LocalAll

Tag Page Christmas

#Christmas
LLama Loo

🎄 Christmas 🌟 From Past to Present to Promise: Part 3 - When Heaven Touched Earth When the fullness of time had come, God’s plan moved from prophecy to reality. The decree of Caesar Augustus sent every family to register in their ancestral town. For Joseph, a descendant of David, that meant traveling from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the “House of Bread,” fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Mary was heavy with child, and the journey south was long and arduous — nearly ninety miles of rugged, crowded roads. The census had drawn thousands to the city of David, leaving no room in any inn. Luke records simply: “She brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) The King of kings entered the world not in a palace, but in a stable — the same God who once dwelled in unapproachable glory now resting in straw. ⸻ 👼 The Angels and the Shepherds That night, on the hills outside Bethlehem, humble shepherds kept watch over their flocks. These were ordinary men — uncelebrated, even looked down upon in society. Yet to them, heaven opened. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:9–11) The angel gave them a sign: “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) 🎄 CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Joy #Christmas #History #Jesus #Nativity #Love #Peace

LLama Loo

🎄Christmas 🌟 From Past to Present to Promise - Part 2: Conceived in Prophecy, Born in Obscurity Most people today assume that the birth of a King — especially the King of Kings — would have been a global spectacle. Surely the heavens should have thundered, the rulers of earth should have trembled, and history should have recorded the fanfare. But when Yeshua the Messiah entered the world, it happened quietly, under the cover of night, in a crowded city overflowing with travelers for a Roman census. There was no public announcement, no royal herald, no political protection — only divine orchestration. At that time, the Jewish people had long awaited the coming of HaMashiach (the Anointed One). Prophets had declared His arrival for centuries — yet after four hundred years of prophetic silence, many hearts had grown cold, and hope had dimmed. Still, faithful remnants watched and prayed, longing for the One who would redeem Israel. Meanwhile, the Roman Empire — the most powerful government the world had ever known — stretched across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Emperor Caesar Augustus ruled from marble palaces, and his decrees carried to every corner of the empire. The world believed he was the savior of mankind, the “son of god,” as Roman coins declared. But in a small, oppressed province called Judea, the true Son of God was about to enter the world — not in a palace, but in a manger. ⸻ 🔥 Conceived in Prophecy Every moment of Yeshua’s conception and birth fulfilled ancient Scripture. • Isaiah 7:14 foretold, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” • Micah 5:2 declared that the Ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah. • Genesis 49:10 promised the Messiah would descend from the line of Judah. • Isaiah 9:6–7 revealed that the child born would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 🎄CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Christmas #Jesus #History #God #Bible

LLama Loo

🎄 Christmas: From Past to Present to Promise - Part 1 Christmas, in its purest form, means Christ’s Mass — a day of worship celebrating the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach, the promised Messiah. Yet the day we now call Christmas has walked a long, winding road — from ancient traditions, to cultural transformation, to the enduring promise of Emmanuel: God with us. ⸻ 🕯️ From Saturnalia to the Season of Light Long before the first Christ’s Mass, ancient Rome celebrated Saturnalia each December: days of feasting, singing, greenery, candles, and gift-giving in honor of the god Saturn. A few days later came Dies Natalis Solis Invicti — “the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun.” Bonfires and torches symbolized the sun’s return after the winter solstice, and the city rejoiced with races, music, and shared meals. When the empire eventually turned toward Christianity, many of those outward customs — community feasts, decorations of evergreen, exchanging gifts, and lighting candles against the darkness — remained familiar expressions of seasonal joy. It’s vital to understand that a tradition is not automatically pagan because it once existed in a pagan culture. The question has always been who we honor, not how we celebrate. Fellowship, music, and light can glorify God when our focus is on the Creator, not the creation. ⸻ ⛪ The Birth of Christ’s Mass In the fourth century A.D., the Roman Catholic Church formally established December 25 as the day to commemorate the Messiah’s birth, calling it Christ’s Mass. The date did not come from Scripture but was chosen to redirect attention from the pagan “Birthday of the Sun” to the worship of the true Son of God. Over the centuries the observance spread throughout Europe and became deeply woven into Catholic tradition. 🎄CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Christmas #History #Jesus #Bible

SarahSigma

Christmas Week: The Light We Need Most Is the One We Protect Together As Christmas week unfolds, many of us instinctively reach for nostalgia—lights, tradition, family, the familiar rituals that make December feel almost sacred. But beneath the wrapping paper and the carols, there’s a quieter reality worth acknowledging: This season is not easy for everyone. While some celebrate in warmth and abundance, others are navigating empty chairs, strained bank accounts, fractured relationships, or painful memories. And some—the most vulnerable among us—are navigating hardship without the power or voice to rise above it alone. Children. Single parents. Trauma survivors. Those grieving. Those who are financially struggling in a season defined by excess. Christmas magnifies everything: the joy and the ache. This week, we are invited to do something powerful—not grand or performative, but deeply human: to remember whose safety, wellbeing, and dignity should never be optional. The Realities We Often Don’t Talk About During the Holidays While we exchange gifts and gather at tables, it’s important to acknowledge: children in unstable homes experience heightened stress during holidays financial pressure increases conflict and emotional volatility abuse reports statistically rise around holiday periods isolation can deepen mental health struggles many families have to choose between bills and Christmas gifts hunger doesn’t pause because it’s December These are not conspiracies. They are measurable, documented realities across the country. And this doesn’t mean we abandon celebration. It simply means we widen the circle of our awareness. Christmas is not only about who sits at our table— but also about who is missing from one. The Light We Are Asked to Carry This week, the most meaningful acts aren’t expensive. They are simple. ~Sigma♡ #holidays #celebrate #lightworkers #AscensionNewPerspective #Christmas #newyear #5D #NewEarth #Pleaidean #Starborn #oracle #TarotHoroscope #love #joy

Yehudah HaLevi

Spirit and Truth Theology: Jesus, God With Us Isaiah foretold: “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT). The name Immanuel literally means “With Us is God,” declaring His presence among His people. Zechariah adds: “I am coming to live among you… I will live among you, and you will know that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you” (Zechariah 2:10–11 NLT). Here the LORD speaks of dwelling with His people, yet also says He is sent by the LORD—a mystery pointing to the divine nature of the Messiah. In the Hebrew text, Immanuel is written as two words, unlike other names. This unusual form hints at the extraordinary reality: God manifesting in human form to be with His people. Matthew records the angel’s words to Joseph: “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew explains, “All this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled… ‘They shall name Him Immanuel,’ which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:18–23 NASB20). John affirms: “The Word became human and made his home among us… The unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us” (John 1:14, 18 NLT). Paul declares: “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body” (Colossians 2:9 NLT). Jesus is not merely God’s messenger—He is God Himself, dwelling among us, revealing the Father, and bringing salvation. For those who celebrate Christmas, this day is more than a birth remembrance; it is the celebration of the greatest gift ever given: God giving Himself to the world. Grace and peace #TheologyTalk #JesusIsGod #Christian #christmas #Bible #God