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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all who read this!

As we celebrate the Christmas season it is easy to get caught up in the lights, the snow (or rain in my case), presents, finding the perfect present (aka lots of shopping), putting up the tree, Santa Claus and whatever other things make you busy and distracted.

Let us keep our focus on Jesus this season. In a quiet moment by yourself read and dwell on the Christmas story. Below I have verses for you to read and cry at, enjoy, laugh, sing for joy at and smile in your heart.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary has been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you shall name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from thier sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son
And they shall call his name Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:18-23

“And Mary said:
My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
For behold,from now on all generations will call me blessed;
For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is his name.
His mercy is for all who fear him
From generation to generation
He has shown strength with his arm
And scattered the proud in the thoughts of thier hearts.”

Luke 1:46-51

“Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!”
John 1:29b

“For to us a child is born and a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting, Father and Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas! Celebrating Christ’s birth!
Priscilla Joy

Posted by Posted in Family, God, holidays, Jesus

Movie Review: The Nativity Story

It’s Chrstmas time! I sit and listen to Celtic Christmas CD as I write this post. There are some Christmas movies we like to watch as a family. Last night, we watched “The Nativity Story”. Here is my movie review on it!

Rating: PG for some violent content

Age: 12 and up could watch the whole movie. My little brother (7) watched it, he just covered his eyes in some parts.

Things to watch for: The first scene in Herod killing the babies, it doesn’t actually show a baby being killed but it gets pretty close. There are also two births (Mary and Elizabeth). Mary’s birth scene is pretty mild but the one with Elizabeth is a little more vivid (again, nothing too bad). The last thing to watch for is it does show John (the Baptist) getting circumcised but it is not too vivid.

I really liked the movie. It is not biblically correct on every point but I think it does capture the nativity story very well. Joseph might be my favorite character. He was really portrayed as a noble, strong man who thought of others before himself. When he, and Mary are traveling to Bethlehem he takes good care of her, protecting her and keeping her safe.

The scene where Mary has Jesus is very sweet and special… It might make you cry. 🙂

Mary’s character was overall played well. The one thing I wished is that she would have been more joyful in some parts. But I think the scene when she tells her parents and Joseph she is pregnant with Jesus she shows lots of character and stands strong in her faith even though it might mean her death.

I also liked how they showed how the townspeople shunned Mary and Joseph after finding out about the baby. I don’t usually think of that part.

The wisemen were good. They added just a touch of humor to the movie but not enough to take away from the beauty and seriousness of the story.

In all I think it was a great movie and it really brings the story to life. Perfect for Christmastime!

Merry Christmas!
Priscilla Joy