Archive for the ‘holidays’ Category
Ash Wednesday March 5
03
Mar
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Lent was a time when the early church instructed new converts in the Christian life in preparation for baptism and should be a time when believers examine their life and seek out any sin in their life that would stand between them and serving Christ. It is a good time to examine our life in light of the revelations in the Gospels by reading through the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), a chapter or portion of a chapter every day. As we read, we should consider what Christ has to say about following Him and try to apply it to our own lives. As we examine our life, it should result in changes in how we live. Faith without works is dead for our works demonstrate our faith, just as a fruit tree that doesn’t bear fruit is worthless, works without faith is in vain because the works alone will not produce faith and often are merely a means to be seen by men. James 2:14-26. Now is a good time to reexamine your life and your faith.
Fourth Sunday of Advent-Dec 22
19
Dec
Mirth-Sacrifice-Lamb The third gift they brought was Mirth in recognition that He would be the sacrificial lamb who would die for all men. Mirth was a burial spice used to embalm the body of the dead to preserve it. As High Priest, Christ would offer Himself willingly, the Lamb without spot or blemish for there was no sin in Him, to pay the price to redeem us from the power of sin and death. With His death and resurrection, there was no longer any use for the temple sacrifices because He was the ultimate and final sacrifice that paid for the sins of all mankind. At His death, the curtain of the temple that separated us from God, was torn in two, from top to bottom, opening the way for us to approach God.