Dec 2007

Great news! God wants all of us.Just read about it in Isaiah 42:1-13. This is an expanded version of the Angels' message to the sheperds (Luke 2:8-20). Our saviour Jesus is traced through his parents back to Abraham in Matthew (ch 1) and in Luke (ch 3) back to God. The idea is in the way Luke takes the list back to God, reminding us we are all children of God. Matthew is hinting at the same idea when he includes Rahab, the woman of Jericho and Ruth the Moabite woman as part of Jesus' ancestry. These are not Jewish women, they are from the neighboring nations. Because God had recognized them for their faith; the rest of the outside world is about to be let in on the full story of God's love.In Isaiah 56 the first 8 verses that promise is clearly set out. Just read it and then memorize 56:8." The Almighty Lord, who gathers the scattered people of Israel, declares,"I will gather still others besides those I have already gathered." We are those others!
Scene one-the Christmas story.Lets read the story from Luke 2:1-20--With all the newer easier translations, this could become a family event to remember,with everyone reading. It might be a great time to start the little ones in your family on the path to regular bible reading. Christmas is just for children - for the hope that we will become children of God.
JUST KEEP READING IT!