1. Foreword
This week, we examine the genealogy of Jesus as reported in the Gospel of
Matthew and Luke and find that, as promised, Jesus was born in the family of
David. We are now ready to receive the Messiah. By this Sunday, all steps to obtain the victory over sin
has been made. ...
I. This Sunday in Church - Sunday Before Christmas
2.
Bible Readings for This Sunday (December 20)
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lectionary/Lec_sunday-before-christmas.htm
3.
Sermons for This Sunday (December 20)
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_sunday-before-Christmas.htm
II. Genealogy of Jesus Christ
4.
A Messed-Up Family Tree
If you think you have a dysfunctional family, take a
look at Jesus' family tree. Some of the most unsavory characters who made it
into the most exclusive genealogy in human history include prostitutes,
liars, cheats, adulterers, and even a murderer. ...
5.
The Records of Jesus' Ancestors
These lists are important because God had promised in the Old Testament that
the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse and
David. If Jesus had not been a descendant of those men, we could be sure
that He was not really the Messiah. Matthew and Luke's lists prove, however,
that Jesus was in the lineage of all six of those men through both His
mother and stepfather. ...
6. Malankara World Journal Special on Genealogy of Jesus
For more in-depth look at the genealogy of Jesus Christ
read the Malankara World Journal Issue 114 - a special
on the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_114.htm
More articles can be found in Malankara World Journal Issue 183
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_183.htm
The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)
1. All this and much more, Jesus did by becoming what the
first seventeen verses of Matthew's gospel proclaims: "...the Son of David, the
Son of Abraham"
2. This genealogy of Jesus Christ...
a. Establishes the right of Jesus to be the Messiah
b. Reminds us of God's mercy
...
7.
Malankara World Advent and Christmas Supplements
To learn more about the spiritual significance of Christmas
and Advent Season Malankara World has created special supplements so you can
read all about them in depth. Click below to visit:
Malankara World Christmas Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/Christmas/Default.htm
Malankara World Advent Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/advent/Default.htm
III. This Week's Featured Articles: Advent - Jesus Is Coming!
In Advent, Christians relive a dual
impulse of the spirit: on the one hand, they raise their eyes towards the final
destination of their pilgrimage through history, which is the glorious return of
the Lord Jesus; on the other, remembering with emotion his birth in Bethlehem,
they kneel before the Crib.
The hope of Christians is turned to the future but remains firmly rooted in an
event of the past. In the fullness of time, the Son of God was born of the
Virgin Mary: "Born of a woman, born under the law", as the Apostle Paul writes
(Gal 4: 4).
8.
Inspiration for Today: Christmas in Eden
What started with the whole human race has narrowed to just one man - Jesus
Christ.
He didn't come in the usual way; he came by means of a virgin birth. No one
before or since ever entered the world as he did. Thus he is the ultimate "seed
of the woman" since no man was involved in his conception.
- When God wanted to save the world, he didn't send a committee; he sent his Son.
- When God wanted to say, "I love you," he wrapped his love note in swaddling
clothes.
- When God wanted to crush Satan, he started in a stable in Bethlehem.
Even in Eden, God was planning for Christmas. He was thinking of you before you
were born because he knew that one day you would need a Savior. ...
9.
The Word Made Flesh
It all comes down to this. Jesus is much more than a man. He is God. He is
not just a moral teacher. He is God. He is not just a social revolutionary.
He is God. He is not someone that you can just take or leave without
consequence. He is God. ..
10.
How You Can Have Genuine Joy and Hope this Christmas
The joy of the Christmas message is so much richer, deeper, and more beautiful
than any other story that has ever been told. Glory was wrapped in flesh and
dwelt among us, so that we could be wrapped in righteousness and dwell with God.
Jesus lived a perfect life so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for all
that is wrong both in our own lives and in the world. ...
11.
Peace From Jesus - More Solid Than Fear
To be found in Christ means to be thoroughly stilled by who Christ is. His
victory gives life, and the surety of that gift gives peace that transcends
everything else. Like children pacified by the assurance of bread, we are
invited to hold the very bread of life, a hope more solid than fear. ...
12.
Finding Peace in the Chaos of Christmas
Perfect peace isn't dependent on circumstances. It comes from a steadfast,
trusting heart. Let's start the Christmas season by intentionally growing our
steadfastness by focusing our trust on God who is faithful. The resulting peace
will point to the Savior we're celebrating! ...
13.
I'll be Home for Christmas
Hebrews 13:14 encourages us to remember and find strength in the fact that "we
seek the city that is to come." It's a losing battle to pursue lasting
satisfaction in this life. The words "Here we have no lasting city" drive us to
only source of contentment: the promise that Christ is always with me (Matthew
28:20) and that He's bringing me home to a place where love, joy, and
satisfaction never end. ...
14.
Jesus Brings Light to the World
Is there hope in the world? Yes! Hope invaded the world 2000 years ago at
Bethlehem. If we want that hope to invade our lives, we must do what the
shepherds did so long ago. We must come to Bethlehem and bow before the newborn
King. Hope is available but only to those who will humble themselves and bow in
faith before the Lord Jesus Christ. ...
IV. General Weekly Features
15.
Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Swirl
16.
Bonus Recipe: Norwegian Potato Lefse
Lefse is a humble sort of flatbread, made from leftover mashed
potatoes. Work in a little flour, roll it out flat, and cook it on the stovetop
for dinner! This makes a thin and soft flatbread that's more substantial than a
crepe but more delicate than a flour tortilla. ...
17.
Family Special: Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family
The pattern of Joseph's relationship with Mary and Jesus, of Mary's
relationship with Joseph and Jesus, and of Jesus' relationship with Joseph
and Mary, described in the infant narratives, sets us an extraordinary
exemplar of what family relationships could and should be in every Christian
home. ...
18.
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