The
online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen
&
Brooksyne Weber
A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Friday,
December 24,
2021
Neighbors celebrating the reason for the season
"For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior ...."
"We
Need Christmas!"
Message
summary: Let us acknowledge that we need Christmas
and let us rejoice in thanksgiving that Jesus came
to this world. Like the shepherds and scores of people
since that time let us glorify and praise God!
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"And in the same region there were
shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were filled with great fear. And the angel
said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this
will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped
in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger'" (Luke
2:8-12).
Looking for a new Christmas song I came
across one titled "We Need Christmas" by Matthew West.
It seems to be especially written with the current
atmosphere of our day. Consider this line, "We need
Christmas, now more than ever, to bring us together".
There is so much division, among nations, domestically
and even among friends and family. This line is
somewhat of an understatement:
This world could use a little healing
Our hearts could surely use something to believe in
Our hearts could surely use something to believe in
Actually this world could use a lot
of healing but I didn't write the song! Matthew West
has written some wonderfully explicit Christian songs
but this song is a bit more generalized probably on
purpose, focusing on the sentimental season and
bringing out many Christmas memories for all of us. We
provide a link to it below and perhaps you will enjoy
the song and its beautiful setting.
But today we are prompted to base our
message on the title, "We Need Christmas".
We need Christmas because in various ways
we all have fears. The specific source of fear
for the shepherds was due to the startling appearance
of the angel Gabriel in the dark of night after a hard
day's work. Not only was Gabriel a supernatural
angelic being but the glory of the Lord shone around
him lighting up the dark sky. Fear in one way or
another is a universal condition so their response was
very natural. What is causing fear in your life today?
We encourage you to internalize these phrases found
all through the Bible, "Fear not" and "Do not be
afraid". Fear will dissolve if you "trust
in the Lord with all your heart"
(Proverbs 3:5).
We need Christmas because we desperately need "good news of great joy". This good news of great joy was not only for the shepherds but explicitly for "all the people". The good news of great joy in the Christmas message far, far exceeds any other good news that might bring us great joy. Don't get me wrong... I like good news in life and it generally brings me joy. And I want us all to find "exceeding great joy" just like the wise men who saw the star over Bethlehem, but our exceeding great joy is the eternally good news that God sent His Son.
We need Christmas because we need a
Savior! The heart of the Christmas story is the
angel's announcement to the shepherds that, "There is born
to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is Christ the Lord". We need a Savior, for we
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Our Savior meets our greatest need, the need of
salvation.
Let us acknowledge that we need Christmas
and let us rejoice in thanksgiving that Jesus came
to this world. Like the shepherds and scores of people
since that time let us glorify and praise God!
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Jesus, You are the light of the world.
We are bearers of that light since we who once
walked in darkness have seen Your glory, the glory
of the one and only Son, who came to us from the
Father, full of grace and truth. As we walk in Your
light we also walk in Your grace and truth, sharing
with others the good news of salvation provided to
us by Your sacrificial death on the cross. Thank You
for the most precious gift we could ever receive.
Amen.
The Webers at the
Shadow Mountain Community Church Courtyard
Nativity
Christmas greeting
to our readers:
We express our
greatest appreciation and love to you, our
faithful daily encouragement readers. We have
met or heard from so many fine readers from
all walks of life and from all regions of the
world and we are better for it in our
spiritual walk and our social life. We always
enjoy your feedback and your stimulating
comments that affirm or challenge us to think
further on a subject matter. We're even glad
for those of you who take the time to let us
know a link is broken or a date is wrong, etc.
We are praying for those whose Christmas season may be difficult this year due to a heartache you are experiencing, and for those who suffer from a significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
We are praying for those whose Christmas season may be difficult this year due to a heartache you are experiencing, and for those who suffer from a significant loss in your life. May our faithful Lord meet you and bring a deep settled peace in your heart as you reflect upon Him as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.
Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We
want to thank
all who have
financially
supported our
ministry this
past year (and
some for many
years!). We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like to make a
donation to
our ministry
see here for
more
information. Like
many
ministries, 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 approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from which we receive compensation. 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 would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies from which we receive compensation. 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 would provide half of our ministry expenses and income.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
This will open
to a page that
designates the
offering to: STEPHEN
& BROOKSYNE WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY
Please Note: If
you desire you can donate directly through
PayPal using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber".
We
keep this option available due to the
familiarity, convenience, international
supporters, and for those who may not need an
official receipt. You can also set up for
recurring donations. You also can use PayPal on this
link. Stephen & Brooksyne
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"We Need
Christmas" Video Matthew
West (new song)
"The
Heart of Christmas" Video Matthew
West (from ten years
ago)
Christmas Eve
In just a couple hours Brooksyne will head
to the church since the adult choir is
singing at 4:00 and 6:30. She has been
excited about this evening as are many of
you who are participating in your
Christmas Eve services wherever you live.
One of the featured songs in our church
tonight is Chris Rice's song, (below),
"Welcome to Our World".
"Welcome To Our
World" Video Chris
Rice
"Rejoice with
Exceeding Great Joy" Video The
Gaither Family
Gracie: "Santa,
I've been a very good kitty and only broke
one nice dish during the holidays. Can I
still have catnip for my stocking?"
Pecan filled
Christmas Bells
Can you find the
misshaped bell and tell us what shape it
is?
At the AACa Museum
last week in hershey we saw this tiny 1959
BMW Isetta 300. The car was a hit, with
BMW producing more than 160,000 between
1955 and 1962, and we love it. It's fun,
funky and practical---and the front of the
car is the door! Sure it was horrifically
unsafe, but just look at it!
Resources for Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources posted below
our daily messages through Christmas)
Each
year
we share several online resources that
we have used over the years. Perhaps
they may be a blessing to you, your
family or church during this Christmas
season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video)
"When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune.
Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family:
John 1:1-18 pdf
"O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf
My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year.
Christmas Knowledge Test
We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down).
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& Brooksyne
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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."
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Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA