Christmas
As Christmas draws near, I am reminded that we haven't spent NEARLY enough time discussing the REAL meaning of Christmas. I admit, regretfully, that I get caught up in the snow, and the tree, and the sentimental times of having our Rompin Rudolph Slush at our Trim the Tree Party, shopping, etc....
When Haleigh came home, she talked to Emily about Christmas. Emily had just watched Prancer. So, she was clearly defending that Santa is real. Haleigh asked her what Christmas is about, and she said "Jesus". I was glad to at least hear that as I had really felt like we had been completely neglecting Jesus this Christmas...
So, last week, we went to the Narnia movie. It was so good! Emily sat by me, and I wanted to make sure she was "getting" it. During the part when Aslan made the long, slow walk to the white witch, where he was giving his life for his people, she asked me where he was going. I explained that since Edmond had been a traitor, the law required that he die for his actions... and the witch wanted his blood. But, instead, Aslan, gave himself instead of Edmond's blood. For Edmond's wrong, he would take his punishment.
We watched as the white witch carried out her execution. Those that stood by began beating and whipping Aslan, they shaved him and humiliated him.
At her next words, I started to cry. She will most likely not remember saying it, nor will she know the impact on me. She said "But he's a KING."
I almost could not contain myself as my heart lept and my eyes filled with tears. The emotion overtook me as I struggled to maintain my composure from her comment.
"Yes, Em, he doesn't deserve to die. He is a King......"
Later that evening, I asked her what the story of Narnia reminded her of. She said, "It's just like Jesus mom. He died for US, even though He was a King."
Merry Christmas... may you be touched by His Love and His sacrifice this season.
"As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
When Haleigh came home, she talked to Emily about Christmas. Emily had just watched Prancer. So, she was clearly defending that Santa is real. Haleigh asked her what Christmas is about, and she said "Jesus". I was glad to at least hear that as I had really felt like we had been completely neglecting Jesus this Christmas...
So, last week, we went to the Narnia movie. It was so good! Emily sat by me, and I wanted to make sure she was "getting" it. During the part when Aslan made the long, slow walk to the white witch, where he was giving his life for his people, she asked me where he was going. I explained that since Edmond had been a traitor, the law required that he die for his actions... and the witch wanted his blood. But, instead, Aslan, gave himself instead of Edmond's blood. For Edmond's wrong, he would take his punishment.
We watched as the white witch carried out her execution. Those that stood by began beating and whipping Aslan, they shaved him and humiliated him.
At her next words, I started to cry. She will most likely not remember saying it, nor will she know the impact on me. She said "But he's a KING."
I almost could not contain myself as my heart lept and my eyes filled with tears. The emotion overtook me as I struggled to maintain my composure from her comment.
"Yes, Em, he doesn't deserve to die. He is a King......"
Later that evening, I asked her what the story of Narnia reminded her of. She said, "It's just like Jesus mom. He died for US, even though He was a King."
Merry Christmas... may you be touched by His Love and His sacrifice this season.
"As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
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