Malankara World Journal - Christian Spirituality from an Orthodox Perspective
Malankara World Journal
Sunday Before Christmas - Advent - Jesus Is Coming
Volume 5 No. 319 December 18, 2015
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Foreword

This week, we examine the genealogy of Jesus as reported in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke and find that, as promised, Jesus was born in the family of David. We are now ready to receive the Messiah. By this Sunday, all steps to obtain the victory over sin has been made. ...

I. This Sunday in Church - Sunday Before Christmas

2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (December 20)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lectionary/Lec_sunday-before-christmas.htm

3. Sermons for This Sunday (December 20)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_sunday-before-Christmas.htm

II. Genealogy of Jesus Christ

4. A Messed-Up Family Tree

If you think you have a dysfunctional family, take a look at Jesus' family tree. Some of the most unsavory characters who made it into the most exclusive genealogy in human history include prostitutes, liars, cheats, adulterers, and even a murderer. ...

5. The Records of Jesus' Ancestors

These lists are important because God had promised in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse and David. If Jesus had not been a descendant of those men, we could be sure that He was not really the Messiah. Matthew and Luke's lists prove, however, that Jesus was in the lineage of all six of those men through both His mother and stepfather. ...

6. Malankara World Journal Special on Genealogy of Jesus

For more in-depth look at the genealogy of Jesus Christ read the Malankara World Journal Issue 114 - a special on the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_114.htm

More articles can be found in Malankara World Journal Issue 183

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Newsletter/MWJ_183.htm

The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)

1. All this and much more, Jesus did by becoming what the first seventeen verses of Matthew's gospel proclaims: "...the Son of David, the Son of Abraham"
2. This genealogy of Jesus Christ...
a. Establishes the right of Jesus to be the Messiah
b. Reminds us of God's mercy ...

7. Malankara World Advent and Christmas Supplements
To learn more about the spiritual significance of Christmas and Advent Season Malankara World has created special supplements so you can read all about them in depth. Click below to visit:

Malankara World Christmas Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/Christmas/Default.htm

Malankara World Advent Supplement
http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Seasonal/advent/Default.htm

III. This Week's Featured Articles: Advent - Jesus Is Coming!

In Advent, Christians relive a dual impulse of the spirit: on the one hand, they raise their eyes towards the final destination of their pilgrimage through history, which is the glorious return of the Lord Jesus; on the other, remembering with emotion his birth in Bethlehem, they kneel before the Crib.

The hope of Christians is turned to the future but remains firmly rooted in an event of the past. In the fullness of time, the Son of God was born of the Virgin Mary: "Born of a woman, born under the law", as the Apostle Paul writes (Gal 4: 4).

8. Inspiration for Today: Christmas in Eden

What started with the whole human race has narrowed to just one man - Jesus Christ. He didn't come in the usual way; he came by means of a virgin birth. No one before or since ever entered the world as he did. Thus he is the ultimate "seed of the woman" since no man was involved in his conception.

  • When God wanted to save the world, he didn't send a committee; he sent his Son.
  • When God wanted to say, "I love you," he wrapped his love note in swaddling clothes.
  • When God wanted to crush Satan, he started in a stable in Bethlehem.

Even in Eden, God was planning for Christmas. He was thinking of you before you were born because he knew that one day you would need a Savior. ...

9. The Word Made Flesh

It all comes down to this. Jesus is much more than a man. He is God. He is not just a moral teacher. He is God. He is not just a social revolutionary. He is God. He is not someone that you can just take or leave without consequence. He is God. ..

10. How You Can Have Genuine Joy and Hope this Christmas

The joy of the Christmas message is so much richer, deeper, and more beautiful than any other story that has ever been told. Glory was wrapped in flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could be wrapped in righteousness and dwell with God. Jesus lived a perfect life so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for all that is wrong both in our own lives and in the world. ...

11. Peace From Jesus - More Solid Than Fear

To be found in Christ means to be thoroughly stilled by who Christ is. His victory gives life, and the surety of that gift gives peace that transcends everything else. Like children pacified by the assurance of bread, we are invited to hold the very bread of life, a hope more solid than fear. ...

12. Finding Peace in the Chaos of Christmas

Perfect peace isn't dependent on circumstances. It comes from a steadfast, trusting heart. Let's start the Christmas season by intentionally growing our steadfastness by focusing our trust on God who is faithful. The resulting peace will point to the Savior we're celebrating! ...

13. I'll be Home for Christmas

Hebrews 13:14 encourages us to remember and find strength in the fact that "we seek the city that is to come." It's a losing battle to pursue lasting satisfaction in this life. The words "Here we have no lasting city" drive us to only source of contentment: the promise that Christ is always with me (Matthew 28:20) and that He's bringing me home to a place where love, joy, and satisfaction never end. ...

14. Jesus Brings Light to the World

Is there hope in the world? Yes! Hope invaded the world 2000 years ago at Bethlehem. If we want that hope to invade our lives, we must do what the shepherds did so long ago. We must come to Bethlehem and bow before the newborn King. Hope is available but only to those who will humble themselves and bow in faith before the Lord Jesus Christ. ...

IV. General Weekly Features

15. Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Swirl

16. Bonus Recipe: Norwegian Potato Lefse

Lefse is a humble sort of flatbread, made from leftover mashed potatoes. Work in a little flour, roll it out flat, and cook it on the stovetop for dinner! This makes a thin and soft flatbread that's more substantial than a crepe but more delicate than a flour tortilla. ...

17. Family Special: Joseph, Mary and Jesus: A Model Family

The pattern of Joseph's relationship with Mary and Jesus, of Mary's relationship with Joseph and Jesus, and of Jesus' relationship with Joseph and Mary, described in the infant narratives, sets us an extraordinary exemplar of what family relationships could and should be in every Christian home. ...

18. About Malankara World

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