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   Advent day 25   
      
   From C.S. Lewis A Grand Miracle by Joel Heck   
      
   "Enemy-occupied territory-that is what this world is.   
   Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed...   
   and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.   
   When you go to church you are really listening-in to the secret   
   wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious   
   to prevent us from going." - C. S. Lewis   
      
   (Read this and more in Mere Christianity, p. 46.)   
      
   A Campaign of Sabotage   
      
   C. S. Lewis wrote his most influential book, Mere Christianity,   
   in the middle of World War Two. The talks that became the basis   
   for this book were broadcast on the BBC between 1941 and 1944.   
   Lewis used numerous military allusions in that book,   
   in one case describing this world as "enemy-occupied territory."   
      
   Humanity has been invaded by an enemy: Satan.   
   He occupies the territory in which we live. "The rightful king"   
   has arrived and is in the process of taking back the territory,   
   but not as the Allies did on D-Day, June 6, 1944,   
   invading the beaches of Normandy in a full-scale assault   
   on German positions.   
      
   Jesus did not use tanks, planes, or artillery.   
   He arrived almost incognito. Few knew, even though it had been   
   predicted for centu­ries. Jesus came in disguise-as a baby.   
   No one would expect much opposition from a baby, but babies   
   have the power to wrap their parents around their little finger.   
   This baby had a lot more power than that, in fact, all power   
   and authority, and one day that au­thority will be visible   
   for all to see. But not yet.   
      
   Until then, we Christians acknowledge the power and authority   
   of this rightful king. We participate in his campaign of sabotage   
   against the enemy. We arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit,   
   the Word of God, and with the shield of faith, the breastplate   
   of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel   
   of peace. The message of the gospel is our best sabotage   
   against the power of Satan. Its power to forgive sins   
   is our best weapon.   
      
   Jesus, my King, make me aware of the enemy,   
   aware of your power over him, and especially   
   aware of your power to forgive sins. Amen.   
      
   10 (Eph 1:19; 1Co 16:13) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord   
   and in the power of His might.   
   11 (Eph 6:13; Ro 13:12; Eph 4:14) Put on the whole armour of God that   
   you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.   
      
   Ephesians 6:10-11   
      
   From Follow the Story by Marva J. Dawn   
      
   WEDNESDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT   
      
   Exactly The Right Time   
      
   In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus   
   that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.   
      
   -Luke 2:1   
      
   God's timing is always stunning! When it was exactly the right   
   moment for the Christ Child to be born, "all the world" cooperated.   
   The Emperor Augustus issued an order,   
   and everyone had to go to their ancestral home.   
      
   This was the first registration, we are notified in verse 2,   
   to be commanded when Quirinius was governor of Syria.   
   Whether this means that other enrollments were levied later on we   
   are not told, but this one made history-not because of its intention   
   to number the extent of the Roman Empire or to record the names   
   of Rome's conquerees for taxation purposes, but because the titles   
   of those rulers are now perpetually associated with the Messiah's birth.   
      
   You were born, too, at exactly the right time. God planned all your gifts   
   and calculated at what point in history your presence would be pivotal.   
   How we adore the All-Knowing One for his incredible timing!   
      
   Prayer   
      
   How can we adequately praise you, Great Designer,   
   that we were born when we could best serve you? Amen.   
      
   Read Luke 2:1-7.   
      
   Luke 2   
      
   The Birth of Jesus   
      
   Mt 1:18-25   
      
   1 (Lk 3:1; Mt 24:14) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus   
   that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed.   
   2 (Lk 3:1) This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.   
   3 And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.   
   4 (Jn 7:42; 1Sa 16:1) So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth   
   in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea,   
   because he was of the house and lineage of David,   
   5 to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.   
   6 So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.   
   7 (Mt 1:25; Lk 2:11-12) And she gave birth to her firstborn Son,   
   and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger,   
   because there was no room for them in the inn.   
      
   From the Ah-Has of Advent by Rich Bimler   
      
   FOURTH WEDNESDAY   
   AH-HA! Ambassadors of Health, Hope and ADORATION!   
      
   And his name shall be called   
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   
   Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.ISAIAH 9:6   
      
   In the days leading up to Christmas we're counting the days. The malls   
   are full. The carols continue. The Santas are weary. The mail carriers are   
   burdened. The children are hyper. And we can almost hear the cattle   
   lowing (whatever lowing is!.   
   In theses days we're ready to adore the Baby Jesus. as well we should.   
   Today's lesson spells it out so well: "A child has been born for us, a son   
   given to us." "Oh, come let us adore him. Christ the Lord!"   
   But look again in the stable. For too long we've seen the manger as   
   a "sanitary shed," white and neat and clean and perfect. But it wasn't   
   that way at all. It was messy and smelly and germy and . .. well ... human.   
   And that's exactly why we adore him! Because Christ didn't wait for us   
   to clean up our dirty and messy lives before he came to redeem us.   
   Not at all:He entered our sin-filled stables "lust as we are." He came as   
   a God sized man to rid us of our man-sized gods.   
   Check out the Christmas cards you are receiving. How many of them really   
   'depict the human stable where Jesus was born? He may look "adorable,"   
   but that is not why we adore him. We adore him because he has come   
   to be our Saviour. And we might add: our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!   
      
   Lord, we come to adore you because you have come to us. Keep coming,   
   Lord. into our messy lives. Clean us up as only you can do.   
   In Jesus' name. Amen ... and AH-HA!   
      
   Read Isaiah 9:2-7.   
      
   2 (Eph 5:8; Mt 4:16) The people who walked in darkness   
   have seen a great light;   
   those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,   
   upon them the light has shined.   
   3 (1Sa 30:16; Isa 26:15) You have multiplied the nation   
   and increased the joy;   
   they rejoice before You   
   according to the joy of harvest   
   and as men rejoice   
   when they divide the spoil.   
   4 (Isa 14:25; 10:26-27) For You have broken the yoke of his burden   
   and the bar of his shoulder,   
   the rod of his oppressor   
   as in the day of Midian's defeat.   
   5 For all the sandals of the tramping warriors   
   and all the garments rolled in blood   
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire.   
   6 (Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lk 2:11) For unto us a child is born,   
   unto us a son is given,   
   and the government shall be upon his shoulder.   
   And his name shall be called   
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   
   Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.   
   7 (Isa 37:32; Da 2:44) Of the increase of his government and peace   
   there shall be no end,   
   upon the throne of David   
   and over his kingdom,   
   to order it and to establish it   
   with justice and with righteousness,   
   from now until forever.   
   The zeal of the Lord of Hosts   
   will perform this.   
      
   From  On Eagle's wings    
      
   Jesus' Math   
      
   4 (Eze 34:11-12; 34:16) "What man among you having a hundred sheep   
   and losing one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)