Sun, 15 December 2019
People around the world celebrate Christmas in unique ways.
In the Philippines the “Giant Lantern Festival” is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven villages take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern.
In Iceland for the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 “tricksy” troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. They are called the “Yule Lads.” For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous.
Italian children believe that their Christmas gifts are delivered, not by St. Nick, but by a kind, old witch named “La Befana” who uses her broom to clean untidy houses. Legend has it that Befana was cleaning her house, when the Three Wise Men knocked on her door asking for directions to reach the stables where Baby Jesus had just been born. She didn’t know, but she kindly provided them with accommodation for the night. In the morning the Three Wise Men invited her to accompany them on their journey. Too absorbed in her household work, she refused, but regretted it almost instantly. Befana wrapped a present and tried to catch up with the Tree Wise Men, but got lost and is still trying to find the way. So, every year, during the Christmas season, she leaves presents to children in her search for Baby Jesus.
Some of these practices may seem strange to us but we have our own hodge-podge of customs in the US--Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and mistletoe!
How ought we to celebrate Christmas? I have good news. We have a model in a kind, wise, and, likely, elderly man. His name is Simeon. His story is recorded in Luke 2:25-35. He shows us how we ought to celebrate God’s greatest gift both at Christmas as well as every day. He walked with God. He worshipped God. And he witnessed for God.
Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”
The Light of the World “Christmas Made Simple” John 1:1-14
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5).
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5). (2:28-30).
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (1:4-5).
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Sun, 8 December 2019
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Sun, 8 December 2019
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Sun, 8 December 2019
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Sun, 8 December 2019
People around the world celebrate Christmas in unique ways.
In the Philippines the “Giant Lantern Festival” is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven villages take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern.
In Iceland for the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 “tricksy” troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. They are called the “Yule Lads.” For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous.
Italian children believe that their Christmas gifts are delivered, not by St. Nick, but by a kind, old witch named “La Befana” who uses her broom to clean untidy houses. Legend has it that Befana was cleaning her house, when the Three Wise Men knocked on her door asking for directions to reach the stables where Baby Jesus had just been born. She didn’t know, but she kindly provided them with accommodation for the night. In the morning the Three Wise Men invited her to accompany them on their journey. Too absorbed in her household work, she refused, but regretted it almost instantly. Befana wrapped a present and tried to catch up with the Tree Wise Men, but got lost and is still trying to find the way. So, every year, during the Christmas season, she leaves presents to children in her search for Baby Jesus.
Some of these practices may seem strange to us but we have our own hodge-podge of customs in the US--Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and mistletoe!
How ought we to celebrate Christmas? I have good news. We have a model in a kind, wise, and, likely, elderly man. His name is Simeon. His story is recorded in Luke 2:25-35. He shows us how we ought to celebrate God’s greatest gift both at Christmas as well as every day. He walked with God. He worshipped God. And he witnessed for God.
Join us for Christmas at Istrouma this Sunday as we continue our series, “The Light of the World.”
The Light of the World “How to Celebrate Christmas” Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him (2:25).
He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation (2:28-30).
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (2:34-35).
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Sun, 1 December 2019
The Light of the World “Operation Christmas” Isaiah 9:1-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone (9:2).
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire (9:3-5).
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (9:6-7).
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Sun, 1 December 2019
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Sun, 24 November 2019
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Sun, 17 November 2019
A Wisconsin bus driver is being hailed as a hero after she rescued two siblings found wandering in the snow during last week’s cold snap. Nicole Chamberlain said she found a 6-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister in Waukesha, not properly dressed for the cold. At the time the temperature was 18 degrees, according to local news reports. The girl was only wearing a T-shirt, boots and her diaper.
Bus surveillance video shows Chamberlain scoop up the girl and put the two on the bus for warmth. Chamberlain wrapped her coat around the girl. "I said, 'What's going on?' and they said, 'We're looking for grandma.' I said, 'Come with me, I'm gonna put you on the warm bus, and I'll help you find grandma.' And so they came with me," Chamberlain said. "I picked them up and put them on my bus and called the police."
Police said the kids' grandmother was watching them but when she went in the basement for a moment, they headed outside to look for her. Within minutes, the grateful grandmother arrived at the bus and explained to police that the two had wandered away from home.
Chamberlain said she was glad her bus route took her past the right place at the right time. "If that were to happen to my children, I would hope that there would be somebody, a decent human being, that would stop and help my kids," she said. Police said they were not recommending charges in the case.
All’s well that ends well. Those wandering children were found and brought back home. Somebody was watching out for them!
Little children are not the only ones who wander. And frigid cold is not the only threat.
God is a good, good father who keeps watch over his children. He doesn’t want us to wander and be lost. For that reason he sent his son to be the savior of the world. For that same reason he sends those of us who have been rescued to bring back home those who wander.
He calls us to “watch out for wanderers!” That will be our theme this Sunday at Istrouma as we focus on James 5:19-20. Be sure to join us!
James: Practical Spirituality “Watch out for Wanderers!” James 5:19-20
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth . . . (5:19a).
. . . and someone brings him back (5:19b).
Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (5:20).
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Sun, 17 November 2019
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