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To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Monday, December 28, 2015
Farm scene in Lancaster County, PA
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player.
"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:15-20).
Our family custom on Christmas morning is to first go down to our family room where our stockings are hung on the mantel with care near our coal stove including stockings for our two dogs who get doggie treats. We then go up to our living room where our gifts are under the Christmas tree.
But before opening our gifts I read the Christmas story and we pray together, thanking God for the greatest gift as we seek to balance a spiritual perspective with the materialism that overwhelms the season. I read from Luke 2 and as I read the text I especially noted the phrase describing the shepherd's decision to go to Bethlehem, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." The two words "this thing" stick out to me.
Most of our gifts are things, usually something of a materialistic
nature. This year our biggest gifts (in expense) are late model
smart phones we gave to each other, although it wasn't a surprise! We
were slow to join the smart phone age and for the last couple of years
have been using old iPhones Brooksyne's sister gave us. It's exciting
to explore the new capabilities in the new phones including the amazing
camera. In
fact my recent renewed interest in video is related to this. Today we
post a video we made of our Christmas Day visit with our Amish friends.
But any gift we receive regardless of its expense on this side does not even begin to compare with the greatest gift, which our daily text describes as "this thing".
These two bland,
non-descriptive words in the text intrigue me: "This thing" designates the first human title of Christmas and the
very first Christmas gift. I suppose after their encounter with the
angel and then the angelic chorus the shepherds were at a loss for
words and had trouble processing the magnitude of what they had just
heard and were about to see. The shepherds, surely in a state of
wonderment and
perplexity, call the blessed event that would impact every generation afterwards for all eternity, "this thing". Thus the very first
human designation for Christmas is "this thing"! *
The shepherds were blessed to receive this unexpected announcement from
extraordinary beings, yet they could not fully picture in their minds
just what to expect or the right words to describe this historic
event. God did not require statesmen to be out in the field with
the shepherds and they could not eloquently describe this incredible
moment in history.
Today let us thank God for "this thing" which the shepherds went to see. The holy Son of God came as a baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. That's the redeeming message on which we must focus and it is the greatest thing! Some are hesitant to witness to others about Christ for fear that their message might not be delivered as eloquently as a studied preacher or gifted speaker. Yes, the words we speak are important but the lives we live may have more meaning when we share of Christ's redeeming work in the hearts of His people.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we're so thankful for Jesus whose infant birth
took place in a smelly stable and whose bed was a feeding trough padded
with stubbly straw and hay. It was certainly not a welcome
setting for the infant born King but we can now see the stable as a
composite of this unwelcoming world toward King Jesus. We're so glad
that He was willing to come to earth though He would be rejected by the
vast majority from every generation. Yet we gratefully number among the many who receive Him as
our personal Savior. We thank You that He came to deliver us from our
fears and release us from our sins. Through Your own eternal Spirit
rule in our hearts today and raise us to Your glorious throne on Your
appointed day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
"This thing" These are the two words most versions use in this text. Here a list of all versions in Bible Gateway for Luke 2:15
Special Year-end appeal:
We
want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past
year. We realize there are many fine ministries
and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead
you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. We
typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for
which we are most thankful. Our ministry labor is comprised of half our
time to Daily
Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to
companies for which we receive a fee (of course this percentage of time varies
week by week). Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a
part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many
years is that each phase would provide half of our ministry expenses
and
income. If you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information or donate directly online through my chaplain account here. Thank you!
Please Note: Our chaplain agency is unable to provide a receipt
if the donation is made through PayPal. However we provide this option
due to the convenience, international supporters, and for those who
may not be concerned regarding receiving an official receipt. Click here to donate using PayPal.
Our Christmas Day in an Amish farmhouse. We managed to get 10 around the table (the baby played off to the side). Much of our delicious food was grown right on the farm in addition to the dishes Brooksyne contributed. Notice the candelabra over the table. Last year Brooksyne purchased this candelabra to hang below our umbrella that extends over our picnic table. When Anna Ruth mentioned that she would just love to have a light over her table where she could burn candles (since electricity is not an option) we had the perfect solution so the children gave it to her as a Mother's Day gift last year). She continues to be excited about her dining room lighting and told us to be sure to get it in the photo which we did.
The children just love it when Ester takes their photos and video, particularly with special effects such as slow motion video.
Ester and Brooksyne teamed up to read "The Crippled Lamb" to the children who heard it for the first time. Ester read the story while Brooksyne (barely visible in photo) showed the photos in her copy of the book while also providing various voices for the characters. A very nice discussion followed which included the children and adults regarding the lesson Lucado teaches through Joshua, the crippled lamb who was "different".
I got a brief ride on a cart pulled by their miniature horse.
The older daughter gave this stencil to her mother for Christmas which they placed over the entryway as you leave the house.
"The Greatest Thing" Video Mark Pendergrass This song was copyrighted in 1977 and for many years was a popular chorus we sang in our churches. It came to mind when I considered today's message.
"Angels We Have Heard On High" Video Harvest Bible Chapel This is the song from which we posted one of the verses at the end of our message.
Farm scene in Lancaster County, PA
"This Thing"
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player."When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:15-20).
Our family custom on Christmas morning is to first go down to our family room where our stockings are hung on the mantel with care near our coal stove including stockings for our two dogs who get doggie treats. We then go up to our living room where our gifts are under the Christmas tree.
But before opening our gifts I read the Christmas story and we pray together, thanking God for the greatest gift as we seek to balance a spiritual perspective with the materialism that overwhelms the season. I read from Luke 2 and as I read the text I especially noted the phrase describing the shepherd's decision to go to Bethlehem, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." The two words "this thing" stick out to me.
Most of our gifts are things, usually something of a materialistic
nature. This year our biggest gifts (in expense) are late model
smart phones we gave to each other, although it wasn't a surprise! We
were slow to join the smart phone age and for the last couple of years
have been using old iPhones Brooksyne's sister gave us. It's exciting
to explore the new capabilities in the new phones including the amazing
camera. In
fact my recent renewed interest in video is related to this. Today we
post a video we made of our Christmas Day visit with our Amish friends.But any gift we receive regardless of its expense on this side does not even begin to compare with the greatest gift, which our daily text describes as "this thing".
These two bland,
non-descriptive words in the text intrigue me: "This thing" designates the first human title of Christmas and the
very first Christmas gift. I suppose after their encounter with the
angel and then the angelic chorus the shepherds were at a loss for
words and had trouble processing the magnitude of what they had just
heard and were about to see. The shepherds, surely in a state of
wonderment and
perplexity, call the blessed event that would impact every generation afterwards for all eternity, "this thing". Thus the very first
human designation for Christmas is "this thing"! *
The shepherds were blessed to receive this unexpected announcement from
extraordinary beings, yet they could not fully picture in their minds
just what to expect or the right words to describe this historic
event. God did not require statesmen to be out in the field with
the shepherds and they could not eloquently describe this incredible
moment in history.Today let us thank God for "this thing" which the shepherds went to see. The holy Son of God came as a baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. That's the redeeming message on which we must focus and it is the greatest thing! Some are hesitant to witness to others about Christ for fear that their message might not be delivered as eloquently as a studied preacher or gifted speaker. Yes, the words we speak are important but the lives we live may have more meaning when we share of Christ's redeeming work in the hearts of His people.
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we're so thankful for Jesus whose infant birth
took place in a smelly stable and whose bed was a feeding trough padded
with stubbly straw and hay. It was certainly not a welcome
setting for the infant born King but we can now see the stable as a
composite of this unwelcoming world toward King Jesus. We're so glad
that He was willing to come to earth though He would be rejected by the
vast majority from every generation. Yet we gratefully number among the many who receive Him as
our personal Savior. We thank You that He came to deliver us from our
fears and release us from our sins. Through Your own eternal Spirit
rule in our hearts today and raise us to Your glorious throne on Your
appointed day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen."This thing" These are the two words most versions use in this text. Here a list of all versions in Bible Gateway for Luke 2:15
Special Year-end appeal:
We
want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past
year. We realize there are many fine ministries
and causes requesting support at this time but if the Lord would lead
you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our
readers and listeners. We
typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for
which we are most thankful. Our ministry labor is comprised of half our
time to Daily
Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to
companies for which we receive a fee (of course this percentage of time varies
week by week). Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a
part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many
years is that each phase would provide half of our ministry expenses
and
income. If you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information or donate directly online through my chaplain account here. Thank you!Please Note: Our chaplain agency is unable to provide a receipt
if the donation is made through PayPal. However we provide this option
due to the convenience, international supporters, and for those who
may not be concerned regarding receiving an official receipt. Click here to donate using PayPal.Our Christmas Day in an Amish farmhouse. We managed to get 10 around the table (the baby played off to the side). Much of our delicious food was grown right on the farm in addition to the dishes Brooksyne contributed. Notice the candelabra over the table. Last year Brooksyne purchased this candelabra to hang below our umbrella that extends over our picnic table. When Anna Ruth mentioned that she would just love to have a light over her table where she could burn candles (since electricity is not an option) we had the perfect solution so the children gave it to her as a Mother's Day gift last year). She continues to be excited about her dining room lighting and told us to be sure to get it in the photo which we did.
The children just love it when Ester takes their photos and video, particularly with special effects such as slow motion video.
Ester and Brooksyne teamed up to read "The Crippled Lamb" to the children who heard it for the first time. Ester read the story while Brooksyne (barely visible in photo) showed the photos in her copy of the book while also providing various voices for the characters. A very nice discussion followed which included the children and adults regarding the lesson Lucado teaches through Joshua, the crippled lamb who was "different".
I got a brief ride on a cart pulled by their miniature horse.
The older daughter gave this stencil to her mother for Christmas which they placed over the entryway as you leave the house.
This Amish family lives in Lancaster County PA. We are sensitive regarding close-up, identifiable still facial photos of the children due to privacy concerns as well as some religious beliefs the some Amish have regarding facial photos.
We befriended Jesse and Anna Ruth in 2003 shortly after they married and became our neighbors. Although they are no longer our neighbors we have maintained our friendship and see them regularly. They now have six children. Jesse is a dairy farmer.
Here's a video
of our Christmas Day visit with
our Amish friends which features photos, videos and the children
singing a song from their school musical. Although I have tried making
videos for years and periodically placed up a video on YouTube I am
enjoying our new phone's video recording capabilities as well as
working with hi-definition via Vimeo.
We befriended Jesse and Anna Ruth in 2003 shortly after they married and became our neighbors. Although they are no longer our neighbors we have maintained our friendship and see them regularly. They now have six children. Jesse is a dairy farmer.
Here's a video
of our Christmas Day visit with
our Amish friends which features photos, videos and the children
singing a song from their school musical. Although I have tried making
videos for years and periodically placed up a video on YouTube I am
enjoying our new phone's video recording capabilities as well as
working with hi-definition via Vimeo.Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"The Greatest Thing" Video Mark Pendergrass This song was copyrighted in 1977 and for many years was a popular chorus we sang in our churches. It came to mind when I considered today's message.
"Angels We Have Heard On High" Video Harvest Bible Chapel This is the song from which we posted one of the verses at the end of our message.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA