The online
Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
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Wednesday,
December 6, 2023
The
steam engine
of the Harrisburg-Lincoln-Lancaster
Railroad
pulls an
excursion
train through
the Star Barn
property near
Elizabethtown,
PA
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
"How
Jesus Got Ready
For Christmas"
Message
summary: This
Christmas
season let us,
with
thankfulness
and joy,
recall the
wonderful love
that God
demonstrated
for fallen
humanity as He
prepared a
"body" attired
in flesh and
blood when He
sent His only
begotten Son
to this earth.
And our
response to
God's
incomparable
love and
provision is
to present our
body as a
living and
holy
sacrifice.
Such a
response is
acceptable to
God and our
spiritual
service of
worship.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Therefore,
when Christ
came into the
world, He
said:
'Sacrifice and
offering you
did not
desire, but a
body You
prepared for
Me'" (Hebrews
10:5).
"Therefore I
urge you,
brethren, by
the mercies of
God, to
present your
bodies a
living and
holy
sacrifice,
acceptable to
God, which is
your spiritual
service of
worship"
(Romans 12:1).
"Are you ready for Christmas?" That's a conversation starter we will hear often these last weeks leading up to Christmas. For many of us getting ready means sending Christmas cards, decorating, baking, shopping, special musical, drama events, parties, banquets then there's more shopping and a host of other events, family, school, church, work and otherwise!
"Are you ready for Christmas?" That's a conversation starter we will hear often these last weeks leading up to Christmas. For many of us getting ready means sending Christmas cards, decorating, baking, shopping, special musical, drama events, parties, banquets then there's more shopping and a host of other events, family, school, church, work and otherwise!
The
next two
Friday
evenings we
have company
Christmas
banquets,
interestingly
both only
about a mile
from our rural
home at the
Cameron
Estates, which
will be
extremely
convenient.
Getting ready for Christmas can be busy and wearying! It takes intentional focus to keep remembering the real reason, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4,5).
Have you ever thought much about how Jesus got ready for Christmas? His preparations of course were quite different than ours. The Bible speaks of the "Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Isaiah prophetically looked ahead and says of Christ, "He was led like a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). When John prepared the way for Christ's ministry he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36).
The miraculous incarnation of Christ is astounding. At Christmas we usually focus on the human dimension of "The Greatest Story Ever Told". We read the accounts in Matthew and Luke of Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the wise men.
But it seems our daily text gives a view from Christ's perspective, "a body You prepared for Me". That "body" in one sense began in the way we all begin with a normal gestational period and birth. The marvelous distinction in the preparation of the incarnate body of Christ is the mystery and miracle of His conception.
"But a body" contrasts the sacrifices of the bodies of animals with the ultimate, perfect sacrificial body, the Lamb of God, the incarnation of Jesus the eternal Son, which Charles Wesley wrote was "Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man" in a lesser sung hymn, "LET EARTH AND HEAVEN COMBINE".
Getting ready for Christmas can be busy and wearying! It takes intentional focus to keep remembering the real reason, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4,5).
Have you ever thought much about how Jesus got ready for Christmas? His preparations of course were quite different than ours. The Bible speaks of the "Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Isaiah prophetically looked ahead and says of Christ, "He was led like a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). When John prepared the way for Christ's ministry he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36).
The miraculous incarnation of Christ is astounding. At Christmas we usually focus on the human dimension of "The Greatest Story Ever Told". We read the accounts in Matthew and Luke of Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and the wise men.
But it seems our daily text gives a view from Christ's perspective, "a body You prepared for Me". That "body" in one sense began in the way we all begin with a normal gestational period and birth. The marvelous distinction in the preparation of the incarnate body of Christ is the mystery and miracle of His conception.
"But a body" contrasts the sacrifices of the bodies of animals with the ultimate, perfect sacrificial body, the Lamb of God, the incarnation of Jesus the eternal Son, which Charles Wesley wrote was "Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man" in a lesser sung hymn, "LET EARTH AND HEAVEN COMBINE".
This
"body" ends
the need for
any and all
animal bodies
for
sacrifices. “For
Christ died
for sins once
for all, the
righteous for
the
unrighteous,
to bring us to
God” (1
Peter 3:18).
So let us consider the most important way we can prepare for Christmas and, for that matter, it is also the way we should live the remainder of our lives on this side of eternity. We ought to present our body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship (see Romans 12:1).
This Christmas season let us, with thankfulness and joy, recall the wonderful love that God demonstrated for fallen humanity as He prepared a "body" attired in flesh and blood when He sent His only begotten Son to this earth. And our proper response to God's incomparable love and provision is to present our body as a living and holy sacrifice. Such a response is acceptable to God and is our spiritual service of worship.
So let us consider the most important way we can prepare for Christmas and, for that matter, it is also the way we should live the remainder of our lives on this side of eternity. We ought to present our body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship (see Romans 12:1).
This Christmas season let us, with thankfulness and joy, recall the wonderful love that God demonstrated for fallen humanity as He prepared a "body" attired in flesh and blood when He sent His only begotten Son to this earth. And our proper response to God's incomparable love and provision is to present our body as a living and holy sacrifice. Such a response is acceptable to God and is our spiritual service of worship.
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Jesus, though
You would
ultimately
surrender Your
life at
Calvary, You
willingly took
on flesh and
lived among a
very imperfect
human race in
a fallen
world. In
great humility
You emptied
Yourself of
the privilege,
position,
power and
prosperity You
possessed in
heaven. When
You walked
among Your
people You
experienced
betrayal,
misunderstanding,
hatred and
temptation,
yet You were
without sin.
Even as You
made necessary
preparations
to come to
this earth and
live among a
sinful people,
help us to
prepare our
heart, mind
and soul to be
among Your
holy people
that will make
a spiritual
difference on
this side
while also
growing our
affection for
our future
eternal home.
Just as You
gave of
Yourself so
willingly help
us to
willingly give
of ourselves
as a fragrant
offering to
You and as a
witness to
this
sin-darkened
world.
In Your name,
Jesus, we
pray. Amen.Special
Year-end
Financial
Appeal
We want to thank all who have financially supported our ministry this past year (and some for many years!). Like most ministries, we typically see a spike in giving at the end of the year for which we are most thankful. Thus we bump up this appeal on each post through the remainder of the year.
We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
You
can send a
check payable
to "Daily
Encouragement
Net" to:
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
495
Kraybill
Church Road
Mount
Joy, PA 17552
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
"Come
Thou Long
Expected
Jesus"
Watch
on YouTube
Meredith
Andrews
We
always
appreciate
feedback from
our readers.
Jim
Gambini, who
was our pastor
when we first
moved to
Lancaster
County in
2001, is a
musician and
commented on
Monday's
message about
the
old-fashioned
hymn sing we
attended
Sunday
afternoon.
I have attended a number of church conferences and Christian seminars in my years living in PA. I couldn't tell you how exactly how many, and it certainly was not "all the time," but I remember hearing, from more than one speaker, that they loved coming to PA because it was there that the singing, especially with hymns sung, was at its richest harmonically. (Jim now live in Georgia)
Steve,
an engineer
and reader
from Iowa,
wrote
concerning
yesterday's
message on
plumbing where
we alluded to
outhouses and
Colossians
3:23.
For
two decades of
my career at
John Deere, I
kept a copy of
Colossians
3:23 on my
cubicle wall.
It brought me
through many
challenging
times.
I enjoyed your plumbing analogies. A coworker, Paul, and I made a business trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan about a decade ago. We toured the University of Michigan campus, and while walking through the environmental sciences building, asked a student what was most notable therein. She enthusiastically said we should see the restrooms with composting toilets. Paul, who grew up on a farm in southern Iowa, ventured into the men's room, and upon exiting gave his appraisal. “That’s just like the outhouse I grew up with!” I can imagine the tens of thousands of dollars that were spent to put the window dressing on this ecological wonder.
I enjoyed your plumbing analogies. A coworker, Paul, and I made a business trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan about a decade ago. We toured the University of Michigan campus, and while walking through the environmental sciences building, asked a student what was most notable therein. She enthusiastically said we should see the restrooms with composting toilets. Paul, who grew up on a farm in southern Iowa, ventured into the men's room, and upon exiting gave his appraisal. “That’s just like the outhouse I grew up with!” I can imagine the tens of thousands of dollars that were spent to put the window dressing on this ecological wonder.
Saturday I took Ester to the Star Barn property near Elizabethtown, PA where she had been requested to take photos at a "Brittany's Hope" event. Its a remarkable property. The owner, businessman David Abel, has a knack for taking a decaying treasure, like the Star Barn, and restoring it.
Ester
took this
photo of the
Star Barn on
Saturday. For
many years we
passed this
barn along 283
on the way to
Harrisburg in
it's decaying
state. Here's
an article
on Wikipedia
about the barn
that has a
photo where it
originally
stood prior to
its historic
restoration.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
An
interior door
in the Star
Barn.
A
nighttime
photo I took
several years
ago at an
event.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
The
Harrisburg-Lincoln-Lancaster
Railroad
makes
excursions
through the
property.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
A
long, winding
road leads
back to the
barn including
a ride through
the Herr's
Mill Covered
Bridge. For
many years we
passed this
bridge (not
open to
traffic at the
time since it
was in a
decrepit
condition) in
eastern
Lancaster
County not far
from the Old
Windmill Farm.
It was moved
to the Star
Barn property
and restored
to its current
state.
Click
to enlarge
A
Christmas
season drive
through the
bridge is
stunning when
it's dark.
Click
to enlarge
David
is a very
committed
Christian and
shares his
story here (video)
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We
want to thank
all who
financially
support our
ministry. We
realize there
are many fine
ministries and
causes
requesting
support at
this time but
if you would
like
information
about making a
donation to
our ministry
see here.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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)
If
you desire you
can also
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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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)
If
you desire you
can also
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,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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Encouragement
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radioPermissions: 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. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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 and a variety of other versions.
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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Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA