WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?

  MYSTERY OF THE WATER part five

BREAKFAST BEFORE GOING HOME

While eating breakfast before packing up and leaving for home, the Hike Boss has a final discussion.

Hike Boss, “Thank you for coming and enjoying Outdoors with Jesus.  We enjoyed hiking, fishing and swimming in a lake, and walking around a waterfalls.

Peter adds, “It’s been an exciting campout and I hate to see this end.”

Hike Boss continues, “I would like the group to retell the story of Nicodemus one more time.”

Matthew begins, “Jesus stirred up the Pharisees by overturning the tables of the money changers in the outer courts.  There were many who believed in him, observing his signs.”

Debra adds, “Nicodemus, a teacher of the Pharisees came to Jesus at night to ask him, “Rabbi, we know that you come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 

(John 3:2 NASB  New American Standard Bible).

Matthew says, “Jesus answers him telling him a truth.  Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.  When Jesus returns in the second coming, he will establish this kingdom during the millennium.”

Sally smiles, “Nicodemus is confused, thinking he has to enter his mother’s womb again.”

James speaks, “Jesus rewords his statement: ‘Unless, one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’  I believe this refers to the rapture, where both the living and the dead in Christ are taken up into the clouds, and enter the door to heaven.  Also, just as a man drinks water, a man who drinks living water ingesting the Holy Spirit in his life."

Susanna adds, “Jesus also addresses Nic’s confusion, by saying, ‘That which is born to flesh is flesh, and that which is born of spirit is Spirit.’  Nicodemus, I'm talking about spirit!  ‘You must be born of Spirit!’

Ruthie speaks, “Jesus gives a visual description of someone being born again.  ‘Wind blows where it wishes, you hear it; but it’s invisible…you don’t know where it came from.  God the Holy Spirit is invisible."

Dan blurts out, ‘The master teacher was confused about things that happen on earth.’

Matthew continues, “Jesus uses the illustration of Moses raising up a pole with a snake and all those who looked at it and believed were saved when bitten by the serpent.  Just like those who look to Jesus dying on the cross and believing in Him. They are save from the evil serpent."

Debra continues, “In the final part of Jesus’ discussion, he tells Nicodemus how he might be Born of the Spirit.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’  (John 3:16 NASB New American Standard Bible)

Hike Boss, “We are saved by Grace though Faith…”  This weekend we learned a lot from each other.  Dan it’s OK if you believe the water means baptism and Sally if you believe that Jesus was referring to ‘Natural Birth.  The gospel is not going to change; but it’s up to you to check all the pieces of the puzzle with the Bible and to know what you believe. 

Sally remarks, “Admit it, you know I’m right.”

Debra adds, "When we are saved, God gives us his Holy Spirit."

Hike Boss concludes, “Peter can you pray for travel mercies for us, before we pack up and leave for home?”

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE WEDDING FEAST?

 PARABLE OF THE WEDDING RECEPTION

FIVE LADIES AT A RECEPTION

Five, 18 year old ladies sit at a round table at

their friend’s wedding reception.  Cute little

girls bring desert plates and punch to each

table, while a band plays music.

Kim, an Asian girl speaks, “What a beautiful

wedding and reception.”

Carolyn, an Italian lady adds, “I bet you this

wedding cost $30,000.”

Ginger, a Black woman remarks, “Who flips the

bill…the bride or the groom?

Alicia, a Hispanic girl replies, “The bride is

responsible for buying the wedding dress

flowers, groom’s band, photographer, church

pastor, reception center, and catering service.”

Kim, jumps in, “Unbelievable, does the groom

pay for anything else beside the ring and the

honeymoon?”

Debra a Scottish lady, says, “Wise women

save up for their weddings.  I believe everyone

at this table has put away some money for

their big day.  I talked to the girls at the other

table and they are waiting for a rich man to

sweep them off their feet and pay all the bills.”

Ginger smiles, “It’s just like the parable of the

10 Virgins, I read in the Bible this morning.”

On her cell phone she reads Matthew 25.

“At that time God’s kingdom will be like ten girls who went to wait for the bridegroom. They took their lamps with them.  Five of the girls were foolish, and five were wise.  The foolish girls took their lamps with them, but they did not take extra oil for the lamps.  The wise girls took their lamps and more oil in jars.  

When the bridegroom was very late, the girls could not keep their eyes open, and they all fell asleep.

“At midnight someone announced, ‘The bridegroom is coming! Come and meet him!’

“Then all the girls woke up. They made their lamps ready.  But the foolish girls said to the wise girls, ‘Give us some of your oil. The oil in our lamps is all gone.’

“The wise girls answered, ‘No! The oil we have might not be enough for all of us. But go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“So the foolish girls went to buy oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came. The girls who were ready went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed and locked.” 

“Later, the other girls came. They said, ‘Sir, sir! Open the door to let us in.’

“But the bridegroom answered, ‘Certainly not! I don’t even know you.’

“So always be ready. You don’t know the day or the time when the Son of Man will come.”  Matthew 25:1-13 ERV – Easy To Read Version

Debra comments, “Jesus is the groom, who went to His Father’s house to prepare a place for His bride the church to come.  He will come back at an hour unexpected like a thief in the night and call His bride.  And we will be raptured and enter the door to his Father's House."

Carolyn questions, “Five virgins were wise preparing for the wedding…just like us saving up for our weddings.”

Kim adds, “Five were lazy, sleepy heads, expecting the Groom would have extra oil for their lamps.”

Alicia speaks, “If the bride is the church, then who are the 10 virgins?”

Debra answers, “Perhaps, friends and family of the bride.”

Ginger smiles, “Maybe these are people who heard the gospel and have never made a commitment to make Jesus Lord and Savior of their lives.”

Kim adds, “Maybe these are people from unreached people groups that never had a chance to hear the gospel, but are drawn by God’s Holy Spirit.”

Debra continues, “The five foolish virgins were lukewarm and decided to sleep instead of watching for the grooms return.  At the last minute they had to wake up somebody just to buy extra oil for their lamps and rush to the groom’s house finding it was too late to enter."

Ginger ends, “Well the five virgins at this table are wise, saving up for our special wedding day.  We’ll be prepared for our groom when he comes.  And watching for Jesus returning in the clouds for the rapture."

WAS JESUS REALLY BORN OF A VIRGIN?

 PARABLE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

FOUR PASTORS EATING LUNCH 

Each month a group of young pastor from different denominations eat lunch together to talk and pray.  

Scott, a red haired pastor finishes praying for the fast food; then opens the discussion.

"Christmas falls on Wednesday this year.  What is your Sunday sermon about?"

Diego, a Hispanic pastor says, "Our message is entitled, 'Emmanuel, God With Us.'  It's about how important it was for Jesus Christ to come down to the earth and die for our sins."

Elijah, a black minister speaks, "My sermon is 'From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus is Lord!"   Jesus is the I AM, the first and the last, the Alpha and Omego and by no other name are we saved."

Scott begins, "My message first deals why God chose Mary.  She was a maid servant, and the most humble young Hebrew woman on earth.  I will end by talking about God sending an angel to watch after Joseph, Mary and Jesus."

Everyone looks at Carl to speak.

Carl says, "My sermon Sunday morning focuses on Investigating the Truth about the Virgin Birth of Christ.  Is it fact or fiction?

Elijah adds, "Interesting."

Carl continues, "Science today proves it's impossible for a virgin birth.  Is this real or just a metaphor?"

Diego comments, "Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?"

Scott remarks, "Carl you might want to read the Luke account:"

"The the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be since I do not know a man?"

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with GOD nothing will be impossible."

(Luke 1:30-37 NKJV – New King James Version).

Diego blurts out, “Jesus is fully God as God’s only begotten son; and fully man being born of Mary!”

Carl states, “The word VIRGIN in Isaiah 7:14, is the Hebrew word ALMA, meaning  young woman; and was mistranslated into the Greek word ‘PARHENOS’ meaning virgin.  This is proof that Mary was never a virgin, it was all a translation error.

Scott replies, “Words can have multiple meanings. For example, what does the word ONE mean when we’re talking about one God and three persons are God.  I believe the word Alma can also mean virgin, as translated in your King James Bible!”

Diego remarks, “If there is no virgin birth, than Jesus was born with a sin nature and no longer be the Son of God.  We would have no salvation. His dying on the cross would be all in vain!”

Scott asks Carl, “Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, the son of God, one who heals the lepers, blind, raises the dead to life, walks on water and died for your sins Carl?"

Carl gets up from the table without speaking a word, turning around saying ‘goodbye.’ 

Elijah speaks, “Carl, where are you going, why don’t you finish your food? There’s starving children.”

Carl smiles, “Iron sharpens iron.  I am sure glad we had this discussion.  I’m in a hurry to go home and change tomorrow’s sermon to: “Why is the Virgin Birth is so important!”

Other people in the restaurant overhearing the conversation clap, as Carl walks out the door.

ANGEL ANNOUNCES THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH

GABRIEL TALKS TO MARY 

ANGEL AND MARY

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,  to a virgin named Mary. 

She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings,favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.  For the word of God will never fail.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38  NLT  (New Living Translation)

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit.  

Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.  

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 

“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.”  When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife  but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25  NRSVUE  (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM

MARY AND JOSEPH 

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.  Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.  While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:1-7  NASB 95  (New American Standard 1995)

The journey was about 91 to 106 miles depending on the route they took.  And total elevation gain of 6,600' to 8,800'.  It possibly took 7 to 10 days travel time, plus one sabbath day rest.  

ANGELS AT THE SHEPHERDS FIELD

 BETHLEHEM

ANGEL APPEARS TO THE SHEPHERDS

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.  The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people.  Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord.  This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said,  “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.  Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.  Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.  The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20  CEB  (Common English Bible)

WAS THE STAR IN THE SKY,  ACTUALLY THE MULTITUDE OF SHINING ANGELS DESCENDING TO SEE THE NEW BORN MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD?

VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

 MIRACLES OF GOD

MARY, JOSEPH AND BABY JESUS

"The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14  NIRV  (New International Readers Version)

PROPHET ISAIAH PROPHESIED ABOUT THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF MESSIAH

"This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph. But before they married, he learned that she was expecting a baby. (She was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.)  Mary’s husband, Joseph, was a good man. He did not want to cause her public disgrace, so he planned to divorce her secretly.

But after Joseph thought about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus.Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this happened to make clear the full meaning of what the Lord said through the prophet:  “The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”)

Matthew 1:18-25  ERV  (Easy to Read Version)

WHAT IS HIS NAME?

 JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

JESUS IS EIGHT DAYS OLD

"Eight days later, at the baby’s circumcision ceremony, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was even conceived.

When the time came for Mary’s purification offering at the Temple, as required by the laws of Moses after the birth of a child, his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord;  for in these laws God had said, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.”

At that time Jesus’ parents also offered their sacrifice for purification—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” was the legal requirement.  

That day a man named Simeon, a Jerusalem resident, was in the Temple. He was a good man, very devout, filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly expecting the Messiah to come soon.  For the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen him—God’s anointed King.  The Holy Spirit had impelled him to go to the Temple that day; and so, when Mary and Joseph arrived to present the baby Jesus to the Lord in obedience to the law,"

Luke 2:21-27  TLB  (The Living Bible)

Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God: 

“Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant,
die in peace as you said. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you prepared before all people. It is a light for the non-Jewish people to see and an honor for your people, the Israelites. 

Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him.  

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary,

 “God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept so that the thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too.”

There was a prophetess, Anna, from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years.  Then her husband died, and she was a widow for eighty-four years. Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night.  Standing there at that time, she thanked God and spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

Luke 2:2-38  NCV  (New Century Version)

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT JOSEPH AND MARY TOOK A 2 1/2 HOUR, 6 MILE HIKE TO THE TOWN OF JERUSALEM.

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE?

 BIBLE STORY OF THE MAGI

STAR OF BETHLEHEM

THESE WISE MEN WERE SCHOLARS IN ASTROMONY AND ASTROLOGY AND MOST LIKELY FROM BABYLON.  NO WHERE ARE THEY MENTIONED AS BEING KINGS.

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,  saying, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”  

HEROD THE GREAT WAS TOTALLY UPSET

And when King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him,  and after calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired from them where the Christ was to be born.

MAGI MAY HAVE KNOWN THE PASSAGE FROM THE BOOK OF MICAH, FROM DANIEL'S INFLUENCE IN BABYLON IN 605 BC. 

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet, 

‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you will go out a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

HEROD TALKED TO THE MAGI IN SECRET ABOUT WHEN THE STAR APPEARED.

Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and determined precisely from them the time when the star appeared.  

HEROD TOLD THEM TO GO TO BETHLEHEM, 6 MILES AWAY.

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go, inquire carefully concerning the child, and when you have found him, report to me so that I also may come and worship him.”  

THE MAGI WATCHED THE STAR RISE OVER THE EASTERN HORIZON, AND WAS NOW LEADING THEM TO TOWN OF BETHLEHEM.

After they listened to the king, they went out, and behold, the star which they had seen at its rising led them until it came and stood above the place where the child was.  Now when they saw the star, they rejoiced with very great joy.  

THE STAR LIGHT SHINED ABOVE THE HOUSE WHERE JESUS WAS AT.  THEY WERE GREETED BY JOSEPH AND MARY.

And when they came into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. And opening their treasure boxes, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.  

THE MAGI WERE WARNED IN A DREAM TO RETURN HOME ANOTHER WAY TO AVOID MEETING UP WITH HEROD AGAIN.

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route."

MATTHEW 2:1-12  LEB  (Lexham English Bible)

JESUS WAS A ONE OR TWO YEAR OLD TODDLER (CHILD) WHEN THE MAGI VISITED. 

WAS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM, WHEN JESUS WAS BORN, SHINING ANGELS DESCENDING TO THE SHEPHERDS.

WAS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM WHEN THE MAGI CAME, ANGELS GUIDING THEM TO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WOULD FIND THE MESSIAH.

WARNING FROM AN ANGEL

 FLEEING TO EGYPT

JOSEPH, MARY, AND BABY JESUS

After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said,

 “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave.”

Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt,  where he stayed until Herod died. This was done to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

When Herod realized that the visitors from the East had tricked him, he was furious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighborhood who were two years old and younger—this was done in accordance with what he had learned from the visitors about the time when the star had appeared.

In this way what the prophet Jeremiah had said came true: 

“A sound is heard in Ramah,
    the sound of bitter weeping.
Rachel is crying for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted,
    for they are dead.”

Matthew 2:13-23  GNT  (Good News Translation)

HEROD THE GREAT IS DEAD

 JOURNEY TO NAZARETH

MARY, JESUS AND JOSEPH LEAVING EGYPT

WAS THIS THE ANGEL GABRIEL AGAIN?

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,  saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, because those who intended to kill the child are dead.”  

So he got up, took the child and his mother, and entered the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. 

And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee.  Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 2:19-23  CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

HEROD THE GREAT DIED OF MAGGOTS, DURING THE MONTH OF NISAN 4BC.

REGIONS WERE THEN DIVIDED UP BY HIS THREE SONS AND DAUGHTER:

HEROD ARCHELAUS: Judea & Samaria

HEROD ANITPUS: Galilee & Peraea

PHILIP: Golan Heights area

SALOME 1: Areas around Gaza, North of Jericho.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM WAS?

 PARABLE OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR

COFFEE SHOP DISCUSSION

Several days before Christmas Eve three ladies visit a coffee shop. Georgina asks Marie and Yan Ping a personal question, “I had a run in with my teen nephew yesterday and I need some serious advice from both of you.”

Yan Ping adds, “How can we help?”

Georgina continues, “Evidently, he learned in his high school class, that the Bethlehem Star is a metaphor for the birth of Christ and scientifically impossible.”

Marie replies, “How can you prove anything to teacher who’s an unbeliever?”

Georgina continues, “He was coming with me to the Christmas Eve service and changed his mind after his teacher put this virus in his head.”

Yan Ping smiles, “Maybe you can bribe him with a really nice Christmas present."

Georgina stares, “I made a bet with him, if I can logically prove what the Star of Bethlehem was, he’ll come to our Christmas Eve service.  But if I’m unable, I owe him a $20 gift card.  You need to help me…I’m desperate.  What was the Christmas Star?”

Yan Ping blurts out, “Maybe God caused a star in the universe to move rapidly.”

Georgina replies, “Girl, you got to do better than that.”

Marie speaks, “Could it be a supernova.  When they explode, they are the brightest star in the heavens.”

Yan Ping smiles, “What about a conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and a bright star?”

Marie continues, “Or a close flyby of a comet or asteroid?”

Georgina interrupts, “You forgot about the new Jerusalem floating in space.  Come on girls.  Supernovas can be seen for months.  Conjunctions of planets and stars can’t guide the magi to Bethlehem and shine light on one individual house where Jesus was living."

Yan Ping laughs, “What gift card are you buying him?”

Marie blurts out, “Hold on, could it be the angel Gabriel?  He’s the one who’s taking care of Joseph and Mary.  Creating a unique light like a star in the sky for the magi.  Shining on the shepherds in Bethlehem and telling them where they will find their new born Messiah. And months later,  guiding the magi to Bethlehem, and shining light on only one home where they could find Jesus."

Georgina, “Wow!  That’s good Marie.  You’re a life saver.”

Yan Ping adds, “Maybe he needs to buy you a gift card and go to church too!”

Georgina ends, “Merry Christmas!”

CONIES IN THE BIBLE

 CONIES

HYRAX ROCK BADGERS 

 Rock badgers are weak animals, but they make their homes among the rocks.

Proverbs 30:26  EASY  (Easy English Bible)

The wild goats live in the high mountains;

the rock badgers find safety in the cliffs.

Psalm 104:18  NET (New English Translation)