“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NKJV
In “Star of Wonder,” author Angela Hunt illuminates the places, people, and purpose of Christmas.
“… the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary … 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.’ ” Luke 1:26-27, 30-31 NKJV
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” Luke 2:4 NKJV
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 NKJV
Why Christmas? “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners …” 1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV
In “Star of Wonder,” Angela Hunt explains the why of Christmas: “to defeat sin; to bring us to God; to bring God to us.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4 NKJV
To reach children in Chicago, D.L. Moody used the New Testament as curriculum and adapted an illustration begun by Charles Haddon Spurgeon – a short booklet with three colors.
Vidy Metsker, co-founder of Kansas City Youth for Christ with her husband Al, developed a Christmas cake to graphically illustrate the “wordless book” expanded by Moody and others. Vidy shared the concept and formula with my wife Mary, who baked and prepared Christmas cakes for TTT December Saturdays each year, giving me the privilege of telling the true Christmas story visually. And Mary, who is now in heaven, shared the Christmas cake details with Carol Youngs, who is preparing, baking, and decorating Christmas cakes to celebrate Jesus at TTT Saturday December 7.
The shape of the cake is round, representing the world into which Jesus was born. Each layer is a different color. The bottom layer is black, representing that all have sinned. This is the reason Jesus came to earth. The center layer is red, symbolizing Jesus’ blood that was shed for our sin. The top layer is green, denoting the new life we have in Christ after our sins have been washed away.
The frosting is white, standing for the righteousness and purity of Christ. A border of red hearts stands for brothers and sisters in Christ, circling the earth as His witnesses. On the top is a six-point gold Star of David, typifying the star that shone heralding His birth and lighting the way to where it had taken place.
In the center on top, one large red candle represents Jesus who came into the dark world to bring light and truth. Each person is given a smaller candle. Everyone gathers around the cake and sings “Happy Birthday” to Jesus as the large red candle is lighted. Everyone lights their smaller candles, representing the fact that we all are to be the lights of the world.
God’s ABCs of salvation are shared: A – Admit you’ve sinned (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23); B – Believe on Christ (John 3:16); C – Confess Christ publicly (Romans 10:9-10). An invitation is given to personally “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Each Saturday at 3:33 PM, we pray together for the 7:27 pm happening, and for those who will participate in person or online. Through live-streaming and “on-demand” video, TTT Saturday nights are reaching around the Tri-State, across America, and worldwide.
Jesus promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV. Will you pray with us wherever you are at 3:33 PM each Saturday, and daily as God reminds you? In appreciation, we will send you a copy of “Think Ahead” by Craig Groeschel. If you are willing to pray, let us know.
Have you received the gift of God eternal life? You can when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Will you? With whom will you share the real “why” of Christmas?