CHRISTMAS WORDS WHICH MISS THE WHOLE POINT
THE GRAPHIC ARTIST SADLY MISSED SOMETHING; DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS?
I saw the word mistletoe on this list of words, and what is missed is not the pucker of two young love birds underneath this twig. Did you ever wonder why it is called mistletoe?
To understand why it’s called mistletoe, consider these points:
Mistletoe is a parasite and if you have it growing on your property you should remove it to protect your vegetation because even though it is fabled to be associated with fertility, it is also poisonous. Despite appearing rootless, it flourished high in treetops during harsh winter months when other vegetation succumbed to the elements. Its evergreen nature made this plant a symbol of life, hope, and mystery. These qualities embedded mistletoe into the mythologies of the Greeks, Romans, Celts, and Norse, representing fertility, love, peace, good fortune, and more.
IT IS NOT SANTA STUCK UPSIDE DOWN IN A CHIMNEY. IT IS FAR MORE THAN THIS; IT IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
It is a story written in heaven before the world began. Long ago in a time before time, there was a meeting and God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were in the meeting. Just imagine it was not an after thought. From the beginning it was a best seller and still is. He did much more than give visions of sugar plums.
In Revelation 21, John saw more than sugar plums:
John saw Every Thing New
The City of Light
I took a little time to explain what Mistletoe is, but how much more should we know about the real meaning of what we are celebrating this time of year. John writes to us about Jesus’s I-am-ness, God’s begotteness, and the source of our completeness. He was born against the backdrop of the Law, full of Grace and Truth. John describes himself as merely an echo of a prophetic voice. John was referred to (according to Jewish wedding customs of the time) as the friend of the bridegroom, often referred to as the "SHOSHBEN," who played a crucial role in the wedding ceremony. This individual was responsible for many of the arrangements and acted as a liaison between the bride and the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom was a trusted companion who ensured that the wedding proceeded smoothly and joyfully.
LET'S LOOK AT THE ROLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist identifies himself as the "friend of the bridegroom," indicating his role as a forerunner and preparer of the way for Jesus Christ. His mission was to announce the coming of the Messiah and to prepare the hearts of the people for His arrival. By using this metaphor, John emphasizes his subordinate position to Jesus, acknowledging that his purpose is to point others to Christ. HE WAS THE VOICE AS ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS AND HE PROCLAIMED THAT JESUS
WAS THE SON OF GOD. One can say that Jesus is God’s language to mankind. His name declares his mission. IN THIS WE CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT, THEN YOU WILL FIND IT IN THESE WORDS, “THIS IS THE SON OF MY DELIGHT, HE HAS MY TOTAL APPROVAL.” MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GAY NELL AND I WANT TO WISH YOU A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEPTH OF OUR HEARTS AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE OUR LIVES WITH YOU.
WITH HEARTS FILLED WITH CHRIST LOVE, WE REJOICE WITH YOU IN THE CELEBRATION OF HIS VIRGIN BIRTH,
Pastors Cleddie and Gay Nell Keith
I saw the word mistletoe on this list of words, and what is missed is not the pucker of two young love birds underneath this twig. Did you ever wonder why it is called mistletoe?
To understand why it’s called mistletoe, consider these points:
- The name mistletoe comes from the Old English word "misteltan," meaning "dung twig."
- Mistletoe is a plant that grows on trees and shrubs, often appearing as green clumps.
- The "mistle" part refers to the plant's association with bird droppings, which help spread its seeds.
- Traditionally, mistletoe has been linked to fertility and peace in various cultures.
- It is commonly used in holiday traditions, particularly around Christmas, for kissing under its branches.
- The plant's unique growth habit and evergreen nature contribute to its symbolic significance.
Mistletoe is a parasite and if you have it growing on your property you should remove it to protect your vegetation because even though it is fabled to be associated with fertility, it is also poisonous. Despite appearing rootless, it flourished high in treetops during harsh winter months when other vegetation succumbed to the elements. Its evergreen nature made this plant a symbol of life, hope, and mystery. These qualities embedded mistletoe into the mythologies of the Greeks, Romans, Celts, and Norse, representing fertility, love, peace, good fortune, and more.
IT IS NOT SANTA STUCK UPSIDE DOWN IN A CHIMNEY. IT IS FAR MORE THAN THIS; IT IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
It is a story written in heaven before the world began. Long ago in a time before time, there was a meeting and God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were in the meeting. Just imagine it was not an after thought. From the beginning it was a best seller and still is. He did much more than give visions of sugar plums.
In Revelation 21, John saw more than sugar plums:
John saw Every Thing New
I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”
Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!” Rev 21: 1-8 (MSG)
The City of Light
One of the Seven Angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me: “Come here. I’ll show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.” He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.
The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west. The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.
The Angel speaking with me had a gold measuring stick to measure the City, its gates, and its wall. The City was laid out in a perfect square. He measured the City with the measuring stick: fifteen hundred miles, its length, width, and height all equal. Using the standard measure, the Angel measured the thickness of its wall: seventy-two yards. The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.
The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in. Rev 21:9-27 (MSG)
The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west. The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.
The Angel speaking with me had a gold measuring stick to measure the City, its gates, and its wall. The City was laid out in a perfect square. He measured the City with the measuring stick: fifteen hundred miles, its length, width, and height all equal. Using the standard measure, the Angel measured the thickness of its wall: seventy-two yards. The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.
The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in. Rev 21:9-27 (MSG)
I took a little time to explain what Mistletoe is, but how much more should we know about the real meaning of what we are celebrating this time of year. John writes to us about Jesus’s I-am-ness, God’s begotteness, and the source of our completeness. He was born against the backdrop of the Law, full of Grace and Truth. John describes himself as merely an echo of a prophetic voice. John was referred to (according to Jewish wedding customs of the time) as the friend of the bridegroom, often referred to as the "SHOSHBEN," who played a crucial role in the wedding ceremony. This individual was responsible for many of the arrangements and acted as a liaison between the bride and the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom was a trusted companion who ensured that the wedding proceeded smoothly and joyfully.
LET'S LOOK AT THE ROLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist identifies himself as the "friend of the bridegroom," indicating his role as a forerunner and preparer of the way for Jesus Christ. His mission was to announce the coming of the Messiah and to prepare the hearts of the people for His arrival. By using this metaphor, John emphasizes his subordinate position to Jesus, acknowledging that his purpose is to point others to Christ. HE WAS THE VOICE AS ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS AND HE PROCLAIMED THAT JESUS
WAS THE SON OF GOD. One can say that Jesus is God’s language to mankind. His name declares his mission. IN THIS WE CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT, THEN YOU WILL FIND IT IN THESE WORDS, “THIS IS THE SON OF MY DELIGHT, HE HAS MY TOTAL APPROVAL.” MERRY CHRISTMAS!
GAY NELL AND I WANT TO WISH YOU A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS FROM THE DEPTH OF OUR HEARTS AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE OUR LIVES WITH YOU.
WITH HEARTS FILLED WITH CHRIST LOVE, WE REJOICE WITH YOU IN THE CELEBRATION OF HIS VIRGIN BIRTH,
Pastors Cleddie and Gay Nell Keith