It’s Christmastime, and here at the Bratten’s “Good News Ranch” we have a couple of new traditions we are enjoying to celebrate the good news of the coming of the Christ.
First of all, we made this meaningful Christmas log decoration that holds seven plaques. These plaques each show quotes of Jesus, naming some of the reasons he came to earth. We are spending some time each evening for the seven days prior to Christmas to focus on Jesus’ words, light the candles, talk together, and rejoice in his coming.
Jesus said:
I came… to show you the Father. If you have seen me you have seen the Father. (John 14)
I came… because the Father sent me; not to be served, but to serve. (John 8:42, Matthew 20:28)
I came… to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom. (Luke 4:43)
I came… to heal the brokenhearted & deliver those who are crushed, that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. (Luke 4:18, John 10:10)
I came… to proclaim release to the captives & recovering of sight to the blind. (Luke 4:18)
I came… to call sinners to repentance; to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 5:32, Luke 19:10)
I came… to bring light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. (John 12:46)
Secondly, we got a nice tree this year and enjoy having it in the house to make it festive. We threw out all the old tree ornaments and made all new ones which all point to Christ, rejoicing in his coming. The tree is topped with a beautifully lighted star Tim made.
Below is a gallery of some of the ornaments.
We still have our large lighted star outdoors, high above the house on our antenna tower for all the neighbors to enjoy during the Christmas season.
We hope you all rejoice during this Christmas season in the coming of Jesus, God’s Son, who came to show us his Father.