[The Mayor]

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Peace
December 4, 2011

In the days of Adam and Eve, peace was lost. As soon as they ate the forbidden fruit and realized their nakedness, they started blaming each other (Gen. 3:12-13) and introduced conflict to God’s peaceful planet. Sadly, all of their descendants, including us, have followed their bad example. We blame others for our own bad choices and become angry when no one will accept the guilt. Blaming others for our unhappiness breaks apart families, churches, communities, and nations. We can’t make peace because we’re preoccupied with placing the blame.

Christmas is the season of peace. The Old Testament tells the story of how God set the stage to introduce the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). Jesus came to break the cycle of sin and blame by making peace for us with God “through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). Instead of blaming us for all the trouble we cause, He bore the blame for all of us. He is now recruiting followers who, having received His forgiveness, want others to receive it as well.

When we accept forgiveness from God, we lose our desire to withhold it from others. And when we live in peace with God, we are eager to make peace with others. We can both give and receive the gift of peace this Christmas.

At Christmastime we celebrate
The coming of the Prince of Peace;
Though now our world is locked in strife,
One day He’ll make all conflict cease. —Sper

Jesus took our place to give us His peace.

Read: Colossians 1:19-29

You, who once were alienated . . . now He has reconciled. —Colossians 1:21

Bible in a year:
Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3

[MEG33]

~Welcome To Sunday At Amy's Place~

***
Our Father, we long for the simple beauty of Christmas
~for all the old familiar melodies, words, and symbols that remind us of that great miracle when He who had made all things came one night as a babe, to lie in the crook of a woman’s arm.
But in that longing, let us even more yearn for your renewed presence among us even as we celebrate and expect the Coming of your Son.....
May the loving kindness of this Advent Season and the true Spirit of Christmas not only creep into our hearts this season, but there abide, so that not even the return to earthly cares and responsibilities, not all the festivities of our own devising may cause it to creep away weeping. May the joy and spirit of Christmas remain with us now and forever. In the name of Jesus, who came to save His people from their sins, even in that lovely name we pray. Amen.
***
Blessings To All Who Enter Here

Adapted from a prayer by Peter Marshall

[MEG33]

Good Sunday Morning

"At Christmastime we celebrate
The coming of the Prince of Peace;
Though now our world is locked in strife,
One day He’ll make all conflict cease. —Sper"

Thank you for the beautiful devotion, Rus.
Wishing you a wonderful Lord's Day

[geologist]

We are without excuse ...

We are inspired to love and tell others.

God gave us a path back to Him, in His Word.
... how wonderful is our God!

We have a job to do.