The Light of the World by Tana LeMay

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11)

I find the nighttime sky so amazing and so vast with all its stars. I could gaze at them for hours. There are so many. And yet, the Magi, or wise men, knew which single star to follow to find Jesus. It had to have been brighter and bigger than all the other stars in the sky at that time. The journey of the Magi took them a long time, many months, and the star remained before them, guiding their path. I wonder if the sky was ever covered by clouds, which obscured the star? Did they ever get lost on this journey and have to search for the star? Where is the star now? Did it disappear after the Magi found Jesus?

Fortunately, the miracle of the first Christmas is still with us. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (John 1:9) That light is Jesus. The star the Magi followed is no longer needed, thanks to the gift of God’s son. He wants to be your guiding star. If you ask, He will provide hope and direction as you travel through this life’s journey. If you ask, He will shine His light on you and through you. That is my prayer for you. Merry Christmas!

Worship Spotlight 11 30 09 by Theresa Zuber

During this time of year when gift giving is on everyone's mind, let's take a little time to talk about giving as an act of worship. Typically, when it's time to give our tithes and offerings, we look to it as an act of obedience or perhaps obligation. Recently, I have looked at it as another act of worship.

Matt 2:11 On coming to the house, they (the Magi) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

We are commanded to give a tithe to the church. Other passages refer to giving offerings over and above the tithe. This act of giving back to God is referred to as a pleasing sacrifice. Heb 13:16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Have YOU thought about giving as an act of worship? Perhaps this Christmas you could send a one time, or monthly donation to the Oblong Christian Children's Home - a local home for foster children that instills Christian values and gives kids the security of home and family. Or perhaps you'd like to support a needy child through Haitian Christian Outreach or Compassion International. The church has connections with several mission groups if you need help finding a legitimate organization.

Want to do something in our own community? Our food pantry touches many lives and we always need donations of food and also workers to help pack and distribute these packages. Perhaps our office staff could connect you with a family that would be blessed by an anonymous gift from a brother or sister in Christ.

Think outside the gift box. Give with a cheerful heart as an act of worshiping our God and Savior. When you worship with all you have-- your voice, your hands, your heart, your time, your commitment, your wallet - God will bless your life in ways you would never expect.

Mal 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

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