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Charlene Woodlee

~ profound truth in simple terms

Charlene Woodlee

Tag Archives: Christmas

The King is Coming!

16 Friday Dec 2016

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Christmas, signs, trumpets, wonders

trumpetsAt this time of year we Christians celebrate the baby Jesus’ coming and are called to remember that He promised that He would come back as Our King. Just as there were signs before, during, and after Jesus’ birth, there are promised signs before our King returns. In previous newsletters I have pointed out signs in the sky like a group of stars that form what has been called “The Hand of God” and another one called “The Crown of Thorns.” This year I heard of another phenomenon. There appeared a circle of clouds and the sounding of trumpets (like shofars) over the city of Jerusalem on October 1, 2016. You can see actual footage of this event on the internet if you search for “Jerusalem trumpets.” As I was checking this out I also heard of many unexplained booms heard in various countries this past year (U.S., Canada, Philippines, Germany, Russia, Australia, Hungary to name a few). The people who heard them said that they sounded like explosions, but the authorities checked it out and found that there were no explosions in the area. NASA has explanations for all of this and calls it normal. They say that the earth makes many vibration sounds, some that we cannot hear. I say that the Lord told us that “the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:40) if the people were silent as he made his way into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. How much more will the earth cry out in preparation for His next appearance?

It is interesting in the timing of the circular cloud and the sound of trumpets over Jerusalem on October 1st. The next day began the feast of Rosh Hashanah, which in the Jewish calendar is the Jewish New Year, but their new year’s celebration is not like our January celebration. Yes, they reflect on the last year and plan changes for the next year, but this is a holy time of reflection and repentance. The morning begins with the blowing of a ram’s horn, commonly called a shofar. It is blown to wake listeners from their slumber and to alert them to the coming judgment of the Lord. A total of 100 notes in various configurations are sounded in synagogues on each day of the 2 day feast. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah, and most of the day is spent in the synagogue focusing on God’s sovereignty or the “coronation” of God as King of the Universe!

Once we know all of this about Rosh Hashanah it is not surprising that God would display such a sight in the sky and the sound of trumpets one day before the Rosh Hashanah trumpets. He certainly would not want to be confused with human trumpeters! Both Matthew 24 and I Thessalonians 4 say that the Lord will appear with the sound of trumpets. Do you think that this might be a dress rehearsal, a chance for us to take a moment to think over our need for repentance and our hope at seeing Jesus return to earth as the King of the Universe setting everything right once again?

As we look toward Christmas and the sights, sounds, and signs of a Savior born to a virgin so long ago may we remember:

“For unto us a child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government shall be upon His shoulder,

And His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and of peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.” (Is. 9:6-7 NKJV)

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM CHARLENE AND ALAN WOODLEE

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Welcome The Prince Of Peace

04 Friday Dec 2015

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Christmas

 

Prince of PeaceIn my church’s worship service a few Sundays ago I heard a song I had not heard before and it touched my heart in a special way. I had to search out the author and found it was an Amy Grant song called “Prince of Peace.” The words that warmed my heart were:

“So hold me, Jesus, I’m shakin’ like a leaf

You have been king of glory, won’t you be my

prince of peace?”

Isn’t that how we feel when we see so much violence, unrest, unease in our world today? But I have learned over the years that while we are waiting for the final appearance of the King of Glory to right the earth and it’s people once again, the Lord has already sent the Prince of Peace and we are celebrating His birthday soon. Jesus was born in times like these, where there was unrest all around, yet in that stable there was the gift of peace, peace with God, peace in our hearts. It was available to all who would believe so many of the promises God had for us in Isaiah.

“For to us a child is born, Continue reading →

Gift Discernment

13 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by cdnw in Devotions, Newsletters

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Christmas, creativity, encouragement, gifts, giving, mercy, serving

giftThis Christmas, as we try to match the perfect gift to the specific person we are buying for, we surely need an ability to discern what gift will please and bless that one.  God has never had that problem.  He gives “good and perfect gifts.”  (James 1:17)  Nowhere is that seen as clearly as His gift of His Son to us for the purpose of our deliverance from sin and eternal life with Him.  Even the very gift giving we do at this season started with the gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold that were given by the wise men.  Those men of old who came from the East were probably astrologers who read the signs of the times from the stars and compared what they saw in the sky with the prophecies of the prophets of the past.  They saw wisdom in the Jewish writings and after consulting them discovered that a King had been prophesied to come with the exact configuration of stars that they saw.  It was well known that the most acceptable gifts to give a king were gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which, although they were very expensive, were all readily available in their neighborhood. These wise men somehow knew that this was the birth of a very special king since even the skies were declaring his birth and they wanted to see him for themselves.  So they packed up and used the sky as their map to the new king.  When they found Mary and Joseph living in a home (not in the stable) with the child I’m sure they were surprised that this young king was not living in a palace, but they gave the gifts to them anyway.  Imagine Mary’s surprise at such expensive gifts which at the time seemed of little use to the child.  Wouldn’t some diapers or new clothes or a blanket be a better choice?  But God once again gave “good and perfect” gifts.  Others have written about the symbols that we now see in these gifts.  Frankincense used at the prayer altar in the temple was a symbol of prayer.  It was also used as a medicine to heal wounds.  Myrrh was used as an anesthetic, a perfume, and, most often, in burial practices.  Of course all of them could be sold to support this little family’s flight into Egypt and their time spent there and later for their trip home.  God always knows not only the way to provide for us, but often uses His provision to show us something about Himself while showing us something special about ourselves.

          God is a giver of gifts: our very selves were formed with God’s hand on not only the way we look but the gifts and talents that are given to us.  He doesn’t just give us gifts and talents for ourselves but He expects us like the wise men to use those gifts and talents to bless others. Continue reading →

Advent Christmas Eve or Day

23 Monday Dec 2013

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Advent, Christmas, Emmanuel, glory

John 1:14

5On this day we light the four previous candles and then the white Christ candle in the middle. Finally the Lord has come.  He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  The one we have been long waiting for has come, our Emmanuel (God with us) is here.  Today in the excitement of the baby who once came to live with us also remember that Jesus is coming back.  We are in the advent of His second coming and this time He is coming for us, His saved ones,  and taking us home to forever live with the Father in His glorious presence.  All that is wrong with the earth will be finally replaced with a new heaven and earth that is sin free.  What a glorious day that will be!  Until that time Emmanuel not only has lived among us, but, for those who have bowed their knee and allowed Him to save them, He is living within us and we have peace with God.  Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives according to His will.  One of the blessed things that the Holy Spirit gives us peace not only with God but within ourselves no matter what is happening around us.  Thank you Lord for not only coming to save us from sin and death but for sending us the Helper to help us live in this sinful world until you come back for us.

          Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men!

Advent Week 4

20 Friday Dec 2013

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Advent, Christmas, love

4I John 3:1-3, 16-18

Today we light the four candles on the Advent wreath.  Christmas is fast approaching.  In the hustle and bustle of getting ready for that special day this should be the week where we think about what love is for it came down to us in Christmas.

          Jesus came not to give us presents but to give us the opportunity to live in God’s presence.  What great love God has for us that He would give His only son to die for our sins.  John suggests that since we are now children of God we should begin to act like God does.  We do this by acting like Jesus did when he was here in the world.  Jesus reached out in love to all who were in need.

          My granddaughter’s class spent a day last week going to the police station where they gave them a plate of cookies, then on to the nursing home where they sang Christmas songs and left small bags of coins at each coin machine, then onto the animal shelter where they gave out special treats.  These were their random acts of kindness.

          What act of love can you do this week that will make a difference in the life of someone else who is less fortunate than you or someone who like a policeman or fireman or military family whose acts of service are not always shown the appreciation that they deserve?

Advent Week 3

14 Saturday Dec 2013

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Advent, Christmas, joy

Luke 2:1-20

3On the third week of Advent we light the pink candle along with the two previously lighted purple candles.  This candle has sometimes been known as the joy candle or the Mary candle.

          What great joy we experience at the birth of a new baby.  It doesn’t matter if it is our child or another’s.  We rejoice.  I imagine both Mary and Joseph were full of joy and marveled over this new little one.  Add to the normal parental response of a new baby the wonder at knowing that this child was to become the long awaited for Savior of the world and the immense wonder at being responsible for His well being until He was able to take over that role.

          In this scripture we also see the angels’ joy at announcing this birth to the shepherds.  After the shepherds got over their fear and understood the angels’ announcement, they were filled with joy at the prospect of seeing the fulfillment of the prophecies of old with their very eyes.  When they reached the manger scene their joy was so overflowing that they just had to spread the news, which reminds me of my son’s favorite song, “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” for this is what they did.

          This is the week to think on the joy of knowing our Lord and the joy of this life God has given us.  It is the week to be filled with gratitude for all of the people in our lives that we so dearly love and often forget to tell them.  Take some time out this week to ponder the joys of your life.  “…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 2:19-20)   Take a moment to thank God for all He has done and all He means to you.  Take joy in God’s provision for your salvation (Jesus).

Advent Week 1

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Advent, Christmas, preparation

Luke 1:26-38

1Week 1 is all about preparation, some say expectation, some say prophecy, but it’s focus is about getting ready for the Christ Child’s appearance.  Often this week focuses on the prophets of old foretelling of the Messiah’s birth.  Luke 3:4-6 tells of John the Baptist speaking the words of Isaiah telling the people to “prepare the way for the Lord.”  This is a time to prepare for Christmas, the coming of the Christ Child, a renewal of our gratitude for Jesus being willing to give up heaven and to come to us in human form and endure all of this world so that we could be saved and live eternally with Him in glory.  This is a time to remember that it is not presents, Santa Claus, desserts, parties, family, or friends that make this season bright; it is the gift of God’s own Son to us, Emmanuel, God with us, that lights up the night.  Let us prepare our hearts to receive more of Him as these weeks proceed.

Advent’s Purpose

12 Thursday Dec 2013

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Advent, Christmas

introI don’t go to a church that celebrates Advent with an Advent Wreath, but years ago I did.  Our family has incorporated this tradition every year since.  My kids grew up on Advent calendars and counting down the days until Christmas.  The reading of daily scripture and talking about Jesus every day before Christmas set the tone of the season with its focus on Jesus rather than on presents and fancy desserts.  Now that my children are grown I still set up the Advent wreath and light the candles as I read from an Advent devotional.  Although these are very short, unlike my usual Bible reading time, I find that they perfectly fit into the busy days before Christmas, yet keep me focused on the “reason for the season.”  My son bought me a new wreath and candles for my birthday in May.  I’d say he was thinking ahead, which is the focus Continue reading →

Angel Awe

01 Sunday Dec 2013

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angels, Christmas, inheritance, salvation, sonship

angelAngels tend to be a beautiful part of the stories of the season.  The original Christmas story has an angel appearing to Mary, to Joseph in his dreams, to the shepherds in the fields, and once again to Joseph in another dream warning him to flee Bethlehem with his family before Herod’s army came to kill the baby.  When it was safe to return the angel of the Lord appeared once again to Joseph in a dream to tell him to go back to Nazareth. 

          Angels had very important jobs throughout all of scripture.  Some were messengers, some warriors, some involved with worship, but all were sent by the Lord for a specific task.  But nowhere in the Bible does it tell stories of a human being dying and going to heaven and being sent back as an angel on a mission to earn their wings.  In fact, there is nothing about humans becoming angels in the Bible.  Angels are angels and humans remain humans.  As much as I love a good story or movie such as a Wonderful Life or others like it, as a Christian I have to remember that this is fiction and not truth.

          In fact, as the Bible shares all the awesome exploits of angels there is one verse that should give us all pause.  I Peter 1:12 says,

It was revealed to them [prophets] that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.

Peter is talking about angels looking in awe at humans being given the opportunity to receive salvation and the resulting Holy Spirit living in them.  Angels look at us in awe at our being called sons and daughters of God.  Angels know that they will always be angels, but they are in awe of the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection gave us humans the opportunity to inherit sonship.  So when you see angels in the various stories you hear in this season, be awed by the graciousness of a God who would love you so much that He would send His son to die for your sins and give you the opportunity to receive salvation, send the Holy Spirit to live within you, and give you the authority to rule and reign with Jesus for all eternity.  When we look at all that angels do, remember that angels are looking at us in awe of all that the Lord does in and for us.  That is truly awesome.

Let There Be Light

29 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by cdnw in Nuggets

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Christmas, light, testimony

nativity lightsI am a collector of nativities.  One pre-Christmas season I felt that the Lord would have me purchase an outdoor lighted nativity display as a sign to all who passed my house that the people inside worshiped the Savior.  It was an easy way to give our witness to the “reason for the season.”  The first year we could only afford Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, but in the following years we have added a sheep, shepherd, a donkey, an angel, and a Bethlehem star.  Although we live on a street with not much traffic our lighted display shines in the night and can be seen from the bridge on the main highway into town.

Three years ago, while waiting for the birth of our youngest granddaughter, we took our oldest granddaughter on a ride through the snowy streets to see the many lighted houses throughout our town just like my family had done when I was a child.  We saw Continue reading →

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