Christmas, family, and the CROSS

December 24, 2010


Since my parents are not with us, they are both in abroad, I believe their Christmas is as cold as snow. But we get HOT because of the holy spirit of the Lord sent in our lives. As we all accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we believe that God will never keep us far away from each other. This Christmas is pretty amazing, although we're not literally complete, we can still laugh and smile. Before the midnight, my siblings and I prayed first in front of the few foods like: maalat na adobo (HAHA) and ham with cheese cooked by my sister and some fruits. I still appreciate God because even with little food, my siblings and I can still remember God's faithfulness in our lives. We didn't forget praying for all He did on the CROSS, the reason of this celebration. My siblings and I although fights and arguments are usual conflicts we are still united with His faithfulness and enduring LOVE. He is amazing because He provides a way in a tiniest and shortest impossible ways. I thought that I am going to celebrate this Christmas with no food (well, usually my family spends Christmas with bunch of delicious foods) But since our refrigerator is not empty we did a  simple cook. But regardless the food, what made me happy is that, being with my siblings makes me say: Lord thank You for bringing them here with me even they are headaches... still they make me laugh out LOUD! I recieved gifts too from my friends and family, and I also gave them back. It's one of my response to God's blessings to me... to give is better than receiving! <3

For the past few weeks, the Sunday series were all about the Kings of the Christmas: King Herod, Magi and JESUS...


King Herod topic is all about himself only so I'm not going to share it.. According to Matthew 2 the Magi asked King Herod the king of the Jews, when actually King Herod was appointed as the king of Jews and the reason of his disturbed facial expressions. Well  I can imagine that king herod is really annoyed by these Magi. I mean imagine the bravery of these men asking the king of the Jews. Another noble act of the Magi was to worship the REAL King of Jews (Born to be the King of the Jews) - Jesus! They were overjoyed when they finally got in bethlehem. I could imagine the success of the travel of the Magi, a relief from excitement and the smile, joy and honor to see the Child! While the parents (Mary and Joseph) smiles at angelic face of their baby knowing that this Kid has a big responsibility in their city, no in the world. And so the prophecy were fulfilled, Jesus was born and grew up.. The Magi worshiped baby Jesus and gave Him gifts: gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. My pastor told us that golds were only given to the kings at their time. So baby Jesus were treated as King even not yet announce by the nation. The Magi's obedience were pretty eye-catchy though. Wise men who are willing to follow the Star and give gifts to a stranger baby. Now that's some WISE with wisdom! 


Now let's move on, JESUS was born, the ANOINTED ONE, BORN to be KING! God the Father is so sweet, to bring His Only Son on earth, a HUGE sacrifice and I believe Jesus didn't refuse that command. Father: " Son, I am going to send you through the Holy Spirit in a womb of an equipped and reliable woman who is also David's descendants" Jesus: " ha? No way!!!" Okay hold on, that's too far from that! I can imagine Jesus response to the God the Father, Jesus: "Yes, send me..." Not a hint of irony or doubts or pretentious... It's just like Isaiah said: Here I am, send me... And Jesus grew up in wisdom and human stature. God is so sweet.. Thank You God for sending Jesus here on earth even He suffered. 


He is the REAL reason of this CELEBRATION. It's all about JESUS.. and not about US!

Matthew 2

The Magi Visit the Messiah

 ¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a]from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” ³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
 ⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
   who will shepherd my people Israel.’^[b]”
 ⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
 ⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.