Thankful Thursday ~ Almost Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:4-7 ESV)

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. It always been since I was little. Although when I was a little girl, I may not have understood the entire reason of Christmas, but it has always been celebrated as Christ’s birthday. You see without Christmas, Easter is impossible. And without Easter, we have no way of reconciling with a Holy God. And that is why Christmas is my favorite of all Holidays.

I love the account of Christ’s birth in the Gospel of Luke. But I also love the account of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12. I read the account of the visit of the wise men just today and once again I am taken by the three gifts the wise men brought to worship baby Jesus.

Have you ever noticed that the three gifts were are also part of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This about that they brought:

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:11 ESV – emphasis mine)

Amazing, right?!? I am not a biblical scholar, but to me this is so awesome. So, yes, I am thankful this week that Christmas is in a few days, celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior. And I pray that my heart will be completely focused on Him.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving the link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: without Christmas, Easter is impossible.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Mia / Boys and Their Toys
2. Janis@Heart Filled Moments
3. One Word To Make Your Problems Seems A Gazillion Times Smaller
4. LaughingLady
5. Daily Journey
6. When Hallmark Hijacks Joy
7. Dawn of Redeeming Grace
8. bp

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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He Is Risen…And I can’t Keep Quiet!

I love Easter! It always makes me giddy and I can’t keep quiet about it either! The Good News of Christ’s Resurrection is the best news ever to mankind.

As one of our pastors said this morning at the Sunrise service: “Every Sunday is a ‘mini Easter'”. How true that is. May we celebrate His resurrection not only on Easter, but every.single.day of our lives.

By the way, you can download the above photograph to your desktop when you visit Laced with Grace (just don’t hot-link it to the site or claim it as your own :))

He is Risen!!!!

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday ~ Easter

Jesus said to her, β€œI am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, β€œYes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
(John 11:25-27 ESV)

Cross

Easter is my favorite holiday. Of course I like Christmas as well, but Easter has a special place in my heart and soul.

Like Mary, I say “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ…” I believe that Christ died for my sins, and rose again on the third day. Because of His sacrifice I have direct access to God.

My friend Kathy, wrote a wonderful blog about the Cross and the Resurrection. Not only should the Cross be important to us, but the Resurrection of our Lord.

So this week, I am thankful for Holy Week, with Christ’s Resurrection being the most important event ever happened.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: Christ’s Resurrection is the most important event ever.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
2. Ms. Kathleen
3. It Feels Like Chaos
4. Kate @ Teaching What is Good
5. Why I refuse to say “I”M FINE”
6. Style N Season: The Only Constant Thing in Life is Change
7. Thankful Art Page
8. Aisling Beatha
9. jhunnelle
10. Amazing Grace
11. Marieta – A walk to Remember
12. Kids turf
13. A Song To Heal A Friend – Robert J. Gerryts
14. Melanie @ M&M
15. A Silly TT post πŸ™‚
16. Beth @ My Destiny
17. Legally Kikay
18. bp
19. Pia’s Journal
20. Denise
21. Openings
22. Daily Journey
23. Charlene @ A Divine Walk
24. Is There a Reason to Choose Easter
25. becky aka theRAV
26. Pride and Unbelief

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

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Easter 2011 – He is Risen



Easter 2011_He is Risen, originally uploaded by eph2810.

He is Risen Indeed!!!

Believe that He is Alive. The tomb was empty on the first Easter morning:

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, β€œWhy do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” ~ Luke 24:1-7 (ESV)

Happy Easter!!!