ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS …

I was born in Germany and lived there for the first 26 years of my life.

Now I am living in New Zealand and reading the following in a Christian magazine:

“In Germany, a pickle is hidden in the Christmas tree and the child that finds it wins a prize.”

This is the first time I hear about the German Christmas tradition.

Are there any Germans reading this who know about this particular Christmas tradition?

Although I have never heard about the tradition, I love pickled cucumbers.

And all I want for Christmas is a jar full of them. (I can buy them here in Kaitaia, even made in Deutschland!)

“‘Woe to you,

Matthew 23:23

Introduction:

teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!

A.  You give a tenth of your spices –

a.  mint ,

b.  dill and

c.  cummin.

B.  But you have neglected the  more important matters of the law –

a.  justice,

b.  mercy and

c.  faithfulness.

End:

You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.'”

Reading the article “Dream home turns to nightmare,” in one of our local papers, reminds me of our Heavenly Home.

The Heavenly Home is the final dwelling place of the believers, the true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saints.

In Matthew 6:9 it says that heaven is the home of the Lord God.

In Ephesians 5:5 we read that heaven is called the the kingdom of God and of Christ.

In Second Corinthians 5:1 it says that heaven is a building. “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

Heaven is a building of God. That means it is not man-made (Second Corinthians 5:1).

In John 14:2 heaven is called the Father’s House . There it says, “‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it not were so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.'”

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know that they “have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

I like especially “not built by human hands.”

A building without faulty building materials for sure. Praise the Lord.

“‘But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four – drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”‘ – Matthew 17:27

“‘What must I do to be saved?'” was written on the card I saw lying on the footpath in Commerce Street here in Kaitaia not long ago.

I know the biblical answer, but I am wondering how many people are actually asking that question?

In the Bible we are reading about people who are appointed for eternal life. (Acts 13:48)

In Acts 16:14 the Bible tells us about Lydia and that “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

In John 6:44 the Lord Jesus Christ says, “‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.'”

And this morning in my Bible reading I read this verse, “‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.'” And remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking here.

I think the people mentioned above are the people who are asking the question, “What must I do to be saved?”

And we find the answer to the question, “‘What must I do to be saved?'” in the book of Acts chapter 16:31.

There it says, “‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved – you and your household.'”