From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Day 359, 25 December 2025 -Merry Christmas

Preamble thoughts

Psalm 42:5

5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted in me?
Hope in God,
for I will yet thank Him
for the help of His presence.

[5] Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God:
For I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to order it and to establish it
with justice and with righteousness,
from now until forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts
will perform this.

[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon
the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of
the LORD of hosts will perform this.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

16 (Jn 3:16; 1Th 3:11) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,
and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal
consolation and good hope through grace,

[16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Living by Faith

16 (Ro 7:22; Isa 40:31) For this reason we do not lose heart:
Even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man
is being renewed day by day.
17 (Ro 8:18; 1Pe 5:10) Our light affliction, which lasts
but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory,
18 (Heb 11:1; 2Co 5:7) while we do not look at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.
For the things which are seen are temporal,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.

[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet
the inward man is renewed day by day.
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
[18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things
which are not seen are eternal.

Romans 5:5

5 (Gal 4:6; Php 1:20) And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 Peter 1:3-5

A Living Hope

3 (1Co 15:20; 2Co 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 (Col 1:5; 2Ti 4:8) to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you,
5 (Eph 2:8) who are protected by the power of God through faith for
a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according
to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you,
[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.

1) Jesus Christ coming onto the world as a baby


Mark 1:1

1 (Mt 14:33) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

[1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Luke 1:1-4

The Prologue

1 Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things
which are most surely believed among us,
2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning
were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,
3 it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things
from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account,
most excellent Theophilus,
4 that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.

[1] Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration
of those things which are most surely believed among us,
[2] Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
[3] It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
[4] That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

John 1:1-18

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing
was created that was created.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 This man came as a witness in order to testify concerning the Light,
that all men through Him might believe.
8 He was not this Light, but was sent in order to testify
concerning the Light.
9 The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him,
yet the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all
men through him might believe.
[8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into
the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world
knew him not.
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth.
[15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I
spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. [16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
[17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ.
[18] No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Matthew 1:1-17

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Lk 3:23-38

1 (Ge 22:18; Isa 11:1; Ro 1:3) The book of the genealogy
of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 (Ge 25:26; Ac 7:8) Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 (Ge 46:12; 38:29-30) Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
and Hezron the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
and Nahshon the father of Salmon.
5 (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25) Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth,
and Obed the father of Jesse.
6 (1Sa 16:1; 17:12) Jesse was the father of David the king.
David the king was the father of Solomon,
by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
and Abijah the father of Asa.
8 (1Ch 3:11) Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
and Joram the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
and Amon the father of Josiah.
11 (Jer 27:20; Da 1:2) Josiah was the father of Jeconiah
and his brothers about the time they were exiled to Babylon.
12 (1Ch 3:17; Ezr 3:2) And after they were brought to Babylon,
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
and Eliakim the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
and Akim the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
and Matthan the father of Jacob.
16 (Mt 27:17; Lk 3:23) And Jacob was the father of Joseph,
the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations,
from David until the exile to Babylon are fourteen generations,
and from the exile in Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.

[1] The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the
son of Abraham.
[2] Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas
and his brethren;
[3] And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom;
and Esrom begat Aram;
[4] And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson
begat Salmon;
[5] And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and
Obed begat Jesse;
[6] And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of
her that had been the wife of Urias;
[7] And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
[8] And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; [9] And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat
Ezekias;
[10] And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
[11] And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they
were carried away to Babylon:
[12] And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel;
and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
[13] And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim
begat Azor;
[14] And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
[15] And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
[16] And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who
is called Christ.
[17] So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen
generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are
fourteen generations.

Luke 1:5-38

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And his wife was
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were now well advanced in years.
8 Now while he served as priest before God, when his division was on duty,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn
incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side
of the altar of incense.
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not fear, Zechariah, for your prayer
has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall call his name John.
14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready
a people prepared for the Lord."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?
For I am an old man and my wife well advanced in years."
19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. And I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day
that these things happen, because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled in their season."
21 The people waited for Zechariah, and wondered why he waited
so long in the temple.
22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived
that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them
and remained speechless.
23 As soon as the days of his service were fulfilled,
he departed to his own home.
24 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months
she hid herself, saying,
25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked on me,
to take away my reproach among men."

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favuored.
The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women."
29 When she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered
in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Listen, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son
and shall call His name JESUS.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
And of His kingdom there will be no end."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
Therefore the Holy One who will be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Listen, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age.
And this is the sixth month with her who was declared barren.
37 For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according
to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

[5] There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
[6] And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
[7] And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
[8] And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before
God in the order of his course,
[9] According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn
incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
[10] And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time
of incense.
[11] And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
[12] And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
[13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is
heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
[14] And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his
birth.
[15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
[16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. [17] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
[18] And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am
an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
[19] And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
[20] And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day
that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
[21] And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so
long in the temple.
[22] And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
[23] And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
[24] And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
[25] Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me,
to take away my reproach among men.
[26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth,
[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
[28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
[29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her
mind what manner of salutation this should be.
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a
man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according
to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:39-80

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary arose and quickly went into the hill country,
to a city of Judah,
40 and entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped
in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She spoke out with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 But why is this granted to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Indeed, as soon as the sound of your greeting came to my ears,
the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a completion
to those things which were told her by the Lord."

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded
the low estate of His servant;
surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
50 His mercy is on those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of low degree.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
55 as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.rCY
56 Mary remained with her about three months
and returned to her own house.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elizabeth's time had come to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.
58 Her neighbours and cousins heard how the Lord had shown her great mercy,
and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child.
And they were calling him Zechariah, after the name of his father.
60 But his mother answered, rCLNot so! He shall be called John.rCY
61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name."
62 They made signs to his father, asking what he would have him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."
And they all were amazed.
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed,
and he spoke and praised God.
65 Fear came on all who lived around them. And all these facts
were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 All those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying,
"What kind of child will he be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

The Prophecy of Zechariah

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit
and prophesied, saying,
68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of His servant David,
70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember His holy covenant,
73 the oath which He swore to our father Abraham,
74 to grant us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
might serve Him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to His people
by the remission of their sins,
78 through the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise from on high has visited us;
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he remained in the wilderness until the day of his appearance to Israel.

[39] And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with
haste, into a city of Juda;
[40] And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
[41] And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
[42] And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
[43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,
the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
[45] And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
[48] For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold,
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
[49] For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his
name.
[50] And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
[51] He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in
the imagination of their hearts.
[52] He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
[53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
[54] He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
[55] As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
[56] And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own
house.
[57] Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
[58] And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
[59] And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
[60] And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. [61] And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
[62] And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
[63] And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
And they marvelled all.
[64] And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he
spake, and praised God.
[65] And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
[66] And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
[67] And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
prophesied, saying,
[68] Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
[69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his
servant David;
[70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since
the world began:
[71] That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
[72] To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
[73] The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
[74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
[75] In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
[76] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
[77] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of
their sins,
[78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
[79] To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
[80] And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Matthew 1:18-25

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Lk 2:1-7

18 (Ge 3:15) Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way:
After His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,
she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.
19 (Dt 22:21-24; 24:1-4 )Then Joseph her husband, being a just man
and not willing to make her a public example, had in mind to divorce
her privately.
20 (Mt 1:18; 2:13) But while he thought on these things, the angel
of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying,
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for He who is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 (Lk 1:31; Ac 4:12) She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
22 (Mt 2:15; 2:23) Now all this occurred to fulfill what the Lord
had spoken through the prophet, saying,
23 (Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; Mt 28:20) "A virgin shall be with child,
and will bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,"
[Isa 7:14.] which is interpreted, "God with us."
24 Then Joseph, being awakened from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord
had commanded him, and remained with his wife,
25 (Mt 1:21; Lk 2:7) and did not know her until she had given birth
to her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child
of the Holy Ghost.
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her
a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:1-38

The Birth of Jesus

Mt 1:18-25

1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.
2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth
in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.
7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,
and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

[1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
[3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
[4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:)
[5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered.
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
[12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath
made known unto us.
[16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.
[17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
[18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told
them by the shepherds.
[19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the
things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

21 (Lk 1:31; 1:59) When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised,
He was named -!JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived
in the womb.
22 When the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses
were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
23 (Ex 13:2; Nu 3:13)(as it is written in the law of the Lord,
"Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord"
Ex 13:2, 12; Nu 3:13; 8:17.)
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Lev 5:11; 12:8.
25 (Lk 1:6; 2:38) 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.
26 (Jn 8:51; Heb 11:5) It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 (Lk 2:41; 2:48) Led by the Spirit, he came into the temple. And when
the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according
to the custom of the law,
28 (Lk 1:64) he received Him in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 (Ge 15:15; Lk 2:26) "Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word;
30 (Lk 3:6; Isa 52:10) for my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 (Isa 49:6; 9:2; 60:19) a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel."
33 Joseph and His mother were amazed at those things which were spoken
about Him.
34 (1Co 1:23; Mt 21:44; Ac 28:22) Then Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary His mother, "Listen, this Child is destined to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign which will be spoken against,
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And a sword will pierce through your own soul also."
36 (Ac 21:9; Ex 15:20) And there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age and had lived
with her husband seven years from her virginity.
37 (1Ti 5:5; Ac 14:23) And she was a widow of about 84 years of age
who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting
and prayer night and day.
38 (Lk 2:25; 1:68) Coming at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord
and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption of Jerusalem.

[21] And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the
child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he
was conceived in the womb.
[22] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses
were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the
Lord;
[23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the
womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
[24] And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of
the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
[25] And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and
the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
[26] And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
[27] And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought
in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
[28] Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
[29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy
word:
[30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
[31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
[32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
[33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken
of him.
[34] And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this
child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
[35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
[36] And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
[37] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed
not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. [38] And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2

The Visit of the Wise Men

1 (Lk 2:4-7; Mic 5:2) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,
2 (Nu 24:17; Jer 23:5; Zec 9:9) saying, "Where is He who was born King
of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come
to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
5 (Ge 35:19) They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is
what the prophet wrote:
6 (Mic 5:2; Jn 7:42) 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are no longer least among the princes of Judah;
for out of you shall come a Governor,
who will shepherd My people Israel.'[Ps 91:11-12.]"
7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men,
carefully inquired of them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, so that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed. And the star which they saw
in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young
Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great excitement.
11 (Ps 72:10; Mt 14:33) And when they came into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down
and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 (Mt 2:22; 27:19) But being warned in a dream that they should
not return to Herod, they returned to their own country
by another route.

[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
[2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
[3] When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
[4] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
[5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written
by the prophet,
[6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
[9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which
they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where
the young child was.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

The Escape to Egypt

13 (Ac 5:19; Mt 1:20) Now when they departed, the angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying,
"Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and escape to Egypt,
and stay there until I bring you word.
For Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him."
14 When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night,
and departed into Egypt,
15 (Hos 11:1; Ex 4:22) and remained there until the death of Herod,
to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet,
"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."
A talent was worth several hundred pounds.

[13] And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother,
and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod
will seek the young child to destroy him.
[14] When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
[15] And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I
called my son.

The Killing of the Infants

16 (Isa 59:7) Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked
by the wise men, was utterly furious and sent forth and killed
all the male children who were in Bethlehem and the surrounding region,
from two years old and under, based on the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet:
18 (Jer 31:15; Ge 42:36) "In Ramah a voice was heard,
grieving and weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be comforted,
because they are no more."[-21 Isa 42:1-4].

[16] Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
[17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, [18] In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted,
because they are not.

The Return From Egypt

19 (Mt 1:20) But when Herod was dead, an angel of the Lord appeared
in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 (Ex 4:19) saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother,
and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought
the young Child's life are dead."
21 And he rose, took the young Child and His mother,
and came into the land of Israel.
22 (Lk 2:39) But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea
instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Nevertheless,
being warned by God in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee.
23 (Jn 1:45-46; Jdg 13:5) And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth,
that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled,
"He shall be called a Nazarene."

[19] But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt,
[20] Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
[21] And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into
the land of Israel.
[22] But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of
God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
[23] And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Luke 2:39-52

The Return to Nazareth

39 (Lk 2:4) When they had performed everything according to the law
of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
40 (Lk 2:52; 1:80) And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 (Dt 16:1-8; 1Sa 1:3) Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year
at the Feast of the Passover.
42 When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according
to the custom of the feast.
43 When the days of the feast were complete, as they returned,
the Child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem.
And Joseph and His mother did not know of it.
44 But supposing Him to be in their company, they went a day's journey.
Then they searched for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for Him. 46 (Lk 5:17) After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting
in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 (Mt 7:28; Mk 1:22) All who heard Him were astonished
at His understanding and His answers.
48 When they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him,
"Son, why have You dealt with us like this?
Look, Your father and I have anxiously searched for You."
49 (Jn 4:34) He said to them, "How is it that you searched for Me? Did you
not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
50 (Lk 18:34; Mk 9:32) But they did not understand the word which
He spoke to them.
51 (Lk 2:19; Mk 6:3) Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth
and was obedient to them. But His mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 (1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:40) And Jesus increased in wisdom
and in stature and in favor with God and men.

[39] And when they had performed all things according to the law of the
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
[40] And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
[41] Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the
passover.
[42] And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
[43] And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
[44] But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's
journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
[45] And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem,
seeking him.
[46] And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking
them questions.
[47] And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and
answers.
[48] And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
[49] And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
[50] And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
[51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
[52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and
man.

2) Our Daily Bread for 25 December 2025 titled
<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category /jesus-the-greatest-gift"> Jesus, the Greatest Gift </a> by Karen Pimpo

Matthew 2:1-2, 7-12

The Visit of the Wise Men

1 (Lk 2:4-7; Mic 5:2) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, wise men came from the east to Jerusalem,
2 (Nu 24:17; Jer 23:5; Zec 9:9) saying, "Where is He who was born King
of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come
to worship Him."
7 Then Herod, when he had privately called the wise men,
carefully inquired of them what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, so that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed. And the star which they saw
in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the young
Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great excitement.
11 (Ps 72:10; Mt 14:33) And when they came into the house,
they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down
and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 (Mt 2:22; 27:19) But being warned in a dream that they should
not return to Herod, they returned to their own country
by another route.

[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
[2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
[9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which
they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where
the young child was.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

"What sweeter music can we bring/ Than a carol for to sing/ The birth of this our heavenly King?" The lines of this seventeenth-century poem "What Sweeter Music" by Robert Herrick were reimagined by modern-day choral composer John Rutter to become an Advent season favourite. Its gentle melody describes
a long, cold season of waiting that's thawed by the springtime feeling of Jesus' arrival. The singers bring Him a Christmas carol;
the listeners are invited to bring their hearts.

Rutter's arrangement was commissioned to correspond with a church reading on the wise men who brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These mysterious magi traveled a great distance to meet baby Jesus with the express purpose of worshiping Him (Matthew 2:1-2). When they finally found Him, they "were overjoyed," bowed down in reverence, and "opened their treasures" at His
feet (vv. 10-11). Warned in a dream, they left without
informing wicked King Herod (v. 12).

The Christmas season shouldn't focus on material gifts - but it's certainly about giving and receiving gifts. God gave His Son to heal a broken world. If we've never given Him our hearts, today's a wonderful day to do so. If He already reigns there, let's offer a carol of peace and joy as we think about His arrival all those years ago in Bethlehem - and wait for His return.

Reflect & Pray

What are some of the greatest gifts of Christmastime?
What might you be reluctant to give over to God?

Dear Jesus, You're the greatest gift of all.
Everything I am, and everything I have, I give back to You.

<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/reading-plans /hearing-god-through-the-christmas-story /introduction-hearing-god-through-the-christmas-story">
Discover more about the Christmas story.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 7 Promises of Grace - Day 5 The Way Out

1 Cor 10:13

13 (1Co 1:9; 2Pe 2:9) No temptation has taken
you except what is common to man. God is faithful,
and He will not permit you to be tempted above
what you can endure, but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common
to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Becky had experienced some hard knocks in the past few weeks; the stress
was beginning to show, and she wasn't sure she should handle anything else. "Why me?" Becky wept, covering her face. "I just can't stand it any more!
I can't pay my bills; I just lost my job, and now my car broke down
on the highway. How much more of this can I take?"
Some people seem to have more than their share of trouble and temptation. Within six months, one family faced financial trouble, cancer, quadruple
bypass surgery, and leukemia; their trials brought them face to face with anger, bitterness, and despair as well. Other people seem to go through
life with relatively minor stresses and few real temptations to sin.
But whether our problems are great or small, they are part of the common
thread that ties humanity together. All of us face temptation; it is ,
Paul says, "Common to man." But Paul assures us that
"God ... will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."
Often what we can bear is more that what we think we can bear. God will use
the troubled times in our lives for our maturity in him, but he promises
as well that he will not let temptation break us. He will provide "a way out," "a way of escape".
Sometimes the "way out" is true escape, being removed from what caused the trouble. At other times, rather than being removed from it, we must
withstand the stress, face the temptation, enure the pain. Whether we escape
or endure, God is faithful to provide what we need; we can trust him
not to give us more than we can bear.

Application

a) Have I ever faced more stress or temptation than I thought I could bear?

b) Under what circumstances has God provided an "escape" for me?
When have I had to walk "through" my difficulties?

c) How can today's verse encourage me when times are tough?


4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

Luke 6:38

38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you."

38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:

When you are Burdened by Doubt

Proverbs 30:5

5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

5 Every word of God is pure:
He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2023 edition?)

The Northern Territories of Canada

Yukon

Yukon Total population (2015) 36500 Muslim (est) 69

In Whitehorse the Muslim population grew from 2 families
in 2001 to more than 60 people in 2014. Originally meeting in a church,
they now meet for prayer service in a former office space.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Northwest Territories (NWT)

NWT population (2015) 43600 Muslim (est) 473

The Muslim community of Yellowknife has grown from 275 to 330 un the past year. To replace their inadequate facility, they are planning a C$2 to C$2.5 million Islamic Centre.

Pray that the Muslims in Yellowknife and all of the NWT will awaken to spiritual hunger and be open to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Nunavut (NU)

NU total population (2015) 36600 Muslim (est) 86

The Islamic Centre of Iqaluit now claim about 100 Muslims and have surpassed
80 % of their funding goal to building the first mosque in this territory. Their stated goal is "To spread the message of Islam
in the far northern reaches of Canada."

Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and, of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.

Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other, "What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."

Peter's Speech at Pentecost

14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'

- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective discipleship movements among Muslim people.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.

Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving Christ among Muslim people -

Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity

(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)


7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

Day 25 of the Month

a) Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.

(Acts 2: 41,47b

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized,
and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 ... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
)

b) Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true justice for all.

( Prov 11:1

1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.

1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD:
But a just weight is his delight.

)

Christmas Day
From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle Joel Heck

Saturday, Fourth Week of Advent

"That time He was creating not simply a man but the Man
who was to be Himself: was creating Man anew: was beginning,
at this divine and human point, the New Creation of all things.
The miraculous conception is one more witness that here is Nature's Lord.
He is doing now, small and close, what He does in a different fashion
for every woman who conceives." - C. S. Lewis

(Read this and more in Miracles, p. 182.)

The New Creation

Most of us like new things. We like new cars, new houses, new clothes,
a new day. We like the new things we receive at Christmas, a new outlook
on life, a new baby. We like the newness of spring, the freshness
of the morning, and the originality of a new piece of art.

The ultimate purpose of God's Grand Miracle-becoming one of us-was
to make all things new, including us. This is our greatest Christmas gift,
if we can see it. Jesus came for us and became one of us, so that we might become like him. We mentioned that earlier when Lewis wrote,
"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God."

In today's last quotation for these devotions, Lewis makes it clear
that through the Grand Miracle Jesus became human to show us what we could
be like. He came not only as an example. He also became a man in order
to recreate humankind, to start all over again. That is, he came in power
to reshape us. A miracle! A Grand Miracle!

Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, came to create all things anew,
as John writes, "He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am making everything new!"' (Rev. 21:5).
This Christmas Day, and every day, it starts in us, one by one,
as we sing with the hymn-writer,

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

(Martin Luther, From Heaven Above, stanza 13)

May God grant it for Jesus' sake.

Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ,
he is a new creature.
Old things have passed away. Look, all things have
become new.

2 Cor 5:17

From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn

CHRISTMAS DAY

News of Great Joy

But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. "

-Luke 2:10

Composers in this world cannot envision music magisterial enough!
Oh, how I wish we could have joined the shepherds to hear the regal
angel choir sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace ..."!

Oddly, God deigned to present this fabulous concert to the outcasts
of that society and to grant unpretentious shepherds the privilege
of being the first to visit the Christ Child and to carry the news
of his birth to those around them. No wonder everyone was flabbergasted
at what the shepherds told them! No wonder Mary treasured all these words
and pondered them in her heart!


That is why I capitalize the word Joy and employ it exclusively
for divine gifts! When we declare the Joy of Christmas (and of Easter),
there is no greater. The euphoria of Christ's birth (and resurrection) overwhelms all human infatuations and electrifies us with a heavenly exhilaration that can't be shackled!

prayer

Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.

Read Luke 2:8-20.

8 And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 (2Co 3:18) And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.
10 (Ge 12:3; Isa 40:9) But the angel said to them, "Listen! Do not fear.
For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.
11 (Mt 1:21; Lk 1:43; Mt 16:16) For unto you is born this day
in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 (1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29) And this will be a sign to you:
You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 (Ge 28:12; 32:1-2) Suddenly there was with the angel a company
of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 (Lk 1:79; 19:38) "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will toward men."
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us."
16 (Lk 2:7; 2:12) So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger.
17 When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word
which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
19 (Lk 2:51; Ge 37:11) But Mary kept all these things and pondered them
in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

From The Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler

FOURTH SATURDAY
AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and AMEN!
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. JOHN 1:14

Christmas has come to you and all of your AH-HA family and friends!
We are all ambassadors of health, hope and amen because of Christ's
birth, death and resurrection!

We say amen because the "Word became flesh and lived among us!"
Amen, of course. does not mean "the end," but rather it means "Yes,"
and 'Hooray." and "So be it," and even "You betcha!" And so Christmas
is not the end of our AH-HAing. It's only the beginning!

Once I was looking at one of the manger scenes in our home. As I
focused on each character individually, like Mary and Joseph and the
shepherds and even the animals, each one of them seemed lonely and
way too serious. But when l looked more closely at each of them, I noticed
that they all were focused on one main point--God in the Flesh, Jesus!
Once l knew that they all were focused on Jesus, their faces became
not lonely. but lovely. and were not too serious, but reverent.

A little child was asked to finish the Scripture sentence, 'And the Word
became ...' He was puzzled for a while, but then all of a sudden he
shouted out. 'And the Word became FRESH!" And he was right!
The Word, Jesus Christ. became Flesh for us so that his Word would
be FRESH in and through our lives! That's the AH-HA of Christmas!

Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory
given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!

Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!

Read John 1:14-18

11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God,
to those who believed in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
the glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, "This was He of whom I said,
'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "
16 We have all received from His fullness grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

Conclusion:

Pray to the Lord and pray to thank Him for coming in the world
humbly in a manger.

Pray to the Lord: "Dear Jesus, You're the greatest gift of all.
Everything I am, and everything I have, I give back to You."

Pray to the Lord and pray to give your temptations and stresses to Him.

Pray to the Lord and pray to be a generous Godly giver.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord's Word as Pure.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Whitehorse and the Yukon to come together, and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray for Muslims and believers in Yellowknife to come together,
and for Muslims to find faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray that believers in Iqaluit take up Jesus' command to love and reach
their Muslim neighbours with the Gospel.

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!

Pray that there will be a growing number of people in your city or
community trusting in Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Pray that those who serve in the justice system will be agents of true
justice for all.

Pray to Give me a heart, Lord, that gives as you gave. Amen.

Pray: Son of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
0 come, let us adore you, Christ, the Lord. Amen.

Pray: Oh, Jesus, how we love and revere you! May we always cherish
and broadcast the Joy of your birth! Amen.

Pray: Lord. we greet thee. born on Christmas morning! Jesus, to thee be glory given, Word of the Father now in flesh(and fresh!) appearing!
Amen and amen ... and, of course, AH-HA!

Pray that Lebanese believers will receive needed
encouragement amid political and economic instability.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Merry Christmas 2025 and Happy New Year 2026
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2