Good Tidings of Great Joy

Related Bible Readings: John 3:16-21; Luke 2:7-14; 1 John 4:14; Colossians 1:12-29

The joy of the Lord be yours,
this Christmas and forever!

- A Walk  In The Garden Devotions

Christmas Blessings: A Savior Who Is Christ The Lord

All glory, honor, praise and thanks to God, for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and King! That which was promised, has been fulfilled.

Christ was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, the betrothed wife of Joseph of the house and lineage of David. 

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:7-14)

Rejoice in His unfailing love; proclaim the good news of His salvation, from day to day. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

The Lord who ascended on high, to the right hand of God, is transforming our lives from glory to glory, by His Spirit. He shall come again, to receive His church to Himself, and we shall see Him face to face.

The Lord be magnified, the Lord be glorified, the Lord be exalted, in heaven above and the earth beneath. Amen.

A Merry Christmas to you and yours;
abide in His love!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

The King of Glory Wants to Come In

The King of glory is standing and knocking at the doors of our hearts, and wants to come in. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Jesus, the Son of God, born in a manger, died for our sins, and resurrected for our justification, is our light and our salvation—Manifested to destroy the works of the devil and reconcile us to God. 

In Jesus our LORD, we walk in newness of life. Once blind, now we can see. Bless His holy name!

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:9-10)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Christmas Greetings & Blessings

May your hearts overflow with hope, peace and joy, as you celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, today and forever. King of kings, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah!

Bible Reading: Luke 2:7-14

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Daily Walking in the Love and Light of God

Thanks be to God who is love, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world in human flesh, to save us from our sins, and reconcile us to God. 

He who still abides with us, by His Spirit, shines His light on our pathway, and fills us with the same. Glory to His name!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) See also verses 18-21.

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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it may be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:18-23)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2) See also Matthew 4:13-17.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. (The Gospel According to John 12:46)

Related Bible Readings: Matthew 22:37-40; John 1:1-18; John 8:12; John 13:34-35; John 21:15-17; Ephesians 5:1-21; Romans Chapter 5:8; 1 Corinthians Chapter 13; The First Epistle of John in its entirety (5 Chapters); Psalm 119:105

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Spread Christmas cheer. Find Christmas eCards at www.awalkinthegardengreetings.com

 

Born a King, to Reconcile Us to God

During his questioning of Jesus, the governor Pilate inquired if He was King of the Jews. Jesus in turn asked Pilate if he was speaking for himself about this, or did others tell him this concerning Him (Jesus). As is always the case, the Lord goes to the root and heart of all matters. 

More questions from Pilate ensued and Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

'Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." ' (John 18:37)

He who made all things is the Lord God Almighty; the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, Ruler of all, the Word made flesh. He is righteous, just, merciful, gracious and true.

Open your heart to the Lord and receive Him today. He will come in and sup with you and you with Him. What a privilege, what a high honor!

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Jesus, the gift to the world that lasts forever! He is the way, the truth and the life. Eat of Him and drink of Him, this Christmas Season and always. Share the blessed good news!

Related Bible Readings regarding the purpose and mission of Christ, His finished work:

The Gospel According to John, Chapter 1, Chapter 3:1-21, Chapter 6:22-71, Jesus' Prayer to the Father for His disciples in John 17:1-26)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. -Isaiah 9:6

 

The Old Christmas Story That Never Grows Old in Our Hearts

Click here for Devotion

The Greatest Gift

Christmas Devotional: Divine Purpose
God Himself in human flesh—born of a virgin—to save the souls of men...

Come and Drink: Live in the Fullness of God's Grace 

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.

The Sin-Bearing Messiah
Jesus, God's sacrificial Lamb without blemish, died for our sins, to reconcile us back to God...

Celebrate the season of good cheer... send family and friends inspirational and festive eCards,

www.awalkinthegardengreetings.com

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Jesus alone is worthy of the honor, the glory and the praise. O come let us adore Him!

Christmas Devotional: Divine Purpose

God Himself in human flesh—born of a virgin—to save the souls of men. This miracle cannot be fathomed by the human mind, but what it has accomplished is real for all who have had an encounter with the true and living God and His Spirit that raises us from death to life, from darkness to light.

He whom God delivered from a virgin's womb has come to deliver us, so that we being delivered, can walk in the light and be used of Him to take His light to a dark world. He has come to live in us. Praise the Lord, our Emmanuel!

Mary who found favor with God, believed the word spoken by Gabriel the angel, a messenger of God and yielded herself to God's divine purpose. She didn't understand how, but believed in the Lord, saying "Behold the handmaid of the LORD, be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38)

For the angel had said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-33)

At the appointed time, it came to pass: Jesus was born.

Mary and Joseph were not told beforehand, that there would be no room at the inn and that their baby (God's Son) would lay in a lowly manger; they didn't know (prior to a dream from God) that King Herod would seek the young child to destroy Him. They didn't foresee that at a very young age, Jesus would stay behind at the temple after the Feast of the Passover, causing them much sorrow and anguish. They didn't know of all the powerful miracles Jesus would wrought, neither did they comprehend all the things Jesus would suffer as He went about doing good.

Yet Mary pondered many things. Oh, what pain she must have felt as she looked upon Jesus in agony on a cross, being mocked, wounded, bruised and about to die for sins he did not commit.

We know that sorrow was turned into joy and mourning into dancing. For Christ arose, ascended on High, has led captivity captive and has given gifts to men.

Like Mary, we must trust in God and His divine purpose for our lives and the world. As a yielded vessel in the hands of God, (as so many before us,) we can persevere in the midst of trials and tribulations, we can fight the good fight of faith, and finish our course with joy.

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." (Psalm 98:1-3)

None of the world's most beautiful gifts can compare to the gifts we receive by the Holy Spirit to transform us from our old, sinful nature to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and empower us to preach His gospel; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16 & 17)

A Christmas Devotional By A Walk In The Garden | Hope and Encouragement for Life's Journey

The Old Christmas Story That Never Grows Old in Our Hearts

https://www.awalkinthegarden.com/2013/12/the-old-christmas-story-that-never.html

Christmas Inspiration

Christmas Prelude

This could be the "Eve" of a promise in Jesus, fulfilled in your life. There was "a day before" Christ our greatest and best gift was born of Mary who found favor with God. 

Likewise, this could be "the day before" you deliver that which the Holy Spirit has conceived in you and has purposed for you to bring forth for the glory of God.

A Christmas Prelude to the Upcoming Christmas Day Devotional on 12/25/18 on A Walk In The Garden

Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above

A Prayer:

Thank You Abba Father for all that's good and perfect comes from You. Help us to reflect your glory in all we say and do. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Merry Christmas

Devotion: The Old Christmas Story That Never Grows Old in Our Hearts

The King is Born: Let Hearts Receive Him

Pilate asked of Jesus, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37)

Open your heart to the Lord Jesus. He will come in and sup with you and you with Him. What a privilege, what an honor!

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)

Jesus, the gift to the world that will last forever! Eat of Him and drink of Him, this Christmas and always. Share the blessed good news... share His love and compassion.

He who made all things is God Almighty; the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Ruler of all!

Jesus is Messiah
His Kingdom is everlasting and His love knows no bounds...

Glory to God in the Highest
On this day, in the midst of the festivities, we reflect and again hear the heavenly host...

Praise the Lord, Creator and Savior
From sunrise to sunset, the name of the Lord is worthy to be praised! The One by Whom all things were created is the Savior of our souls...

The Joy of Christmas Can Be Yours Forever
Knowing the Christ of Christmas will bring you real joy before and long after the 25th of December...

Life is Merry & Bright With Jesus Every Season

Daily Walk With Jesus: Having Christ as the center of our joy and knowing that He loves us so much, all of our seasons can be merry and bright. Whatever you're going through, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. In His presence, there is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. He is altogether lovely. Let us worship Him in the beauty of His holiness, in Spirit and in truth. May His peace rule in our hearts; may His joy overflow our souls.

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Glory to God in the Highest...

On this day, in the midst of the festivities, we reflect and again hear the heavenly host and echo their praise to the ends of the earth. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14.)



May you and yours have a most joyful Christmas. The greatest gift is Christ our Lord. Rejoice!

The Joy of Christmas Can Be Yours Forever

Knowing the Christ of Christmas, will bring you real joy, before and long after the 25th of December. Receive His pardon for sin and enjoy living in His presence. For in His presence, there is fullness of joy, at His right hand, pleasures forevermore.

View Christmas Greetings at A Walk In The Garden Greetings

Jesus is the Reason For the Season

Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with us. From the beginning, we were created in God's image and in His likeness. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. What was lost through sin, has been restored through the redemption of our souls, through Christ Jesus, the second Adam from above.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

The Old Christmas Story That Never Grows Old in Our Hearts

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel." {Isaiah 7:14}


{Luke 1:26-33}

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

{Matthew 1:18-20}

"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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

{Luke 2:7-14}

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"


Reflection

Unlike the stories we read about in everyday life and are soon forgotten, or the news we discard as old news, the story of the entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world, in human flesh, never grows old in our hearts.

The Christmas season is unlike any other celebrated on earth. Even those who have not experienced new birth, find themselves caught up in the joyful atmosphere and are giving glory to God.

God Himself in human flesh—born of a virgin—to save the souls of men. This prophecy and miracle cannot be fathomed by the human mind, but the born-again experience is real for all who have had an encounter with the true and living God and His Spirit that raises us from death to life, from darkness to light. Praise the Lord, our Emmanuel!

In His time, God brought to pass His perfect plan for the redemption of souls and restoration of broken lives. Before the foundation of the earth, He set in motion His divine purpose for you, me and the world. Receive the hope and blessed peace that He alone can give. Be filled with His unspeakable joy... be filled with His Spirit!

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions


Peace and goodwill to all, this Christmas season and always... In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born...

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given - and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom - to order it and establish it with judgment and justice - from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6,7)

Photo credit: christiansunite.com

The zeal of the Lord has performed it. It surely came to pass. 

From Our Hearts to Yours

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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