this Christmas - days 17-25

25. Gifts from the Magi to Jesus (three gift boxes)
Matthew 2.11
'On 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.'

24. Star that the Magi followed (star)
Matthew 2.9-10
'After the Magi 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. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.'

23. Jesus is King of Kings (crown, rhinestones, jewels, throne or purple cloth)
Matthew 2.1-2
'..Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and 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''

22. The wisdom and knowledge of the Magi (small book or scroll)
Matthew 2.1
'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.'

21.Revelation of Jesus as Christ the Savior to Simeon and to all people (googly eyes or Mr. Potato Head eyes)
Luke 2.25-32
'Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying:
'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, 
which you have prepared in sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.''

20. Sacrifice of doves by Joseph and Mary, Holy Spirit like a dove at his baptism later in life (two doves or feathers)
Luke 2.22-24
'When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord'), and to offer a sacrifice in Keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons.''
Luke 3.21-22
'When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.''

19. The name Jesus (is the Greek form of Joshua, which means 'The Lors Saves')
Luke 2.21
'On the eight day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.'

18. The emotions of Mary as Jesus's earthly mother (heart)
Luke 2.19-20, 33.35
'But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.'
'..The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.''

17.  Kneeling on the ground - our right response to Jesus as God

Psalm 95.6

'Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for he is our God

and we are the people of his pasture,

the flock under his care.'

love,
me