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Christmas Thoughts: Odds and Ends

Posted on December 8, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

You know when you’re driving along in the car, and your mind wanders and has all these random thoughts? I do that. Since it’s the Christmas season, my mind was rambling along as the yellow line in the road pulled me toward work the other morning.

I believe the ‘star’ that the Magi followed to the boy child’s house (Matthew 2:9) was an angel, leading them. The word in Greek actually means to lead forth. I know God could make a planet or a star or a comet lead the Magi but I think it makes more sense that it was an angel, since also angels are called stars sometimes in the Bible.

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Advent, Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 11, He was obedient

Posted on December 8, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We’ve flowed through the first section of this series, in looking at a few verses that prophesy Jesus’ coming, His arrival, and His early life.

Starting tomorrow, from Day 12-16 we will look at verses that focus on Jesus as The Son.

From Day 17-26, verses will focus on the preeminence of the Son, His works, and Ministry.

Days 27-36, His resurrection, ascension, and return.

Yes, there are more than 30 verses, lol. There’s a postlude. Continue reading “Advent, Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 11, He was obedient” →

theology

Angels in the nativity, and elsewhere!

Posted on December 7, 2020December 7, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

It is the season of advent, when we anticipate the commemoration of the baby Jesus’ birth into the world. His appearing was miraculous, humble, and the start of a new covenant. It’s the holiday we call Christmas!

The advent story is filled with amazing happenings and interesting characters. Looming large is Mary, of course, John the Baptist, Joseph, Herod, the Wise Men (Magi), and more. We have Simeon, Zecharias, Anna, and the Shepherds. But we also have angels.

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advent, theology

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 10- the Boy Jesus at the Temple

Posted on December 7, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

thirty days of Jesus day 10

With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding (Job 12:13).

Further Reading:

The Day Jesus Went AWOL

Twelve-year-old Jesus goes to the Temple

The Son of God at twelve years old
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Thirty Days of Jesus Series-

Introduction/Background
Day 1: The Virgin shall conceive
Day 2: A shoot from Jesse
Day 3: God sent His Son in the fullness of time
Day 4: Marry her, she will bear a Son
Day 5: The Babe has arrived!
Day 6: The Glory of Jesus
Day 7: Magi seek the Child
Day 8: The Magi offer gifts & worship
Day 9: The Child Grew

theology, thirty Days of Jesus

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 9, The Child Grew

Posted on December 6, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

thirty days of jesus day 9 — Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

“The Christ Child: A Nativity Story,” Review

Posted on December 6, 2020December 6, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

screenshot from the Mormon short film, “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story”

The Church of the Latter Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons, produced a Nativity short film called “The Christ Child: A Nativity Story”. It’s 18 minutes long, and it is live action. It has few words, but what words are spoken are in Aramaic. The film is scrupulous in its biblical-historical accuracy, for example, showing Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem in a caravan instead of alone.

Lone travel was dangerous in those days and since all Jews had to return to their town of origin as per census rules, it is more than likely the pair traveled with others who were doing the same thing.

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theology

Is a COVID-19 vaccination the mark of the beast? (Answer – No)

Posted on December 5, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Revelation. The poor, neglected, misunderstood book of Revelation.

Overlooked, rarely preached on, even the mention of it incites arguments (Symbolic! Actual! Amillennial! Pre-millenial!) and so, the blessing promised twice in the book is not received by many believers, due to forsaking it for calmer scriptural pastures. (Ahhh, the book of John…Colossians…)

The Apokalupsis/Revelation word used in Revelation 1:1 means “revelation, unveiling”. The Book reveals the Lord’s plans for the end of time. “See? I have told you ahead of time,” Jesus said to the disciples in Mathew 24:25. He declares the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10).

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advent, theology

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 8, The Magi Offer Gifts & Worship

Posted on December 5, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

thirty days of jesus day 8

Thirty Days of Jesus Series- Continue reading “Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 8, The Magi Offer Gifts & Worship” →

theology

What does “Dayspring” mean?

Posted on December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

During this Christmas season you might sing the old hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The hymn is thought to have originated in the 1100s! The 1861 translation of this ancient hymn from the Latin contains the verse about a Dayspring.

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

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advent, theology