Chanukah and The Perfection of Christmas

Chanukah reminds us that Israel’s presence in the Middle East has always been disruptive to and resented by its neighbors in the surrounding nations. As in the days of the first Hanukah when Israelis fought to regain sovereignty over Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple – Israel’s possession of its capital city is still disputed today. ISIS fighters have declared their intention to destroy Israel and to make Jerusalem the center of a new caliphate. This is similar to the agenda espoused by the P.L.O. and Hamas leaders today with the compliance of much of the International Community.

The return of the Jews to their land, harbinger of the Messiah’s second coming strikes fear and consternation in much of the entrenched political order of the region. Christmas and Chanukah occur at the same time of the year – one commemorating the destiny of the King of Israel, the other the destiny of the People of Israel. Both are sources of joy to many and sources of consternation to others. Both are parts of God sovereign plan to unite heaven and earth in Him. – Paul O’Higgins

The Perfection Of Christmas

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” – Corrie Ten Boon

Christmas Stockings

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? – G. K Chesterton

Christmas Gifts

The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when he gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son. – Robert Flatt

More On Thankfulness

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks regardless of your feelings) and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). Those who obey me in this way are invariably blessed even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on enabling you to see from My perspective. It is the light of my Presence that removes the sting of adversity.” – Sarah Young “Jesus Calling”

“When disagreeable things happen do we manifest the essential sweetness of the Son of God, or the essential irritation of our selves apart from Him? Whenever self comes into the ascendant, the life of the Son of God in us is perverted and twisted- there is irritation and His life suffers. Growth in grace stops the moment we get huffed.” – Oswald Chambers

Don’t Put Your Hope In The Political Order

We may legislate all we please, but until we change the nature of man, sin will grow and flourish. We may stop it her or there, but it will surely spring up elsewhere. – E.W. Kenyon “The Father And His Family