A N CH OR Y OUR S OUL M ON TH LY E DI TI ON

Volume 1, N 3
December 2011

CHRISTMAS IS ALL IN YOUR HEART

We have this hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure Heb. 6:19

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

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You left Your throne and Your crown for me when You come to Bethlehem to be born; however You weren`t allowed to get in the inn and in a manger they let You be born. Come into my heart O Jesus because in there, there is a place for You! In this special edition for Christmas we are short of words to express our gratitude to our God for what He has done for us. Giving us Jesus Christ was the best proof of how much He loves us. We just humbly join the heavenly choir of angels to declare to the world: Jesus Saves! The empire of death has died forevermore! Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year! :) The Editor

esus come to the earth to reveal God to us. He made known Himself as a humble, accessible, loser and brave God. 1.The humble God The God that come to the earth didnt come as a violent whirlwind nor as devouring fire. In an unthinkable way, the Maker of all things was getting smaller and smaller, as small as an fertilized ovum, almost invisible to the sight, an ovum that got divided more and more until become a fetus growing inside a nervous teenager. That God is small is the truth that Jesus taught to the man. The God that screamed, that commanded armies and empires as they were

pieces of a board, this God showed himself in Palestine as a child that couldnt speak nor eat solid food nor control his bladder, that was dependent of a couple of teenagers for a roof, food and love. 2. The accessible God Between the ones who have created a Holy of Holies place, isolated for God in the temple, where the High Priest had access only once a year putting under risk of his life, whose name they didnt dare to spell or pronounce. God showed Himself to them surprisingly as a child in a manger. What could be less scary that a newborn with his extremities tied strongly to his body? In Jesus, God founded a

new way to establish a relationship with the human beings that didnt imply fear. 3. The loser God Even though this world prefers the rich and powerful. God favors to the loser, the weak, the needy, the oppressed, the forgotten and the poor. Jesus was born in a poor country, in a underprivileged family, grow up in small despiteful town. As God chose the circumstances of his birth in the planet earthwithout power, or richness, without rights and justicethen His preferential options for the poor is stated clearly. 4. The brave God God was very brave

when He left His power and glory to be among the humans that welcome Him with contempt, arrogance and skepticism. It takes too much courage to descend to an hostile planet known as violent, knowing that you are going to be refused for your own people. Also the first night in Bethlehem How God Father felt that night, impotent as any earthly father, seeing to His son being born dyed with blood to face this cold and hard world? Who, being in the form of God made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant He humbled himself. Php. 2:6-8
(taken from The Jesus I never knew by Philip Yancey)

THE NIGHT THAT CHRIST WAS BORN

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And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8

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emaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather

commenced. While away in these deserts and mountainous regions, it was proper that there should be someone to attend them to keep them from straying, and from the ravages of wolves and other wild beasts. It is probable from this that our Savior was born before the 25th of December, or before what we call Christmas. At that time it is cold, and especially in the high and mountainous regions

about Bethlehem. But the exact time of his birth is unknown; there is no way to ascertain it. By different learned men it has been fixed at each month in the year. Nor is it of consequence to know the time; if it were, God would have preserved the record of it. Matters of moment are clearly revealed; those which he regards as of no importance are concealed.
(Taken from Albert Barnes notes on the Bible)

Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus, God saves. A Prayer for Christmas. The last of the Sons of the Sun? The Finality of Jesus Christ. Away in a Manger. My best Gift for Jesus.

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Christmas is all in your heart

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL

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Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Mat. 1:23

esus Christ is God. The Hebrew voice Emmanuel means God with us, Jesus Christ, God Himself, was with us. The Holy Writings teach that Jehovah of the Old Testament become flesh in the person of Jesus who was born in the town of Bethlehem. (Mat. 1:18-25, Luk. 1:26-35, John 1:14, Acts 10:38, Rom. 8:34, Gal. 4:4, 1 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 2:14) Jesus Christ was true man and true God. He is the God-man. As a man He was tired, and yet as God He called the tired to Himself for rest.

As a man He was hungry, and yet as God He was The Bread of Life As man he was thirsty, and yet as God He was The Water of Life As a man He was in pain, and yet as God he healed those who were sick and in pain. As a man He grew, and yet as God He was from the beginning. As a man He was tempted, and yet as God He could not be tempted. As a man He did not know everything, and yet as God He knew all things.

As a man He made himself less important than the angels, and yet as God He was more important than they were. As a man He said, My Father is grater than I, and yet as God He said, I and My Father are One As a man He prayed, and yet as God He answered prayer. As a man He cried at the grave, and yet as God He called the dead to arise. As a man He died, and yet as God He is life that last forever.
(Taken from the Seafarers Chart)

A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS [God saves]: for he shall save his people from their sins. Mat 1:21
esus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 NODOBY CAN SAVE YOU. TRUST JESUS TODAY! That if thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved Rom. 10:9

WHAT TO DO 1. Admit you are a sinner. 2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent) 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried and rose from the dead. 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior and Lord. WHAT TO PRAY: Dear God, I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believed that Jesus Christ shed died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart

and life as my personal Savior and Lord. Amen. If you trusted Jesus as your Savior, you have just begun a wonderful new life with Him. Now. 1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Jesus Christ better. 2. Talk to God in prayer every day. 3. Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church were Christ is preached and the Bible is final authority. 4. Tell others about Christ.

A PRAYER FOR EVERY YEAR

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23

God Father, I praise you for the gift of Your Son, who was born in the poverty and lowliness of Bethlehem so that I might enjoy the riches of Your grace and the exaltation of sonship with You. O God the Son, Jesus Christ, I adore You for humbling Yourself to be my savior, and for rendering to my father in heaven a perfect satisfaction for my sins. O God the Holy Spirit, I glorify You for having made my heart a home for the Savior of the world and for bringing the

peace of forgiveness tpo my soul though faith in Him who is the Prince of Peace. O blessed Trinity, in this holy day give me a humble and contrite heart that I may joyful claim the Babe of Bethlehem as my Lord and my God. Remove from me the tattered robes of my own righteousness, and adorn me with the spotless garment of Christs righteousness. Use every gift received this day from loving friends to remind me of the gift of

a Savior so that my heart may rejoice and my tongue can sing:, Glory to God in the highest! Help me to cradle the Christ child in my heart. O Holy Spirit, and give me the grace and strength to love and adore Him all the days of my life. In Jesus name. Amen
(Taken from My Prayer Book)

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Volume 1, N 3
THE LAST OF THE SONS OF THE SUN?

he story of a man who was born of a virgin, died and was resurrected occurred even in dates before the birth of Jesus Christ. For instance, written in 1280 BC, the Egyptian book of the Dead describes a god, Horus, he is the son of the god Osiris, born to a virgin mother, died and resurrected. Khrisna who was in India at least 1000 years BC, was a carpenter, was born of a virgin, died and resurrected. The Persian god Mithras, 600 years before Christ was born on December 25th, was known as the savior of the world. So, was Jesus Christ a copycat of the ones who preceded him long ago?

Like them there are stories in all over the world, all of them have a shared origin in one event which took place about a hundred years after the Deluge (aprox. 2349 BC). See Gen. chapters 10 and 11. Nimrod, descendant of Cush, son of Ham, rebelled against God declaring himself god, led the construction of the Babel Tower as his center of adoration. God decided to stop his project by confounding their language Nimrod established the cult to himself as the god Sun and proclaimed Semiramis, his wife, as mother goddess, Queen of Heaven. After Nimrod was assassinated, Semiramis conceived miraculously a son who

was named Tammuz, who was told to be Nimrod himself. After Tammuz was assassinated and rose again to life as a tree, Semiramis established Inshtar on December 25th to celebrate the rebirth of the god sun, with gifts, decorated trees, sweet bread, and painted eggs. After all people were scattered over the surface of the earth they took with them all the cult to the god sun, the virgin mother holding the child in her arms, the savior of the world. This was the stratagem of the devil to deceive all people making them to believe that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God but just an impostor.
(from The Prehistory according to Jesus)

Semiramis and her son Tammuz, the first mother of God holding in her arms the god savior child long ago before the cult to the virgin Mary. (Jer. 7:18)

THE FINALITY OF JESUS CHRIST

owever who is this Jesus? Is Jesus Christ unique, definitive, absolute, universal? Is the only Savior and Redeemer of the world? Is He God, and the only begotten Son of God? Or He was just one human being more, a partner in the pursuit of the truth and the life, maybe an example to follow? Maybe, at least, He was a religious genius, worth to be together with or superior to Buda, Zoroaster, Mohammed, Lao-tse, Confucius, Krishna, etc.? Is Christianity the absolute and ultimate religion or it is just one more, a sister of the other religions, each one elaborated and adapted to the unique ethnic character that produced it? Has Christianity the mission of conquer all the world or it has to be adapted, adjusted and come together with other religions? It has to acknowledge its essential unity with regard to the fundamental concepts and ideas, and come to an agreement with other non-Christian philosophies? What we mean when we speak about the finality of Jesus Christ? Have we right to make this declarations and

proclaim them to all the world? In The Unique person and work of Jesus Christ redacted by the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) we find and important declaration which can help Christians as testimony and guide. 1. Jesus Christ is outstanding as unique Savior and Reconciler. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 2. Jesus Christ is outstanding as peacemaker between races, tribes and nations. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph. 2:13-16

3. Jesus is outstanding as master, and of revelation of truth and justice. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jhon 14:5-6 4. Jesus is outstanding as unique conqueror over Satan and sin. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Luk. 13:32 5. Jesus Christ is outstanding because he is the only one Being that offers resurrection and eternal life. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
(adapted from Go and Make Disciples! An Introduction to Christian missions)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven [Jesus Christ] given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

I am the Resurrection and the Life John 11:25

AN C HOR YOU R SOU L MON T HL Y ED IT I ON

ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP M/S NORWEGIAN EPIC

WISH YOU

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And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12

AWAY IN A MANGER
Away in a Manger No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus Lay down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus Asleep in the hay And I welcome You in my heart I pray that we will never part This love You gave me Shining for the whole world to see Shining for the whole world to see

BY

CECE WINANS In a world where darkness is everywhere People hurting, no one seems to care We need your love to shine down on me You hear me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And take us to heaven to live with You there And I welcome You in my heart I pray that You will never part This love You gave keeps Shining for unto us a Child is born Shining, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace to share Everlasting Father I love you What a wonderful King Keep shining so the whole world will see Sleep little baby, sleep Emmanuel... Sleep little baby, sleep.
Composed by Martin Luther, 1887

The cattle are lowing The sweet Baby wakes The little Lord Jesus No crying He makes I love you Lord Jesus Look down from the sky And stay right by my side Until morning is night And I welcome You in my heart I pray that we will never part This love you gave me Shining for the whole world to see Shining for the whole world to see

MY BEST GIFT FOR JESUS

My God, my friend, How can I love you more? Have mercy, Lord Jesus, How can I say I love you When I give more to my job, When I rather my comfort, When I am so busy in your work That Im almost never with you. They are just words Gone with the wind. And each time I knock on your door Is just to ask for things. This time, I dont want anything from you. I want you. Let me see your face. Lets spend time together. Lets talk about You and me. How beautiful You are for me For who You are. Yes, my God, You are so precious. How I desire to find the way To love you more To run away from this body that still resist you, Im so ashamed to admit I dont love you. It`s sad to face reality. But romantic words hurt more. When I say but never do. Only with lips I honor you But my heart is away from You. Dont let me die in my sins. O Lord, my life is short. Grant me the grace to live for you, To die for you. To know you more, To love you more each day. I still have to die you. It`s hard to pay the price. Its not going to be easy but I want it. Im tired of this life. I want Jesus. I want to breathe again. I want to die to live. Lord, I give you my life. Lets spend time together. This is the best gift I can give to you.

My time, My best gift