The Paradise Tree

GOOD EVENING ON THIS 6th DAY OF CHRISTMASTIDE!

Many have taken down their Christmas Tree!

But as some traditions are celebrated, it is not

taken down until the Twelfth Night of the
Christmastide.

In the Middle Ages special mystery plays

were held on this day which featured

a PARADISE TREE!

A TREE REPRESENTING – The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

AND the Tree of Life from the Garden of Eden

The tree was decorated with apples – for the forbidden fruit

And sweets for the Tree of Life

When the mystery plays were suppressed in the fifteenth century

the paradise trees were moved into the home.

The apples were later substituted for other round objects such as shiny red balls

and lights and the Star of Bethlehem – thus our tree is a reminder of the reason

why God deemed it important to send His Son to become man and a foretaste

of the sweet tree from which our Lord’s birth would once again enable us to

taste!

The 5th Candle

With ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ beginning on Christmas day –

The fifth and final Advent candle is lit!

The white candle is known as the ‘Christ Candle’

When added to the Advent wreath it symbolizes Christ’s PURITY!

This candle celebrates the birth of Jesus and His second coming!

Giving us hope of Jesus’ return to this earth to take His children home

There are many prophecies given in His Word, that are happening before His return!

Three Wise Men . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The ’12 days of Christmas’ begins on December 25th
and ends on January 5th, 2023

IT IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE CHRISTMASTIDE!

Celebrating the Nativity of Jesus which extended from His birth to the coming

of the Magi traveling to worship Him.

“NOW WHEN JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLHEM . . . BEHOLD THERE CAME WISE MEN FROM THE EAST” SAYING


“WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS? FOR WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR IN THE
EAST AND ARE COME TO WORSHIP HIM”

Book of Matthew Chapter 2

A❄ Christmas parable ❄

December 22, 2023 (Blog #5 – 3 days before Christmas)

Angels are rejoicing, the Savior has come, searching for those to join them in song. Hastening at the midnight hour, knocking on doors weary and tired!

“We are searching for one who will give us bread” An answer is heard “Do not trouble me, the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed”* “It is too late, the bread in the oven not yet baked

*Luke 11:7-8 Encouraging us to always be persistence in prayer

The day has been long with joy and laughter and too much to drink” Then turning his face, into slumber once more he falls asleep – while the angels weep!

Once again with a persistent knock “Please give us bread that we may eat” And because of their persistence he rises, gathering a few crumbs, stumbling to the door, promising a loaf with the rising of the sun!

I wonder do we do the same, neglecting the rappings on our heart strings? Until they become fainter and the angels grow weary, but always returning with hope we will hear!

A Star is Born ⭐✨🕯 🕯 🕯

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

🌟⭐ December 25, 2023 Christmas Eve 🌟⭐

It is the day before Christmas and heaven is
astir, a flurry of angels preparing for
flight to this world.

Their beloved Lord has stepped down from His throne, becoming a baby planted in a virgin girl.The great Creator, One with the Father, and the Holy Spirit,

Mary heavy with labor, Joseph in search of a place to rest, only in a humble stable they have found. A Star in the sky, the sound of choirs praising the birth of a Baby Boy!

The Star of Bethlehem bringing hope to a fallen world!

For Unto Us A Savior Is Born

This post follows post written on 12-22 – ‘A Prophecy Comes To Pass’

“And another sign appeared in heaven”

“Then being with child she cried out in labor and pain to give birth”


A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of stars

“And . . . A great fiery red dragon
stood before the woman who was ready to give birth . . . to devour
her Child as soon as it was born”

She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations
with a rod of iron and her Child was caught up
to God and His throne”
Revelation Chapter 12

“And when the set time had fully come,
God sent forth His Son born of a woman*

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”

Luke 2:11

Woman image ‘The Immaculate Conception’
By Diego Velazquez 1618-19
Wikipedia ‘Circle of Stars’ Public Domain
*Book of Galatians 4:4

A Prophecy comes to pass . . .

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven!

Painting by Diego Velazquez 1618 ‘Immaculate Conception’ Wikipedia ‘Circle of Stars’ Public Domain
.

Ever since the fall of our

parents and God’s promise of
restoration, the evil one has

endeavored to destroy our Savior, prophesied to be born!

And now as the Christian world is celebrating His birth and His soon coming many signs are

being fulfilled!

In the Book of Revelation
There is the description of –


“A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE
SUN AND THE MOON UNDER HER
FEET”


“And upon her head a crown of twelve
stars.
And she being with child cried, travailing
in birth”

A winter blessing

GOOD Morning on this 21st day of December
The first day of winter


MAY you find peace in the promise of the solstice night.

THAT each day forward is blessed with more light.

THAT the [GOD] of all nature and [CREATOR]

BRING faith to your soul and well-being to you.

REJOICE in the darkness in the silence find rest.

AND may the days that follow be abundantly blessed!

Author unknown

a Christmas village story

Good EVENING ON THIS 3rd Day of Advent week

The village square sits
forgotten!

Abandoned long ago

Winter snow has fallen

In the church not a word
is spoken


Songs have
been silenced

And when you hear
the wind blow there is
the sound of crying

Cabins are empty and cold
on the hearth embers have smoldred to ashes
No bread in the oven


This village is truly
forgotten!

But then one evening
a small light has risen

It is coming in this
direction

People descending
with candles burning
songs once silenced now singing

Those
who once lived here
are returning

The square once bare
is rejoicing

A celebration is under
way!

Lamp posts are lit
dressed
in red ribbonss

The evergreen in the
center is no longer dark, filled with lights and ornaments

And Christmas stockings

The snow bird’s song is trilling

The village is filled
with a festival of
lights nevermore to
be saddened!