The Birth of the King

Several years back I wrote a series of posts in the days before Christmas called "The Birth of the King". I wanted to do something special this year for Christmas again, but I don't have time, especially seeing as how Christmas is almost upon us. . . . So I decided to link you to those previous posts so that you can go back and read those in order to help get you in the mindset of the true meaning of Christmas. I still like to look back and read them just before Christmas. At the time that I wrote these, I was going through a very hard time, my whole family was, so Jesus was pretty much the only thing that I could lean on without fear of Him falling and pulling me down with Him. Although many times I feared that He would also fail, I learned to trust Him in ways that I never had before. :) I hope that these posts can encourage you as much as they did me as I wrote them.

1. http://visitingwithdragons.blogspot.com/2008/12/birth-of-king-mary-joseph-and-new-baby.html
2. http://visitingwithdragons.blogspot.com/2008/12/birth-of-king-shepherds-emmanuel.html
3. http://visitingwithdragons.blogspot.com/2008/12/birth-of-king-through-eyes-of-angels.html
4. http://visitingwithdragons.blogspot.com/2008/12/birth-of-king-hope-of-god.html

Assr vísa ykkarr or∂, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! :D

~ElizabethMarieKauffman~

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

I just wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas!!!!! :D Blessings upon you all!

As you tear open your presents tomorrow morning, and scream with delight that you got what you wanted, or try to show gratitude when you didn't, I pray that you remember that this time of year isn't about getting the gift that you want, it's about being given the gift that you needed: God's son, Jesus Christ. :)

Have a wonderful holiday, and remember to when you wake up in the morning, thank Christ for coming down to earth and being born in a humble stable, all the while with the knowledge that He would die a most horrible death. Doing all of that, just for you, so that one day, He could call you son or daughter, and take you to live with Him in the Paradise, forever. :) Amen.

Assr vísa ykkarr or∂, and merry Christmas!!!!

~ElizabethMarieKauffman~

The Birth Of The King: The Hope Of God

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! :D I hope you all have a blessed time this next year and all the years to come.

God looked upon his son's face, he smiled with pride at the baby's innocent face. But grief also accompanied his feelings, for he knew all the pain he had sent his son into when he willingly took on human flesh. His tears fell like the golden light of the star which he brought forth to shine with such a brightness that would draw the attention of Magi from the east who would then follow its leading to find the child. The angels sang their praises, the melodic ring of their voices brought him joy.

    Unnoticed by the worshippers a shadow of an angel stood in the corner, a sneer lifted his lip as he watched the scene unfold before him. Shepherds began crowding around, knees touched the ground, tears lighted on cheeks, and their voices joined the angel's in praise. The silent watcher cringed at their praise, he reached toward Mary, the baby's mother. Fury bubbled inside God. "Leave, Satan!"

    Instantly the shadow snatched back his hand. Sulking in his rage he turned to leave, only glancing over his shoulder at God to growl and say. "It doesn't matter what you do, I'll get him, and when I do, I will be his finish."

    "I know you will." God whispered sadly, once again he looked on his son and saw his future. In the small innocent eyes he saw the tears of neglect; on the head covered with brown curls he saw a crown of thorns tipped with his own blood; instead of a swaddling cloth he saw a robe of mockery, striped with blood from flogging; in his tiny balled up fists he saw nails. He saw all the years of temptations and pain, the mockery, the conspiracy, the betrayal, but he also saw the victory, the final day when he'd fight the evil one and win.  He saw when he rose from the grave back to life, he saw all of the lives the Son of God would touch, the hearts he would heal, the yes he would open, physical and spiritual. And he was the wake of Christians he would leave, who would then go on and cause the ripple of love to spread until all people had heard the message of truth.

    The shepherds left and Mary and Joseph moved the child, Jesus into a house. The Lord watched with great affection as his son grew that year, he kept him in his arms at all times, and always the evil one cast his shadow of death just beyond, his anger grew each time God sent him away, but a plan was turning in his head. The Magi came and presented their gifts of gold, for the king, frankincense, for the priest, and myrrh, for the sacrifice. When they left God sent an angel to warn them of Satan's plan and to direct them to stay away from Herod on their way back.

    That night a shadow covered the sky, Herod stood at the window of his palace as he ordered the death of all baby boys in Bethlehem, in hopes of in the process killing the new king. Beside him stood a cloaked figure unseen to Herod, his eyes peered out from the shadow of his hood, and a malicious grin spread across his face as he watched his plan to be rid of the Son of God unfolding.

    God sighed. "Herod, oh Herod...." A tear glistened in his eye. "Do you know what you are doing?" Softly he awoke Joseph. "Joseph, get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother. Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child." Joseph followed his instructions and God watched them leave. Cries filled the air as the blood of young hearts splattered the blades belonging to Herod's soldiers. Mothers fought to protect their babies as tears poured down their cheeks. The Lord watched the distressed town and wept.

    "This is why I sent my son, to give hope to those with none."

The Birth Of The King: Mary, Joseph and the New Baby King

Hi all! Here's the first of the series of posts I'm starting called; The Birth Of The King. This one is about Mary and Joseph when they got to Bethlehem, I will post another one in a few days. I hope you enjoy it. :)

On the outskirts of a small town in Judea a cry of anguish pierced the ascending darkness.  A young girl of about fourteen grabbed at the blanket between her and the donkey she rode as her body convulsed with pain. Joseph, her betrothed, glanced over his shoulder at her, worry creasing his large brow as he urged the donkey to quicken its steps. They left the rocky path behind them as they entered the city.

    The young girl, Mary, looked on at the streets through eyes glistening with tears. Families, and lone travelers hammered their fist against the doors of the clay houses, or shouted through the cracks in the wood, in hopes of finding some place to stay for the night.

    Mary cried out as pain seared through her back, she doubled over, wrapping her arms around her large, round belly. She could feel the baby inside moving around in preparation to enter the world. She lifted her face to the sky as a tear rolled down her young face. "Please Abba, help us." She gasped for air.

    Joseph looked back at her again, then dropped the donkey's lead, running the rest of the way to the first inn he could find. He beat his fist against the door until a servant girl opened it. She looked wide eyed at Mary as Joseph asked if they had any room. The girl shook her head as laughter roared up from the room behind her. Joseph hurried to the next house. A man opened the door this time, cutting off his request with a sharp no, then slammed the door in his face. Joseph stumbled back a step in surprise before quickly moving to the other houses. At all of them the same answer was given; "no room."

    Mary gasped for air, her whole abdomen felt on fire. "Joseph...." Her plea ended in  a scream as pain clutched her in its steely claw. Instantly he was at her side, holding her in his strong arms. She gripped his tunic, her face scrunched up in misery as she silently begged God's help. Her mind wandered back to her family a couple days journey away in Nazareth, she wondered what they were doing, and longed for her mother's soothing touch to calm her fears. Joseph slid her off the animal into his arms as he continued his search for a place to stay.

    Unnoticed by them, an old man watched from behind a tattered curtain as Joseph loyally sought out a place for the girl in labor. A tear escaped onto the old man's wrinkled cheek at their desperation. "If only..." he whispered to himself. "If only...." An idea began to form in his mind, and with a small grin of joy at the thought that he might be able to help, he let the curtain fall back into place and turned to hobble past those who he had welcomed into his house for the night as he made his way to the door. "You can stay there." He called out in his brittle voice as he pointed with his cane to a small cave which formed a stable.

    Relief passed over both the man and girl's face as Joseph voiced his thanks and hurried Mary into the shelter. He shooed a cow out of the way to lay her down on the hay. Perspiration poured off of Mary's face as she pushed with all her might, but still the baby didn't come. Her balled up fists turned white from her squeezing them so tightly, her creams unsettled the animals who skittered to the farthest corners they could find from the strangers. Mary squeezed her eyes shut, her lips trembled , then slowly the pain began to pass and she could relax.

    Joseph held up a small baby into the light of the moon, a grin played across his lips. The child squirmed his small naked legs and flailed his arms as if feeling the air of this world he had come into. Joseph could contain it no longer, and laughed aloud from pure joy.

    Mary gazed on the babe, the Messiah whom the angel had told her about, and she felt glad; she was glad she had trusted what the angel had said; she was glad God had chosen her to bring his son into the world; and she was glad the savior had come at last.

    As Joseph wrapped the baby in swaddling clothe and placed him in her arms the animals began to creep closer, as if knowing what had just happened. A lamb walked over, stretching out his little nose to sniff the bundle, then gave a little bleat and scurried back to his mother's side.

    Mary looked down on the babies now sleeping face, she ran her fingers lightly over his smooth skin, a smile lifted the corners of her lips. "God has done as he promised." She said in a voice filled with awe.

    Joseph placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes also on the holy child. "He has indeed."