He is still doing to

_**Romans 8:31-32 (emphasis mine)**_

us.

_For God so love the world that He gave His One and only Son,_

This is not about debating over or giving illustrations about the

_that whoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal_

history of Christmas as referenced in the account of several

_life._

church historians, on how Constantine one of the Emperors of

_**John 3:16**_

the Roman world used Christmas, the day, as a means of merging

_Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God._

Christianity with secular Paganism. Thereby, renaming the day of

_Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God._

the worship of Mars or Saturn (the gods of the Romans) as

_Whoever does not love does not know God because God is_

Christmas the day Christ is worshipped. Many have stayed at the

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point of arguing about history and have lost the essence of

to mankind this truth, "He loves us". He is still going to continue

Christmas itself.

all through the day He has allowed us to exist, until we return to

Him. Christmas, the day, only brings this love more obvious to us

Yes, history might be right about such actions on the part of the

and writes it on the wall that we will give an account one day of

then Emperor, but there is nothing a man can do that bypasses

what we did with this love that have been revealed to us.

God. Oftentimes, unconsciously men tend to fulfill God's will out

of their own personal agenda. They go all about with their own

Christmas is God's love shown to you, no matter who you are.

personal intentions for selfish interest and God use their plan to

There are no barriers in Christmas; race, creed, color, culture,

fulfill His divine plan. What do we have to say about the

custom, tradition,

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ? Men were trying to terminate the life

p o l i t i c s a n d _**Oftentimes, unconsciously men tend**_

of a supposedly rebellious fellow, but with the success of their

whatsoever. God is

_**to fulfill God's will out of their own**_

actions came the success of God's divine plan for humanity.

showing you that

_**personal agenda.**_

He loves you no

December 25, or whatsoever date as it were was God's initiation

matter how you relate with Him presently. Christmas is God's

and intention, it was His design for man, not necessarily man-

love revealed in His only Son, Jesus. This revelation was only

made. This is one of the reasons we lose the essence of

brought to the lime light in His birth. It has been there for so long,

Christmas; we think the day is man-made, so we celebrate it with

ever before His birth and this revelation was finally

man-made patterns instead of the divine pattern.

consummated on the Cross. On the Cross God finally gave His

only begotten Son. On the Cross He turned His son off

Christmas is God's way of telling you that He still loves you, no

completely. He was not with Him; He gave Him up totally at that

matter what. No matter how corrupt the state of the world is,

point when His Son bore the sin of the world. This is the reason it

Christmas is God's way of saying I still love you the way I first

will be so foolish for us to stop our thanksgiving service for the

loved you when I created you; the way I loved you when you fell

giving of the Son of God on December 25 or the Sunday after it.

through Adam, the way I loved you when I sent my only begotten

God did not stop giving His son at the time He was given birth to

Son to pay the price for your salvation. By Christmas, as He will

(if you share the rationale that it was at this time that He was

always do every passing day on earth, God is still making it clear

given birth to or a time close to this date). He did not stop even at

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the Cross; He is still in the act of giving His son, to those who want

keeping lots more for those who have accepted His first gift in

to receive Him. He wants to give His son to you now if you are

heaven.

ready to receive Him.

Is your Christmas not just about the best I can do, and want to do

For God, Everyday is Christmas because He gives Christmas to

this day (December 25th), after this there is nothing more until

men in their millions everyday as they seek Him. On the day

the next season. Christmas should look like this- this is the type of

Christ was born on earth, God only showed man what He wants

what I will be giving henceforth; this is the beginning of my

to give for His redemption. Christmas was the beginning of God's

givings, more is yet to come.

new way of showing man that He still loves him no matter what. It

was not the time to celebrate yet, until He Son finally gains the

victory, and then He will celebrate, even though He knows victory

was sure.

Unlike us that our Christmas highlights the height and the best of

what we can give and it is all just for that day alone, God's

Christmas was just the beginning of it all. Jesus is not just all He

wants to give to us. He is only the beginning of and the means to

the "All things" He wants to give to us.

_?He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--_

_how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all_

_things?_

_**Romans 8:32**_

Christmas is not the height of His giving, though it is the best, but

there are still more things to give and He throws it at us each day

**24**

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_stewards to serve each man he wished. Queen Vashti also gave_

_a banquet for the woman in the royal palace of king Xerxes._

_On the seventh day, when king Xerxes was in high spirit from_

_wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him...to_

_bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in_

_order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she_

_was lovely to look at. But when the attendant delivered the_

_king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king_

_became furious and burned with anger...._

_**Esther 1:1-22**_

There are several accounts of Kings in biblical times showing

good gestures to their citizens at a particular time or in a

_This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes_

particular time. David (2Samuel 3:20) and Solomon (1Kings 8:65)

_who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. At_

were typical examples. The account of King Xerxes's story is very

_that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in one_

elaborate and it suggests a kind of the festivities that Christmas

_Citadel of Susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a_

highlights.

_banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of_

_Persia and media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces_

King Xerxes at a time planned to celebrate his kingdom and reign.

_were present. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth_

The feast was all about revealing his glory and splendor. He did

_of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty, when_

this for 187 days. He prepared delicacies for a large number of

_these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven_

people, but not all of his citizens. It was just about feasting with

_days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the_

some selected few, people living in the citadel of Susa and across

_people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel_

his provinces. He did all to make them happy as their king.

_of Susa. By the king's command each guest was allowed to_

_drink in his own way. For the king instructed all the wine_

His feast was all practically a show off, much like a President who

**26**

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invited dignitaries into his land to show them the beauty of the

_Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler whoever is led astray by_

land in order to gain some respect and applause. His primary

_them is not wise._

purpose is that the people can come invest into his land, become

_**Proverbs 20:1**_

his ally and the likes. It was nothing but for selfish gains than

blessing others.

If you are good at loving people by giving them wine, or you are

good at receiving love from people by drinking wine at their

Yes, the days of such feasting would be remembered, but not for

tables, you are not wise just as they are not.

long, because it did not have a lasting impression on the hearts of

the people in the land directly. Those who were invited would

King Xerxes also participated in this; he gave them the wine and

desire that the king would make it a yearly thing, so that they can

filled himself up with it, until he became possessed by it to the

come next year to see a better feast something they can take

level of lusting after and showing the height of his wealth and

home to better the lives of their own people.

splendor. He asked Queen Vashti to come and show off her

beauty to his guests.

The funny thing in all of this was that the 187 days fasting was not

actually for those who needed the meals, those in poverty,

Fair enough, a lot have been said and written about the pride of

orphans, widows, the hungry and the likes. It was prepared for

this woman. How proud she was not to heed to the call of her

those who already had stable meals on their table. It was meant

husband the moment she was needed the most. At the height of

for nobles, princes, military leaders and others. It was only in the

such celebration, her coming would have sealed it all. King Xerxes

later part of the 187 days that the people living in the citadel

would have been glorified as possessing the most beautiful

were celebrated possibly for hosting the first 180 days. The king

object in the world. Vashti was his most prized possession, the

gave them seven days of rest and feasting. Still these were

object of his own pride. Truly what he requested her to do was

blessed people of the middle class. The food and drinks will have

not a wrong thing, it is part of the tradition of the land, great man,

only little impact on their lives. They will drink wine to stupor just

kings and generals, show forth their glory in this manner, but I

because it was made available to them and they will not be

ask, what greatness is in lust after being glorified as a result of the

paying for it directly.

infilling of wine. God did not parade Jesus or just show Him off to

the world; He gave Him completely. Xerxes on the other hand

**28**

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was just parading not giving what He priced the most.

crisis since they will not pay any dime for the drinks. I tell you that

the wine they will take there will help multiplying their sorrows.

_It is not for kings, O Lemuel! Not for kings to drink wine. Not for_

King Xerxes presentation of Vashti would have been the order of

_rulers to crave beer lest they drink and forget what the law_

the day for those who were there. If the queen had come out that

_decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer_

day, the rest officials would have both gone home lusting after

_to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish,_

her and using that against their wives at home. That would have

_let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their_

made their wives an object of reproach in their sight because

_misery no more._

they are not in any way like Vashti. How can a man already given

_**Proverbs 31:4-7**_

to stupor look

at a wo m a n

_Is this not what happens at Christmas_

Is it possible to forget poverty of the heart by taking wine? No

d e c e n t l y _today? Men settle for the jars of wine_

way, give it to them in million of jars, their poverty will yet be

without lusting

_at December 25, so they can forget_

remembered. I tell you he who tries forgetting his poverty (of the

after her. They

_their poverty._

heart) in this manner will only have it doubled. Remembering our

were all drunk,

misery and poverty at times helps us to search for a permanent

yet Xerxes sees it a good thing to present his precious jewel in the

way out.

sight if drunkards. For Vashti, it was a matter of feminine abuse.

Remember that she also hosted the woman of the royal court in

Is this not what happens at Christmas today? Men settle for the

a banquet.

jars of wine at December 25, so they can forget their poverty.

They drink much so to drown their sorrows as they prepare to

Yes, this queen's disregard of her husband's command should be

enter into the New Year. My opinion candidly is that such people

punished, but what sort of command is one that came out of an

should prepare to bear the weight of doubled their poverty in the

infilling with wine. Am I saying that women should disregard

year they are preparing for in the wrong way.

their husband in their drunken state? No! Nevertheless, I say this

boldly; any man giving to wine should not stand in the position of

Because of their poverty, these poor fellows went to King Xerxes'

authority no matter how small it is.

Christmas party to wine and dine thinking this would settle their

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**31**

On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirit from

_him not._

wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him-

_**Isaiah 53:1-3**_

Mehuman, Bistha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas- to bring before

him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display

The Son God presented to the world was truly the height of His

her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look

glory, but He did not present Him as such. He was not presenting

at.

Him so that men might praise or glorify Him like Xerxes wished in

his presentation of Vashti. He was not doing it for any selfish

God did not send His Son out to this world on Christmas to

gain. Instead, He gave His son freely for our salvation. It was all

display Him. He did not come to this world because He was lovely

for love, the Love He loved us.

to look at. His presentation by God was not out of the high spirits

from wine, it was something else entirely. At that point in time,

**Xerxes did Something Better**

God was showing the world that He so much loved them, which

If you read the account of the life of this king Xerxes to the end,

was not in king Xerxes' case. He was presenting His Son for a

you will see that he showed a different worth of love through

definite purpose. He was giving off His Son and not showing him

Esther the new Queen after Vashti was sent out of the palace for

off. He was not just hosting a 187 days to honor the world; He

her pride and disobedience. Chapter five through to the tenth

was presenting to them an everlasting feast. Sending His Son to

chapter of the same book tells of the evil Haman plotted against

the world was to bring men back to His presence eternally not

the Jews. How he lured the king into selling off the Jews to death

just momentarily.

with his own hands. He gave his seal (the irrevocable Yes decree)

to the death warrant of the Jews under his jurisdiction then.

_Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of_

_the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender_

Something about the wine came up again but on this occasion, it

_shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or_

was for a different reason. Queen Esther after lots of

_majesty to attract us to him nothing in his appearance that we_

intercession (standing in the gap for her people leading to the

_should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a_

unexpected show of mercy by the king as he allowed Esther into

_man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from_

his presence unrequested) prepared a banquet for the King and

_whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed_

Haman. This was just a two-day banquet unlike the 187 days

**32**

**33**

feast that the king prepared earlier.

just about her request but also her gratitude towards the favor

that the king granted her.

Esther's banquet was not for merry making, it was not a show off,

not the time to exploit the interest of the people by giving them

How we all need to learn this gracious attitude! We do not just

wine instead of granting them their basic social needs; it was not

need to go into the presence of God to bombard Him with our

a funfair at all. All Esther's banquet meant was a salvation plan

many requests for solutions concerning our problems. How we

for the Jews. She was able to win the king's favor for the first time

need to enter His gate with thanksgiving and His courts with

as the king granted her audience in his presence. Now the

praise, giving thanks to Him and praising His name (Psalm 100:4).

banquet was to bring the King to Esther's presence; it was to set

We need to cultivate this attitude of gratitude for who God really

the mood for Esther's request for the salvation of her people.

is in our lives and for the numerous blessings, He has granted us.

It is a great privilege to have access to His presence and to be

Yes, she gave them wine to drink, but it was not to tune them off

called His own. Similarly, there should be another day to do

into stupor and lustful madness. She placed them on royal

good. Goodness must not be tied to just a day; there should be

menu; both the savior and her people's enemy. Of a truth when

another day after the first day, another day after the second day.

we feed our enemies with the best of love that we have, they will

In all there must always be the "another day".

become full until they get busted. Christmas is not the love of

God shown to the good alone. When God sent Jesus, the best

We miss the opportunity to see God really exalted in our praises,

wine ever, He was sent to the wicked. There was no one who can

because even the time we set aside to religiously praise Him, we

be identified as good at that time; we were all sinners (Romans

spoil with what we end our period of praise with; petitions upon

5:8).

petitions, complaints upon complaints. Praise and thanksgiving

will do their works if we allow them to go freely without any

The first day of the banquet, she said nothing, she only allowed

additions.

the king to enjoy himself, as well as the enemy. The enemy took

pride in that opportunity, told the whole world about it and

Do you know that some people use the Christmas day to make

waited for the next day. For Esther, the first day was just to set

their request known to God? Maybe you are one of such people

the stage. She wants it to be obvious that the banquet was not

who still ask God for lots of things this day. At least let us take it

**34**

**35**

that we have tried to set aside that day to honor God for what He

make her request known. She does not want to spoil the

has done and honor others for what God has done. After God has

atmosphere already given. She knew that she had already won

given us all things; we then agree that Christmas should be a day

the king's heart, so she wants to keep it that way believing that

to praise Him, yet we steal out of this time to stay on mountains,

God was on her side.

valleys, religious gathering seeking for what is not from the God,

instead of using that moment in service unto Him for the gift He

When the second day came, she did not go all out immediately,

has given. This day should be one when we lay down our lives

she also gave them wine in the banquet. This was not the wine he

again, rededicate our hearts in worship (service) to God. A time

(the king) took earlier while he hosted the 187 days festival; it

to say God you have given so much, yet I have given nothing; take

was a pleasurable wine, a wine poured out of love. He never

all that I have and all that I am.

drank it to stupor; he was not in high spirit when he asked the

queen what her petition was. Such wine of love poured out to

This was Esther's attitude the first day. She just made herself

God from our heart goes a long way to bring Him hastingly into

available for the king and her second guest. She was there just to

our situation. We do not need to say much before He comes to

serve both of them. When she was asked to make her request

our rescue.

known even up to half of the kingdom, her reply was, "my

petition and my request is this; if the king regards me with favor

_Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer_

and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my

_your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is_

request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet

_your spiritual act of worship._

I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question"

_**Romans 12:1**_

(Esther5:7-8). I guess no one would want to miss such an

opportunity. Any ordinary individual given anything close to this

If we pour out our lives in worship to God, He is ready to do the

will pour out all that has been piled up in his/her heart instantly.

same for us all over again. Already, He knows what we are going

It was the king who asked her to make her request not just an

through; He sees it all, but how well do we trust Him to leave

ordinary man. Unlike the girl who was lured into asking for the

everything, laying it all at His altar and not minding what

head of John the Baptist at a time like hers, Esther only asked for

happens next? Esther could let the case of her people who her in

another day to be of service to the king and Haman then she will

a dying state wait for another day, because she was so sure that

**36**

**37**

at the end everything will turn into her favor. She was so sure

won was celebrated beyond that time. That banquet is

that the battle has already been won in the place of prayer. The

remembered even now. The Jews still celebrate the Purim today

king has favored her so much and that is all that matters.

because of the victory won for them starting from the banquet

of Esther. Yes, it was after they fought for their lives that the

There was no delay when she made her request that day. Her

victory was given, but if there was no banquet from Queen

people were rescued (saved) instantly and the enemy was made

Esther, there might not be the opportunity to fight to victory for

to pay the price for treason with his life. He never knew Queen

their lives (Esther 9: 1-32).

Esther was part of the people he hated. He thought he was

fighting against Mordecai and his people alone. He did not know

Purim is a type of Christmas, a celebration of the hope that was

the savior of the Jews was in the royal court. It was an

lost and of life regained. The Jew has been sold to death and it

unfortunate end for him though he has been warned earlier.

was like there was no way out; but God came to their rescue. The

Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they

_His adviser and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai,_

and their descendants and all who joined them should observe

_before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you_

and reflect on this victory every year, in the way prescribed and

_cannot stand against him- you will surely come to ruin!_

at the time appointed.

_**Esther 6:13**_

_These days should be remembered and observed in every_

Esther's banquet was not for entertainment, it was deliberate

_generation by every family and in every province and in every_

and purposeful. It was not for self or vainglory; it was not for

_city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be_

exhibiting herself or how well she can cook. She was all out for

_celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out_

the salvation of her people. This was unlike the banquet queen

_among their descendants._

Vashti hosted, unlike the one king Xerxes hosted; it was a

_**Esther 9:27-28**_

banquet aimed at the deliverance of those in bondage.

_The Jews in Susa however, had assembled on the thirteenth_

Christmas is not like king Xerxes' banquet or that of queen

_and fourteenth and then on the fifteenth they rested and made_

Vashti. Esther's banquet is quite close to it, because the victory it

_it a day of feasting and joy. That is why rural Jews-those living_

**38**

**39**

_in villages-observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a_

Christmas.

_day of joy and feasting; a day for giving present to each other._

_**Esther 9: 18-19.**_

_When Mary was told that she would give birth to Jesus Christ,_

_she asked the angel "how will this be, since I am a virgin?" The_

Fourteenth and fifteenth of Adar became days of purposeful

_angel answered her "the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and_

feasting and rejoicing. These people had their first Christmas and

_the power of the Most High will overshadow you, so the holy_

Boxing Day. They observe these days as days of feasting and

_One to be born will be called the Son of God."_

sharing gifts. Our Boxing Day truly had a good background.

_**Luke 1:35**_

However, we hold this day to another historical background and

have designed different occasions around it. The Jews

If the Son has not been born in you, if He has not delivered you

celebrated because they were delivered from the claws of death.

from the bondage of sin and the eternal death warrant that has

Even the next generation that came later followed this custom

been signed and sealed concerning your life, your Christmas

because if the initial generation was not delivered, they would

celebration is worthless, it makes no sense, it will only be a feast

not have been in existence.

and festivity, not a banquet unto the King of kings.

Why do you celebrate Christmas? Why do you feast and rejoice?

For what purpose do you call your friends and families to come

around to rejoice with you? Yes, you do so because Jesus Christ

was given to humanity, not because He has been given to you

personally. Christmas is only worth celebrating if its essence has

been made revealed and fulfilled in your life, if you have had a

personal experience of the coming of the Son of God into your

life as an individual. Christmas, the day you celebrate it, makes

no sense if you have not been delivered from the claws of sin and

eternal death. If Jesus has not been giving birth to in your life,

then what you are remembering and celebrating is not

**40**

**41**

but I tell you most of us do not have it written on our heart yet.

Only those who have this statement written clearly on the tablet

of their hearts will have something to merry for not just on

December 25, but all the days of their lives.

Looking at the statement clearly, "for God so loved the world", do

you truly believe that God loves you or perhaps if you claim you

do, do you truly understand what it means that God so love you,

not just you alone, but the world?

Are you not among those who sit alone on Christmas asking

themselves, "Does God truly love me, if He does, why did He

When you say merry Christmas next time, ask yourself truly if

allow all the sufferings in my life, why do I have to go through my

there is anything to make merry about. Our world today is filled

life struggling and trying to survive, is that all that His love

with lots and lots of false merrying, people say merry Christmas

means?" You know that many people ask these questions even

without having anything cogent to make merry for, except for

on Christmas day. If God truly loved the world, why the

some few who has made tangible success out of the year before

calamities, why the natural disasters, pains and sufferings, why

December 25 and those who want to appreciate God at least for

the diseases and sickness, why the wars and all forms of crisis?

saving them through another year. Merry Christmas and a Happy

How can God so loved the world yet allow all these things?

New Year in advance! Is there anything true to make merry for

and about.

**The World God Loves**

Until we understand the nature of the world that God loves, we

_For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son..._

cannot really understand God's love. The world is not what you

_**John 3:16**_

think it is, not now, then or ever before. The world has never

merited God's love, and He only loved because of who He is. With

We are familiar with this statement and can even recite it clearly,

what the world has become today, God still so loves the world.

**42**

**43**

In the beginning, God created the world (earth) and everything in

world", humanity, man is highly referenced. Why this gigantic

it for His pleasure. He wants to take pleasure in all that exist, past

edifice, why the earth, if not because of man? The earth is

and present. If He did not love this world, He would not have

important because man resides in it. It will not take God anything

thought about creating it at first. In the text we are considering

to make this earth non-existing and possibly bring another one

(John 3:16), the word "world" in there implies the people of this

into existence. This is actually what He will do soon. May I let you

world, not the system or places God does not love the system of

know that soon this earth as it is now will pass away, it will

this present world because man has given its control to the devil.

become non-existing, it will be , to put it in the right perspective,

The devil is the one who influences the thought of humans who

and a new one will be made.

think they are the one in control. He is interested in the

geographical state of this masterpiece (earth) that He designed,

_Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven_

but not as much as He is for the people in it. He created the earth

_and the first earth had passed away and there was no longer_

(space) for man, not man for the earth. What concerns God most

_any sea. I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down_

is the man He created inside the earth.

_out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully_

_dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the_

In the beginning, there was no other system controlling the earth

_throne saying "Now the dwelling of God is with men and He_

than that of God Himself. It was a theocratic rule (God has the

_will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will_

head of the theocracy). Man has dominion over all that God

_be with them and He will be their God. He will wipe every tear_

created as much as God has allowed him. There was no other

_from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or_

system, no worldly system, only God is Lord over all. There was

_crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away._

nothing called evil, only good reigned. There was nothing called

_**Revelations 21: 1-4**_

suffering and pain, no sickness or disease, no crisis, no natural

disaster, no calamity, no war. There was nothing against the

Praise God! This is not how things will continue. This old order

peaceful order and co-existence of the human race.

will soon pass away; and you have to choose if you will pass away

with it or not. What you see now, all you are accusing God for, all

Man was placed in charge of all God created. He was given

suffering and all sort, will pass away. A new world order is

dominion because God so loved him. When we speak of "the

coming soon, a new earth, a Holy city where God will dwell with

**44**

**45**

man, no more pain, sorrow, all that is here present, named as evil

nothing. The earth was in his hand to recreate to his taste. God

will pass away. You need not wait to see it happen, before you

loved him so much that He placed in his hands all that he created.

join the people who are getting ready for this new order. You can

There is one more part to what God created, that is the devil,

join now. Give your life to Jesus Christ, so that He can give His life

Lucifer. He is part of God's creation, and he is not left out of what

to you. Only those with the life of Christ will experience this new

God placed in the charge of man. He was already on earth before

order.

man came, and God placed man over all that was on earth before

he came into it, the devil inclusive.

Now we are back to the beginning where man was given

dominion over everything. He was created to be in charge, he

The devil was one special thing in heaven before pride filled his

was the head over all as God was his head. God made him rule

heart and he was thrown down to the earth. At first, what was in

freely. God gave him the hand of fellowship. He was not just man;

his mind was how to come over God; I mean become greater

he was god on earth.

than God (Isaiah 14:12-15), but he was thrown downward. This

meant, he will not just be under God, he will also be under man.

_Then God said, " let Us make man in our image, in our likeness,_

This new development sounded ridiculous to him. If he cannot be

_and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the_

over God, then he will not allow what God created like him to be

_air, over the live stock, over all the earth, and over all the_

over him. Thus, the battle of supremacy was raised; man versus

_creature that move along the ground. So God created man in_

the devil. God already knew about this battle and will always act

_His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and_

the impartial judge. God has blessed the man with all he needed

_female he created them._

to win this battle. He has given him His word and His love, which

_**Genesis 1: 26-27**_

stands above all things. He made him in His image, meaning, he

has in his possession more than the devil has. In him (the man)

Man was in charge. God gave him the earth that He created and

was the breath of life which was not in the devil. The devil though

his task was to tend and care for a portion of it; Eden (Gen. 2: 1-

was created out of beautify stones; man was made in the nature

25). He was given everything he needed, the authority, the right

of God. He was god on earth at that particular time. He was

of ownership and all that pertains to such. He was given the

ahead of the devil in all direction, thus, the head over all that

helpmeet he needed. Everything was at his beckon call. He lacked

exists on earth. Therefore, God was sure His man will not lose; for

**46**

**47**

God, it was a settled deal. The devil lost in heaven (Rev. 12:7-12),

and this might make you love Him. However, His ways and

so it was evident he will lose on earth.

thoughts are different from yours.

God set the ground of the battle. For Him, it was not a battle;

"Then the Lord said to Satan, 'have you considered my servant

rather it was His way to approve of the man. He was ready to

Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and

show forth the man not to show him off. He loved the man so

upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.

much to have been so sure that he would do what is right. This

Job 1:8

also does not suggest His partial knowledge of what will be the

outcome. For God, whatsoever the outcome is, it will still end in

At some point in Job's story, it was as if God was not being fair. It

the favor (for the good) of the man He created in His image.

was as if He hated Job but the latter end of the story made it clear

God so loved Job. With his life, God has revealed Himself to

_The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden_

humanity in that dimension. When it seems God is not making

_to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded_

sense in your life is when the best of all sense is being made. At

_the man, "you are free to ea from any tree in the garden; but_

some point in your life, if it seems that God is not there again, as if

_you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and_

He is absent or not caring; may I let you know that He is so much

_evil, for when you eat it you will surely die."_

present and the

_**Genesis 2:15-17**_

_**God does not love you less when He**_

end of the story

will tell it all. If you _**allows you to go through suffering.**_

What God did in the case of Adam, He also did for Job. Job's tale

would just allow

reveals God's love for him in a dimension, which the men of this

Him, what He will produce out of that life of yours which seems

world have not yet understood. God released His man into the

to be in the mud at the present will be so glorious. He is always

hand of the devil because He was sure of this man. God does not

there when it seems He is not.

love you less when He allows you to go through suffering. He is all

wise and so wise to know that you might not understand His

God allowed the devil to come into Eden, He allowed him to put

dealing thus, hate or dislike Him. God knows that you want Him

the man into the test. The outright truth is that the devil is not

to do only good and allow goodness to visit your life all the time

necessarily against the man; his challenge is towards God. He

**48**

**49**

only want to tell God He has wasted His time in creating man,

love or show you that God does not love you a bit, is the devil. His

that he will make the man to disobey Him and God by that will

deceits are aimed at limiting God's love over our lives. He is

decrease His love for him, then he can accuse God of hatred. His

seriously at this work; he has been since he was thrown down

victory will be gained when he can see any wrong or charge

from heaven and he is still at it. He raises some circumstances to

against God.

confront us so that he can come behind our backs to act as the

good friend. He is not a friend; he has never been, he has always

The third chapter of Genesis showed how the devil came with his

been and will always be the foe he is. Do not fall for his deceits.

challenge. All he did was to accuse God of wrongdoing to the face

of the man. He did so well to show Eve that God did not so love

Eve fell for the deceits of the devil's trick and Adam joined her.

them, that God was hiding something from them. He

Immediately the devil started jubilating thinking he has won. He

represented God as the evil one and himself as the friend of the

thought the battle was over. If the man failed God, then he will

woman.

become the one in charge, since next to man in the order of

c r e a t i o n a s i t

_"You will not surely die", the serpent said to the woman, "for_

_His deceits are aimed at limiting God's_

pertain to what is

_God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened,_

_love over our lives. He is seriously at_

on earth is the

_and you will be like God: knowing the good from the bad."_

devil. No matter _this work;_

_**Genesis 3:4-5**_

what he did there

in heaven, God did not recreate him, He did not take from him

"God does not want you to become like Him; the reason He told

what he gave to him: for God's gifts are without recompense. The

you not to partake in the fellowship of this precious fruit" so

devil knew about this, but the man possibly did not. The devil

Satan suggested. What a beautiful way to tell the woman that

used this against him and at that point, he thought he had won.

God is partial, He does not love you and your husband; He is only

pretending to.

_Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized_

_they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made_

Whatsoever that is of this earth, beneath it or beyond that

_covering for themselves._

argues against God's love over your life, which tries to limit His

_**Genesis 3:7**_

**50**

**51**

There is no problem if they realized they were naked. There is no

the thought of the devil. This is unimaginable. Why would a King

problem that they tried with the human wisdom they have now

who has been disobeyed call His servant still to come and dine

gained to cover this nakedness. The challenge in their account

with Him? God so loved Adam and Eve even at this stage.

only arose when they refused to show God their state. They were

too shy to tell God they have become naked that the devil has

_Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as_

stripped them naked and have triumphed over them. They

_He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they_

thought all was over.

_hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the_

_Lord God called to the man, "where are you?" the answer, "I_

God came to the scene to show them there is still a way out of

_heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked;_

their mess. He came around to show them that no matter what,

_so I hid" and He said "who told you that you are naked, have_

He still loves them. All they need to do is to stop seeking help by

_you eaten from the tree I commanded you not to eat from?"_

their strength and trust in Him who alone can help them. All they

_The man said "the woman you put here with me-she gave me_

needed to do is to come to him who can cover their nakedness in

_some fruit from the tree and I ate it." The Lord God said to the_

its totality. The devil never saw that coming. He was waiting for

_woman, "what is this that you have done?" The woman said,_

their complete exoneration from the God's presence, as it was

_"The serpent deceived me and I ate"._

his case. He never knew God can still take them back at that

_**Genesis 3:8-13**_

moment if they can turn to Him.

One of the gracious benefits we have received from God is that

_"Come now let us reason together," Says the Lord "though_

we can still hear Him speak even in our sinful state. He still speaks

_your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;_

and we can still hear him. You are hearing Him now that is if you

_though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool._

have not heard Him before. He does not stop talking about His

_**Isaiah 1:18**_

love for you and you have ears open to hear Him. He still speaks

through the conscience that He created within you.

God can and He did call them into fellowship with Him as usual,

nothing has changed yet in the sight of God, even if they had

What Adam and Eve did in Eden should stop them from hearing

eaten out of the forbidden fruit, He so much loved them beyond

God. It should cut them completely from God. They should not

**52**

**53**

be able to see God or hear Him again; but God was still gracious

Adam failed to confirm his new spiritual status; he thought he

to them, they could still hear Him. In the human world when a

was just hiding among the trees. 'I was naked, so I hid.' This is a

man hates you, he stops talking to and with you; he stops seeing

new knowledge, the knowledge of evil. To be naked is not evil but

you. It is not so in God's case; He keeps talking even when we

to be naked and feel shame that will cause you to hide is evil. To

have disobeyed Him. We can stop hearing Him; He never stops

be naked and feel shame meant that the man by himself took off

talking. Adam and Eve were afraid of God, an evidence of the fact

God's glory that he was adorned with. Being naked to the point of

that they have been corrupted by the world system. In God,

shame in the spiritual sense is to take off God's covering over

there is no fear in love. Though, they hid themselves, still God

your life. Adam did not just take God's nature off; he handed it

called them out. They were the ones who ought to search for

over to the devil and that one soiled it in the mud of sin and

God, it was God sought for them because He so much loved

handed it back to him.

them.

'Who told you', God asked. Whatsoever God did not say in His

"Adam, where are you?" God called out. What is your stand, are

word, whatsoever He has not tell you is evil, it is the lie of the

you here or there, still with me or with the enemy, where are you

enemy. If you accept it or allow it into your thought (conscious or

Adam? I know that you have lost your position, but where do you

subconscious), it will end up turning you into a form of nakedness

want to stand. Men are not answering this big question correctly

that breeds shame and separation from God. Do not allow the

today. You do not know your position outrightly; you think you

words of the enemy into your mind. Who told you that your

are in the world, on earth, not knowing that you are in the

sickness would lead to death? Who told you that there is no way

kingdom of darkness. It is not just about the earth anymore. That

out of your poverty-stricken state? Who told you that your state

is not human position anymore. His real position is the kingdom

is even called poverty? Who told you that without money you

of the devil, in outright darkness.

could not be at your best on earth; that you have to do all that is

possible by human strength to get money at all cost? Who told

_For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord;_

you that there is no hell or heaven, that all there is, is this earth?

_live as children of light._

Who told you that you are not a sinner? Who told you what is

_**Ephesians 5:8**_

driving you so crazy now, the principle that has become so

dominate, the controlling factor of your life? Whatsoever God

**54**

**55**

did not tell you is a lie no matter how good and reasonable it

perish, it will make the speaker and hearers perish. You will be

seems. What makes you what you are now, what has kept you at

held accountable for as little as one jot and tittle of what you say.

the state you are presently is what you did not hear from God

Nothing you say shall pass away; you will surely stand in God's

that you have held so much to. Who told you there is no God or

presence one day to give an account for all you have said in God's

God does not love you? Someone else did, not God.

name.

You need to dwell on what God told you. It is only what He says

God asked Adam and Eve a direct and simple question, 'Have you

that stands and can produce good in your life. Only His words last

eaten out from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' I

forever, only His words stand unchanging. Anything you learn

guess what Adam's response should be is, "Yes Sir, I have!' I am

from this world system, anything that originate from human

the one Sir; I hate it and have disobeyed your command. I am not

wisdom, will not last forever. No matter how good it seems, it has

worthy to be called your son again, not worthy of your mercy, just

an expiring date, it will not last the test of time, soon another will

make me one of your servants." I have lost it, I have missed the

be formulated, because all that is here and now is but temporal.

mark, I tended to the weakness of my wife instead of helping her

No human idea or invention is outrightly everlasting, nothing on

while I was still strong, I allowed her weakness to make me weak,

earth is eternal. So what is your life depended upon, what is the

I am sorry, I bury myself in dust.

ground of your existence, what God has said or what man and his

tradition, customs, norms and all is saying. Is your life based on

No devil can stand in judgment against us if we confess our sin

what has been said or what is being said? Again, I ask 'who told

out of deep conviction. God will always be merciful to those who

you what you believe?

seek His face this way.

Dear servant of God- preachers and teachers, apostles, prophets

_If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins,_

and evangelists; who told you what you are telling God's people?

_He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises)_

Where do your thoughts and words originate? On what and

_and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and_

whose authority did you say what you have said all this while to

_[continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything_

Go's people? You need to check again. What you have been

_not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]._

saying? Everything that does not come from God will not only

_**1John 1:9 (Amplified)**_

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**57**

The prodigal son in Jesus parable took to this and the end

He gave you hands that you could hold a gun with to shoot

brought him great profit (Luke 15:11-27).

someone else to death? Would you not consider your state as

?

miserable if He decides not to give you a hand at all? Would you

_"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though_

not complain if you were involved in an accident and your hands

_your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;_

have to be amputated? Was it not because He gave you a good

_though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool._

job and access to wealth that you do not have quality time for

_**Isaiah 1:18**_

Him again? If He denied you this good job would you not still

blame Him? Men have truly gotten to the state of not

Unto the woman God said, 'What is this you have done?' so

appreciating whatsoever God does. Even if He does the best of

different from what He asked the man. "Sir, I gave it to him, I

His hand and it seems not to appeal to their lust they will blame

betrayed his trust, I was not a good help at that moment. I

God. We blame God for all disasters, killings, even war whereas

opened the door of our home and marriage into the hands of a

we are the ones executing these things.

stranger. I failed You and the man you placed me under. I was not

the helpmeet has intended, I am so sorry, please forgive me,

Adam and Eve were just running their mouths, complaining

forgive us." This would have settled it all; the drama would have

instead of confessing, showing what God has done wrong

ended so well as at that time.

instead of seeing what they have done wrong and whom they

have become. At this point, the devil thought he has won. He was

Instead of coming just as they were without any excuse, they

waiting for what God will do so he can gain a chance of accusing

came complaining and blaming. The Man accused God of

him for wrongdoing or injustice. For him it was not just about

unrighteousness just as the devil expected of him. He indirectly

defeating the man, his target was God as it is till date. The devil

accused God of giving him a woman that caused his fall. He failed

believed it was over for the human race, but he failed because he

God because of the gift God gave to him not because he chose to,

did not know the measure of God's love for them. That the devil

what a strong ground of argument and defense.

to triumph over them in the matter of the forbidden fruits of the

tree does not mean He will outrightly cast them away. The devil

How far have you gone with accusing God what you have done

failed because he does not know the extent of God's love for

and for those things happening in your life? Was it not because

man. Even up-to-date as it will be forever he does not know the

**58**

**59**

measure of God's love for man, what he tries to do is to deceive

_the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone_

man from seeing this since he can no longer access this precious

_he accepts as a son."?Endure hardship as discipline; God is_

love.

_treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his_

_father? ?If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes_

When God disciplined Adam and Eve, the devil thought it was

_discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons._

over, he did not know the blessings that are piled up in God's

_**Hebrews 12:5-8**_

discipline. Adam

_He gave you hands that you could hold_

and Eve did one

God disciplined them because He so much loved' them. The devil

_a gun with to shoot someone else to_

thing right, they

was caught by surprised when his terms of rebuke (punishment)

r e c e i v e d G o d ' s

were pronounced.

_death? Would you not consider your_

discipline without

?

_state as miserable if He decides not to_

a n y c o m p l a i n .

_And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and_

_give you a hand at all? Would you not_

When they saw

_between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and_

_complain if you were involved in an_

God loved them so

_you will strike his heel."_

_accident and your hands have to be_

much they gave

_**Genesis 3:15**_

_amputated?_

away their fear and

humbly received

This was the height of God's love revealed. God dealt with the

God's judgments as discipline. It was not written that they

cause and initiator of the downfall of His Children first before

furthered their arguments or complained while the terms of

disciplining them. He gave the serpent an unforgettable blow

their discipline were issued out to them. They received it with

which will become manifest when he least expected. Before the

joy, even when what they had to go through as discipline was not

devil can gain a full ownership of the earth, he must fight for it on

palatable.

the right ground. His offspring and that of the woman he

?

deceived must battle against each other since the ownership of

_And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that_

the earth in contention would be their heritage eventually.

_addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's_

Whoever wins will become the Lord over all. With this, the devil

_discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ?because_

knew God is better than he is and has outwitted him on all

**60**

**61**

grounds.

other way round she would have rejected his advances. Our love

is temporal and can only be shown during good times. This is not

God's integrity was at stake in making this judgment. He showed

the same for God.

the devil why He is the judge over all, one in whom there is no

partiality, one who cannot be accused of any wrong because

_God loved man no matter what. When man demonstrated his_

there is no wrong in Him. If you are still wasting your time to

_hatred for God, God demonstrated His love for him. When he_

accuse God for this and that or you are trying to find a fault in

_declared his rebellion God pronounced Christmas into_

what He does, you are only running your race in the track of the

_existence. Genesis 3:15 was the foundation of John 3:16. He_

devil.

_promised it in the formal and fulfilled it in the latter but he did_

_this why man was still in his wrong, still rebellious not_

The judgment of God is true and lovely. When man fell, God

_changing from his ways._

continued with him where there relationship was paused. He

_?But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we_

was ready to fulfill all His intention concerning him. Even after we

_were still sinners, Christ died for us._

have eaten the fruit for we all committed this act of rebellion

_**Romans 5:18**_

through Adam (Romans 5:14), God still had us in His mind. God

so loved us. Why we find it so hard to know and accept God's love

The seed was sown before the baby was given. Christmas was

is because of the fruit we have partaking out of, this fruit makes

already in the air in the Garden of Eden. It was so certain that the

us fill we know all things as we should whereas we do not. The

baby would come because He has been sown as seed and God

fruit makes us full of pride. It makes us ignore true knowledge.

will be faithful in His work of watching over the seed He has

Though, we now have knowledge of good and evil yet we cannot

sown. If He did not so much loved Man, thus the World which He

on our own create good.

created because of him, He would not have done this much.

While we were yet sinners He pronounced our Christmas into

Whatever we call love at present is drawn out of the evil that the

existence. While dealing with the first Sin man ever committed,

knowledge of good and evil has done to us. For us love is love

He said Christmas into existence. He need not wait till another

only when the result is good and when it is beneficial to the flesh,

sin is committed.

at least for Eve the Serpent loved her, for if she saw it from the

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**63**

God's love for the world is His thought;

love. You cannot truly know is love if you are just seeing things

1.

For our greatest and ultimate good

with the eye of the present and not that of the past. You cannot

2.

For then, now, the future and forever

fully embrace the love Christmas brought If you are just

3.

For the whole world (the whole human race, right from

considering God's love based on your present status alone (good

the beginning when we all were in Adam's loins) not just a

or bad), without looking into what you were in the past and what

set of people.

He has in store for your future. You cannot fully understand

God's love if you just limit is essence of His love to yourself alone.

He has proven that He loves us, even if we do not accept this fact.

He loves you because He loved the World. He loves the world

What he saved us from in the beginning was ETERNAL

because He loved you.

DAMNATION. What should happen to man for what He did was

what happened to Lucifer when he rebelled in heaven (cf. Ezekiel

28:11-19). Man was supposed to be thrown into eternal

darkness, he was supposed to be cut off from God completely, it

ought to be an eternal termination, but God averted all of this,

yet we say 'He does not love us'.

Let the world continue to complain, you do not need to join in

this. Receive His love even if others are rejecting it. The matter of

receiving the gift of His love is a personal thing. He did all He did

just because He loved you. Christmas was instituted aft Eden

because He loves you; you, not someone else. Settle the matter

in your life first. What are the things that still make you feel God

does not love you? What are those things denying you from

plunging into the depth of His love? Do you profess a form of love

to God while you are silently asking yourself, 'Does God truly

loves me?' You cannot say you love Him if you do not know His

**64**

**65**

need, when my giving meets a particular need, and it was giving

right on time or when all hope seems to be lost, then giving is

truly giving. If my giving has no bias, if it was giving to the

undeserving and he who does not expect the gift, then I have

truly giving. When there is no selfish interest connected to it, not

because of what I want to get in return, then I have given.

God gave when all hope seemed lost, when man thought there

was no way out of his depravity. God gave to the needy man what

he needed most at the he needed this gift most. Man never knew

what he needed; it was God who showed him. He was helpless

and depraved though he thought he could help himself, but God

Only God's love that could give what He gave. He gave love; He

did not live him to himself.

gave Himself because He is love. It would have been hard for Him

to give this type of love if not that He Himself was what He was to

Any love that does not give is not love, and any love that cannot

give. It is for this reason He continues to give without ceasing; He

be given to all and anyone (everyone), anytime, anywhere and

is love so He does not need to find what He already before He can

anyhow is less than true love. Any love that cannot give all the

give it.

way is less than love. The test of any true love is not just in what it

can give, but more in the question of "to what extent can it give

The issue of the love He gave is not just about what He gave but

and how far can it go on in the giving?"

how and why He did it. It is also more about whom the love is

given for and given to. It is also about the impact of this love on

The love of Christmas passed all these tests and more. It is love in

the receiver. You cannot really know the worth of any gift if you

truth. It was an all the way love, no hate can stop it, no worth of

do not need it. If I give wealth to the wealthy, riches to the rich,

wickedness was enough to stop it. When the Son of God was

food to the fed, one who still has much in store to feed on, these

finally given birth to on earth, God showing His love, man still

sorts of giving will amount to nothing. When I give to meet a

showed God how wicked he has become. Herod the king tried all

**66**

**67**

he could to terminate the person of this Love (Matthew 2:1-23).

continue to receive what He gives and as much as He is ready to

He was a good representation of how man was ready to show

give. He is always ready to give; the problem is at the receiving

how much he detests God's love. Even with these things, God

end. The only way that you can show God you love Him back is to

was ready to reveal His love to him for like every man on earth;

receive is love.

Herod did not know what he was doing.

Your Christmas begins the day you receive this love into your life

Christmas came as a mixture of God's show of goodness towards

and appropriate its essence into your life. When this happens,

man and man's unabated rebellious attitude towards God.

you have opened your life to love ever flowing. You have gained

Through Christmas God showed how immense His love was and

access to His eternal love. To such an individual, Christmas

how ready He is to

becomes an everyday and every moment thing. Truly, everyday

_**The test of any true love is not just in**_

give this love no

can become a Christmas for you.

_**what it can give, but more in the**_

m a t t e r w h a t ,

_**question of "to what extent can it give**_

because He was

Christmas in God's plan is a two-way thing; a two-way

_**and how far can it go on in the**_

the one who chose

experience. You experience Christmas as you receive love from

_**giving?"**_

to show man his

Him and you also experience Christmas as you give the love you

love, it was not

have received the same way you received it to others. He who

man who requested for it. We are not the one who first loved

follows this plan always have an all round Christmas, there is

Him. He was not giving this love to us because we loved Him but

never a break in this season of his life. Everyday is Christmas,

because He knows we can love Him if given the chance. He made

because God wants to pour out His love on us daily. The one, who

us as an object of His love. He loved us even while we hated Him

releases Himself to receive this love, becomes a tunnel where the

and continued to do so. Can I add that God loves us more as we

love flows regularly.

hate Him more. Our hatred can by no means reduce the love He is

ready to give. With all of our show of rejecting this love, He still

? _Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his_

loves us.

_compassions never fail. ?They are new every morning; great is_

_your faithfulness._

He is ready to continue to give, are you ready to receive and

_**Lamentation 3:22-23**_

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**69**

In heaven, there is an unending and unceasing Christmas. There

others. Thus, why we cannot love others the way God loves us is

is joy in heaven when a sinner turns to God. This does not

because we do not have God's love resident in us. Only those who

necessarily have to be a 25th of DECEMBER agenda or plan. They

have God's love (Jesus Christ) living in them can give out the same

do not plan to be joyful in heaven because it is a place of

to others. Christmas is all about giving this love. No matter how

everlasting joy (Luke 15:3-7).

big the worth of goodness you show to others during Christmas,

and on every other days, it is nothing in the sight of God if it not

The surprising thing is that even in the day that has been

driven by the need to pass unto others the love you already

religiously ascribed as Christmas on earth there might be no

possess. Christmas can never be a true and an everyday

Christmas technically in heaven. The type of an exercise of love

experience for you if you have not experienced it personally. You

that does not bring much joy to the Kingdom of God is false. Any

can love the whole world, however, if the love you give is not as a

time you refuse to receive God's love into your life or allow it to

result of the love of God has blessed your soul and spirit, you love

be passed to others you have disallowed Christmas technically in

is in vain. Even if you are known as the best Christian on earth,

heaven. A denial of Christmas in heaven means allowing more

you are not in any way different from pagans.

corruption and evil to prevail on earth, in your community,

?

environment, place of work, family, local Church and the world at

_"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate_

large.

_your enemy.'?But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for_

_those who persecute you, ?that you may be sons of your Father_

**The Samaritan Love**

_in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,_

1John 4:7-12, is a revelation of the immensity of God's love for

_and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ?If you_

man and what his response is to this love. The theme of this part

_love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not_

of our study 'Everyday is not Christmas', contrary to what

_even the tax collectors doing that? ?And if you greet only your_

Christmas ought to be 'an everyday experience,' has made us to

_brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even_

see how we have lost the true essence and beauty of Christmas.

_pagans do that?_

We have seen that Christmas was the time God revealed His love

_**Matthew 5:43-47**_

to man, the world at large at ones. Individual Christmas comes as

we receive this love into our lives and the time we extend it to

It is only the love of God, the love that Christmas gives that can

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**71**

make you love and live as God on earth. No love in and of this

Samaritan. That he is a Samaritan (a man from Samaria) means a

world is entirely selfless and sacrificial. The love of this world

lot to this story. To understand what this Samaritan did you need

considers the object to love and chooses the direction it must go

to see who the other two characters were and what they did.

as well as it extent. This is not God's love, not the love of

?

Christmas. The love of this world changes with time, it varies and

_A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when_

it is temporal. He who receives from the world pays back with his

_he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ?So too, a_

live. Nevertheless, those who get God's love get His live. The

_Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on_

present world is a dead system it has no life to give; instead, it is

_the other side. ?But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where_

ready to make dead all that lives in it.

_the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him._

_**Luke 10:31-33**_

In the story of the Samaritan man we learn that Christmas can

become a daily experience in our lives if we deliberately learn

The first two were Jews just like the man who was robbed still

how to be at the giving end of love without any restriction.

they passed by living him to suffer. The third man was a Samarian;

?

he belongs to the set of people the Jews do not want to have

_...?But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;_

anything to do with. Remember the incident between Jesus and

_and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ?He went to him and_

the Samaritan woman by the well (John 4:1-26). Samaritans were

_bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the_

those who came out of the Assyrian exile. Though they have a

_man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of_

blood connection with the ten tribe of Israel but this set have

_him. ?The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them_

become mixed blood, thus, other Israelites, especially the Jews in

_to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I_

Jerusalem as commanded by God refused any form of fellowship

_will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'_

with them, they even denied them all forms of religious

_**Luke 10:25-35**_

participation in the Temple in Jerusalem. Thus, they became

separated from their own brothers. Though related by blood, the

**A Samaritan Man**

Jews in Jerusalem particularly and those in Samaria do nothing

There were four characters in this story; the man who was

together, the Samarians to the Jews were more like rejects and

attacked by robbers and three passerby. Our main character is a

pagans.

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**73**

During His ministry on earth, Jesus went through Samaria and

the Kingdom of God.

ministered to many of them in an unusual way. Though of the

Jewish line, Jesus did not see them as rejects. Samaria as a city

Jesus showed God's love to this people both at the individual

constitutes a region that the Jews avoided by crossing the Jordan

level and as an entity. The woman by the well refused to give Him

while travelling on towards the east. They go through such a

a drink, but He did not refuse to offer her the Water of life. She

stress just to make sure they have nothing to do with them. Yes,

detested Jesus but Jesus loved her. How far are you ready to go

God told them they should not allow them the privileged of

with your giving? Are you ready to give even if you are not given?

worship in the temple because of their blood relationship with

Would you go beyond all racial prejudice, creed, religiosity,

the Cushites, a pagan nation, but He did not tell them to avoid

tradition, nationality and such bridges to reach others no matter

them completely the way they did. Their extremist form of

what? Would you choose to give no matter what is done against

relationship with the Samaritans was a tradition designed by

you? Would you choose to love the Samaritans even if you are a

their elders, not God.

Jew? Will you love a Muslim, a Buddhist, Hindus, and others as

you love your Christian brethren?

That Jesus did not separate Himself from this people is so evident

in the Scriptures. He was a blessing to them as much as He was to

Note that our story was used by the greatest storyteller who ever

His people. Though Jesus gave great priority to minister to the

lived. Though, it was not reported that the event actually

Jews with all their persecutions, He did not avoid the Samaritans

happened but Jesus' parable nevertheless are events that has

completely; they were the ones who rejected Him (Luke 9:51-56).

eternal relevance. Jesus simplifies what happens in the everyday

He ministered to the Samaritans the same Gospel He brought to

life of the Jews in His parables to open them up to the eternal

the Jews. This is evident in the result of His conversation with the

truth.

Woman by the well (John 4:27-30, 39-42). Once, Jesus told His

disciples not to go among the Gentiles or any town of the

The first character in our story, the Priest, was a typical Jew during

Samaritans (Matthew 10:5), but later as He send them out with

Jesus' days on earth. He was a close relative of the man who had

the Great commission, He mentioned that they should go to

been robed. Even if they were not that close as relative that our

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and other parts of the earth (Acts 1:8)

man is a Priest meant he has been licensed by God to help people

to show that these people were all inclusive in the big picture of

and bring them out of their bondages. However, when he saw

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**75**

this man in his dying state the Bible says, 'He passed on the other

he refused to bless the poor man. He was a steward of God's

side.' He turned away from him, acted as if he did not see him.

resources still he chose to turn away from the poor man.

Helping a Jew in such a critical state was of no or relevance to him.

May be he said, "I have my own problems, my own issues to

**Lessons Derived**

attend to and mind you the world is dangerous nowadays, you do

W

1. e often pass by many people whom we can be of help to on

not know who is who? I do not want to implicate my life with this

daily basis. We run in haste, pass them by and live them to

man issues." May be he said, "that serves him right. He must have

themselves. If we had just taken time to wait we would have

done something wrong and he is receiving is due punishment.

saved them from their crisis. Each time we do this we deny

This is an act of retribution from God according to His law and I

people of their timely Christmas and we make the whole essence

must not interfere." This is a good judgment at least one that is

of this part of the Christian life, meaningless. What if the table is

coming from a Priest who understands the Law of God. I am a

turned around and we are the ones at the needy end? Let us do

Priest and I have temple works to attend to, that is my primary

today what we expect others to do for us at any given point in

assignment, so I

time. That is the Spirit of Christmas.

_**Jesus showed God's love to this people**_

cannot stop on

_**both at the individual level and as an**_

the way to help

2. The love shared in Christmas is not a religious adventure like

_**entity.**_

this man while I

many take it as. It is spiritual, soul-driven and wholesome. It is a

am needed in the

love to be given to and shared by all. It is love given to affect the

Temple. The truth is that whatsoever made this Priest to turn

whole man not just a part. It affects the soul, spirit and body of

away from this individual is a religious sentiment and has nothing

man. We miss a lot when all we want to give as love to people is

to do with the ways of God.

what affects a part of their lives alone and not the whole essence

of their living. If you give to bless the flesh of a man with no

The second person, a Levite, sold out to God; God is his

consideration of his soul and spirit, you have only given a grief not

inheritance. He also acted like his brother the Priest. In his own

a gift. Why men find it hard to give is because they only consider

case, it might be because he felt that he is a poor Levite, "since

giving as limited to a part, just material things and nothing else.

God is my inheritance, I have nothing to help this man

with."Although, this man has the blessing of God at his disposal

The two people who passed the man by did not help him because

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**77**

they were only considering a single part in the help they could

the consciousness that they have missed a great opening for

offer him. They passed him by because they were only

showing love to others and opportunity for ministry, but it would

considering his physical state and how this conflicts with their

have been written in their account in God's Kingdom that they

spiritual state. The one who later helped him did considered his

failed to give love.

physical state but he saw beyond his color and present state. This

man was only concerned about bringing comfort the soul and

A friend once narrated the story of such a lost opportunity. On a

spirit of the distressed man. When you consider your neighbors

Sunday morning as he prepared for the Sunday school being a

from a holistic point of view, you cannot find giving to them so

teacher, he felt he was already late. While he was at the door, he

hard a thing to do; you will always have something to give.

felt a nudging to knock at his neighbor's door to say a word of

prayer with him but because he was getting late for the service he

3. That you are holding one religious office does not mean you

abated the impulse saying he will attend to the matter when he

have the best of love to give. Only Christian can give love; only

returns from the Church service. He did return and the first thing

those who have received the love of Christ can give the same to

he wanted to do was to take the grace of God that he was coming

their neighbors. Christians no matter the office they hold in a

with from the Church to him. Alas, as he knocked at the door of

local assembly, priestly or not, clergy or not, laity or whatsoever,

this neighbor he met other neighbor mourning. It did not take

church workers or a common member cannot give love to others;

too long before he realized that the person he came with such a

only Christian can give love. You cannot pass away or turn aside

great zeal to pray with has passed on. He did not understand

from someone who needs love if you are Christian; Christ never

what has happened right there and then but latter he did.

did during His days on earth.

Knowing that he has lost a great opportunity of being a part of the

close to death scene or by God's grace give that person a chance

4. At times, if not all the times, a missed opportunity cannot be

for live again or an opportunity to experience the love of God

repeated. Although. You might have to go through that way

through salvation, he felt so bad. He lived many days after as if

again, the object that needed help or the gift of love might have

the burden of the whole world was on him. Though, he has

received it from another. The Priest and Levites as they returned

become a great missionary and church planter today, this lost

from their places of their assignments would find out that the

opportunity still stares him at the face.

one they neglected is no longer there again. They might not gain

**78**

**79**

5. If you cannot take the place of the person you want to help

hand of help anytime and anywhere.

(empathy not sympathy), you cannot give true love. The two men

who turned aside from the man in pain acted this way because

'He was going down the same road,' more like a usual or daily

they did not put themselves into his shoe. Perhaps, they did not

thing. He was familiar with all that happens daily on that road so

even see themselves being in that position ever. They felt higher

he takes less or no cognizance of all that was happening around

than him and going to help him will bring them down to his state

him. Do not be too familiar with your environment that your eyes

and position. Jesus who taught us how to love came down to us,

become blind to notice any changes in it. This is a negative

into our state, entered into our shoes before He could help us

familiarity. Do not be too used with your friends and families as

totally. No one who would give love like Jesus can think of

well as other neighbors to the extent you will become blind to the

anything less or higher than this.

changes around them and notice their silent cries for help.

Familiarity that is not love driven will be blind to the slightest of

**He Travelled**

pain that people have around us.

'He travelled.' This was how the movement of the Samaritan man

towards the man in pain was described. Compare it with those

The Samaritan was travelling, he was going up not down. He was

used in describing those of the Priest and the Levites, 'A priest

not in the same direction as the victim still he took time to meet

happened to be going the down the same road'. The Priest was

his need. He was a man on a purposeful journey, possibly a

going in the same direction as the man attacked by the robbers.

business trip, yet he stopped by to help the victim. He gave his

He could have been the victim but he was not. If he were truly

time, himself and his heart. Everything else can wait because

grateful to God that he was saved, he would have helped the

there is a life to save. He was selfless in his show of love.

man. It was as if the man faced the ordeal instead of him; the man

was there before he got to that spot and bore the pain on his

behalf.

**He Took Pity on Him...**

The Levite came to the scene, saw the man and went his way, but

When you see someone in pain of whatever kind, ask yourself,

the Samaritan did not only see him, he took pity on him. It takes a

"why not me, why was I not the victim?" if you truly consider this

longer seeing, a purpose seeing, not just a gazing at for one to

and meditate on it properly, you will not find it too hard to give a

take pity on what is seen. If you hear the account of an accident

**80**

**81**

related to you by a witness you might not be moved, if you just

not pray at a distance for someone you can get closer to pray

pass-by the scene you might not be moved as well, but you

with. Move from your comfort zone into the person's discomfort

cannot stay at the scene of the incident for a while watching

zone. If you cannot travel, you cannot truly help others. To really

closely to see how devastating the incident is without being

identify with the needs of others you have to travel a distance.

moved. You will only pass by and do nothing if you have a callous

heart. It takes a staying with, taking a closer look at to show love.

If you are rich and another is poor, you cannot really be a blessing

If you just see you will easily leave, but you cannot come closer

to the person if you do not know what it is to be poor. Helping the

and live in haste. You might try living the scene without doing

poor is more of moving from your comfort zone into the

anything, but it will take a long while before the scene leaves you.

discomfort zone of the poor and bringing the person into your

Often time when we listen to people sharing their plights with us,

zone as possible as you can. You have to see what the situation

why we don't do a thing is because we did not truly listen to them,

really is before you can truly be of help. You cannot assume that

if we truly do, we might not be able to solve their problems

you know what it is like to poor because you were told or taught.

outrightly, but just paying attention to them goes a long way to

The Samaritan as he drew closer to the man saw what the

knowing that someone cares for them. Since we always have a

situation was like before moving into action. He did not act until

ready-made response for all cases shared with us, we do less in

he drew closer. He went to him and bandaged his wounds,

the matter of listening. 'Sorry, God bless you, it is well, O! What a

pouring on oil and wine. He could have chosen to carry the man

pity. ' Whenever our response to a situation is this, we have

immediately to the inn; instead, he chose to administer the

shown we care less. We cannot offer any good to people if we

needed at that moment. He tried securing his life; stopped the

make it so clear to them that we are not interested in their case.

flow of blood so that the man will become unconscious before

getting to the inn. He gave him the available, he did not wait for

**Beyond Words of Pity**

them to get to the inn; instead, he began with the man's healing

'He went to him,' meaning that he did not just see him, took pity

process immediately. If this was all he could do, he has done so

on him and closed the case there, instead, he moved closer, drew

much, because no good would be of help if the man died on the

nearer to the man. Identifying ourselves with the state of others,

way. He would have decided to leave the man because he did not

takes more than just seeing what or hearing about what they are

have much on him but he did not. He gave little but this little has

going through, it involves coming closer as much as we can. Do

the strength of much because it was the most needed at that

**82**

**83**

time.

and fear thrive, we tend to love with caution. Many now see

wisdom in considering all factors involved before giving love.

Instead of promising people big things in the future, give them

There is the fear of betrayal, accusation, disappointments,

what you have now. You do not love when you fail to give what

ingratitude, loss, regrets, and more. Only those who get their

you can now. Love is mostly in now. Love is real at present. The

minds off these things find it easy to give and receive love.

best love comes in simple packs and not giant parcels. If you can

give little now you will give more later.

Remember that this Samaritan was a traveler. He must have

budgeted all he needed for his journey. However, without

**Becoming the Link**

formally including this present earlier, he made way for the need

The Samaritan man did not stop at restoring the man back to life

to fit into his budget. He was ready to sacrifice his time, his ride,

through the First Aid he applied; he also made plans to secure this

his supplies, his money and his life. He offered all of this for the

man back to his feet.

use of this man who was in need. What do you have to offer to

others, what are you ready to give, are you ready to surrender

He

1.

placed him on his donkey, not the Carmel of someone else

these things completely so that they can serve their purpose?

2. He took him to an Inn

3. He paid his bills

**The Next Day**

What if this man gave up on the way? What if he died in the Inn?

His love lasted beyond a day. It was not just love for a time; it was

What if he could not afford the bill that he would be charged in

love for all times, love for all the times it will be needed. 'For God

the Inn? There were many factors to consider as he progressed in

so loved the World...' God's love for the world covers all human

his show of love to this man, but the love he was ready to give

time line, yesterday (past), today (present) and tomorrow

clouded his thought that nothing could stop him from what his

(future). His love is not just for times we think we need it most it is

mind has chosen to do. Is love was beyond all the 'What if(s)'.

for all times and can be accessed at all times. It is always there

There was no fear in his love. His was a perfect love because

even when it seems we are not feeling it.

perfect love cast all fears away (1John 4:18).

He loved us while we were yet sinners and loves us still when we

Most times especially in this part of the world where suspicion

become saints. He does not say we do not need to be loved or we

**84**

**85**

need to be loved less when we become saved, it is even at this

could get it. This man gave is best to the innkeeper, he made sure

stage that we feel His love more. It is at the point of salvation that

the process of his recovery started before he left. He did not just

we start knowing and understanding His love. We are His children

take the man there to dump him so that he could continue with

and He treats us as one. He loves us when we are sick as much as

his personal task. He was completely given to finishing the task he

He does when we are healthy and strong. The sick who sees the

started. This man treated the victim as one of his kind, his family

healthy might say God loves him less but he does so because he

member. He took all the responsibilities of his needs on himself.

does not truly know God's love. God's love satisfies the soul of His

Children all the times in all condition and circumstance. He loves

Again, I ask, 'Was he prepared for all this?' I guess, No. He had

all the way.

other plans but because of his love, anyone could also fit into his

plans at any given point in time. When all you do is to give at

His love is not just on time (at the exact time) and at the time

Christmas, the ay, other avenues where you ought to give love

(when all hope is lost), it is also at all times. As humans, we think

will pass you by. If you fix your gaze on Christmas, the day alone,

love can only be shown in bad times, when people are in sorrows,

you cannot give love like Christ. Christmas is now, anytime and

pains, facing all kinds of odds and others. However, the truth is

every time not then not tomorrow. Loving others is in giving a cup

that love is not just for bad times, it is not just meant to change

of water now if that is all you have and following the person of the

bad situation to good, it is also meant to make what is already

receiver up with your heart.

good, better and all that has been made better, best. Love stays

through even when the bad has been turned to good, it stays to

**When I Return**

sustain the good and bring perfection out of it. When you just

Love prepares to return and it does promptly as much as it can.

love during the bad days and leave afterwards, your love is not

Love makes promises that can be fulfilled not vague ones. Love

made perfect.

say and do what it has said. Love can be trusted no matter what.

Love returns to continue what it has started. Love does not hold

This Samaritan helped the needy man with his first and

people into ransom with a promissory note. Love completes

immediate need. He also became the link for him to get the

what it has commenced and it prospers what seems to have been

proper treatment he needed. He could not give him the needed

completed (Philippians 1:6). Love always returns. After keeping

care for perfect recovery but he helped him get to the place he

the injured man into the safe hands of the Innkeeper, the

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**87**

Samaritan made sure he returned both to check on the injured

_and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am._

man as well as to settle his bill. He did not keep him there to run

_**John 14:1-3**_

away but to returned to him. He was not the type who will burden

the man with the pains of how he will settle his bill knowing that

Jesus has not yet returned has he has said, but in several ways He

the robbers who attacked him must have taken everything he

showed His disciples and He still shows those who trust Him

had on him. As he was seeing to physical recovery he was also

today that He always returns. Jesus does not forget. He left them,

attending to his emotional state, making sure his mental state

but not as orphan. He left them with is His Holy Spirit. The Holy

will not hinder his speedy recovery. How can a man who is left

Spirit makes Jesus ever and always present. The truth is that He

with the burden of getting the means to settle his bill in the

did not leave actually. He said He is with us forever (Matthew

hospital gain quickly recover? The love of the Samaritan for his

28:29, cf. John 14:16-17). Whenever they need Him, He always

friend was holistic.

comes around as He is always around through the Holy Spirit. He

was there with Peter in the dungeon and with Paul and Silas in the

I will come back to remit all the expenses you must have

Prison. He is always around, even if it seems we are not seeing

incurred,' so this loving man said. Give him the best of

Him.

treatments, use all you need to get him back on his feet quickly;

do not delay his treatment. I will return to remit all debt. I have

Most assuredly, Jesus will one day return as He is to deliver

given before and I am ready to give even more. There is great joy

completely the living Souls of all those who followed Him. Those

when a man knows there is someone who will always return to

in the grave, He will call forth unto Himself for He can never forget

him and someone he can always turn to when he needs to be

them there. Those on the earth, in this world, He will call out and

loved. The heart is crushed when there is no one to receive love

they will be gathered all around Him. He will never forget them.

from at the needed time.

?

?

_"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no_

_"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in_

_compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may_

_me. ?In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I_

_forget, I will not forget you! ?See, I have engraved you on the_

_would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for_

_palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me._

_you. ?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back_

_**Isaiah 49:15-16**_

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**89**

The assurance of the return of God is evident in the Scriptures.

God is always near you when you turn to Him, He returns to you.

The Scripture was inspired and written to show God remembers

Can I at this point ask you to look into yourself and do a thorough

His own because He never forgets (Genesis 8:1, Deuteronomy

search concerning this matter? Have you made a promise of love

31:6, Joshua 1:5, Psalm 27:10; 94:14, Hebrew 13:5). God will

yesterday and you have not return to fulfill it? You are a debtor if

surely return to you just as He said in His words no matter the

you are in this condition you need to do something about it. Do

state you are presently. All you need to do is to wait, wait for Him

not expect God to do for you what you are not good at doing. If

and wait on Him. Wait in the exact place He left you; when He

you really desire that He returns to you as He said, return to do for

returns He would meet you there still waiting for Him.

others what you have said.

_?Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time_

**Extra Expenses**

_next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was_

Love always goes the extra mile and always gives the extra. There

_listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him._

is no limit in and to true love. There is always something extra

_**Genesis 18:10**_

that love can and wants to give. True love does and gives the extra

not just the ordinary. True love when given might look so small to

When He returns, He comes to fulfill what He has said. He will not

a witness who sees the giving but in the hands of the receiver, it is

come empty. He is coming with gifts, great blessings to satisfy the

an extraordinary thing. Love though gives the common but in

soul and spirit of those who have waited for Him. He is love, when

giving it does it in an uncommon way.

He returns he will come with abundant love more than the one

received in His first coming. He will come to satisfy all needs and

? _This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life_

fulfill the desires of His own. Bear this in mind He is always around

_for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers._

even if you do not see Him for he can never leave you; you are the

_**1John 3:16**_

one who should do the living. If you are right where he kept you,

you will always find Him when you seek Him, anytime and any

In His own words Jesus said,

day. You do not need to wait untill another Christmas day, before

_?"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life_

you see or feel Him around. Do not take His returning as just

_for the sheep. ?The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the_

something stuck to a particular time; do not do religion with God.

_sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the_

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**91**

_sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and_

? _"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?_

_scatters it._

_Even 'sinners' love those who love them. ?And if you do good to_

_**John 10:11-12**_

_those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even_

_'sinners' do that. ?And if you lend to those from whom you_

Love is not just an act of giving; it is giving the extra and going the

_expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners'_

extra mile to do a thing, a sacrificial giving. You do not have to do

_lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. ?But love your_

the extraordinary before you give love, you only need to give the

_enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting_

extra. When you do the unexpected and unsuspected you are

_to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you_

giving the extra, giving what others have refused to give, doing

_will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the_

what others would not want to do or have left undone. It is in

_ungrateful and wicked. ?Be merciful, just as your Father is_

paying the price that others would not, doing what many have

_merciful._

by-passed and swept aside or overlooked.

_**Luke 6:32-36**_

The love of God is love not just revealed in the conception of

He gave His life so that we can get His life in our lives. When you

Mary the Virgin, in the delivery of the baby amidst all odd

are told to give your life to Him, it is not because He needs it but

circumstances. It was not just in the good deeds that Jesus

because you need what He is ready to give you in return. What

offered to humankind, because His miracles did not touch

can the human sinful life offer to Him? Nothing! He asks for your

everyone on earth then directly. The love of God love is in the

life because you do not need it. He can give you what you need.

eventual giving of Jesus as a ransom on the Cross for the sin of the

You cannot get His life into your life of sin. You must give that

world. Jesus gave Himself as the real thing and the extra that is

away first, before you can get the new and real life.

missing in human life. His love extends further to calling everyone

on earth then and now to embrace the works of the Cross. He did

He gives you what you cannot give Him back. He is not giving

not just die for them, he brought then into the essence and works

because He wants something back from you. Whatever He gives

of this death. His love was absolute and in each step that He took

you is for your benefit and whatever you give Him is for your

to show us this love, He goes the extra mile.

benefit as well. In both directions, you are the one who has

something to gain, not God.

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**93**

? _Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high_

? relationship will be back on track again.

_above you. ?If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are_

_many, what does that do to him? ?If you are righteous, what do_

Where do we get the extra from? You do not need to go the extra

_you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? ?Your_

mile like those five unwise virgin did (Matthew 25:5-10), go to

_wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your_

Jesus. In Jesus lays the extra and the whole. He is the solution to

_righteousness only the sons of men._

all crisis, light to all darkness, life to all dead cases (John 10:10).

_**Job 35:5-8**_

Do not go to men first; go to Jesus. Do not go into the city, you will

The Samaritan man was ready to return to give the Extra, time

only find confusion there. Go to Jesus!

after time. He always has extra love to give, his love like the lamp

of the Five wise virgin (Matthew 25:1-4) never goes out. He still

Our lives and relationships will be secured if there is always

has something extra to give to keep the light of his love ever

someone who is ready to give the extra, give more when others

shining.

give less, big when they give small, tangible for the intangible. If

there are people who will do what others have failed to do, give

It is this extra that is often missing in our relationship today and in

what others find hard to give, we will have less crisis crippling into

the world generally. When all that we have to give as love has

our home, marriages, families, church, society, states, nation and

been used off, we become dry with nothing to give again. Many

the world at large. The problem we have is that all of us want to

marriages and families are in great ordeal today because there is

do what we all are doing at the same range and those who are

no extra love to give; the oil of the burning fire of love that they

trying to be different are doing it mostly for selfish interest, to

started with has gone down. Nobody is ready to give the extra

show others that they are better. This is not true love; it is more

since no one took the extra along in the beginning of the journey.

dangerous than hatred itself.

When challenges, the unexpected, came, there was nothing to

combat it with, so separation begins. Those who ride on through

Jesus can help us to become better giver of love if we seek Him.

all challenges are those who have taken the extra along with

He can help us give the needed extra all the time. When we try to

them. It does not necessarily have to be all the parties involved,

give love by our human strength, our love fails easily. Love given

though it helps a lot when all can do this Just a single individual

through the strength of man, human logic and emotion is false,

with the extra brings light into the dark situation and the

and it is not borne out of truth. True love is only in Jesus, until you

**94**

**95**

?do love through Jesus you cannot love like Jesus. You need the

?men caused to His work and more to themselves. Christmas

help of His Spirit to love all the time and all the way and to have

reveals how God chose to treat man better than he deserved.

love, to give to others, all the time. Only the love that comes from

Because of the Cross of Jesus Christ, he chose to temper justice

Jesus can be of blessing to others. Only he who gives the love that

with mercy and forgive all we have done wrong. Until you

comes from Jesus is the neighbor of the other.

embrace this Cross, you cannot understand the worth of His

works of love.

**Go and Do Likewise**

**?** _"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man_

'Go and do likewise', the crown of the Jesus' message concerning

_who fell into the hands of robbers?"?The expert in the law_

the Samaritan. It is not just about hearing and knowing; until you

_replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go_

do love, you do not know love. You may know so much about the

_and do likewise."_

history and doctrine of Christmas; it is only how you act it out that

_**Luke 10:36-37**_

will tell if you truly understand what you know. Christmas is to be

lived not just a thing to believe. You must live love not just believe

Love is in showing mercy to another person. Mercy means,

in love.

benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart, which disposes a

person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he

deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an

injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear

punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant

(Webster Dictionary, Esword). The Samaritan fulfilled the terms

of love to the extent that his action was referred to as Mercy. He

showed love to someone who did not deserve it, a Jew. His love

was not just true it was merciful. Jesus did much more.

Christmas is an act of benevolence, mildness and tenderness of

heart. It came from God who chose to overlook all the injuries

**96**

**97**

_For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the_

_government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called_

_Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of_

_Peace._

_**Isaiah 9:6**_

The gift of Jesus Christ to this world by God the Father of all is

truly the greatest act of love and loving. This love came out of one

of the strongest and uncommon acts of love ever exercised and

displayed by two mortals. Their love as they related with one

another was one without prejudice and pretence, without

earthly-based conditions and control.

?This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:

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**99**

_His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but_

God. Is it not only on the last Christmas service you placed

_before they came together, she was found to be with child_

deliberate emphasis on this account. You have left it for another

_through the Holy Spirit. ?Because Joseph her husband was a_

service at the end of this year. You also do the same for accounts

_righteous man and did not want to expose her to public_

related to the subject of His death and resurrection. These ones

_disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly._

only apply to Good Friday and Easter Sunday respectively. Have

_**Matthew 1:18-19**_

you not become a preacher who has so much to tell the people of

God that you find it easy to forget this grand story and put it aside

The love of Joseph and Mary is only echoed at the background

deliberately for the time and season it will become sensible to

when the story of their seed (legal), Jesus, is being told. This is not

look at them again? Most times, when the accounts are read, the

so because narrators of this glorious account decide to do so of

illustrations and applications given to them are so far away from

their free will, it is mostly because they are always overwhelmed

the interest and intention of the Prophets and Gospellers who

by the magnitude and worth of God's love expressed to mankind

were inspired to write them.

in the birth of Jesus Christ. Another reason for this is because for

an average Christian the different texts of the Bible that reveal

The story of the life of Jesus especially the beginning and the end

the birth of Jesus are always kept aside and read, possibly

of it as it was lived here on earth ought to be a consistent and

meditated upon during Christmas seasons.

continuous meditation for every Christian. Those who minister

to them should also see to it that those who they lead are

If you are reading this book presently, may I ask you when last did

encouraged to consider the accounts often. The story of Jesus is

you read the accounts of the birth of Jesus purposefully and not

not there in the Bible for us to read when we feel like. How we

by coincidence? Last Christmas, I guess, because you were in a

relate with this part of the Scripture determines a lot on how

carol service or in the Church on a Christmas Eve or the day itself.

much we are going to get out of the Bible as a whole. The Bible as

Perhaps, you only had the opportunity of listening to the account

a Historical masterpiece; it is His Story, the Story of Jesus Christ.

as someone read it in family reunion or in the church service held

His story in particular as it is revealed by the Old Testament

on Christmas morning.

Prophets and in the Gospel writings is the basis of all the

revelations the Bible has to offer us. When we miss t this point we

The same goes for the teachers and preachers of the word of

miss it all.

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**101**

The story of His birth is the fulfillment of Prophet Isaiah's

happen to us while we are still in this world. Why we do not get

prophecy (Isaiah 9:6). It mentions the revelation of God's love for

the best of what should be ours in God is because we reject the

the whole of humanity as He, God, prepares to save us. We

All of God. We want Jesus and other things. We do not want Jesus

cannot truly and fully understand the essence of the salvation

alone. We always want to have Jesus because of what we really

that Jesus wroth for man if we do not start by looking at the

want to get in and from God not because He is all we need to get

matters that surrounds His birth, not just looking at this matters

in God and all God has to offer us.

but sitting meditatively at them. This story is something that

should catch our attention with no end in sight. It is one story that

I say it boldly, all God has to offer you is His Son and He has

should drive our core purpose on earth as well as all christian

already given Him. All you need is in Him. What you need to do is,

mission. This is because the whole Gospel as presented in the

'accept Jesus as God's All, All He intends to and wants to give you.

Scriptures can best be summarized in this statement, 'God loved

No other thing comes from God except through Him.

mankind that He gave His only begotten Son.' This truth is

enough to calm all storm and whatsoever troubles our hearts.

? _For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ?and_

God has given His Son as a ransom for our sins.

_through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things_

?

_on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his_

_He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--_

_blood, shed on the cross._

_how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all_

_**Colossians 1:19-20**_

_things?_

_**Romans 8:32**_

? _For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ?and_

_you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over_

We cannot overemphasize this truth. He who gave us His Son

_every power and authority._

gave us His All. He gave us all, all we will need for life and

_**Colossians 2:9-10**_

godliness. When we need anything that pertains to this life

_?_

especially the life He gave, all we need do is go back to such

_And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to_

scriptures that describe how the life came to us. God gave us His

_be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the_

Son; His All for all that has happened to us and will or might

_fullness of him who fills everything in every way._

**102**

**103**

_**Ephesians 1:22-23**_

One fact that is stressed in the texts above is that everything is in

Jesus Christ and these things belong to the Church, His body. If

anyone becomes part of Jesus by joining the Church, he is given

access into all things. Becoming part of His Church is not just by

joining a local assembly or being effective in it, but in coming

through the Cross. You have to believe in Jesus and accept Him

into your life. Afterwards, you must choose to follow Him all the

way; if Jesus is not your Lord you are not part of His Church. He

must have become both Savior and Lord to you before you can

become admitted as one of His.

We need to see

There are several references to the name Joseph in the Bible.

_**The gift of Jesus Christ to this world by**_

a n o t h e r

Most of these references were just mere mentioning with a story

_**God the Father of all is truly the**_

important side of

attached to the name. While those who had their story told had

_**greatest act of love and loving.**_

t h e C h r i st m a s

one thing in common, Love. Their stories tell of the love they

story. A story

showed to God and man. Although, this work is mainly about

precedes the story of the Birth of Jesus and it is very important in

Joseph the husband of Mary, the father of Jesus, but since we are

the birth narrative. The story of Joseph and Mary was not just a

sharing the love of Christmas from the divine point of view, their

mere prelude to or sequel of the story of Jesus' birth it was its

stories also need to be told. From them we can learn more about

foundation. It was on the devotion of these two towards God,

God's love.

others and one another that Jesus was born. We miss a lot when

we do not give time to look deliberately into the love of these

**Joseph the son of Jacob**

people through which God's love was born and given to man.

The first Joseph ever mentioned in the Bible is the Joseph the

eleventh son of Jacob. He was the one who came out of the love

of Jacob and Rachel, the first lovebirds the Scriptures ever

**104**

**105**

mentioned.

that gave birth to him. As a type of Jesus Christ, he lived to save

many souls alive (Genesis 50:20). The test of the love he also

The man Jacob had several crisis times with Rachel as it pertains

became came when he had to deal with the matters of forgiving

to the matters of love. In the beginning of their love life, Jacob

his brothers for their wrong doings against him. He was sold to

was deceived by Laban, Rachel's father. In the place of Rachel,

death out of shred hatred. They hated him because of his dream

Leah was given for his first seven years of labors. To get Rachel as

and because he was the begotten son of their father. He was

his legal wife he had to give an extra, more than the expected; he

assumed dead but it was this same death plan that became the

had to wait technically doubled the expected time. Jacob also

pathway to the deliverance of the Hebrews.

had to wait for a seed to come out of their relationship. Leah his

first wife continued to give birth to children, but his beloved was

From a theological point of view the evil that Joseph's brother did

unable to. Even with this, his love for her never wane.. God

to him was done by the whole Israel just as they rose up against

eventually blessed Rachel with a boy and not too long, she

Jesus to crucify Him and the salvation he bought for then was for

became pregnant again with another boy. It was at this time that

both the Hebrews as a whole only that the salvation given

Jacob as prompted of God decided to leave for his father's land.

through his life lasted only for a season. He showed the Hebrews

Another test for this love relationship came when Rachel died

love and mercy they never deserved. When they came to him

during Childbirth; she died after delivering Jacob's last son,

pleading for their lives and those of their children Joseph freely

Benjamin. Although, Rachel died, Jacob's love for her never died.

forgave them.

Jacob poured his love on Joseph, Rachel's first son.

?

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they

?Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because

said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back

he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly

for all the wrongs we did to him?"?So they sent word to Joseph,

ornamented robe for him (Genesis 37:3).

saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: ?'This is

what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers

Joseph came out of a love bond that nothing on earth could

the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.'

break, love that exceeded the terrain of human logic. What he

Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your

became, that is the savior of many nations, is a proof of the love

father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ?His

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**107**

brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.

_tomb and went away._

**Matthew 27:57-60**

_"We are your slaves," they said. ?But Joseph said to them,_

_"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ?You intended to_

The first act of love he showed was to come out. Coming out that

_harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is_

time meant, identifying with Jesus. He was a rich man from the

_now being done, the saving of many lives._

wealthy class but he still chose to identify himself publicly as the

**Genesis 50:15-20**

disciple of Jesus Christ. He was ready to abhor the resentment of

his rich fellows who would call him a fool. He was ready to bear

He loved them even when the one whom he loved most, his

the shame and ridicule of being called the disciple of Jesus as at

father, died. He loved them unconditionally. He loved them more

that time. Before this event, he was a secret disciple, but now he

than they hated him. His love brought the Israelites their rest in

was ready to proclaim his discipleship relationship with Jesus

the beginning of their stay in Egypt. The works of his love for

Christ. Peter ran away betraying Jesus, but this Joseph came out

them exceeded the time of his death. Joseph truly lived the love

publicly to announce his commitment to Jesus.

of Christmas.

_His other outstanding act of love was that of fulfilling a great_

No one can love this way and this much if he is not a product of

_prophecy concerning the burial of Jesus;_

much love. You need to be given birth to anew (Born Again)

_?He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in_

through the love of Christ before you can give the love of Christ.

_his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit_

_in his mouth._

**Joseph the Arimathea**

**Isaiah 53:9**

_?As evening approached, there came a rich man from_

_Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple_

The tone of the first part of this prophecy is not one that anyone

_of Jesus. ?Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate_

would want to align himself with. The choice of Jesus resting

_ordered that it be given to him. ?Joseph took the body, wrapped_

place was not settled before his death because his death is what

_it in a clean linen cloth, ?and placed it in his own new tomb that_

we can refer to as untimely. Since he had to be buried quickly

_he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the_

after his death because it was close to the Sabbath day, if

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**109**

Arimathea did not come to the scene, Jesus would have been

nothing during His life and He felt indebted to do so this time.

buried in a common place as against what the Prophecy foretold.

Joseph must have known that there is no time too late to give

In addition, the Chief Priest and the Pharisees would not have

love. In life or in death, love as a devotion can still be shown to

seen the need of inciting Pilate to command the sealing of the

anyone by anyone who is wise. Love can be given at anytime if it is

tomb (Matthew 27:62-66).

coming out of a pure heart. If you cannot do anything about the

present situation someone is, prepare to do it later.

_Joseph, he of Arimathea, noble and honorable in rank and a_

_respected member of the council (Sanhedrin), who was himself_

As a well respect man among the Sanhedrin, Joseph had this to

_waiting for the kingdom of God, daring the consequences, took_

his credibility; waiting for God's Kingdom. He was not just a Jew

_courage and ventured to go to Pilate and asked for the body of_

waiting for the Messiah to come; he believed Jesus is the

_Jesus._

Messiah because only those who have come to this conclusion,

**Mark 15:43 (Amplified)**

truly waits for the Kingdom of the King (Messiah) who had

already come. Joseph was a waiter and he came out boldly to the

_Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also_

public, daring all consequences to identify himself with this faith.

_waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto_

The consequences of this exercise are several, one of which is

_Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus._

that he would likely be removed from the club of the honorable

**Mark 15:43 (KJV)**

counselors of the Jews, the Sanhedrin. His status in the Jewish

community would be reduced and he would possibly called, an

Joseph the Arimathea came to the scene to see these things

d o n e w i t h o r

outlaw.

_He was ready to abhor the resentment_ w i t h o u t t h e

_of his rich fellows who would call him a_ k n ow l e d ge o f

Joseph the Arimathea did not just see to it that Jesus was buried;

_fool. He was ready to bear the shame_ w h a t w o u l d

he also took Him into his own prepared burial tomb. He craved

happen. For him it

for the body of Jesus, more like wanting it has a personal

_and ridicule of being called the disciple_

must have been a

property, not for the sake of idolizing Him, but as a case for

_of Jesus as at that time._

m a t t e r o f

devotion. He gave Jesus the place of his death for a life with Him.

devotion borne out of love for his Master. Perhaps he could give

It was a new tomb; no one has ever used it before, a tomb meant

**110**

**111**

for the wealthy.

that is not obvious in our world not even in the Church today. The

rich sold their properties at their own discretion to see to the

Joseph brought Jesus into His rightful place of rest. He could have

needs of the poor. They sold their properties and brought the

chosen to get another burial place for Jesus instead, he chose his

money to the feet of the Apostles to show their devotion. None

own. He gave Jesus what was his. This is a true gift! It is not a gift

of them agitated to do the work of meeting the needs by

from you if it is not your own, it might be coming from you and it

themselves instead they allowed the Apostles to do it (Acts 4:32-

might cost you, but it is not your gift and it cannot cost you much

35).

if it is not coming directly from you. Joseph sold off his own rest

for Jesus' rest. He unknowingly made a place available for the

One of those who followed this culture was Joseph called

body of Jesus as His Spirit goes into the grave to conquer death

Barnabas, his deeds was a true representation of his name. He

and its powers. This is love divine. It was not just, because he was

gave because he has been given so much. His love was given as an

rich or because he was a disciple but because he chose to show

Encouragement. Love as an Encouragement is a side of love that

his love as an undying and undenying devotion to his Master

we seldom see today. This form of love does not seek to do and

even when His master was no longer alive to reward him. He was

give all that is needed not because it does not want to but

not trying to give love to Jesus because of earthly rewards; he

because it is incapable of doing so. It gives to its best and gives its

was just devoted to love.

best. The giving might be small or little in the eyes of others but it

is always special in the hands and heart of the receiver. It is

**Joseph the son of Encouragement**

always timely, designed to raise the morals of the receiver and to

_?Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the Apostles called_

restore hope. Love as an encouragement is like giving a cup of

_Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),sold a field he_

water to someone walking through the desert with several miles

_owned and brought the money and put it at the Apostles' feet._

ahead of him.

**Acts 4:36-37**

Immediately after the Barnabas' love was referenced, the names

During the early days of the New Testament Church, the believers

of two people were mentioned, Ananias and Sapphira. This

were one in heart and mind, they had all in common. Amidst

couple also sold their land but their actions did not present the

them there were no outright rich or poor; they lived in a balance

love of Christ at all. They only followed up Joseph's action but

**112**

**113**

they lacked the Spirit that spurred him into this action. In their

people by using different gimmicks. They make people give

case, they were not an encouragement to the Church and the

forcefully not freely. 'You have to give to God with great force so

Apostle. They sold the land and brought part of the money to the

that He can pour His blessing on you with greater overwhelming

Apostles' feet at their own discretion. They tied showing that

force.' This type of statement is common in revival and crusades

they loved but their love does not give all.

meetings today. Since it is by force people can do as they like, sell

?

all and keep some of the proceeds to themselves. This is actually

_Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled_

contrary to what the Apostles encouraged the first churches to

_your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept_

do (2 Corinthians 8:1-12). They commended them for their

_for yourself some of the money you received for the land?_

willingness to give at all times and in all circumstances. Paul also

_?Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold,_

commended them for first giving their hearts to God before

_wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of_

giving their hands. They gave themselves to the Lord first before

_doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."_

being of help to meeting the needs of others. This is true and

**Acts 5:3-4**

right giving. It is only when a man gives his heart to God can he

give the best of his hands to Him.

What you have was given to you. While you had it, it is yours, to

?

give it out should not be forced on you; you have to do it freely.

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to

Ananias and Sapphira thought it was by force to give so their

what one has, not according to what he does not have. (v. 12)

giving became false. Love does not give forcibly it gives freely

It is the willingness to give that makes a giving acceptable in the

and fully. Any gift given against ones will or taken by force is not a

sight of God. Willingness makes you give according to what you

gift. God does not expect you to give love or anything as an

have not what you do not have. Ananias and Sapphira lacked this

offering compulsorily. God does not demand love from us He

character that Barnabas exhibited. To be an encouragement

only expects us to give freely. It is wrong when we place demand

there is a level of willingness needed. Barnabas came to give like

of anything on others. When men do so they act contrary to

the poor widow who gave all she had, while Ananias and his wife

God's standard.

came to show-off like the rich people who came to the temple

(Matthew 12:41-44). Love is not in showing-off it is in giving-off

Men of God do so today; they force several offerings out of

and giving-all.

**114**

**115**

**JOSEPH THE HUSBAND OF MARY**

**Matthew 1:18-19**

The account of the father of Jesus, Joseph, in the Bible is a brief

one. All that is know of him apart from his relationship with Mary

Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. This simple

and how he became the father of Jesus legally is that his father's

statement in many ways show the type of man Joseph was. No

name is Jacob and he was from the Davidic lineage (Matthew

one would allow his daughter to be betrothed to a man of no

1:16, Luke 2:33, John 1:45). The latter that his being of the

proven integrity in the land of Israel. Pledging ones daughter to

Davidic lineage not just from the tribe of Judah meant a lot in

someone then is not just because of his wealth or riches or

God's choice of him for the task of being the father of Jesus on

because of the relationship between the parents involved, but

earth.

because of the worth of goodness the person has as a lifestyle.

For Mary to have been betrothed to the man Joseph, it meant

Although he had no well-announced or pronounced background

that Joseph must have lived a good and responsible life among

as an individual but the role he played in the birth of Jesus was

his people. He must have evidenced good virtues without fault. If

quite an important one. That he is the father of the greatest man

Joseph had not measured up to the total man as a Jew, he would

who ever lived is a great honor. He might have lived his life just as

not have had Mary betrothed unto him.

a local carpenter, but who he was and what he did as it regards

the birth of Jesus is a great deal. For me I see it a great privilege

Betrothing those days is not the different types of courtship we

writing about this man's life especially, the worth of love he

have today. Then it was a time for both parties to prove their

showed to Mary and God and especially the product of this love,

worth beyond question; it is a time they are processed into the

Jesus Christ.

marital world by their parents and family. Many tests are laid

?

down that must be passed; failure meant the annulment of the

_This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother_

marriage proposal. It is the time of their consecration for the

_Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they_

sacred institute they are about to enter into. This act is a sacred

_came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy_

promise that must be kept no matter what. It is simply the

_Spirit. ?Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and_

engagement of marriage, a rite performed by the couple's family

_did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to_

before the ceremony of marriage, which will involve the Priest.

_divorce her quietly._

To be betrothed to someone meant you have been married

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**117**

traditionally to the person, only that you will stay apart for a

someone you have not agreed to marry in the Jewish culture.

while before the religious consummation of the marriage. For

Joseph to be related to Mary this way, meant he is of high morale

Joseph the first character in the account of the birth of Jesus

in his community.

proved himself worthy of the honor of being 'the father of God

on earth' (literarily). First, he proved himself a man before

God is looking for young men and ladies, youth from every race in

becoming a husband. The text we are considering identifies him

this present generation and beyond, who will dignify themselves

as a righteous man. In the Amplified version of this text, he is

like Mary and Joseph did. In our days, no penalty as such is

identified as 'a just and upright man'. He was not called this

accorded to failed courtship since no one is the judge of the

because he became the father of Jesus instead, it was said of

other, so everyone has been given licensed to go into many

him, that it was because this is his lifestyle. Joseph was a

relationships has they can. No charge for fornication, so in

righteous, just and upright man before he became the custodian

courtship we can be free with ourselves, do whatever we like

of the Son of God. His righteous disposition was so evident even

since we are going to end up getting married to each other.

before the coming of Jesus Christ into this world.

Permit me to say

_Men of God do so today; they force_

this; when you fail

His righteousness was put to test when he received the news of

_several offerings out of people by using_

t h i s w a y i n

Mary's pregnancy. What would you do if you were in his

courtship, you

_different gimmicks. They make people_

condition and you received such a report?

have prepared to

_give forcefully not freely._

make the home

**Not Willing to Expose**

you intend to build fall. Marriage is as sacred as its courtship.

He made this worth of commitment even without having his

Until you take this for a fact, you cannot get the best out of any

marriage formalized with Mary. He chose to keep the secret.

relationship. You cannot court someone you are not prepared to

Secrecy, this is an important virtue every marriage and

marry soon. Courtship is not a time to examine your partner or

relationship needs. It was his love for Mary that made him chose

test him or her, rather, it is the time to form a betrothal, a

to go this way not because he was afraid. His love was ready to

consecration made through promise that necessarily ends into

forgive Mary and forget what she has done. He could not

marriage because it is the marriage itself. You cannot court

continue with Mary if she had gotten herself involved in

**118**

**119**

immorality, it is an abomination in the sight of Jehovah,

If Joseph had chosen to expose Mary, he would have gained the

punishable by death. Nevertheless, he was ready to discontinue

applause of his Jewish fellows. They would have called him a

the marriage in such a way that none will witness it hereby

righteous man for exposing the sin of a prostitute (the name by

preventing the punishment due to Mary. Even with the betrayal

necessity they would have given to Mary). They might even give

of trust, he was ready to save Mary's life.

him a sit in the synagogue, a place of honor among men and

encourage him to take another wife from another family, but

Not willing to expose her also meant he would be covering

Joseph went for something else. He was ready to give off this

Mary's sin, which is also a sin in the sight of God (Proverbs

honor to save Mary and her child.

28:13). He was ready for the consequence of this just to have

Mary and her expected child saved. Joseph started showing his

He would not expose her to the public. Even if his love has been

love for this child by trying his best possible to have his mother

betrayed he would not betray her. He was not planning for

preserved. He was showing a great love to God without knowing.

revenge or a pay back. He was not trying to 'show her' and trying

He should have been the first person to make an attempt on the

to hurt her back. All he was planning to do was a quite divorce.

life of Jesus even while he was still in the womb. If he had come

The intention was to go to Mary's parent and the case would be

out publicly to disclaim Mary's pregnancy, it would have meant

settled amidst them without going to the religious council. The

death for the baby to be born and his mother. This cannot be,

betrothal would be nullified without any consequences. After

truly God is wise in making the choice of those he would use to

this is done, the young girl can now be sent to a distanced land

fulfill his purpose.

for her child to be born before she returns to her parent. Joseph

had this settled in his mind and was ready to carry it out but God

He showed this same kind of love the second time when he

who have seen how much he loved her and the child to be born

heeded the warning of the Angel to take Jesus and his mother to

interrupted his plans.

Egypt when Herod made a callous attempt on His life. Somehow,

Joseph still loved Mary and had a measure of trust for her.

**I Hate Divorce**

although, the circumstance in which the lady found herself is

B

**?** ut after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared

irrational, but still Joseph would try his best to see her life and

to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid

the child's saved.

to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in

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**121**

If Joseph had chosen to expose Mary, he would have gained the

_conceived in her is fro_ m the Holy Spirit.

applause of his Jewish fellows. They would have called him a

**Matthew 1:20**

righteous man for exposing the sin of a prostitute (the name by

necessity they would have given to Mary). They might even give

God intervened at that moment because He hates divorce. It

him a sit in the synagogue, a place of honor among men and

would be a wrong thing for Jesus the Child to be born to come

encourage him to take another wife from another family, but

out of such a circumstance. In His plan Jesus should have a father

Joseph went for something else. He was ready to give off this

and mother on earth, He is not supposed to come out of a

honor to save Mary and her child.

divorce and get trained by a single mother.

?

He would not expose her to the public. Even if his love has been

_"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a_

betrayed he would not betray her. He was not planning for

_man's covering himself with violence as well as with his_

revenge or a pay back. He was not trying to 'show her' and trying

_garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your_

to hurt her back. All he was planning to do was a quite divorce.

_spirit, and do not break faith._

The intention was to go to Mary's parent and the case would be

**Malachi 2:16**

settled amidst them without going to the religious council. The

betrothal would be nullified without any consequences. After

Divorcing your wife means breaking faith with her. It is dealing

this is done, the young girl can now be sent to a distanced land

treacherously and faithlessly with your mate. It is cheating the

for her child to be born before she returns to her parent. Joseph

person. Although, the one who is pulling the divorce process is

had this settled in his mind and was ready to carry it out but God

the one who seems to have been cheated, but from God's point

who have seen how much he loved her and the child to be born

of view, he is the one doing the cheating.

interrupted his plans.

_"I hate divorce," says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-_

**I Hate Divorce**

_Armies says, "I hate the violent dismembering of the 'one flesh'_

**?** _But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord_

_of marriage." So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down._

_appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do_

_Don't cheat._

**Malachi 2:16**

_not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is_

**122**

**123**

In the Law of Moses, only the man was licensed to do this not the

There is no evidence he was called this name before this time,

woman, because he is the one who marries, the woman is

especially in his community. No one would want to identify him

married. She takes the woman in and she can, based on a strong

with the Davidic lineage because he is from the lower class, just a

condition justifiable by the Law, give her off. Joseph knew this

commoner, and a carpenter. Those who were closest to him on

and was ready to go through the process discreetly. While the

earth could only see a poor man in him, but God in heaven saw

matter was still a conceived idea in his mind, God came to the

more.

scene. God would not allow this righteous man sin against Him.

He is the Lawgiver, so if he says he hates divorce, it is final and this

God called him the son of David to show him His plan; it was all

must be jealously carried out.

about the revelation of the Messiah who is to come, He is going

to be known as the Son of David just as I called you now. He is the

? _The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,_

King of kings one who will sit on the throne of David forever.

_and he delivers them._

Friends you are more than what people around you call you or

**Psalm 34:7**

what you call yourself. In God's plan what and who you are is

beyond your present and past. He sees you in the light of the

The appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Joseph showed that

person He created. He identifies you from an eternal viewpoint

he was someone who feared God. During his troubled night as

not a carnal position or anything that is earthly bound. All you

he considered the present state of his relationship with Mary,

need to do to know who you truly are and what He calls you is to

with this great burden of divorcing her secretly, God sent His

allow Him to reveal yourself to you by revealing Himself to you.

Angel to him like He does to all those who fear (reverence) Him. 
This was what Joseph did.

Though he was in great distress, he still had time to commune

with God.

The day this truth came to Joseph that he is not just the son of

Jacob, his father, but also the son of David, his ancestor, his

"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your

mindset changed. If God could reference him this way he

wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

believed what Mary must have told him is the truth. That he is

Note that God called Joseph the Son of David here. This is to

the Son of David meant that he is connected to the Davidic

show Joseph His intentions within his present circumstances.

Covenant of Kingship and that he is the son of God just as his

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father David, thus he can obtain both the divine and legal right to

was in his hands that the Son of God was delivered. He was the

be the custodian of the Child Marry was to give birth to.

first to behold the King of kings, the Savior of the World. He was

Therefore, when God came to him about the matter of Mary

the first to see Christmas come to past.

who was with a child he responded positively and promptly

because of this revelation.

Apart from Mary who was the first to receive the formal

announcement of the coming Child, Joseph was the second. The

Joseph chose to attend to the voice of God and not that of the

revelation of Jesus, the Savior came to him just as it came to

Law of Moses for nothing is above His voice. Before he was acting

Mary. They were both told what the Child would be called, Jesus.

as a righteous man base on the Law of Moses now his

The Old Testament Prophet knew the Messiah but they never

righteousness is based on God's voice. People can question his

knew what His name would be as He lived on earth.

actions, but since God has spoken, it does not matter.

?

_For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the_

**Joseph, the Husband and Father of Jesus**

_government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called_

**?** _But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord_

_Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of_

_appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do_

_Peace. ?Of the increase of his government and peace there will_

_not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is_

_be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his_

_conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ?She will give birth to a_

_kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and_

_son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will_

_righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the_

_save his people from their sins."_

_LORD Almighty will accomplish this._

**Matthew 1:20-21**

**Isaiah 9:6-7**

The Old Testament Prophet said a lot about the Messiah to

They knew in part concerning the name of Jesus, but it was to

come, but they never saw His coming. Among their brethren,

this two, Mary and Joseph that the honor of knowing what the

they were blessed at least for being God's spokes man on the

child would be called was given. More was given to Joseph. He

revelation of His Son. Joseph was more blessed than all of them

became the father of Jesus because he was the one who named

because he was not just told, he saw the birth of the Messiah, it

the child, Jesus. Only the father has the right to call their children

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what they would be identified as by men.

Virgin is a honor, it is like being the first to partake of a rich wine

that is only meant for royals. It is a thing of pride and it makes the

During the naming of John the Baptist, the people had to receive

man feel he married the right person and the best woman on

confirmation from Zechariah before accepting that the name of

earth.

the child is John even with all the persuasion of the mother. The

reason for this is simply because, only the father of a child has

For Joseph, hearing that Mary is still a Virgin would be like having

the right to define what the child would be by his name. Naming

a loved one return back from the dead. This was the crown of his

a child in a way is blessing the child. This is the reason parents

blessing. Truly, his love really paid off. Mind you, he was ready to

should watch the name they give their children. Their names

save Mary while he felt she was has been defiled, not because

have so much to do in defining and determining their future.

Mary was a Virgin, but now that he knew Mary is still a Virgin, he

By accepting to go God's way in this matter, Joseph will not just

will do more than saving her, he who go ahead to keep her.

become the husband of Mary; he will also become the father of

the child that she is with.

There is more to receiving Mary back as a Virgin yet with a child.

Joseph has to show his love towards God by keeping her this way.

**Still a Virgin**

Joseph did not defile Mary, he allowed her to remain a virgin till

A

**?** ll this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the

she gave birth.

prophet: ?"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

**Bring Her Home**

What a joy to know that God was the one behind Mary's

**?** _When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had_

pregnancy; that her pregnancy was to fulfill what the Prophets

_commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ?But he had_

has said. The most glorious part of the news for Joseph would be

_no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave_

the fact that Mary is still a virgin even with the baby in her womb.

_him the name Jesus._

The depth of this can only be understood by someone in Joseph's

**Matthew 1:24-25**

shoe.

Joseph did not just hear the Angel's instruction as he spoke to

In our world presently as it was then, becoming the husband of a

him during the night; he took the message to heart and followed

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it to detail. He acted the man he had showed himself as before. It

brought her home. He did not wait for any elaborate ceremony.

takes a man and a man who can make a compromise to change a

The most important thing at that time was to bring Mary home.

righteous decision. Joseph did not only wait to confirm the

Thus, he completed the marriage rite.

message he went straight ahead to do as he was told.

Joseph did three things as he proved his obedience;

Do not go into a relationship with someone you are not going to

bring first into your heart then into your home. While waste your

**He brought Mary back into his heart**

time courting when you already know she will not be brought

He had divorced Mary first from his heart, for it was an

into your home. It is a great evil if you are just going out with a

abomination for him to still hold a defiled woman in her heart.

guy with no intention of settling down in his home as his wife.

Now he brought her back into his heart. Just conceiving the

thought of divorce in the heart is enough to break a marriage.

Husband, you need to understand the fact that you can only

High percent of couples in the world today are already

have a home; though you might choose to build many houses

experiencing heart separation (divorce) though they are still

you can only build one home. Do not live your life putting women

living in physically together in a castle. Divorce always starts from

in different houses; the house you have put that other woman in

the heart of one of the couple before it becomes materialized. It

is not a home, it is brothel, she is not a wife she is only a sex mate.

is when the heart cannot bear it again that it pours out and later

Husband, you need to truly bring your wife home. By bringing

formalizes the thought as a written document.

her home, it is not about bringing her to your house, it is more. If

Joseph had to restore Mary back to her place in his heart before

there is, still, a part of your life that she cannot partake in, she is

proceeding further because if he does not do this no matter

not yet at home. She is not at home if there is still something you

what he does afterwards it will not last long. Marital

can hide from her. She is not at home if she cannot give

reconciliation should first be done in the heart before it is made

suggestion, advise you on issues that seems important to you.

physical because the separation starts in the heart.

She is not at home if you are still denying her any of her rights.

She is not at home if you can still choose to punish her for the

**He brought Mary into his Home**

wrongs she do. If you can raise your hand against her, slap her or

He finally brought Mary into his home as his wife. He went ahead

hit her, she is not at home. Until she is your partner in

to formalize his marriage, settle all pending issues, and finally

whatsoever you have to do on earth, your first partner (earthly)

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**131**

in all that concerns you in and out of your house, she is not at

conceived child. For him bringing her home was not just about

home. Until she is truly the bone of your bones and the flesh of

sexual intercourse. He did not return her to her rightful place

your flesh, the most essential part of your earthly life, she is not

because he wanted to have her duly or unduly. Bringing her

at home.

home was to give her the security she needed most at that point

in her life.

He is not at home, wife, if you still have something you hold in

high esteem here on earth apart from him. If there is anything

Many go into quick fix marriages because they cannot control

you can intentionally deny him and you know it is his right, he is

their sexual urges. 'Let us settle the issue of marriage ceremony

not at home. If you still feel shame to introduce him as your

since we are Christians and for the sake of good morals so that

husband in the public; if you are not proud of him, who and what

we can start the main thing,' they say. Without hesitating, the

he is, he is not at home and the obvious truth is that you are the

night of the ceremony is the night for the main thing.

one who is not at home with him. Your home is with another

person; your heart is the home of another. Bring your husband

Sexual intercourse does not make a house a home. Sex does not

back home.

build a home. Sex cannot sustain the home. A home made and

built through sex intercourse will one day crumble because of

Is your spouse at home or in the house, is he or she outside or

the same. Sexual intercourse is an essential part of a marriage,

inside? You need to check this so that you can do what is right.

but it must not be made its foundation or the main thing in it.

Until both parties are truly at home, and God is with them at

Sexual intercourse must become the sustaining strength of your

home, they cannot experience the bliss of Marriage as it was

home. A home cannot be sustained by lovemaking but by love;

intended. Does your spouse fill it all or just a part of it? Does he or

not love as a thing but as a person, God. Several homes have

she cloud your heart; fill it as it is expected? You should consider

been destroyed by the use and misuse of this important aspect

this and do that which is right and I tell you the right thing is to

of marriage.

bring him and bring her home.

Joseph proved that he is a loving and righteous man as he kept

**He gave Mary and her child the needed security**

Mary safe. He allowed her to go through the process of carrying

Joseph had no sexual union with her until she gave birth to her

the child for nine month without coming near her. The

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**133**

implication of this is that if he had mated with her while she was

to become infected by any virus transferrable by blood even if

still pregnant he would have defiled the child not just Mary

the one who mated with the woman was not infected by such at

alone. Although, biologically he might not be able to add to the

first. If the woman mates with some else who is a carrier of the

genetic character of the baby through a sexual intercourse after

virus at any stage of her pregnancy she would become infected

conception has already happened still he would have changed

by the virus as well as her unborn baby, except by a miracle. All

Mary's virgin status. Mary would have just had the record of

that this is trying to create as a possibility is the damage that

conceiving Jesus as a virgin but not delivering him as a virgin.

Joseph would have caused the baby to be delivered by Mary. If

this were possible, then the Jesus who would come out of Mary

Jesus must be given birth to by a virgin as the prophecy

will be one that is Sin-born one who has an input of Sin in him.

concerning His birth says, this Joseph knows so well and he kept

The Sin not just being that of blood transfer alone but also that of

to it. He did not, out of lust, disobey the demands of this

the condition he came out of, he came out of a woman who had

prophecy instead, he saw to its fulfillment. For Joseph there is a

been with two people, God and Man, thus, a mixture of good

greater honor in adopting and accepting Jesus has his first Son

and evil.

though he had no great inheritance to prepare for him, than

?

wanting to defile His birth into this word by defiling the womb

_For you know that it was not with perishable things such as_

preparing Him for His birth. What love and worth of

_silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of_

understanding is there to give to a woman other than this. Of a

_life handed down to you from your forefathers, ?but with the_

truth Joseph so loved Mary and he was devoted to his love for

_precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect._

God and His will.

**1Peter 1:18-19**

There is another thing to add for the sake of possibility,

All praise be to God that Joseph was an honorable man. Even if

especially because we do not know the stage of Mary's

there would be no consequence at all, it would have been an

pregnancy as at the time he brought her home. If the pregnancy

error, an evil thing for him to have done so. His love for Mary and

was at its early stage and it was possible for Joseph to interfere

the baby would have been defeated. That the human race had a

with the just conceived baby, then there would be a greater

blemish lamb for the sacrifice of their sin is partly because of the

problem. Biologically it is quite possible for a baby in the womb

love that this man showed to his wife and her child. God truly

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**135**

chose the right person for this task. His love brought Jesus into

this world, it watched over this child until the day he was given

birth to in the manger. It was an unconditional love, the love that

Christmas seeks to present to mankind.

You can love like Joseph if you are ready to think about what God

wants at all times and in all circumstances. You can love like

Joseph if you would look for and seek to serve the interest of

others first before yours. If you love without expecting or

thinking about earthly gains then your love is similar to that of

Joseph; it is the love of Christmas.

O Lord give to us all this love that loves without seeking for gains.

Just as we did in the case of Joseph, let us also consider some of

Give us the love that is so eternal conscious than earthly

the Mary(s) who featured in the Bible accounts especially in the

conscious.

New Testament. Six women bore the name 'Mary' in the New

Testament. Actually there was no direct reference to this name in

the Old Testament except for what look so close to it, 'Miriam' the

prophetess, the sister of Aaron (Exodus 15:20).

The six mentioned in the New Testament possessed

extraordinary characters and all had one thing or the other that

related them to Christmas, especially to Jesus Christ. They were

normal women found in circumstances beyond the normal and

they truly proved the content of their name, Mary, 'God's gift'. To

their generation and the entire human race, they are truly God's

gift.

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**137**

**Mary Magdalene**

to doing evil, it is includes the devil making people's lives useless.

As described in the Bible, Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus

The case of the boy who goes into convulsion whenever the evil

cast out seven devils, her story is quite relevant to our times filled

spirit possesses him, throwing him into the fire (Luke 9:38-39), as

with lots of wrong notions concerning the life of the female folks

well as that of the man of Gadarenes who lived in the tomb

generally. It is traditionally believed that most women, if not all,

possessed by many spirits, Legion (Mark 5:1-15), point to what

are witches, meaning that they are possessed by demons. They

Mary must have gone through while she was possessed by the

are referred to as the weaker vessel in nature because of their

devil.

emotional instability, which is believed, allows the devil to

influence them easily. Those who have been found with demonic

Her past was not recorded because it became outdated (a thing

spirits of any kind or caught in the act of a practice of spiritism are

of the past) when she met Jesus. Her past was removed

lined up for death and ascribed as irrelevant to the society, an

completely from the tale of her history as she now rewrites her

outcast. Instead of casting out the demons in them hereby,

history through Jesus. This is what happens to those who have

saving their lives, they are cast out to waste away with the

truly met with Jesus, the past is lost for the gain of eternity. Mary

demon.

Magdalene was shown so great a love by Jesus. Seven demons

were sent out of and she was released from the bondage of the

Mary who lived around the vicinity called Magdala was shown

evil one. She was not just delivered from demonic possession;

the mercy that many in this present world are not being shown.

she was also set free from sin to live a new life as the disciple of

The Bible does not reveal her background and how she became

Jesus. Her heart, which belonged to the devil before now belongs

possessed, but we can deduce what her state was like in the past

to Jesus. She followed Jesus and never strayed away.

from the accounts of other demonically possessed women in

biblical account. The case of the demon possessed girl who

_?Then the disciples went back to their homes, ?but Mary stood_

followed Paul and Silas about (Acts 16:16-18), the daughter of

_outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into_

the Canaanite woman brought to Jesus (Matthew 15:21-28), and

_the tomb ?and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus'_

others show what Mary's life must have been like then especially

_body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot._

before she met Jesus.

**John 20:10-12**

In the New Testament times, demonic possession is not limited

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**139**

When it was the time for the disciples to leave the Master

_for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have_

physically, Mary refused to. She found it is so hard to quickly path

_carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will_

away from the one who saved her from destruction. Though she

_get him."_

did not understand fully why Jesus had to leave since she was not

**John 20:15**

among the three disciples who were closest to Jesus, she still

decided to stay behind while others left. She was satisfied with

Mary did not just love Jesus in his dead state like many people do

the fact that the master died but death could not separate her

in the world today. There is the saying that you do cannot

from her Lord. She still wants to be where Jesus was laid.

appreciate what you have until it is taken from you. Mary's love

was as true to Jesus in his dead state as it was while he was alive.

O! For such love I long, for such devotion I desire, that nothing

Although she could not recognize Jesus in His new form, she

here on earth or in heaven would be able to separate You from

recognized His voice. When her name was mentioned, she could

me. Where You are, there I always want to be.

not but recognize her Master's voice. She knew that only her

Master calls her the way the individual did. She did not miss that

Mary must have known something about the resurrection of

voice; her ears have not been given to other things, things that

Jesus as she held unto this truth while she was at the tomb. She

pertain to this earth. In her distressed state she did not miss this

refused to doubt the resurrection that Jesus had talked about.

important voice.

Mary stood at the tomb both in weakness as she wept thinking

her Master's death body has been stolen, and in fear, though she

Help me Lord to recognize Your voice this way. To hear you when

believed the fact that her Master will resurrect from the dead.

You call my name, to always be available to listen to You when You

Yes, she could not recognize her Lord when He appeared to her

call on me. No matter what state I am, may I not miss Your sweet

but it was not because she was totally blind to this but because

voice.

her Master had taken a new form, the resurrected body. Her

words to the one she thought was just a tomb Gardner showed

Mary knew and saw Jesus in His life, suffering, death and

how much she loved her Lord.

resurrection. She must also have been there at His ascension.

?

What a blessing! She had this experience because she loved to

_"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking_

follow no matter the cost. While she chose to wait at the tomb

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**141**

while others left not minding the consequences was because of

who were there in the garden to guard the tomb. She was all out

her undying love for the One who first loved her.

to find Jesus. You might say she was looking for a dead body

perhaps she wanted to worship the dead body, which tend

Mary was indeed blessed. She was an unknown Apostle, being

towards idolatry, but the truth of the matter is she was seeking

the first witness to the resurrection and the one who first

for Jesus as if he was still alive. Truly, Jesus was alive in her heart.

proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus. "I have seen the Lord", she

She might be portrayed as a weak person earlier, but after she

screamed when she met with the Disciples of Jesus. She

saw the Lord, her weakness was turned to strength.

witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ to them. She is the first

witness of this Goodnews. The male Apostles did not accept or

Men and women of God, we need to learn to wait a little more,

believe her Gospel because she was a female and because they

give a little more to our search for Jesus. If many leave, we should

had just left the burial site, but this does not change the fact that

not. To see the Lord cost just waiting and waiting more in His

she was the first to

presence. Those who wait on the Lord renew their strength but

_Mary must have known something_

p r o c l a i m t h e

those who wait and wait more sees the Lord. Before you start

_about the resurrection of Jesus as she_

G o s p e l . S h e

going out to run with the Gospel, why not first wait on the Lord.

preached to those

_held unto this truth while she was at_

Do not leave your Jerusalem yet, wait for the gift that the Father

w h o l a t e r o n

promised (Acts 1:4b).

_the tomb._

b e c a m e g r e a t

preacher, what a great blessing. She ran with the Gospel so fast

Waiting for others and waiting on others are acts of love. When

that nothing on earth could stop her. She did not just run because

we wait more so we can see the Master and be with Him, we also

of mere excitement but because she has seen the Lord. The truth

show Him, we do not love Him because of the things He wants to

is that no one who sees the Lord find it difficult to run with the

give; rather our love is for Him, the giver. Those who are in haste

Goodnews.

to go out and run with the Gospel or those who easily give up in

the place of waiting show they are filled with lust for the things of

Mary was blessed this much because she waited just a little more

this world and not the Love of God. Wait, servant of God, even if it

while others left. She sought after the body of her Lord all alone

seems He delays, for He will surely come. No matter what your

not minding if she was going to be attacked by Roman soldiers

situation is, if you wait and wait more your end will read this, 'I

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have seen the Lord.'

distinguished themselves with their hospitality. ?

_Wait for the Lord, wait in the righteousness that comes from_

_As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a_

_His love, wait in the hope of His love, wait in the fear_

_village where a woman named Martha opened her home to_

_(reference) of his love, wait even when all others run away and_

_him._

_seem to be running so fast. Blessed is he whose master finds_

Luke 10:38

_doing so when He returns._

Psalm 27:14 (Amplified Bible)

At first, Bethany was just a common village, but due to the

hospitality of this family, it became a place well spoken off as the

_Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good_

haven of Jesus and His disciples on their missionary journey.

_courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for_

Once while Jesus told His disciples they would be going back to

_and hope for and expect the Lord. I pray to GOD--my life a_

this region their response was a reference to the fact that what

_prayer-- and wait for what he'll say and do._

this family chose to do was not a little thing.

Psalm 130:5-6 (Message)

?

? _Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."?"But_

_I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will_

_Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone_

_stand upon the earth. ?And after my skin has been destroyed,_

_you, and yet you are going back there?"_

_yet in my flesh I will see God; ?I myself will see him with my own_

John 11:7-8

_eyes-- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!_

Job 19:25-27

It was at this same region the Jews chose to be indignant with

Jesus that Martha opened her home to Jesus. She chose to love

**Mary of Bethany**

Jesus even if everyone in her land had dedicated their lives to

Mary of Bethany is the sister of Martha and Lazarus the friend of

hating and persecuting Him. Everyone as an individual has to

Jesus Christ. If Lazarus was Jesus' friend, it means Jesus was

choose what we will do to Jesus. Even if you are from a

Mary's uncle or brother. While Jesus picked this form of interest

background of people who hates Jesus or you live among those

in this family, no one knows, but it is quite clear that they

who have sworn that all their generations must work against His

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**145**

course, you still have to decide on your own what you want to do

mission outreaches, home and foreign missions, seeing to the

with Jesus. Your decision concerning this matter is a personal

welfare of God's servants, orphans, widows, needy of all kinds.

one, not a societal or group thing.

They sponsor campaigns that are geared toward improving

humanity generally and saving men from destruction. They live

Amidst all odds, Martha chose to open the door of her home for

to give all God has given them back to Him having first given their

Jesus to come in. When others closed theirs, she opened hers.

lives (hearts) without any reserves to Him. With pure motives

Jesus did not just come into her home alone; He also came into

and desires, they have made their lives and homes the pot that

her heart, her brother's heart and that of her sister's, Mary.

Jesus can feed from all the times.

The truth is, only those who open their heart for Jesus to come in

When are you going to join this triumphant people, those who

can have Jesus' home in heaven opened to them at the end of this

are living Christmas (the life of Christ) in its true sense, those who

world. No one opens his heart for Jesus who does not open his

do not have to wait for Christmas day before they give the love of

home to Him. He cannot come into your home if He has not come

God to others? When will your home become a place where

into your heart. We do a lot in the world today trying to bring

Christmas is a daily celebration, a resort and place of comfort for

Jesus into our situation without considering bringing Him into

those in need; a place where the Church, God's Children,

our hearts. The vehicle that He uses to come into our home and

fellowship daily, and a cell where godly counsel is issued out to

our situation is our heart. If we work on bringing Him fully into

save nations, families and lives?

our hearts, we will have our homes full of Jesus and full of His

light.

Martha and her family did not just open their home for Jesus they

gave Him full participation in it. Note that the Bible did not say

There are several people in the world today, who have opened

that they opened their house for Jesus to enter into, instead it

their homes to Jesus just as Martha did. Regardless of how much

was their home they opened; their home, their family life, not

they do what they do, they are the caretakers of His ministry on

just the tent of their family but the content, their family values,

earth. These people use their lives, materials (resources), wealth

lifestyle and all there is that make them a unit. It was from this

and riches, wisdom and intelligence, words and worth to

type of opening up for Jesus that the case of Mary came in. What

progress the work of Christ. They fund and sponsor missions and

Martha her sister did, she did more.

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**147**

In the three instances where her story was referenced she

_And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that_

showed that there is more to bringing Jesus into ones heart and

_he might send them forth to preach ..._

home. In the first case, she was at the feet of the Master who was

Mark 3:14

already in her home. She was not there at His feet licking His feet

Servant of God, it is to this you are called, sitting down at His feet,

or untying her shoelaces or just there for the fun of it, she was

being with Him so that He can work on you. You cannot work for

there listening to the Master. She did not bring the Master into

Him if He has not first worked on you. The first and best place of

her heart and her home just to have Him sit down or be attended

service in ministry is at the feet of Jesus. Our primary calling is to

to; she brought Him in so the Master can work upon her life. She

be with Jesus; no matter how long it takes, it pays at the end. Stay

gave herself totally to the Master. While her sister was busy trying

with Him in His incubator; do not rush out prematurely.

to attend to the Master's need, she gave herself to the Master to

be attended to. This is the evidence of love that has started

Martha changed the order of things and she landed herself in

growing in Mary. What Martha was doing though seems as love

great worries. Though very serious at and zealous for service, the

but it was just a sign of love, a show-off love not true love.

summation of all her ministry from the eye of Jesus is distraction.

?

Why get distracted when you ought to stay attracted to Jesus?

_As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a_

_village where a woman named Martha opened her home to_

_B_

? _ut Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to_

_him. ?She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet_

_be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care_

_listening to what he said. ?But Martha was distracted by all the_

_that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to_

_preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked,_

_help me!"?"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are_

_"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work_

_worried and upset about many things, ?but only one thing is_

_by myself? Tell her to help me!"_

_needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be_

Luke 10:38-40

_taken away from her."_

Luke 10:41-42

While others were busy running here and there, she chose to sit

down. She chose to listen to the Master first before she starts

All other forms of ministry have their time limit and expiry date;

running here and there to serve Him.

only this one is an eternal ministry. Every other ministry can be

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taken away from you, but sitting at the feet of Jesus, being with

No one gets frustrated while doing the right thing.

Him all the way, can never be taken away from you. This is the

main reason the devil sees to it that few men are in this ministry.

To Martha Jesus was saying, 'one thing is needed now and it is for

He will allow them to continue to run after other ministries

everyone to listen to Me. My time is drawing near; I will not be

knowing that soon either the ministry will be taken from them or

with you forever (in this physical form). Now that you can see me,

they will be taken from the ministry, but he will do his best to see

one thing is most needful and Mary, your sister has chosen to

to it that they will not give them self to being with Jesus. He

plunge into it. Your sister has caught this revelation because she

knows this ministry cannot be taken away from them.

loves sitting at my feet. I cannot take this away from her; if I do, I

will become the evil one. If I ask her to stand up from this

Martha sought in anger and desperation for help in her service

precious position she has chosen to the one you loved, I will be

for Jesus and the needed help was not made available to her

committing a great act of injustice. You ought to change your

because she was doing a wrong ministry at the wrong time. In her

position. You can leave or suspend what you are doing for its

eyes, she was

appropriate time. There would be more time for you all to serve

_Servant of God, it is to this you are_

the one serving

me, while I am gone, but now you need to sit down and listen.

_called, sitting down at His feet, being_

Jesus, the one

Listen but do not just listen alone, grow as you do. I called the

s h o w i n g

_with Him so that He can work on you._

twelve to be with me so they could grow in me.'

greatest love

_You cannot work for Him if He has not_

a n d

s h e

What He said to Martha, He is saying to us today. Yes, He has

_first worked on you._

deserved some

called you into a life of service, but this service will be without

recommendation and help. However, in the eyes of the Master,

merit if it is not aided by timely and continuous hearing from the

she was doing an unprofitable work. What the Master considered

Master. Instead of going to Him all the time, why not stay with

was her motives of service and her understanding of what it

Him all the time? Stay patiently at His side; watch Him do His

means to serve Him. Considering these two, she was found faulty.

works. Through this, you will understand His way. When a

Her hearts have been filled with great corruptions that she could

servant sits besides his master to listen to him, he gains more for

even see that Mary was not doing what she was doing and she

himself than just going out running errands for Him. It is wisdom

picked offence in her actions to show the level of her frustration.

to stay at Jesus' feet. This wisdom should be cultivated by all

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Christians. We make His heart glad when we find time for

When Jesus heard of the sickness of Lazarus His friend and how

personal fellowship with Him. He is with us all the time; He wants

worried his sisters were, the Bible records that He waited for two

us to be with Him all the time.

days before making any move towards their home.

?

The second case of Mary's position at Jesus feet as her evidence

_Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ?Yet when he_

of love for the Master was at the site where Lazarus her brother

_heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more_

was buried. Just as it was in the first case, her love for Jesus would

_days._

be compared to that of her sister, Martha.

John 11:5-6

One of the important lessons that can be drawn from the account

If truly Jesus loved Lazarus why did He tarry a minute? Does it not

of the restoration of Lazarus to life after four days is the power of

mean, He loved them less by tarrying even for a second? These

Jesus over death. With this He showed Himself as a Prophet, but

same people opened their home unto Him. Waiting for two more

His kind was different because none in the history of Israel had

days meant that He allowed Lazarus to go on with the pains of his

risen up a four-year-old dead body. He was more than all the

sickness and the two sisters to go on with their worries. If He

Prophets because He owns not just the power over death; He

loved them, why would He allow them suffer?

also has the power of life. He is the life giving Messiah. Jesus

conquered death by the resurrection He experienced from

The disciples once asked Jesus a similar question about the case

death. No one in the history of the human race has ever

of the man who was born blind. 'Who sinned, on whose account

experienced something similar.

is this man made to go through this suffering, was it because of

his sin, his parent's or was it because God does not love him (John

Looking at the account from it unset there is more to learn than

9:2-3 emphasis mine)? His answer to their all-important question

the glaring lessons of the power of Jesus over life and death. The

was, his situation was for God's work to be made manifest in him,

ways and manner of the love Jesus gave seems more profound a

for God to be glorified. At the end of his case, God was truly

lesson than the earlier mentioned one, and what made Mary

glorified.

different from Martha in this case was her understanding of this

love.

Friend, what He allows in your life, what He stayed for two more

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**153**

days away from your home, what looks as if He will never attend

them and that it was for this reason He came to the earth.

to, is to the glory of God. He tarried that is if your case seems so,

because He wants to show you the depth of His love for you. God

_?But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of_

is more glorified in the darkest of all situations than when all

_the blind man have kept this man from dying?"_

seems bright and beautiful.

John 11:37

It is in the culture of man to think God disappoints or He comes

In their foolishness, they failed to see all that happened in

around late, but He never does. God is always punctual because

Lazarus' life was for them. They only knew that He could keep a

He created time.

man from dying but they never know He could also raise him up

from his dead state. Jesus was showing them their spiritual state

His (Jesus) waiting was intentional. Without being told, Jesus

and what He is able to do but they failed to see this all-important

knew Lazarus died after wards and He was set to go and bring Him

matter.

back to life. He plans to reveal how much He loved Lazarus and

the two sisters through bringing the dead man back to life.

When Jesus got to the scene after four days of making himself

Lazarus will not just experience the love of Jesus; he will also

absent the first person to attend to Him was Martha. She rushed

become an object of His love. He will become someone through

out to meet with the Master as against Mary's sitting down

whom He can reveal His love to others. If it was just about healing

waiting for His arrival.

him, it would just be a love shown to him alone, but when it is

about bringing him back to life, this love would become manifest

_"Lord," Martha said to Jesus," But I know that even now God_

to all. The best act of love comes when the challenge is

_will give you whatever you ask."_

John 11:21-22

overwhelmingly great.

This is faith in action. Of a truth, if Jesus was there when Lazarus

Jesus shows that He loves us more when He shows His love to

was sick, he might have not died. 'Might not have died,' because

others through us. Just by weeping by the tomb of Lazarus, the

Jesus can still allow him to die if that would be to God's glory.

people said, 'see how he loved him' (John 11:35-36), but when

Which means that Jesus' presence does not outrightly

He raised the dead man up, He was showing them that He loved

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**155**

determines what happens in any situation, the glory of God does.

she went to meet Him. She was waiting patiently until her Lord

?

came.

_Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."Martha_

_answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the_

On getting to the place where Jesus was, she fell at His feet and

_last day."?Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life._

repeated the same thing her sister said earlier, 'Lord, if you had

_He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ?and_

been here, my brother would not have died.' To her Jesus did not

_whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe_

say anything, instead He was deeply moved. He was not moved

_this?"?"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the_

because of the death of Lazarus or because of the crowd who

_Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."_

came behind, neither was it because of Martha's unbelief; it was

John 11:23-27

because of the humility borne out of the love Mary displayed.

Mary said just the same thing as her sister but the way and

Martha showed her knowledge of the person Jesus is but not

manner of her disposition as she uttered those words moved the

what He can do. She showed she knows nothing about Jesus

Master's heart.

power to raise the dead. When Jesus drew near to the grave, it

was this same Martha who out of disbelieve said, 'by this time

Before talking and sharing her pains with the Master, she fell at

there is a bad odor for he has been there for four days.' Even if she

His feet both to reference Him and to listen to what He was going

believed Jesus could raise the dead, she never believed He could

to say concerning her brother's situation. She showed her

raise a four-day- old dead body. She had limited knowledge of

submission to the Master's will. What a love for Jesus even while

what the Master can do thus limited faith in His works. How

she was suffering a loss.

would she have such a faith since she did not have the zeal for

hearing the Master speak? 'Faith comes through hearing the

Her tears touched the Master's feet and this cannot be left

word of God (Romans 10:17).

unattended to. 'He was moved in His Spirit and troubled,' this is

what the tears shed at His feet poured out in reference of and

Mary of Bethany on the other hand first received the words of the

submission to His will, can do. Jesus would not have Mary

Master's coming into her situation and with great enthusiasm

continue to weep because are tears moved both the crowd and

went to meet with Him. It was after the Master asked for her that

His heart. Hers was tears poured out of a loving heart and cannot

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**157**

but receive a loving response.

The third and final instance of Mary's position of love at the

Master's feet was the most remarkable one. This happened after

'Where have you laid him,' Jesus asked. There was no time for

she had showed her love for Jesus as she poured out her burdens

doctrinal matters anymore, no time for saying He is the

at His feet.

resurrection and life because this Mary had proven she knows

?

the truth and believes Jesus can do all things with all of her heart.

_Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where_

She had maintained her position at the feet of her Lord, there she

_Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ?Here a_

listened to the Master and there she believed the Master would

_dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus_

listen to her.

_was among those reclining at the table with him. ?Then Mary_

_took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she_

At the foot of the Cross where all burdens can be laid bare, there

_poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And_

our tears are made a pure expression of our fellowship with

_the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume._

Jesus. Whatsoever we bring to the foot of His Cross becomes a

**John 12:1-3**

fellowship with His suffering. When we cling to His Cross, we can

pour our cup empty and have it filled with His grace. At Cross,

Close to the time of His crucifixion as He moved towards

Jesus tells us, 'through it all My grace is sufficient for you.'

Jerusalem, for a Triumphant Entry, Jesus as His usual act stayed

by at Bethany to fellowship with His friends. A dinner was given in

Go through the Cross instead of running around to mountains

His honor for the reason that was not stated clearly. It could be to

and valleys. Going to the Cross means humbling yourself and

thank Him for raising Lazarus up from the dead or because they

submitting yourself to His will. It means going into His presence

were biding Him farewell as He journeyed towards Jerusalem.

as an unjust sinner saved by grace and proclaiming His love in

Martha served as usual while Lazarus the new born, honored and

your situation no matter what it seems like. This was what Mary

glorified for coming back from the dead sat down to eat with the

of Bethany did when she threw herself to the feet of her Master

Master. Where was Mary during this important role call?

this second time. Mary knew that her Master loved her no matter

what. Allowing Lazarus to die was one of His ways of showing to

Mary was not at any place other than the feet of Jesus. This time

her the depth of His love.

she was not there to listen to the Master speak neither was she

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**159**

there to pour out her burden to Him, instead she was there to

of shame.

pour out HER ALL on Him. She brought the best of all she had,

?

presented it at the feet of her Lord and left it all there. She poured

_Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,_

out a jar of pure (costly) oil on Jesus' feet and used her hair to

_and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ?so_

wipe His feet until the house was filled with its fragrance. She was

_he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and_

not just giving what she had; she gave the best and gave herself as

_wrapped a towel around his waist. ?After that, he poured water_

well.

_into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them_

_with the towel that was wrapped around him._

What is the significance of this act great? She did not pour the oil

John 13:3-5

on the head of Jesus because that would have represented a form

of superiority over Jesus. It would have meant she was a priest or

Jesus taught His disciples this lesson in a latter time after Mary's

a prophet anointing a king or an official in the king's court. She

good gesture. This was His pragmatic attempt to show them the

poured it on His feet as a sign of being the lesser one, a servant.

lesson in what Mary did. It is the role of the servant (slave) of the

Mary was expressing a sense of total servanthood buy using her

house to wash the feet of the Master of the house and other

hair to wipe off the feet that she poured her oil.

visitors as they enter into the house. Jesus poured water into a

basin to wash His disciple's feet, took a towel to dry off the water.

In other Gospel accounts that related this incident it was stated

He showed them what it is to be a great person. This should

that the woman poured her oil on the head of the Master

remind them and cause them to understand what Mary did at an

(Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9). That a woman can pour oil on a

earlier time.

man's head in the land of the Jews is kind of a probability,

especially because their recipients were more Jewish than

The motive of Mary was so pure and she came just as she was

Gentile. For the second set of people, a woman pouring a jar of oil

without knowing the eternal significance of what she was doing.

on the head of a man is not a problem it only exemplifies genuine

She just came to show her love to Jesus without knowing that she

love and submission. John's account presented it in such a way

has done more.

that the audience will see both the love of the woman, her

?

humility, submission and open show of gratitude void of any form

_But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray_

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**161**

_him, objected,?"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money_

Saving it for the day of His burial meant, what Mary was doing

_given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."?He did not say_

now as a direct link to His death and burial, which was to happen

_this because he cared about the poor but because he was a_

soon. Mary came to announce the closeness of His death to Him.

_thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to_

Through her acts of love, she was showing what the Master

_what was put into it. ?"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was_

would soon do in pouring out His life for the salvation of the

_intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my_

World. Soon, He will be dead and buried and in the preparation of

_burial._

His body for the tomb, He will receive the same worth of

John 12:4-7

anointing.

Judas Iscariot had something better that Mary should have done

with her oil. 'Why would you waste such costly oil on Jesus,

This story did not end there. It was recorded that on the day of His

pouring it on His feet as if you were pouring water? What you are

resurrection thinking He were still dead, some women (Mary

wasting is worth a year wage for an able-bodied man, if it is sold.

Magdalene and other Mary, possibly, this Mary of Bethany,

Its proceeds can be used to feed the poor people, lots and lots of

Matthew 28:1) took spices made out of pure oil to the tomb to

them. Why waste the oil when you can use it in a better way?' He

anoint His dead body. They were unable to show this gesture

must have asked this not too important question. From a logical

because Jesus Christ had risen from the dead before they got

position, is it not better to feed hundred poor people with what

there. Truly, what Mary did, then, was what was expected done

you have instead of giving it as a gift to just one rich man? Was

before the resurrection. She accomplished a task that others

Jesus then selfish when He allowed Mary to pour her oil on Him

desired to do but could not. She did not have to wait for the day

instead of allowing her to save the poor with it?

His dead body would need an anointing. She gave her love to her

Master, while she could. Do not save your love for a latter day,

Jesus who knew all things saw a greater thing behind this giving

give it now. Do not think your love would be most appreciable at a

more than what Judas could see, even better than Mary the giver

latter date, do it now and leave the judgment to the receiver. The

could. "It was intended," He said. "What you see happening

person might not be there again when you finally decide to show

today has been divinely planned. Her actions were prompted by

your love.

God so that My body can be prepared for a burial to soon come

after My death," Jesus reiterated.

? _"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she_

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_should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ?You will_

around. The truth is when you give love in a Now sense, you will

_always have the poor among you, but you will not always have_

give it always. When you give in a now sense you give all and your

_me."_

best. When you give your gift to someone as if you will not meet

John 12:7-8

that person again not because you do not want to, you give your

best. When next you are offered the opportunity to give you will

Judas was thinking about helping the poor now but not always.

still give the same way. Give always as if that would be the last

He never thought about his Master because he felt Jesus would

time. That was Mary's way of giving. For her it was as if she would

always be around. Jesus made this clear that they would have the

have no other opportunity to give; this was the last time, so she

poor with them always but not Him. So why not give all you can to

gave the best she had and all she had. Jesus knew her given

Me now while you can and worry about giving to others what you

would be the last directly and He received it that way. It was good

can always.

that Mary poured her oil on His feet, though it was not of His

body, His body never lacked oil enough for the grave.

Do not carelessly mistake the gift you can give now for what you

can give always. The poor you will have always, but your family,

? _Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to_

t h a t p e r s o n

_wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,_

_Do not save your love for a latter day,_

around you should

_though not every one of you."_

_give it now._

be loved now. Now

John 13:10

is the best time to

give love not later. Do not go out looking for the poor, you have

Jesus' body has already been prepared for the cross and the

them around you.

grave by His Father even before this time. He has had an oil bath

in Heaven before this time. All that was need now was just to

There is love to give now and there is the one to give always.

pour it again on His feet and that Mary did so well. She did not

Giving becomes loving when we understand this pattern

give the oil to the Master has a gift; she poured it, all of it. It

correctly. Love should both be given all the time but most

would have meant less if she had just brought it as a gift, pouring

importantly, it should be given now. There are people who you

it made it more than a gift. As she poured the oil in her hands, she

will never meet again and there are those who will always be

was giving her love and life as a living offering to the Master. She

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came as a worshipper not as a giver, she came with a gift of love

_the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."_

not just a gift, she came to pour herself as an offering not just her

Matthew 26:13

oil. She bowed at the Master's feet and used her hair as towel to

wipe the oil off as an act of fellowship. Her hair is the symbol of

What other reward should be extended to such a lover, than for

her glory, this she offered for the use of the Master. She made her

her deeds to become a Gospel we preach. Her deeds did not

glory count as nothing; she gave it all to Him becoming nothing

perish. Wherever the Gospel is preached, wherever Christmas is

for Him. She despised the shame and bore the dishonor.

made mention of, this worth of love cannot but be mentioned.

Hers was true love and like Apostle Paul rightly said, 'Love never

"What are you doing Mary?" Her mates would ask her. Do you

fails when all else does,' (1Corinthians 13:8). Mary gave the love

not know that the oil can destroy your hair and spoil your

of Christmas, so wherever the Gospel about the death and

beauty? Don't you know that the guys who were admiring you

resurrection of Jesus is echoed, her deeds will also be

would no longer do so if they see you ridiculing your image at the

mentioned. Though, she was not there when the wise men gave

feet of Jesus? Mary what do you want to gain out of all this, are

three gifts to the baby Jesus when Christmas was announced to

you that foolish?

the world, she was there to give her best when Christmas was

about to become fulfilled.

Mary was not seeing just an act of service in her action; she was

in a height of communion with Jesus. She was relating with Jesus

My life I give to you this day as a gift of love. It is the only thing

in such a way that no one has ever. She was pouring her all,

that can last beyond time. All that is in my hand that I have to give

consecrating herself for the use of the Master. Mary did not just

will perish one day. I give not just the best part of my life, my time,

touch the feet of Jesus, she touched His heart.

my ambition and the rest to you, I give all, all that I am will ever

be, I give as a token of my love for He who first loved Me and gave

May all I do touch your heart, dear Lord. May I do all in worship of

Himself for me. His love, I can never repay, but will always

who You are. Deep love for You, give to me. Deeper love my heart

proclaim.

yearns. A life devoted to You, fully given out to You.

To those who have the type of Judas' love and are purse carriers

_?I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout_

like him, it is good to have you know that if you truly care for the

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**167**

poor, you will not have a purse or a bag. You will have no place

knows.

(technically) to keep or store up what you have gathered for a

future, because true giving is not done in the future it is done

That she is the wife of someone meant that she must also be the

now. You will always give all you have now. Until you have

mother of someone, meaning she had a home to attend to;

completely emptied your purse, you will not stop giving. No one

instead, she chose to be at the Cross. Perhaps she was also

gives his all to others who have not first poured is all out for the

related to Mary the mother of Jesus. Maybe, she was her friend,

use of Jesus. To love the poor genuinely, you have to first love

but if that were the case, it would have been indicated since the

Jesus. If you say, you love the poor without loving Jesus; you only

Bible made mention of Mary's sister. In all, on whatever ground,

love the purse like Judas.

this particular Mary must have been a disciple of Jesus just like

Mary Magdalene.

**Mary, the wife of Clopas**

? _Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister,_

She was not ready to miss the experience of the Cross for any

_Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene._

reason. Being a family woman was not enough to deny her of this

John 19:25

awesome experience. She followed while the Master was alive;

she was ready to follow Him to the Cross. She was ready to share

Not so many people were there at the Cross when Jesus was

of the experience of the suffering of Jesus. How would she truly

going through His last moments before His death. Several close

share if she was not there to see Him in His suffering?

people ran away, even most of the disciples did, possibly because

they were afraid for their lives or they could not bear the pain

This woman was not ready to deny her Master, she was ready to

their Lord was going through. Among those who stayed was

identify herself as the friend and disciple of Jesus. Perhaps her

Mary the wife of Clopas. She was not Mary Magdalene or Mary

husband was a renowned person in the land, or he might have

the mother of Jesus neither was she the sister of Jesus' mother,

been among those who wanted the Master dead. May be she

she was just Mary the wife of Clopas.

was the wife of the man named Cleopas one of two disciples on

the road towards Emmaus (Luke 24:18). Whatsoever was her

The other people near the Cross had important and recognizable

connection to Jesus in the physical does not matter in this case,

reasons for being there, but why this Mary was there, no one

what is of importance is that this woman stood near the Cross

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**169**

and watched Jesus died. Her deed was what a mention by the

the path to heaven. No one goes to heaven to rest without first

Gospellers as one of the true witness to the death of Jesus Christ.

going through the Cross. The nearer you are to the Cross of Jesus

She had a firsthand experience of the crucifixion and death of

the closer you are to His glorious throne. The truth is, Christmas

Jesus. These events were reported to her. She shared of the

is not complete without the Cross. Christmas became revealed

moment of His suffering and must have been among the women

to the world at the Cross. In Bethlehem, where Jesus was given

who went to see Him at the tomb. Nothing else would have made

birth to, only few people witnessed the love God gave, but at the

her to stay by the Cross than the love she has for Jesus. This love

Cross, the world witnessed this love in all its form and with all its

drove all her fears away such that she was able to register her

passion.

name among those who saw Jesus died on the cross.

**Mary the mother of John Mark**

Her gift of love brought her husband's name into the Scripture.

No direct relationship of this woman with Jesus was mentioned

Perhaps no one would have known this man if not for his wife's

in the Bible. She must have been another hidden disciple. Two

determination to stand near the Cross whatsoever the

things made her significant when it comes to the issue of love for

consequence might be. Though she did not help Jesus carry His

Jesus. The first is that she was the mother of John Mark.

cross as one Simon from Cyrene did, she stood by the Cross as a

witness to what Jesus went through. Like several other women,

John Mark has been widely accepted as the author of the second

she was not there to mock Jesus, instead she was there to weep

Gospel account on Jesus. He must also have been the young man

for Him and unknowingly cheer Him into glory.

who fled when Jesus was being arrested by the Romans in the

garden. This probability is because it was only in his Gospel

Many so called Christians are running away from this same thing

account that this incident was mentioned. For raising such a

today. They do not want to identify themselves with the Cross of

young man who later on became so devoted to the work of the

Jesus. They do not want the world to see that they have been

Gospel, and became Paul and Barnabas's assistant in their first

crucified with Christ. They call themselves Christian while they

missionary enterprise, this merits Christmas recognition.

live so far away from the Cross instead of being near it all day

long. Stay by the Cross, friends. Even if it brings you shame, Jesus

If John Mark was the man who fled when Jesus was arrested, it is

bore more for you. The safest place on earth is by the Cross; it is

probable that he lived near the garden or that he always followed

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Jesus that way without being recognized. Mary his mother must

This unknown woman during the days of Jesus on earth made

have been a follower in a way to allow this. Perhaps, Mark ran

her home a Church for the disciples, a refuge place and resource

home to inform her mother what has happened and this made

centre after the Master left. This act is worth the Christmas

her run after Jesus like the other Mary did.

recognition. She is another Mary, like the Mary the mother of

Jesus.

In Acts 12:12, Mary's second act of love was referenced. She kept

in her house the disciples when the persecution of the Church

**Mary of Rome**

began. This woman who must have been doing something like

This particular Mary must have meant a lot in the Church of

this before this given time was putting her life at risk by

Rome for her name to be mentioned by Apostle Paul. Her name

becoming the host of people who were then tagged rebels by the

was mentioned in the honorary role call that was a culture of

Government. She made her house the refuge of the disciples;

Paul in his General Epistles. The name mentioned in Romans 16,

her house became their praying tower. It was in her house that

were purposeful instead of accidental. Those who had their

the Church prayed earnestly for the release of Apostle Peter

names there lived lives worthy of such commendation. After

from the plot of death over his life.

Sister Phoebe who was of great help to many people and to the

Apostle and Priscilla and Aquila follow workers in Christ with

The incident that was mentioned in Acts 12 happened during the

Paul, who risked their lives both for Paul and the Churches of the

feast of the leaven bread, meaning she must have been the one

Gentiles, Epenetus who was the first convert in Asia, came Mary,

to see to the need of the disciples who were in her house since

who worked very hard in the church at Rome.

they were still Jews and were still practicing those feasts. Though

it was not recorded that this woman opened her door unto Jesus

If the phrase 'worked hard' is just taken literarily it would not

like Martha did, she opened it for His disciples who were in great

mean so big a thing. But if it is seen from its original meaning we

need for a shelter and a hiding place. Just as Jesus taught, this

will understand what this woman did to have booked a place in

worth of love she showed to these ones she showed Jesus as well

this register. The word 'worked' as used in Romans 16:6 means

(Matthew 25:34-40). If she was not able to open her doors while

'to grow weary, tired or exhausted with toil or burdens of grief. It

Jesus was alive, she did not allow that opportunity not granted

also means to grow with wearisome effort out of bodily or

her to become a case of hindrance for what she could do now.

physical labor.

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**173**

Looking at this from the point of view of the duty a woman is

department or two; you might even be the head of the church or

allowed to carry out in a church setting, one or more out of these

her General Overseer. All of this will not count if you name is not

must have been what the woman was engaged in that lead to

first registered in the book of life. Even if you have it registered in

such wearisomeness.

the books of works up there, you will only be rewarded for all you

have done here if you get there and you can only get there if your

She was an intercessor in the Church sold out completely to

name is in the Book of Life. If your name is not in the Book of Life,

prayers labors for Paul and the Church at Rome.

your works cannot count because it means that when tried and

She was given to managing the welfare of the Church as a

made to pass through the fire they will fail the test of truth of

deaconess. This includes visiting the members to encourage

righteousness, of faithfulness and of love. These four virtues are

them and discipline them. It also includes taking care of the place

only in the lives of those whose names are in the Book of Life,

of their worship, which might involve physical labor.

people who have had a personal encounter with Jesus.

She was given to Evangelizing the Gospel in Rome and souls were

won into the Church

You might think you are working for Jesus yet you do not know

She was like those women mentioned in Luke 8:1-3, noted for

Him. You might even think you know Him, whereas He does not

her financial contributions to ministry of Paul in Rome and

know you. Paul knew Mary of Rome and her hard work, does

beyond.

Christ know you and your tremendous works recognized and

applauded by men? You need to consider this matter before it is

In any of these and more, what must have given this woman such

too late.

a recommendation was her service of love. Whatever she did is

?

not out of law but out of love. She must have passed the test of

_"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because_

serving in love and in truth as well as serving faithfully before

_many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to._

name could be penned down in this eternal document. She

_?_

worked hard, tiresomely and she continued to do so. She was a

_Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you_

laborer not just a church worker. She did more than just being a

_will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door_

church. It is good that you have your name registered among the

_for us.'"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you_

workers of your local church. You might even be the head of one

_come from.'?"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you,_

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_taught in our streets.'?"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or_

_where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'?"There_

_will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see_

_Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom_

_of God, but you yourselves thrown out. ?People will come from_

_east and west and north and south, and will take their places_

_at the feast in the kingdom of God. ?Indeed there are those who_

_are last who will be first, and first who will be last."_

_T_? _hus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ?"Not everyone who_

_says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but_

_only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ?Many_

_will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in_

_your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform_

_many miracles?'?Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you._

_Away from me, you evildoers!'?_

_In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a_

_"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts_

_town in Galilee, ?to a virgin pledged to be married to a man_

_them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the_

_named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was_

_rock._

_Mary. ?The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are_

Luke 13:24-30, Matthew 7:20-24

_highly favored! The Lord is with you."?Mary was greatly_

_troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this_

_might be. ?But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,_

_you have found favor with God. ?You will be with child and give_

_birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ?He will_

_be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord_

_God will give him the throne of his father David, ?and he will_

_reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never_

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_end."?"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a_ a wealth that no mortal has been blessed with. Being a feminine

_virgin?"?The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon_

character, she contributed to the restoration of the women folk

_you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So_

to their position as designed by God instead, of being relegated

_the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ?Even_

as the slave of the male folks as they were held before the time of

_Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age,_

Jesus especially among the Jews.

_and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ?For_

_nothing is impossible with God."?"I am the Lord's servant,"_

Above all, she represents what she is now immortalized for, her

_Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the_

virginity. It should not be taken lightly or seen as a matter of

_angel left her._

chance or coincidence that a young lady, while she was yet a

_Luke 1:26-38_

virgin conceived a baby who was later delivered to become the

Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

**Mary the Virgin**

_?Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will_

From a literal viewpoint, though this virtue is highly priced today

_be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him_

in our world especially among the well cultured, only those who

_Immanuel._

lived in her times knows truly what it means to be a Virgin. For the

Isaiah 7:14

Jews one of the most honored virtue expected of the female

before marriage is virginity. The truth is that you cannot be given

The character Mary the mother of Jesus has long had a universal

out in marriage if you are not given out as a virgin. Take away her

significance especially in the Catholic Church. She is esteemed

virginity the woman is almost reduced to nothing.

even in her state of death not just, because she is the mother of

Jesus, but because she is Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus. In

_?If a man takes a wife and, after lying with her, dislikes her ?and_

terms of reference, she is next to Jesus among in the Catholic

_slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, "I married this_

Church. She is more like the link to Jesus. It is believed that

_woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her_

anyone who wants to get Jesus' attention must go through Mary

_virginity,"?then the girl's father and mother shall bring proof_

His mother. The Mother of Jesus or the Mother of God has she

_that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. ?The girl's_

has been referenced as early as the 2nd Century by the Church, is

_father will say to the elders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to_

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**179**

_this man, but he dislikes her. ?Now he has slandered her and_

the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31), but if she is

_said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the_

found wanting in this particular aspect, it becomes a shame for

_proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall display_

them. The truth is that no one is truly a virtues woman who was

_the cloth before the elders of the town, ?and the elders shall_

not a virgin as a young woman before he got married.

_take the man and punish him. ?They shall fine him a hundred_

_shekels of silver and give them to the girl's father, because this_

Therefore, parents should take it as their responsibility to help

_man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall_

their daughters to keep their virginity by pricing it dearly. You do

_continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he_

not need to follow them around or imbibe this into their system

_lives. ?If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the girl's_

by force. If you truly train them with love and give them

_virginity can be found, ?she shall be brought to the door of her_

consistent and continuous counsel not borne out of fear, but

_father's house and there the men of her town shall stone her to_

love, they will make it their responsibility to keep themselves.

_death. She has done a disgraceful thing in Israel by being_

_promiscuous while still in her father's house. You must purge_

Mothers, that you were not a virgin before you got married, does

_the evil from among you._

not mean you should take this matter lightly. Until it dawns on

Deuteronomy 22:13-21

you that losing your virginity was not the best of love you should

have shown to yourself and to others you would not labor much

That a lady is a virgin a great blessing for many people not just

so that your girls would not repeat your error. You cannot change

herself alone.

what you have done but you can prevent her from entering into

your shoes. It is not a bad thing if they are prepared to have a

**The implication of being a virgin on the Parents**

better marriage than yours.

Having a daughter, who is a virgin, is a thing of honor for the

parents among their brethren. The society regards them for a job

In our world today this matter has been taken lightly, fathers do

well done. They have preserved their daughter, nurtured and

not care anymore, they allow their wards live as they like since it

trained her in the most responsible way against all odds. No

is not their lives. This is wrong because you will be held

matter the worth of her moral values, if this virtue is not there, it

accountable for all they do because God placed them under your

is as if they have done nothing. It is good to train her to become

custody, both to keep and to care for them. Until they are handed

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**181**

over to the care of another, you are accountable for what they

privileged to have such blessing, which is scarce in his world. This

do.

delight makes him believe that he married the right person and

his marriage is not a false. It also makes him believe his woman

Although, the present world system presents virginity (for boys

has been kept for him and that she belongs to him alone forever.

and girls alike) as a taboo and an uncivilized norm, the truth still

Yes, there are those who take pride in the numbers of girls they

remains, virginity is one the highest virtues that distinguish

have disvirgined. They celebrate this and chant it loud so that

youths from youths. What sexual intercourse really makes you is

others can hear. They even turn it to a competition among

an adult not a youth. Many have moved to adulthood thinking

themselves. There are others who use virginity as a means for

they are still (young) youth. Sexual intercourse, consciously or

money ritual or to gain spiritual powers. This is to show how this

unconsciously, gives the parties involved a sense of responsibility

virtue is highly priced in the spiritual realm of evil, while we take

over one another. Just getting involved with another person

it for granted in the physical world.

makes you part of that person's life forever. No matter how you

try to run away from this fact, it will still get hold of you.

Cursed are they who rejoice for partaking in these types of evil;

hell awaits them if they fail to repent.

Where are the virgins (boys and girls, youth) whom God intends

to pour out his wealth of love through to reach the world? Where

Many men today wants to get married to a virgin, they want the

are the virgins who will esteem the name of their parents on

untouched, simply because of the pride attached to it.

earth and their father in heaven as Mary did?

Nevertheless, ask them 'are they virgins themselves?' This same

people have disvirgined many young women after luring them

**The implication of being a virgin for the Man**

into their net with several marriage proposals. They want virgins

The man who becomes the husband of the virgin woman also

while they themselves are not and they have contributed into

shares part of the honor. Culturally, it is a thing of pride for a man

depopulating the numbers of virgins that are in existence. Tell

to meet his wife 'at home' that is still kept as a virgin. Men who

me, who will marry those whose life you have spoilt. Who will

are given this honor take pride in it. This pride is not false pride

marry the ones you are rejecting or have rejected? They hold to

not the one to share amidst friends in the Beer Parlor or to

the fact that disvirgined women are not wife-materials, yet they

celebrate hilariously. One humbles the man seeing himself as so

go on to increase their population. What a great wickedness in

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**183**

the heart of men.

this sin is death by stoning. I tell when your punishment will be

issued to you it is those who supported you at first who will cast

**The implication of being a virgin for the Lady**

the first stone.

The one who takes the highest share and worth of honor when it

pertains to virginity is the young woman. She is honored because

Another evil that has penetrated into this part of the world today

keeping herself is a sacrifice she paid dearly for. She enters into

is that many parents want to their sons to bring home a lady, who

the home of her husband with shoulders raised high, no quilt in

is pregnant; until they see that she is pregnant they cannot

her or secret to keep away from her husband. There is no past

accept her as their sons' wife. They want to know if she has a

relationship that none cannot hear about. She is so free and

fertile womb before she can come into their lives. Bring her home

confident that she would be loved back because of the love she

pregnant them your wedding date will be announced. Some also

has shown to her husband in keeping herself for him alone all this

tell their daughter that her marriage will be done after her first

while.

child is delivered so that her husband would not take her for

granted. These cultural systems look good but they give hold

There are those who lost their virginity to rape, and all other

more evil than the good. The devil wants to make sure the

forms of sexual abuses. These people did not give it up willfully.

marriage bed is defiled before the marriage is formalized. He

Although, the hurt will continue to linger, but when they turn to

wants people to involve themselves in gross fornication so he can

Jesus He removes their hurt and pains away giving them the

have something to charge against them when they start building

assurance of His love for them even in their states. They can also

their home. If you want a living marriage, do not lay it on a sinful

go into their husbands home with their shoulders held high

foundation. If the family requires from you what God is not

because they have lived their lives right. In the sight of their

expecting of you, run away from them. No man who loves God

creator, they are still as He created them, a virgin.

will allow himself to be controlled by family traditions and rituals.

Fornication does not promote true love in any way, it only

Ladies, do not fall for the deceit that there is nothing to lose if you

corrupts it. 2Samuel 13 is a clear indication of this. At one point

give your virginity willfully. If you read the text that was earlier

Amnon said, "He was in love with his sister." This was actually not

cited (Deuteronomy 22:13-21) on the punishment that the law

a problem in their times. However, after he had his way with her,

sets up for anyone who sin this way you will see that the wages of

he fell out of love. He hated her so intensely that she became dirt

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**185**

to him. Do not be fooled women. When a man says, 'You should

God to help you through this process. Only those, whom God

prove your love to him by releasing yourself to sex or become

keeps, are safe. When you learn to release your life and future in

their sex object," his interest is carnal not spiritual. No man truly

the hands of God, when you give yourself to Him completely, He

loves a lady, who would want to have her defiled before her

will keep you unharmed and will present you undefiled when the

marriage.

time comes, to your man. Why not give your life fully to Him now.

Ladies, keep yourself. This is the greatest good you can ever do to

**Back to Mary**

yourself. You add more to who you are in terms of value and

Mary gave her love to all the people in her life, her Parent, her

worth when you do this. You gain security for yourself, earn the

betrothed husband, her people and herself, by keeping herself a

trust of your husband forever on sexual matters if you do this.

virgin. To everyone around her, this was quite much, but she

Yes, the world is full of great challenges but you will do well if you

went further to give more. The best way to describe the worth of

prioritize this virtue.

love she was ready to give is 'the love that risks all'.

Many marriages are destroyed even before it get started because

? _"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as_

those who have enjoyed sex before marriage with another man

_you have said." Then the angel left her._

or with the one they eventually get married to find it hard to

Luke 1:38

enjoy sex in marriage. They fall easy victim of adultery and other

sexual vices while in marriage. So while not start saving your

Her love was a matter of devotion first to God before any other

marriage even before you get married.

thing can be considered. She accepted the Lordship of God by

identifying herself as His servant and showed her love by

? _Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain._

responding to His will. Mary's response considered only one

_Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand_

person in this matter, God and she was ready to risk every other

_guard in vain._

thing though she did not say it out loud for the world to hear.

Psalm 127:1

_?"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and_

You cannot keep yourself safe by your strength alone. You need

_mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-- yes,_

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**187**

_even his own life-- he cannot be my disciple. ?And anyone who_

have no way of explaining the case clearly, they would be called a

_does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple._

fool amidst their brethren. Several suggestions would be given as

Luke 14:26-27

to what they should do with Mary, their beautiful daughter; they

might even be advised to disown her because of the shame she

Even before these words were uttered, Mary had fulfilled its

brought to them.

terms. She was ready to give everything just for the will of God to

be done. We need to consider some of the things, this young

"Mary why don't you consider all of these possibilities," the devil

woman had to risk due to her commitment to God. The love of

might have said during that crucial period of her decision-

Christmas is a love that risks all.

making. With her decision, Mary will lose the trust of her loving

Parent. They might be forced to love her less. No matter how she

**The Honor of Her Parent**

tries to explain the case to them, with all their Jewish background

When she said, "Let your will be done O Lord," it meant, soon she

and love for Yahweh, they will still find it hard to believe her

would become pregnant and the story about being a Virgin

ridiculous tale. They might not disown her but she is no longer a

would be over (at least from the human point of view). She would

part of them again because she would be carrying in her wound,

be with a Child whose father she cannot present to anyone in this

for nine months, in her father's house, a bastard.

physical world. If she were promiscuous, at least there would be

the evidence that there was a man amongst many who

With all of these possibilities, Mary still said, 'Thy will be done.'

impregnated her. The truth is that in all this matter, Mary was not

She was ready to give her love to God at the expense of having

ready to implicate Joseph just to save herself. Mary was ready to

her parent to hate her. She was ready to leave her parent to

go all out to bear the responsibility of this Will that she has

follow God. She was not doing this because she had a lust for a

responded in faith to.

boyfriend one she intends to run away with because her parent

rejected him. She was not going to do this because she hated her

Her Parent will go through almost the same ridicule as she would,

parent, but because she loved God and that was all that counts.

if not more. They will be called all sorts of names and their pride

During this period, the parent must have been planning and

and honor completely given away. These two beautiful Jews will

preparing for her marriage to the beloved Joseph, but Mary was

not be able to stand tall in their community again. Since they

not considering that at all. They must have been announcing the

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**189**

ceremony in the community and Mary was not ready to consider

physical and biological grandparents of Jesus, the Son of God;

this above her present decision. What a disgrace! Mary, what

they were going to be more like the In-laws of God. They have

were you thinking when you said, 'Thy will be done.' I am so sure

higher honor than the parent those of Joseph because they were

she was not thinking about anything else, she did not allow

Jesus' grandparent legally. Mary's parent by her decision will

anything else to run into her thought. She knows that whatever

become the grandparent of Jesus. What an honor!

God has for her at whatever period in her life is the best and

perfect.

No one talks about them on earth, nothing has been written

directly concerning them, but the truth is that it is such a honor

Such a devotion to You alone. Such a heart, free from the earthly.

writing about them. What a honor, this young lady gave them.

Such a mind set to Yes, your will, all the times. Whenever You call,

This honor is far greater than the one they would have gained if

'Here I am,' to say. Such a life, that does not worry for the 'What

Mary just got married to Joseph in whatsoever fashion, denying

if(s)'. Such an answer as Mary, Be it unto me, according to Your

her womb from housing the Son of God for just nine months.

Word.

There is much in stock for us than we can ever think of if we can

Mary was already sold out; ready to lose all she has built up for

just love God the way Mary did. This blessing will not just be for

many years for the one that will last into eternity. She was ready

us alone, it will rob over those who are around us. You might be

to answer the voice of God silencing all other voices beckoning

finding it so tough giving your life to Jesus Christ because you are

on her to consider her parents and their joy. She was ready to

considering what the people around you, those you think you are

face the outcome of her decision no matter what, be it a great

accountable to and responsible for, might say. The truth is that

persecution; she was ready to go all the way with her God.

when you give your life to Christ you become a blessing to

Such love for You alone, Lord I pray

everyone around you. Being saved from sin as an individual is the

beginning of the salvation that will rob off many others. When

Mary was looking for far greater honor for her parent than just

you come into the light, you draw many into the light without

being the In-laws of Joseph's family, or giving their daughter's

knowing or planning for it.

hand in marriage to the best of men on earth. She bought for

them by the reason of her sacrifice the honor of being the direct

When Abraham left his father's house, it was a ridiculous thing,

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**191**

but now it is not. When Abraham became blessed, Terah's name

laws of the land would be aborted because of her" (cf. Job 1:9-

and lineage became one that was grafted into the Scriptures

11).

among several others. This is a greater honor. God might have

chosen for the record of the lineage described as Abrahamaic

Like Job, Mary feared God not because of any earthly gain, it was

line to have Abraham's name alone, but He chose to honor

not because of indecision or loss of the power of self-will, but

Abraham's family because of his obedience. It is from this

because God is God and only Him should be the object of human

obedience we are still enjoying today. With Abraham, God cut

fear and reverence.

the Covenant that the Seed that will bless the whole world will

come out of him. This covenant came out of Abraham's

It is so sure Joseph will find it hard to trust Mary again because

obedience and it produced Jesus our blessed savior. When you

what has happened to her is not what man can rationally

truly obey God, you become a blessing to many generations of

conceive as possible. As a noble man, he would not want to have

men if not the whole world (mankind).

anything to do with her again. As at the time the pregnancy

became obvious, he was already planning a secret divorce with

**The Love of Joseph**

her. Thank God that Joseph was a honorable man, perhaps, he

She was ready to risk Joseph's love for her. By that answer, she

would have cut her head off with a dagger.

literarily gave up the future she was supposed to have with

Joseph. God did not make any contract with her that if she

Mary knew how deeply in-love Joseph was with her, how highly

obeyed Him, He will make it possible for her to still have her place

valued she was in his sight. She knew she was the most important

in Joseph's heart and life. She was not aware of God's plan for the

part of his life, and without her Joseph is incomplete as a man.

future of Joseph and herself, but still knowing the consequence

She was Joseph object of love, Joseph's life and the reason for his

of her decision, she was ready to go God's way no matter what. If

existence as at that time. Taking herself out of Joseph's life is

she had a foreknowledge of God's plan of making Joseph return

demoralizing and it could bring a lasting hurt into his heart if not

to her no matter what becomes of her one can conclude that her

kill him. She knew all of this, yet she was ready to go all out for

obedience was conditional. It could have been said of her, "Mary

God's will. This young lady became someone of importance in

did not love God out of no reason, she loved God because she

the community because she had been chosen for marriage

was assured of the fact that Joseph would not reject her and the

among several others. Joseph's choice of her made her honored

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**193**

by all. Taking this man away from her meant she will become a

way with God. For her obedience does not necessarily have to

nobody, and she will will receive double fold of dishonor for all

come out of a full understanding of what is to come but what is

the honor she has received. Even with all of this Mary was ready

requested and who is making the request.

to choose God.

In 'The Choice,'the author related her story on the choice she had

Mary was ready to face Joseph's hatred, dislikes and rejections of

to make between the love she had for a man and her love for

her. She was ready to bear the hurt of losing the Man she loved so

Jesus. In a strange land, she fell in love with a stranger. For her to

much. She was ready to bear the weight of this burden every

become the wife of this individual she had to conform herself to

single day she comes across Joseph. She was ready to walk about

his religious beliefs. There love was strongly persecuted by the

the city with this loss as long as they would allow her to stay

people of her lover not just because the man fell in love with a

among them. O! What a love, what a life of devotion, what a

stranger but also he was giving himself to the faith of the young

sacrifice unto God.

lady. His family would not have him become a Christian no matter

what; instead, they would prefer that the lady becomes one with

How far do you want to go with God? The 'how far' is always

them.

determined by what you are ready to give up (and off) for Him.

What you cherish and love most, that thing which has become

After lots of struggles, the lady started trying to appreciate the

your life and object of living apart from God, if God asks for it

religion of this people, she tried finding the grounds of

directly or indirectly, will you freely give it to and for Him and for

similarities between hers and theirs. To save her relationship she

His sake?

went to gain academic knowledge about this religion and was

?

ready to get herself cultured to its way of life. She made great

_But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake_

progress and it led to a marriage proposal. Soon the marriage

_of Christ..._

date was set. They invited friends and families across board. This

Philippians 3:7-9

was possible because she has become accepted by many of his

folks from the other religion and her Christian family has also

By coming to meet Mary, God was asking for much more than

accepted her fiancé. On the eve of their marriage ceremony, she

Mary can ever think of. Even with this, she was ready to go all the

was to become baptized without any complication into the

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religion of her fiancé having passed all the required test. To

people where waiting for her to determine their fate and

become a Jew she has to go through some certain rites of

consider the marriage ceremony, she chose Jesus. I would rather

acceptance and the most important of it is for her to give a

lose everything on earth even my life than to betray the one who

statement on her conviction concerning the person of Jesus. She

had showed me love by giving himself for me. If my Jewish friend

was asked, 'Is Jesus the Son of God?' If she would become

truly loves, he also will choose to follow Jesus fully without any

baptized into Judaism, she must relinquish her belief in Jesus as

fear.

the Son of God. Until she can see Jesus from the point of view of a

Jew, just a prophet and not the Messiah, she cannot progress into

Mary was ready to do much more. The woman in the story

being married. She had to make this decision and what she

related above had less to worry about; she would only suffer

decides will determine what will happen to her love life.

emotional love,

_She was ready to risk Joseph's love for_

while in Mary's

_her. By that answer, she literarily gave_

Remembering the challenges that her love life had gone through,

case her life was

_up the future she was supposed to_

remembering all the sacrifice she had made to get this far and the

on the line. Mary's

love her fiancé has for her she became so confused. She also

_have with Joseph._

case was not a

remembered what her family had gone through because of this

case for religion it was that of life and death and all through she

marriage, their present expectation and preparation for the

was alone, ready to give off her love, Joseph, off and her life as a

marriage ceremony slated for the next day. She was at a cross

ransom with the believe that somehow God will keep her from

road that the fate of many at that time was in her hands.

death so that she could give birth to His son.

While reviewing the past, she also remembered what Jesus had

What great love we show our Lord when we think more of Him

to go through, what he went through so that she could be saved.

and less of what is and what is not. What great love we show Him

She remembered how Jesus had to suffer shame and ridicule so

when we choose not to displease Him to please others. What are

that the salvation of the world can be bought. Will she have the

you going to choose in the decision you are contemplating where

nerves to betray her master just because she wants to get

you are now; to please Jesus or to displease Him, to mind what

married to a Jew, to a man who had won her heart? After strong

He is going to say or what others will say? Friends, It pays to go all

deliberation, all alone without anybody's help, while many

the way with and for Jesus.

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**The Implication of Her Decision on Her life**

First, the girl cannot stand up for herself if a charge of

Although, one thing or another has been said concerning this

promiscuity has been laid on her. She needed her parent to stand

earlier, we need to press in to consider it further.

up for her; they are the ones who will bring the evidence of her

virginity to the gate of the elders to save her from destruction. In

_?If a man takes a wife and, after lying with her, dislikes her ?and_

Mary's case, there was no way to proof herself if she was still a

_slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, "I married this_

virgin or not. If her parents must take any proof to the gate, it

_woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her_

would just be their words concerning their daughter's

_virginity,"?then the girl's father and mother shall bring proof_

innocence, and what she said the Angel told her, that is if they

_that she was a virgin to the town elders at the gate. ?The girl's_

believe it themselves. Would Mary's parent want to go to face

_father will say to the elders, "I gave my daughter in marriage_

the shame of proofing what they were not sure of? Is Mary so

_to this man, but he dislikes her. ?Now he has slandered her and_

sure that her parent would go to the gate to defend her?

_said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the_

_proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall_

Another side of proofing her as a virgin would be the

_display the cloth before the elders of the town, ?and the elders_

contribution of Joseph. Yes, Joseph must come out publicly to

_shall take the man and punish him. ?_

defend first, himself that he did not act unlawfully with Mary,

meaning Mary had to present the man who impregnated her and

_They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to_

there was none. To proof her virginity someone has to go in with

_the girl's father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin_

her, Joseph being the closest. It is so sure that Joseph would not

_a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not_

want to go through that because it has already been said that he

_divorce her as long as he lives. ?If, however, the charge is true_

was preparing to divorce her. No matter what, Mary also would

_and no proof of the girl's virginity can be found, ?she shall be_

not want to go through such process because of the baby.

_brought to the door of her father's house and there the men of_

Therefore, the closest option is to surrender to the arm of the

_her town shall stone her to death. She has done a disgraceful_

Law. Except for God's mercy, Mary at this point in time was close

_thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father's_

to death.

_house. You must purge the evil from among you._

Deuteronomy 22:13-21

Mary would be brought to the door of her father's house and

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stoned to death. This is the height of shame she had to bear. She

She was ready both to lose her earthly love and life. With or

would be bringing shame to her father's house and household.

without the knowledge of gaining it back, she was ready to give

Anytime that the door is opened, the event of her death would

them off. What a risk, one that she was ready to go through

reflect back and forth. No matter how they try to clean the stain

triumphantly!

of the blood off the door, it will always be there forever. She

would be giving her home a negative and an undue attention. No

**The love that will live must die first**

one will find it so easy to come and ask for the hand of their

This is what Mary's worth of love and devotion teaches. When

maiden in marriage again. None would want to have any

she said 'I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have

business to do with the house again because all it holds and

said,' she was responding to death, she was already seeing

represent is the curse of God. Mary was ready to face all of this

herself in the front of the door of her father's household, being

for the greater course. This was the cross that came before the

stoned to death. For her, there is more to gain in dying in

Cross of Jesus, the cross through which Christmas was delivered.

obedience to God than in living to disobey Him. Her love depicts

The men of the city would be harmed to have her stoned to

the love of Christmas in such a way that it was focused on

death. Those who have wooed her before and she rejected their

fulfilling the greater gain. Was Mary a hater of men, her family,

advances would now have their chance to disgrace her. What if

and her spouse? No, because in her obedience she showed she

Joseph would have to partake in the process, since such a thing

loved them more. Jesus did not hate His earthly mother when He

as this (purging the evil out of the land) in the then world is a

was going to the Cross, either. Just as Mary was ready to die so

communal responsibility. Joseph stoning her would be the

that God's love might be given birth to without being distracted

highest of all pain she had to bear. She would have to face death

by the love she has for her parent and Joseph, so was Jesus ready

with the pain of having been stoned to death by her most

to go to the Cross without allowing the grieve of His mother and

beloved.

disciples to distract Him. It is through dying that He would show

?

them the best of love. Christmas came to this world through a

_The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates_

woman who was ready to face death and it was eventually issued

_his life in this world will keep it for eternal life._

to man through a man who faced death eventually. For love to

John 12:25

live it must first die.

This is the love of Christmas.

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**Ready to path away with**

_told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside,_

When the boy Jesus became twelve, He was left behind at the

_wanting to see you."?He replied, "My mother and brothers are_

Temple by His Parent who later on returned in search of Him. At

_those who hear God's word and put it into practice."_

this time, they were not ready to path with Him since they were

Luke 8:19-21

responsible Parent. When this boy grew and should assume

some sense of responsibility over His family, Mary was ready to

Mary truly gave the best she had, the most important part of her

give Him away fully without question. At thirty-three Mary

life for God. She offered Jesus to the world as the Living Sacrifice.

should now be enjoying the fruit of her labor over Jesus as His

Since He left off for His ministry, Mary knew where it was going to

mother and for a time not mentioned in the Bible, she was a

end, but she was not told when. The when was quite sudden, it

single mother taking care of Jesus and His earthly siblings. She

came at a time when she would have more pain to bear and she

really labored over Jesus and when it was time to rest from her

did so well. Mary was ready to path away with her begotten Son.

labor and sit to reap the good fruit of this good Son, he was taken

Like her father Abraham, she was ready to place her Son on the

from her.

altar to have Him sacrificed so that God can be pleased and man,

blessed.

As a mother, she had the right to question the death of Jesus, her

firstborn Son, but she did not, instead, she gave Him off freely for

How far have we gone as a parent to show this worth of love to

the world. She gave Jesus off partially at thirty when He began

God and the world? Do we allow our children to go for what God

His ministry and she finally did on the Cross.

has designed their lives for? Do we not choose their career for

them to suite our lust? Is it not because of your pride that you

One of the things that must have caused her great grief must

want your child to become a Doctor, Lawyer and the likes? He

have been the incidence of the day she came to visit her Son in

said He wants to be a Writer or an Artist but you would not have

one of His ministry sites and she was not allowed to meet with

that because there is no honor in that for you. You prefer to see

Him.

the kid suffer doing what he does not like while you enjoy being

?

called the mother of Doctor this and that.

_Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they_

_were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ?Someone_

When you train a child to become what you planned for him you

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have shown how much you hate God and the world he was

51). This act contributed to the growth of Jesus. Mary allowed

originally designed to bless. You show how selfish you are, when

Him become what God designed and destined Him for. She did

it must be what people study in your family line that must be his

not leave Him alone; instead, she followed Him all through not

singular point of interest. Releasing our kids for the world's good

minding the pain she had to bear until she saw Him being taken

is in asking the same question that Manoah and his wife asked

away from her completely on the Cross. For Mary, this is

the Angel when they were told they would give birth to Samson..

fulfillment. She proved that she was a good guardian, even when

?

she had to do this all alone without the support of Joseph her

_So Manoah asked him, "When your words are fulfilled, what is_

beloved husband; she went through it all in the strength that she

_to be the rule for the boy's life and work?"_

received at the beginning of this journey. This is love, love that is

Judges 13:12

ready to path away with; release completely what is cherished

the most for the good of all.

Knowing the rule for the life and work of our wards as guardians

is paramount in nurturing them. When we get this from God who

**Mary's strength grew through Love**

created them and we do our best to see to it that we carry it out

There is an assurance in true love, especially one that streams

to detail, we have shown a great deal of love to God and

out of the fear of God. There is no fear in love but the fear of God

mankind. God designed everyone on earth for a purpose, to be a

gives love and the strength to love in abundance. Mary was so

blessing to humanity and parents have a role to play in seeing

sure that if God's Will must be done, the Son of God, her son

this interest fulfilled. We fail in this role when we turn a non-

must be done away with. Thus, she cannot die until this is done.

challant attitude to it, believing we can enforce our own will on

She was just an agent, an instrument that God intended to use.

them.

Therefore, in God's hand she is safe. She is the one through

whom an age long prophecy of the Messiah to come would be

Mary would have decided to turn towards this path, but she did

fulfilled. For her it is more of a blessing than a risk. She was highly

not. Right from the first day the promise of this Son was given to

favored by God, because with or without her, God's will, will

the time she gave Him off completely, one thing was common

surely come to past.

with her. The Bible records that whatever she hears concerning

the destiny of this child she treasures it in her heart (Luke 2:19,

There is strength in obedience borne out of reference for God.

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**205**

Whenever you find yourself in the position of being of help to

someone else, see yourself as an agent and an instrument in the

hand of God. You are not the one who wants to give that love;

you do not have any love to give except the one God gives

through you. When you release yourself into His hands this way

you will be shocked at what God can do through you.

Love grows through the fear of God and the fear of man or things

kills it. Those who must love as Mary did must first fear as she did.

She did not fear what man can do to her, instead, she feared God

for what He has said to her. The fear of God produces true love for

God.

Mary's response to God's love and God's will made Christmas

fulfilled. Hers was a love towards God for the gain of all humanity

not just a single individual, but the entire human race. As at that

time, she might not know the magnitude of what she did or why

she had to do what she did and those things she was risking, but

what was most important to her then was honoring God's words

above all else.

**God's will and our love**

God's will is His love and our love is shown as we respond to His

will. He has shown us and He still showing us that He loves us by

the dealings of His will. When His will was first made manifest in

the beginning of all things it was because He loved us. The biblical

truth is that He had even loved us before this world began.

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**207**

? _Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who_

?powers on earth and underneath the earth can stop. Though

_has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual_

man failed to conform himself to this programme, God still

_blessing in Christ. ?For he chose us in him before the creation of_

carried it out as we see today. His 'I will' has been fulfilled in

_the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ?he_

Christmas. The big question now is "who will allow His 'I will' of

_predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,_

love to be done in his or her life?"

_in accordance with his pleasure and will-- ?to the praise of his_

_glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he_

? _"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a_

_loves._

_virgin?"?The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon_

Ephesians 1:3-6

_you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So_

_the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God._

It was because of His love that He made man in His image and

Luke 1:34-35

likeness. He gave man this height of privilege above all, His

presence. Our first act of ingratitude came through the rebellion

When God presents His will to us as man, we asked Him back

of Adam and Eve and it went on and on. Sin and the devil became

'How will this be? How will it happen?' Our work in God's will is

the rule over man as against God's design. However, God did not

not to know how His will, will be done but to allow this will to be

let the devil continue in his triumph. He enacted the continuity of

done. We delay His will from being done or made manifest in our

His will for mankind.

lives if we continue to ask, how and how, He is going to go about

His business. Whenever He presents His will, there is a decision

? _And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and_

to be made, either to respond to it in love or to disregard it out of

_between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and_

ignorance, doubt or the evil of sin.

_you will strike his heel."_

Genesis 3:15

When Mary asked this same question, God's will was made

manifest to her instantly and immediately. With less or no

God said, 'I will'. This is His will made manifest. No matter how

further consideration, she surrendered her life and love to God's

man continues to rebel, His will, must be done. Nothing can stop

will. God's will is the future of things revealed in the present as a

Him from what He wills. His will is a programme that no man or

possibility and an opportunity. For the darkened in heart, it is, an

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**209**

?impossibility and a falsehood. But, for the enlightened, it is a case

?the Cross.

of several possibilities disguised in just a single opportunity.

When Jesus was to be given birth to on earth it was through the

As an individual, you can allow this Will of Love to be done again

works of the Holy Spirit. The same must happen to anyone who

in your life as it was in Mary's life today and it can become a

will have Christ born again in him. Christmas begins with the

continuous experience for you. If you allow it to be done today

work of the Holy Spirit.

and now, you will receive grace from God to be able to do this will

as a daily Christmas. Each time Jesus is given birth to in the heart

_?"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a_

of an individual through the works of the saving grace of the

_virgin?"?The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon_

Cross, there is a Christmas on earth and in heaven.

_you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So_

_the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God._

Christmas is not just limited to the day we celebrate the birth of

Luke 1:34-35

Jesus into the world, it is also all the days that Jesus is given birth

to again in the hearts of men. Christmas comes when one sinner

**The Holy Spirit will come upon you**

?repents so that

His coming is to convict us of sin and show us the righteousness

_God's will is the future of things_

n i n e t y - n i n e

of God. We see our sinful depraved state and instantly the

_revealed in the present as a possibility_

righteous others

glorious state of God's righteousness. At this point, we are left to

_and an opportunity._

can rejoice as

make a choice either to fall in repentance of our sins or to remain

?God in the heaven does (Luke 15:4-10). It is the time when lost

adamant in it.

souls are found back by the gracious works of Jesus Christ (Luke

19:10). Christmas comes when Jesus Christ is BORN AGAIN in the

? _But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away._

hearts of men. No one is truly Born Again whom Christ has not

_Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I_

been Born Again in him. You are only Born Again when the one

_go, I will send him to you. ?When he comes, he will convict the_

who was Born through the womb of Mary the Virgin, physically, is

_world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:_

Born Again in your sinful heart spiritually (by His Spirit) to destroy

_?in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; ?in regard to_

the power of sin in your life having complete this task already on

_righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can_

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**211**

? _see me no longer; ?and in regard to judgment, because the_

?heart today. This is your true response of love to God's will and

_prince of this world now stands condemned._

love.

John 16:7-11

**The Power of God will overshadow you**

When we choose the former, we evidence it not by just being

After the Holy Spirit has come upon you and sin has been dealt

remorseful but also by choosing to turn away from our sins and

with, God's power (the Holy Spirit still) then overshadows you.

turn to God for His salvation.

?No one can live a

righteousness life _This is the foremost work of the Holy_

This is the foremost work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to this

e x c e p t b y t h e _Spirit. Jesus came to this world by the_

world by the way of the Holy Spirit; it is by the same that He

power of God. _way of the Holy Spirit; it is by the same_

comes into our heart. When we hear the phrase, Born Again we

Salvation is not just _that He comes into our heart._

take it lightly because we do not know what it really means. This

to take sin away

is the reason many people in the church today see themselves as

?from you; it is also to bring God's righteousness to you. You are

Born Again. When we truly get Born Again what happens is that

not just saved to have sin dead in you; you are saved to live in

Jesus Christ is Born Again in us, His life and light are made

God's righteousness. You cannot say you are free from sin if you

manifest in our heart. We are not the one who gets Born Again in

are not living as the righteousness of God on earth.

the real sense it is Christ who is Born Again in us. The former was

on the Cross for the whole world while the latter is personal, in

The power of God overshadows our lives to bring a covering over

the heart of an individual. It is because we only think it is the man

our heart as against the influence of sin. While we are still on

who just gets Born Again that we truly do not have a full Born

earth, sin will always try to force itself into our lives. Only those

Again experience. Before anyone can truly be born again, Christ

who are under God's covering can become assured of victory

must have been born again in him. Only those who have Christ

over all temptations to sin. We are not just saved to run off sin, we

born again in them eventually grow in the Spirit to become like

are saved to run to God for His righteousness.

Him.

**The Holy One to be born**

Allow Jesus Christ to be born again through the Holy Spirit in your

The Holy Spirit comes upon the sinning heart, He then comes into

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**213**

?the same heart to give it the power to live in righteousness and

?Through this power, we continue to change until we become like

the result is this: the Holy One, Jesus Christ will be born fully in

Jesus. If truly we allow His Holiness to be made manifest in our

the same heart. Holiness, this is what the Holy Spirit intends to

lives we would not need to struggle to perform signs and

produce out of the sinful heart. Do not say that you are born

wonders like sinners do, these things will only come out of us

again if you are not living a holy life. When Christ comes into our

spontaneously based on needs as the Holy Spirit gives us grace to

hearts, we are guaranteed God's Holiness because the Holy One

do so.

now lives in our heart.

Right after His resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples with

In our reconciliation to God through His Son, we become like

these words;

Him, as Holy as He is. Our heart becomes an Eden where God can

live again as of old. The lost presence is restored and eternity with

_"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending_

Him is reassured.

_you."?And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the_

_Holy Spirit. ?If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if_

'Christians' in their ranks have been deceived by the devil to go in

_you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."_

search of the power of God for several other reasons apart from

John 20:21-23

His primary intention for making it available. Many want to

'

become empowered so they can do what only God can do; the

Receive the Holy Spirit' and they received it even if they still do

supernatural, raise the dead, heal the sick, deliver people from

not understood all of this until the Holy Spirit came upon them

demonic oppression, and the likes. They only want to do and not

and overshadowed their lives. His words was more like, 'be born

be like or become like Him. Becoming like is in living like God in

again', because receiving the Holy Spirit is all about being

His Holiness, to become as Holy as God in our lives. This is the

renewed in our spirit man, it is being born again from the inside.

reason He made His power available to us in the first place.

Anyone who can heal the sick and raise the dead but cannot live a

Since there was no direct record of how the Apostles got Born

Holy life has only received the power of God in vain.

Again one can assume that it was at this time they had the

experience. It was at this time they received the works of Christ

The power of God works out a continuous sanctification in us.

on the Cross into their lives. They accepted that He is alive so they

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**215**

?were also made alive with Him. Thomas missed this chance, but

? _sitting. ?They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that_

Jesus came back to him, if He did not, his case would not have

_separated and came to rest on each of them. ?All of them were_

been that different from that of Judas, because Judas sorrow

_filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues_

became multiplied because he did not believe in the death and

_as the Spirit enabled them._

resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although, he (Judas) saw Jesus

Acts 1:4, 8; 2:1-4

during His life, he did not see Him in His death and resurrection.

He did not have the breath of life breathe upon him like the other

Even after they received the Holy Spirit, they still had to wait to

Apostles did and the result of this was eternal death. He is not

allow the power to be made manifest in them. Before this time,

doomed for eternal death just because he betrayed his Lord but

they were still timid and filled with fear; they were still carnal, as

also because he missed the coming of the Holy Spirit.

some of them could still return to their nets because of the cares

of this world. They still had selfish ambitions, could still run away

Christmas is only fulfilled in our lives when Jesus is born again in

from being persecuted, all because Christ has not become fully

us and formed in us. This will not happen until the Holy Spirit

formed in them. They were afraid of the Sanhedrin and of death

comes upon us to overshadow our heart. The disciples had to

all because they have not allowed the resurrection power to be

wait a while before this became their experience.

made manifest in them.

?

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them

They were like formal churchgoers today and church attendees,

this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my

full of all forms of religion without the life of Christ resident in

Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.? But you

them. They can talk about Jesus but they do not have Jesus in

will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you

them. They know about Him but they are not part of His Body.

will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,

They are followers with the crowd and not of Christ, having a

and to the ends of the earth."

form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (2Timothy 3:5).

?

Until the power of God comes upon a man, the Holy One, Jesus

_When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one_

Christ, cannot be formed in Him. Until this is done, you only have

_place. ?Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came_

a form of being born again not the power thereof. Until the

_from heaven and filled the whole house where they were_

power comes, being born again is just a mere mouth talk.

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?When the power of God came upon the early disciples, it

?about what Christ as done in their lives. Just in a moment, many

transformed them into the full measure of Christ. They lived with

had Christ Born Again in them and this became a continuous, an

Jesus for three and half years but never had Jesus living in them.

everyday experience .

When the power of God came upon them, Jesus Christ, through

His Holy Spirit, made His way into them and started living in

Mary had the conception of the Holy One in her womb just in a

them. They became witness not just of what Jesus came to do in

day but the baby in her had to be fully formed within a nine

this world but of what they see Jesus doing in and with them.

month period before it could be delivered. In the same way,

Witnessing for them meant revealing to others who Christ as He

Christ will come into your life and this becomes your Christmas

is being formed in them. This is the Christmas fulfilled.

but you must allow Him to be formed in you through a

continuous progressive sanctification, then you have a full

Christmas is Evangelistic in nature. It is proclaiming Christ and

Christmas, but not until you allow what a been done in you to

witnessing (showing) to others what He has done and He intends

start in another person you cannot have a fulfilled Christmas.

to do in the human heart. It is in showing the love He has available

Only a fully felt Christmas makes the essence of Christmas

to pour into the heart of men, which in return translate to His life

fulfilled in your life. Witnessing Christmas to others is not just in

becoming resident them. This is the reason why for Christians

words, it goes beyond this. Christmas is not just talked it is shown;

Christmas is Everyday and Everyday is Christmas. There must not

it is not only shown, it is given. Showing and giving Christmas runs

be a day when Christ's will, will not be made manifest on earth. As

through what we do and think as well as how and why we do

Christians, there must not be a day that Christ will not be made

what we do.

manifest through our words, deeds, thoughts, disposition,

relationships and others.

Opportunities to give or receive (by responding to) Christmas is

always open to us everyday. When people show you the love you

Christmas comes to you when the power of God is made manifest

cannot show them, how do you respond? When you have the

in your heart, then Jesus is Born Again in you. However, your

opportunity to show others what they cannot get in their world,

Christmas is not full and fulfilled until Jesus who has been born

do you delay or deny? Our responses to these questions

again in you is born repeatedly in others. The Apostles had a

determine what we do with Christmas each and every day.

fulfilled Christmas the first time they set out to witness to others

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? **Even Mary needs Christmas**

?you do, no matter how loving and great it seems, can substitute

It was from her womb that the Son of God was given birth. Yes,

for this. Whatever you do, is done in vain if you do not do it in

she produced Christmas, but she also needed Christmas to

Christ. The best you can receive for anything you do without

happen to her like everyone of us. She also need Christmas in her

Christ is an earthly compensation. You cannot serve God in truth

heart. Though He came out of her womb, she must also have Him

if He has not saved you. You can only give true Christmas if you

back in her heart. Her womb being the house of Jesus in His state

already have an experience of the true Christmas.

of conception was just about service unto God. Though it was

one of the greatest acts of worship to God, yet it cannot save her.

Just as Christmas must come upon everyone's heart, the power

of God must manifest Himself in her.

Her personal experience of Christmas happened at Pentecost.

Since she was placed in the custody of John the beloved by Jesus,

she must have been among the hundred and twenty at the upper

room. Mary did not just bore Jesus Christ from her womb; she

also did in her heart. If she did not have the second as an

experience, it would have been an incomplete Christmas. If she

did not allow the works of her son into her life because she felt

she has done so great a thing in giving birth to Jesus, she would

have lost her life a great deal.

No worth of service to God in His house and to humanity outside

the church can ever substitute for an experience of the saving

grace of Jesus Christ. Whosoever you are and whatsoever you

think you can do for God and you are already 'doing for Him' you

still needs His salvation for your soul. The truth is that, nothing

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? _Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were_

_in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the_

_land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the_

_Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--The people_

_walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in_

_the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. ?You have_

_enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before_

_you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when_

_dividing the plunder. ?For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you_

_have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across_

_their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. ?Every warrior's boot_

_used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be_

Santa Claus is the legendary patron of children. He is an

_destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. ?For to us a Child Is_

undeniable imaginary of what every child who believes in

_Born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his_

Christmas, especially on the morning of Christmas desires to see.

_shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty_

They want to see different gift packs. When the packs are

_God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ?Of the increase of his_

unwrapped, the kid wants to see what he or she desires to have

_government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on_

for Christmas. The Santa imagery gives this hope to Children that

_David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and_

whatever they desire in their heart will be made possible for

_upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on_

them at Christmas. This is quite close to the blessings the true

_and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this._

Isaiah 9:2-7

Christmas brings only that it gives more than what the human

heart can ever imagine or desire. Just as in the case of Santa only

This is Christmas, in view long before the coming of Jesus Christ.

those who truly believes in Christmas and who are ready to share

Truly, Christmas brings an unmerited, unexpected and

with others the joy of Christmas becomes beneficiaries of these

unbelievable honor. God honored Galilee the dwelling place of

blessings. Christmas comes with bounties that exceed this

the commoners through Christmas. This is what He does every

human realm.

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?day, honoring people who have no so great a background, giving

?means afflictions from the burdens caused by sin, a heavy load

them the blessings of Christmas that the wealth of this world

placed upon a slave by his slave master. 'Come unto me,' Jesus

cannot buy. Christmas has made the poor and unknown men and

says 'those who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest'

women on earth great and renowned. Several individuals, who

(Matthew 11:28). This is a Christmas call, it is a call to those who

have been of tremendous blessings to humanity, where products

are in distress so they can be set free from the yokes of sin and be

of Christmas.

given rest. This gift of rest pronounces them, free from gloom,

from darkness into His light. Christmas offers rest, rest from

Through the love that was revealed in Christmas, lots of

undue labor of sin.

reformations have been made to the different damages the

world has been faced with due to workings of sin and its act of

**Great Light**

wickedness. What we now know as Civilization is a product of

_-The people walking in darkness have seen great light._

Christmas. When Christmas came, Christianity was produced

Only those who have truly walked in the darkness of sin and now

and the result was civilization as it is being experienced in the

walks in the experience of God's great light knows what

world today.

Christmas gives. In the state of darkness, there is loss of hope,

terror and horror. Life is meaningless and living is but in vain.

Long time ago, Prophet Isaiah gave his prophecy on the coming of

There is no purpose or sense of true existence, no joy, peace, only

Christmas. In his prophecy, he highlighted what Christmas will

sorrow. This state no matter how beautiful it seems from the

bring to the world of men.

outside is all but meaningless. Solomon the great King described

this so well in the account of his hopeless case in darkness. This is

**No more Gloom**

the state of those who have not experienced Christmas.

_-Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in_

_distress_

When the ray of light dawns on someone who is in darkness, life

Gloom means a state of partial or total darkness. Those who are

is given and living becomes purposeful. Transformation happens

in this state experience distress of different forms. Distress

to the soul and triumphantly the spirit lives in liberty from the

includes psychological sufferings, a state of adversity, extreme

power of sin and all that it brings.

physical pain and the likes. From the biblical point of view it

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? _-Those walking in the land of the shadow of death, a light has_

?shadow of eternal death. The death they ought to fear is not that

_dawned._

of the physical but the eternal that they are already condemned

One of the most common phenomena in the world is the horror

to, except they turn to God and accept His offer of love.

of death. Each passing day people die in an alarming rate. Even in

the season that we recognize as Christmas the alarm continues.

Paul the Apostle knew this experience so well. With great

Disasters of all kinds, terrorism, wars, flood, famine, plagues,

confidence as he journeyed through Damascus to persecute the

diseases and the likes have really contributed to many people's

disciple of Jesus, he never knew he was walking through the

doubt of Christmas. "How can a good and loving God allow all of

shadow of eternal death. The light of God dawned on him and

this to happen?" they ask. No direct answer can be given to this

stopped him from the path of destruction. He became so great

question, but those who have truly allowed Christmas to have its

instrument in the hand of God because he allowed Christmas to

effect on their lives find the answer to their questions in the

happen to him.

blessings it gives.

_And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come_

God designed Christmas to take our minds off all of the earth

_nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from_

presents turmoil to what He has prepared for us here on earth

_heaven a great light round about me._

and in heaven. That there is life (eternal) beyond death is what

Acts 22:6 (KJV)

Christmas has come to show us. Jesus did die, but He also

resurrected to show us what would happen to those who come

This test reveals Paul's personal account of the incident. When

through Him to the Father.

that great light dawned upon him that day, he became a different

person. He was saved from destruction and he went out calling

Yes, the noise of death is so rampant and intriguing in our world,

others to this salvation. He received Christmas and went out

but through Christmas, we can receive light that brings us into

blessing others with the same.

survival through the shadow of death and beyond. The joy that

comes through the new life that Christmas gives fills the heart

**Increased Joy of Harvest**

instead of the fear of death. The truth is this; those who have not

_-You have enlarged the Nations and increased their joy; they_

allowed Christmas in their lives are already walking in the

_rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest._

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?It was after the first Christmas that civilization started dawning

?must really do it with the mindset of bringing the same worth of

upon nations. The world as we have it today, a formalized

joy that the Savior brought, to the world not just in our words but

continent is as result of the Christian enterprise. Nations were

also in our actions. We can do this as we shift from just giving a

expanded and newer nations were formed because of the works

cup of water to the thirsty to feeding a whole nation.

of many Christians who have been blessed by Christmas. As the

Christian mission expanded so did the world.

**Freedom from Slavery**

_-The yoke that burden, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of_

Many inventions that bring joy to us today and ease to our tasks

_their oppressor._

were good deeds people embarked upon as the result of

Just like God did for the Israelites the day He defeated the

Christmas. Men who really brought forth the dividends of

Midianite by the hands of Gideon (Judges 7:22-25), He has

Christmas labored on things that would be of blessings to the

shattered every yoke that once burdened humanity as a whole.

world at large, things that will enlarge nations. They did not just

He broke the bars across their shoulders and set them free. Sin,

limit themselves into just giving gifts to others on Christmas day;

the slave master of all of humanity, was defeated on the Cross; its

they also used their lives up in labors that humanity at large still

power and will that once dominated over us have been dealt with

reaps the harvest of today.

a great blow by Christmas.

It is high time the Church took up what her mission on earth is 'to

_When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of_

enlarge the nations with the blessings of Christmas.' The same is

_righteousness. ?What benefit did you reap at that time from the_

for all Christians. Christmas makes you labor for a large mass of

_things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!?_

people not just a set. Christmas helps you to live based on a world

_But now that you have been set free from sin and have become_

view not limited by racism or prejudice. Christmas is for all

_slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the_

nations, it brings joy to all nations. This is what anyone who has

_result is eternal life. ?For the wages of sin is death, but the gift_

been blessed by Christmas should do, the same for its custodian,

_of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord._

the Church; bring joy to the nations.

Romans 6:20-23

When we sing the song; 'Joy to the world, the Lord is come!' We

Freedom from sin, its power and wages into a life of liberty and

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?righteous living - this is what Christmas offers to those who

?If men would truly allow Christmas into their lives there would be

embrace it.

no need for wasting resources in acquiring military weapons of

wars, missiles and the likes will no longer be needed. If the love of

It was because of the works of Christmas that human slavery and

God is allowed its works in our lives there would be no thoughts

slave trade was abolished in Africa and many parts of the world. If

towards terrorism, wars and disasters. It is because true love is a

not for the workings of Christmas in the heart of men, the

paper thing and not a heart thing that men would turn against

wickedness that resulted into slave trading would have

each other, nations against nations with such a cruel hatred.

continued as a standard in this part of the world and others up till

date. Men placed others under their hold because they are under

_?What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come_

the hold of sin. Those who are truly free from the bondage of sin

_from your desires that battle within you? ?You want something_

cannot in any way place others into any form of bondage for their

_but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what_

personal gains.

_you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you_

_do not ask God. ?When you ask, you do not receive, because you_

If you have been set free from the evil of physical slave trade and

_ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on_

you are not yet set free from spiritual slavery to sin, you are in a

_your pleasures..._

greater danger. Christmas was not given just for you to be set free

James 4:1-4

from the physical; it was given for of your spiritual freedom from

sin. Those who worked for the abolishment of slave trade did so

The resources that should be used in meeting the physical and

because they have received the blessedness of Christmas into

material needs of the citizens of a nation, needs of food, shelter,

their hearts; they have been set free from sin. They labored that

health care and other amenities are being used by weaker

much so that others might share out of the greatest blessing of

nations to afford a form of security for their own against

all, Jesus Christ.

unforeseen odds. Insecurity and an attempt to secure our own

people have become the other of the day. We do so much in

**Eternal Security**

securing people's life but what about securing them for an

_-Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in_

eternal life. How do we go about securing people who are in the

_blood will be destined for burning will be fuel for the fire._

horror of eternal death thinking we are doing a good job?

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?How do we try so much securing against war those who are

?destruction out of great ignorance.

already dead stricken by poverty in their minds? The obvious

truth is that such people cares less about the matter of war, they

The fuel for the fire that will destroy the earth is already being

are ready to die in war not for the honor in it but because they

made ready as nations store up for himself different weapons of

feel there is nothing to lose. Why not enforce the resources in

war. What Nations and their Governments are gathering up

saving them from their physical poverty first and by releasing

today with the campaign of securing people's life is set at fast

their minds from the slavery of poverty they can embrace the

tracking the sure destruction of those who remains on earth

love shown them and the greater love that comes with this.

when Christmas has finished its course. While men ought to run

away from the coming destruction they are planning for it

If a nation is truly driven by the power of love, it will not fear the

unknowingly especially because they have been fooled to

terror of evil. Israel of old and that of this present age is an

disbelieve this truth.

example of such. Her secured state is a result of her love for God

and her trust in the love of God. Although, the nation is facing lots

There is nothing here on earth that can assure man of true and

of challenges today, she still stands. The truth is that no matter

eternal security. Are you not preparing for your future in a wrong

what the Jews are experiencing today especially on the issue of

direction, pilling up bills of currency in banks, investing in all

their inherited lands, cannot be compared to what they have

manners of things, acquiring assets, all to gain a form of security

faced in the past and the end result for them has always been,

for yourself and yours? This method has failed many in the past,

Peace and Comfort.

and it will still ruin several others in the future. If the Lord does

not build the house, those who labor, labor in vain (Psalm 127: 1-

The funny parts of the form of security that lesser nations are

2). Unless the Lord watches over you and preserves your life and

building for themselves today is that they get their gadgets of war

all that is yours, your effort is in vain.

from those they are afraid might wage war on them. Another

painful side to it is that these gadgets are designed by men as

The level of security that United State of America enjoys today is

they prepare for their end. Soon the end of the world will be

not just a show or display of the efforts of those in the present.

materialized. By great fire, the earth will be ruined to its ground.

What we see being enjoyed today came as a result of the labors

Man as he plans for his security also prepares to aid his

of the founding fathers. When we mention the labors of the

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?fathers, it is about the life they lived, a life centered on trusting

?goes and on Friday, everybody returns to his or her normal life

God and God alone. The past leaders did more of trusting God

without a thought for God.

than anything else. Why the American people now have issues

with security and they have to labor so much in human strength

Like many other nations who have fallen short of this same act of

with less result is because the present leaders now trust in

goodness shown them by God, (I believe, many African nations,

themselves and their policies than they do in God. They even

have become a champion in this), Americans need to arise and

fight so that people will trust them with less consciousness on

return to their fathers' love for God. Several African nations have

the matters of God.

forgotten how God saved them from the torture of colonialism

and slave trade. We all need to return to the trust our founding

The National Day of Thanksgiving, an institution in America today

fathers' had in God, the trust that gave birth to our

became a federal holiday since 1863, when during the American

independence.

Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed and instituted

the day for the Praise to the beneficent God who dwelt in the

Trust in God Europeans, Americans, trust in God Africa, and all

Heaven (Wikipedia). The last Thursday of every November was

the nations of the earth. It is good to try to emulate what others

dedicated to the praise of God. It was also the day, the fathers as

are doing, but do not make other nations your gods. The World

the leaders of America declares their allegiance to God and Him

Powers are not powers in the sense of being the ultimate power.

alone. The American state is secured and safe for many reasons.

They are world power but not world's power. They power in

?As an individual, I

heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus Christ. Any Nation who

_The fuel for the fire that will destroy the_

believe this show

wants to truly become powerful (not power driven) for the good

_earth is already being made ready as_

of gratitude, rank

of other nations cannot but have Jesus as Her Lord and the God of

foremost of these

_nations store up for himself different_

Heaven as the sovereign rule over her.

r e a s o n s .

_weapons of war._

Nevertheless, the

**True Governance**

?experience is not the same again. The Thanksgiving Day has

_-For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the_

become a day of eating and merrying alone just like the

_government will be on his shoulder._

Christmas season has also become. The Thursday comes and

We often read that a child is born and a Son is given but we don't

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?seek to understand why the mention of the Son being given after

?are given several honorable and distinctive titles, yet they have

the child is born. Why will the scripture maintained that a child

not lived up to it. They come and go do their beats then become

was born and a Son is given. The implication of this is that of

replaced. Problems are created by one and the successor comes

governance. In Christmas all that the world knows was that a

into the scene trying to solve them. At a time a peaceful state

child was born in a manger at Bethlehem, but the holistic nature

would be experienced and at another chaos. This has been the

of Christmas is in the fact that it was not just a Child that was

trend and routine of governance in the world.

given, it was a Son. God so loved the world that He gave His

?

begotten Son. The giving of the Son implies an heir to His

_Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no_

Kingdom, a prince and successor to the throne, the one who is in

_end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,_

charge of governance of the Kingdom of the earth and heaven on

_establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness_

behalf of His Father. The Jews who were the immediate recipient

_from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty_

of this prophecy knew this so well that the one who is to be given

_will accomplish this._

is a Son, and that He is a Son meant He is the Messiah who will

Isaiah 9:7

save them from the bondage of bad governance in the hands of

the Gentiles and will eventually rule over them.

If governing people at any level can be done in the way of Christ,

the result will be peace without end. In His kingdom there is no

Christmas is the giving of the Son who will save mankind from the

mention of corruption or vices all there is, is only justice and

bondage of sin and the devil, the prince of this world system and

righteousness. When leaders follow the path of justice and

rule over them in righteousness. This is one of the greatest

righteousness, peace and joy will define their governance. When

blessings this gift of love has to offer mankind as a whole.

leaders live true to the honor given them and see their titles as

responsibilities and their offices as an opportunity to serve, they

The governance the rule of Jesus Christ represents is one that

will lead their nations into peace and rest.

Christmas intends to reveal to mankind is so new that the forms

of government that we have today with all their names cannot

The head of the Kingdom of God is called, Wonderful Counselor,

measure up to it. We call all we see true governance but no

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He does not

government system have really proven to be true. Our leaders

bear these names merely as a title but is responsibilities. Just one

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?of these attributes of Jesus in the description of the nature of His

?Leadership at this end is not only limited to governing a nation, it

government. This is what He would do for and be to all those who

is also involves leading a home, a family, a group, a local church,

are under His jurisdiction. He will give them counsel and be their

society, community, a business, even the smallest of a unit.

counselor; He will be their God and father; He will also be their

When the love of Christ is the drive of any form of leadership,

peace. His princely duty is to bring them peace.

fulfilling its responsibilities becomes easy.

The same qualities Jesus possesses have been exemplified by

The peace of Christ is not just the matter of the physical it is

many earthly leaders in the past. They were peacemakers and

holistic in nature. His coming brought to the world, Peace with

counselor, they poured out their lives in labors of love to bring

God, the Peace of God and Peace in God. For so long, before

many nations to what they now enjoy. Though they could not

Christmas, man has been out of peace with God; due to his

become another Jesus on the earth, they exemplified His life

rebellion, he lost his peaceful coexistence with God as well as the

through their deeds. When are we going to do the same,

presence of God. This was the first thing Christ came with,

replicate their love and works, in this present age? We chant

restoring man back to God and God to man. He also brought the

their praise but we have refused to raise our lives up to the worth

peace of God, His peace that He left and gave; the peace this

of the lives they lived. We chant heroes past why we need

world cannot give (John 14:27). Lastly is peace in God, eternal

present heroes.

rest with God. This is the greatest of this gifts. Jesus did not just

restore us back to God, He also gave us the grace of being with

How can we exemplify Christ's life and form of leadership if we

God right here on earth and finally with Him in eternity, this is the

have failed to accept the works of Christmas into our lives? He is

content of the Christmas parcel sent to us by God.

to us a Price of Peace, Emmanuel, one who left all His glory in

heaven taking upon Himself a human body just to serve

mankind, all because He loved us. Only when leaders can truly

love those they are leading can they become to them what they

ought to be. The love that makes people conform to the life of

leadership is only found in Christmas. Only when a man loves like

Christ can he lead like him and allow to be led like him.

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who despised His love. There is an eternal path for the

experience of God's love but it will not be on earth. This earth will

soon expire. What is still keeping it still is the love of God

(Revelation 21:1-7).

Save yourself from this corrupt and soon to be destroyed world

while there is still time, while you can (Acts 2:40). Jesus has paid

the price for your salvation on the Cross, He has saved you, but

you also have to in a way save yourself. You have to run away from

the impending destruction of this world by embracing the offer

of His love, Christmas. Embracing this love is very simple and it

can be done now, you make it hard as you procrastinate your part

in this matter.

God has given us all so long a time to appropriate His love into our

_?"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though_

lives but this time as its expiring period. The time He gave is the

_your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;_

gift that will not be forever. Just as the Christmas season and

_though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. ?If you_

celebration come and go, so will the Christmas that God gave us,

_are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;_

not just Christians but the whole world will cease one day. The

_?but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword."_

difference is that when this Christmas ceases it cannot be

_For the mouth of the LORD has spoken._

restored again.

_?_

_Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is_

While you still have the time to embrace Christmas, do so. Do not

_near. ?Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his_

delay. Now He has given His love, soon He will take away His love

_thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on_

to give His wrath. If you have appropriated His love into your life,

_him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon._

you will not experience His wrath. His wrath is meant for those

Isaiah 1:18-20, 55:6-7

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? _"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will_

?neighbors as we love ourselves. May our love not be limited to

_give you rest. ?Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I_

just those of our race and tribe, but to humanity as a whole. May

_am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your_

our love be a daily experience of sharing with others what you

_souls. ?For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."_

have blessed us with.

Matthew 11:28-30

God, restore Christmas back to those who have lost it. Bring them

This is the day of salvation, salvation from the day of destruction,

back to where they belong in you. Make Christmas an eternal

from God's wrath. Today is another Christmas for the whole

experience for all of us, that as we enjoy it now and here on earth,

world, but it will look unreal until you make it your own

we will enjoy it more in heaven. Amen

Christmas; make it the beginning of your fulfilled Christmas.

Lord Jesus, I pray for those who will read these words and those

who will hear of it, even the one reading it now that you will make

this day their Christmas. For those who have experienced

Christmas before, I pray you bring this experience afresh in us.

Jesus the Son of God, you, who came to save us, save now, bring

conviction to our hearts, that your love will no longer be

despised. Convict us all of the evil we have done in despising and

rejecting your love and bring us into your righteousness.

**My Prayer this Christmas**

Jesus, may your love truly reach every soul on earth. May it cover

the earth as the waters cover the sea. Give us grace to love you as

you expect of us; with our body, soul and spirit, strength and

might inclusive. Transform our lives to the life that will be

devoted to serving you alone. Help us to love others, our

**242**

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