THE NATIVITY SETS
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:8-12
I love celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus. After Bob returned home, I started collecting Nativity sets. I have one on my mantle in the center that is a Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in ceramic gold with many angels that match. Several years later I bought a larger Nativity set, complete with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an angel, a shepherd, three kings, a camel, a donkey, and a cow. If you were to walk into our living room that is the first Nativity set you would see. Even our coffee table has a Precious Moments Nativity set in the center, along with other Nativity sets which are all unique, different shapes, sizes, and one that is a music box.
My first Christmas alone I received a bonus from the doctors and bought a new Christmas tree. My brother’s wife and I went shopping. I picked a tree that I wanted to decorate just like the floor sample at the store. I have a newer tree now, but still have the same theme on my tree today. It has gold bows on it which are symbolic of the majesty of our Lord Jesus, being born as our Savior and King of Kings. I also have small red bows on the tree limbs, which represent the blood that was shed on the Cross by my Lord Jesus Christ. I would probably call my tree an angel tree, as we have three large angels who sing short Christmas carols such as, "Silent Night." I have many different kinds of angels on our tree which represent the angels that were proclaiming the birth of our Lord Jesus as written in Luke 2:13-14. I love teaching about the angel of the Lord who told Mary that she had been chosen by God to birth the Son of the Most High, and the angel who also spoke to Joseph, and to the shepherds.
As I think of Christmas, I can just imagine how all the angels in Heaven will be worshiping, rejoicing and praising our Lord throughout the heavenlies. Oh, what a beautiful choir and so many glorious songs that they must sing each Christmas. I can only imagine how Bob, and all our loved ones in Heaven, are celebrating the birth of Jesus who was sent down to save His people from their sins.
Did you put up decorations yet this year? It can be a small table top Christmas tree, or even a real tree, but you need to decorate your home so that everyone knows that you are a Christian, celebrating your Lord's birthday at Christmas. Even if you are the spouse who is out of the home, and living in small quarters as Bob did, find a way to decorate for Christmas. Many stores are already offering discounted prices on Christmas decorations.
If you do not have any traditions because of what has happened to your family, start this year. Make some hot chocolate for your children and read the Christmas story from one of their Christmas books, or from your Bible. Go to church on Christmas Eve as many churches have candlelight services that are very special. Some night, drive around your area and look at the Christmas lights. I know from reading your emails that you may have some extra time available, so plan some special events for you while your children are off from school. You may even invite a widowed person to one event (same sex) you know who may be alone at this time of the year.
Now go and spread the Good News that our Savior has been born!
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:13-15
God bless you,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:8-12
I love celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus. After Bob returned home, I started collecting Nativity sets. I have one on my mantle in the center that is a Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in ceramic gold with many angels that match. Several years later I bought a larger Nativity set, complete with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, an angel, a shepherd, three kings, a camel, a donkey, and a cow. If you were to walk into our living room that is the first Nativity set you would see. Even our coffee table has a Precious Moments Nativity set in the center, along with other Nativity sets which are all unique, different shapes, sizes, and one that is a music box.
My first Christmas alone I received a bonus from the doctors and bought a new Christmas tree. My brother’s wife and I went shopping. I picked a tree that I wanted to decorate just like the floor sample at the store. I have a newer tree now, but still have the same theme on my tree today. It has gold bows on it which are symbolic of the majesty of our Lord Jesus, being born as our Savior and King of Kings. I also have small red bows on the tree limbs, which represent the blood that was shed on the Cross by my Lord Jesus Christ. I would probably call my tree an angel tree, as we have three large angels who sing short Christmas carols such as, "Silent Night." I have many different kinds of angels on our tree which represent the angels that were proclaiming the birth of our Lord Jesus as written in Luke 2:13-14. I love teaching about the angel of the Lord who told Mary that she had been chosen by God to birth the Son of the Most High, and the angel who also spoke to Joseph, and to the shepherds.
As I think of Christmas, I can just imagine how all the angels in Heaven will be worshiping, rejoicing and praising our Lord throughout the heavenlies. Oh, what a beautiful choir and so many glorious songs that they must sing each Christmas. I can only imagine how Bob, and all our loved ones in Heaven, are celebrating the birth of Jesus who was sent down to save His people from their sins.
Did you put up decorations yet this year? It can be a small table top Christmas tree, or even a real tree, but you need to decorate your home so that everyone knows that you are a Christian, celebrating your Lord's birthday at Christmas. Even if you are the spouse who is out of the home, and living in small quarters as Bob did, find a way to decorate for Christmas. Many stores are already offering discounted prices on Christmas decorations.
If you do not have any traditions because of what has happened to your family, start this year. Make some hot chocolate for your children and read the Christmas story from one of their Christmas books, or from your Bible. Go to church on Christmas Eve as many churches have candlelight services that are very special. Some night, drive around your area and look at the Christmas lights. I know from reading your emails that you may have some extra time available, so plan some special events for you while your children are off from school. You may even invite a widowed person to one event (same sex) you know who may be alone at this time of the year.
Now go and spread the Good News that our Savior has been born!
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:13-15
God bless you,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
