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Thankful Thursday ~ Almost Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:4-7 ESV)

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. It always been since I was little. Although when I was a little girl, I may not have understood the entire reason of Christmas, but it has always been celebrated as Christ’s birthday. You see without Christmas, Easter is impossible. And without Easter, we have no way of reconciling with a Holy God. And that is why Christmas is my favorite of all Holidays.

I love the account of Christ’s birth in the Gospel of Luke. But I also love the account of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12. I read the account of the visit of the wise men just today and once again I am taken by the three gifts the wise men brought to worship baby Jesus.

Have you ever noticed that the three gifts were are also part of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This about that they brought:

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:11 ESV – emphasis mine)

Amazing, right?!? I am not a biblical scholar, but to me this is so awesome. So, yes, I am thankful this week that Christmas is in a few days, celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior. And I pray that my heart will be completely focused on Him.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving the link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: without Christmas, Easter is impossible.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Boys and Their Toys
2. Janis@Heart Filled Moments
3. One Word To Make Your Problems Seems A Gazillion Times Smaller		 4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. When Hallmark Hijacks Joy		 7. Dawn of Redeeming Grace
8. bp

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Thankful Thursday ~ Advent Study

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (John 1:9-11 ESV)

It sounds a lot like Christmas…around here. This year I am doing something totally different during the Advent season. I am participating in an Advent Bible study. The study is held by the “Good Morning Girls“; the name is “Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus”. How fitting, don’t you agree?

I really like the study format and I am thankful that I came across it. Heather from Becoming Titus 2 Women posted about it on FB. I am very thankful that she did.

Like I said, I like the format. Angela from “Good Morning Girl” calls is SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. I have never heard about this study style, but it totally works for me.

You see, I love Bible study, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the ‘home-work’, I quit halfway through. This is just the perfect amount of ‘home-work’. My favorite part though is that you write out every Scripture passage. There is a memory verse each week as well. I truly enjoy memorizing Scripture (gives me a weapon when the fiery darts of the devil start flying around). This week is Romans 15:13:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Love that Scripture passage. Although the study started on December 1st, I would really like for you to check it out. I am thankful for this study so that I can truly keep my eyes and heart focused on Jesus this Christmas; just as it should be.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Keep your heart focused on Jesus, the Reason for the Season.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / A Turbulent Heart
2. Advent: Zechariah
3. The One Condition to Obtaining True Riches		 4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. What is Your Light Source in the Storm?		 7. lorig

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Thankful Thursday ~ Family

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
(Psalm 9:1 ESV)

So, the holidays are all over for 2012. I have to say that this year Christmas was double special for me. Not only was I able to chat with my sweet sister and niece in Germany via Skype, but also our one and only son celebrated with us yesterday. It really is a long story and the past is in the past.

German DinnerI made one of our son’s favorite meals: rouladen, red cabbage and dumplings 🙂 …I hadn’t made it in such a long time (the picture is from February 2011) that I wasn’t sure I can get it all together. But yeah, I did!!! Not only was the food good, but also the company.

It was so great to eat, talk, and laugh as a family once again. We even went for a walk together (after the apple pie of course). All I could do this morning was thanking God for the time we had as a family yesterday.

Sometimes we have differences in our families, but Christmas is the best time to put those differences aside and allow God to work in our hearts.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: through God’s love differences can be overcome.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. One Thing I Never Want To Forget
2. Bethany
3. Heather@Living In The Moment
4. Stewards		 5. 2013-My list of 10
6. Hope, I Can if I Will
7. LaughingLady
8. Pamela @ the Songs on the Way		 9. Highly Favored
10. The How to Blog
11. The End of a Momentous Year

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Thankful Thursday ~ Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:11-14 ESV

As I had shared today at Laced with Grace, I love reading the Christmas story in Luke 2. Not only at Christmas time, but all year long. Isn’t it beautiful how God made a way for us to be saved? Yes salvation came through a little baby boy born in a stable.

Luke 2_DecemberBut what mostly impresses me how obedient Mary was. You see, she could have been only about 15 or 16 years old when Gabriel (see Luke 1:26-38) appeared to her sharing that she would be child. Mary was already engaged to be married to Joseph. I can’t even imagine how she felt when Gabriel made the announcement to her. But God knew what He was doing; He knew that Mary would be obedient.

I am thankful for Mary, Joseph (still marrying Mary after he knew she was pregnant), but mostly I am thankful that Jesus left the throne to become human. I love Christmas and the promise that is fulfilled on Good Friday.

What are your thankful for this week. Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: no matter how busy you are this Christmas season, make room for Jesus in your heart.

Merry Christmas!!!!
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Not So Silent Night
2. When there are no Words
3. Focusing on Joy this Christmas Season
4. Pamela @ the Songs on the Way		 5. LaughingLady
6. Bethany
7. 4 Ways God Works Tragic Events to Good
8. Were the Mayans Right?		 9. Our Lord & Savior, Jesus
10. Heather@Living In the Moment
11. The Straight and Narrow

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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