The Old and The New

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... two turtle doves....

We are all familiar with this song. There are all sorts of fun ledgends and stories as to the true meaning of this song.

The turtle doves have come to symbolize many things over the years; peace, love, sacrifice… just to name a few. They are also unique in that both the male and female share the incubation and feeding of the young. They both have their part to play in raising up their children. It is a bit fitting then, that some have even used them to represent the Old and New Testaments.

Both the Old and New Testament share in the incubation and feeding of the Lord’s children. The Old gives birth to the New and the New finds its stability in the Old. They work together in harmony to paint a beautiful picture of our life story in Christ; past, present and future.

There is no greater example of their unity found then when we study the birth of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Old, foretells of a righteous King ( Jeremiah 23:5-6 ) that would shoot up from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-5) , bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom to the captives (Isaiah 61:1-2) and would rule over His kingdom as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). The New breathes life into the foretold King. First as a babe; born of a virgin, placed in a trough. Later as a man crucified for the sins of the many. Finally as the risen Savior who sits as King at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3).


The Old gives way to the New.


Together, they give us the greatest story ever told.


Together, they mold and shape the story of Christ.


As we focus on the beauty of Christ during this season, let us not forget the greatly laid out foundation given in the Old Testament. For without the beginning, there would be no ending.




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Weekend Blend!

Welcome to the Weekend Blend at the Internet Cafe Devotionals!

We know that "Tis the Season!" Amidst the hustle and bustle we pray you'll find a place of quiet peace as we serve up some of our favorite devotionals from the past.

As with each month, we'll be serving up devotionals centered around a theme...

May we suggest,

Giving Christmas

and

The Gift of His Will

The Perfect Tree

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
(Luke 18:18-19, New King James Version)

It's that time of the year, not the "most wonderful part" yet, but the preparations leading up to the "most wonderful time of the year".

I know it's going to happen, the one weekend will be spent looking for....the perfect tree.

The one that we are positive, is hiding in a lockbox, in the very back of the tree lot. We figure if we circle around the tree lot twenty times, they would figure we were on to them, relent, and bring out that perfect tree! THAT would make this the best time of the year, with everyone "ooing" and "aaahhing."


The truth (sorry) is that there is no perfect tree.



Eventually the tree will start losing its pine needles, and the tree has to be taken down before it catches on fire and people think you purposely decided to have a bonfire in your dining room.


I don't know how my husband does it.


I try to be a good sport and drag follow behind, but when I look at those trees, they all look the same. No matter how many angles I look, it's a tree and it's on sale. I shout, "woohoo! Let's get it!" To my husband, something is always wrong, and we find ourselves walking back and forth. I feel like humming, "999 more trees in the lot."



Good thing our Father in Heaven doesn't do that to us.

He doesn't look at us and say, "I just don't know-what about this one? Hey got anything better?"

We're all the same to Him. Sinners in need of saving. Sinners in need of His love.

This is an amazing time of the year, because its' definitely not about us.

It's about Him and its a perfect time to reach out to others who may not know Him and let them know, that He loves them for them. He's not looking for perfect. He loves the flawed, the broken, the hurt and the suffering, because that is where His heart is.

He loves us, those who have accepted His gift of salvation, but He also reminds us, "don't forget about the one in the corner who feels alone, rejected, abandoned".


Maybe we don't feel perfect.

Maybe we feel as though we don't measure up to the other trees.

We need the reminder that God loves us.

We are perfect to Him and that does matter.

We are so blessed this holiday season to sing out in praise the joy that our Heavenly Father's Son was born to save us from our sin. Let's give the best birthday gift ever and instead of looking for perfect, let's look for those who are imperfect and reach out and let them know, they are not alone, they are loved. They are just like us.


Let's let them know, the lonely trees, the power and love of Jesus Christ this holiday season.

Who knows, next year God's Family may have new members because of that extra time that was taken to let them know just how much God loves them, imperfections and all.

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for the greatest gift that could ever be given to us, the gift of salvation. Without You, we are nothing, we are abandoned, we are rejected.

Help us remember our troops who are serving overseas and Lord, help us remember our neighbors. Help us to remember those neighbors who may not have a home, or don't know that they have neighbors who love them and want them to know a bigger and giving love through Jesus Christ.

Thank You Father in all You do and may we mark Your name, not by time, but by service to You and for You.

In Your Son's Name I pray,

Amen


You can drop by and visit Twinkle Mom at her blog, Sunflower Faith.

Weekend Blend!

Welcome to the Weekend Blend at the Internet Cafe Devotionals!

We know that "Tis the Season!" Amidst the hustle and bustle we pray you'll find a place of quiet peace as we serve up some of our favorite devotionals from the past.

As with each month, we'll be serving up devotionals centered around a theme...

This week we recommend,

Where Does This Holiday Season Find You?

and

At the Family Table