The lesson on December 18, 2011 was part 3 of "Christmas the Philippian Way". The scripture reading was from Philippians 2:5-11 KJV "5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
This study given in December 2011 looks at the Christmas Story from a Philippian perspective. This story has been looked at from many perspectives, but this study looks at the birth of Christ from a perspective of those Christians in Philippians who were instructed by the Apostle Paul. This study also reviews the Real Christmas Story, by Clifford McLain.
The lesson on December 26, 2010 was a second lesson about the birth of Jesus Christ. This lesson shows two actions of faith involved with those around his birth. It also explains why angels are only associated with the ministry of the nation Israel. The scripture reading for this lesson was in Luke 2:6-14 KJV "6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
The lesson on December 20, 2009 is the final lesson of the Characters of Christmas study and this lesson is entitled "The End of the Beginning". The scripture reading was in Matthew 1:18-25 KJV and this lesson covers the birth of Christ. "18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
The lesson on December 13, 2009 continued the study on the characters of Christmas. This lesson covers Luke 1:26-31KJV "26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
This study takes a different approach to tell the Christmas story by studying biblical characters involved with the birth of Christ. This will be a three week study leading up to Christmas. The first lesson will cover Elizabeth and Zacharias with a little look at Mary and the birth of John. The second lesson will study Joseph and Mary while the third lesson will cover the birth of Christ.
The lesson on December 6, 2009 started a series on the biblical characters involved in the Christmas story. The first individuals looked at are Zacharias and Elizabeth. The title of this lesson would be "The Beginning of the End" makes you stop and think: is there really an end? In Matthew 24:3-6 KJV the Lord is asked by his disciples... "3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The Importance of the Name of God. Christmas is over but New Years is next. Do you want to make New Year’s resolutions? Go ahead and make them even though the prospects for 2009 don’t look good. America is in a recession and the economic outlook is poor. Things can really get bad. No matter how bad it gets, the worse of it all is taking your last breath without knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and believing on his name. What’s in a name?
Songs of Christmas. The lesson on December 21, 2008 was a lesson celebrating Christmas which is the traditional holiday commemorating the birth of Christ. (Here is a poem that explain way Jesus is better the Santa Claus). Does Christmas have you all stressed out, running around trying to get all your gifts prepared and wrapped to be opened? Are you in a hurry and don’t know what to do next? The traditions of Christmas shopping seam to make people all worked up, running around with busy work and sometimes having to wait.
The Name of God. In Psalms 103:1 (KJV) it says “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” There is something special about the name of God. When God decided to give man 10 commandments, when He got to the third one, He said not to take His name in vain. That’s how important God’s name is to Him.