Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY TWENTY-FOUR
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Thought:
rejoice! Isaiah’s prophesy of the messiah is a beautiful piece of scripture. Today we can rejoice in the Saviour that we have. Meditate on some of the names that He is called in this section of scripture! I rejoice in the line ‘of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end! Hallelujah! Jesus our Saviour will reign and does reign for all eternity!
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY TWENTY-THREE
Matthew 2:19-23 (NIV)
19 “After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
Thought:
how many dreams has Joseph had now? Each one changed his life in some way. Because of his obedience to the things God showed him and spoke to him Joseph time and again evaded evil, and God directed the way he should go. God still speaks to us in this way, he directs our paths.
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY TWENTY-TWO
Matthew 2:13-14 (NIV)
13 “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.””
Thought:
Herod was a man feeling threatened! He didn’t want a usurper to his throne. He took control of the situation and murdered the baby boys of the right age. But God protected his son and Joseph took Mary and Jesus and escaped to Egypt! Our human insecurities cause us to sin! Obedience also has its price, but a price worth paying.
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY TWENTY-ONE
Matthew 2:9-12 (NIV)
9 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”
Thought:
all the way through the Nativity story we can see the Holy Spirit at work! Here is no exception. God knew the evil in Herod’s heart and begins by warning the Magi to thwart those plans. Before that they bow and worship the child and bring expensive gifts to Jesus. These gifts were gifts to honour a King! Gold a precious and valuable metal to represent kingship, frankincense an incense to represent the priestly role of Jesus and myrrh used as an anointing oil to represent his death. Although born in an animal shelter, Jesus is recognised as a King by these men. In the midst of humble beginnings there is no doubt as to Jesus’ royalty. Today he is still the King of All Kings. Hallelujah!
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY TWENTY
Matthew 2:1-8 (NIV)
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.””
Thought:
the Nativity story is not a lovely fluffy moment in time. It also had an evil man with his own agenda. Herod was given the role by the occupying Roman army and was given the title King of the Jews! Thankfully God’s plans are way above any thoughts of man’s and he orchestrates his plans to come to pass. He did it then and still does today!
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY NINETEEN
Luke 2:33-40 (NIV)
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22 “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 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.” 25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.””
Thought:
one visit to the temple that must have evoked so many emotions. Simeon’s words confirmed Jesus was indeed the Messiah and the salvation of mankind and made Mary and Joseph marvel. Yet he also made it clear that it would come at great cost to Mary his mother. Jesus’ purpose wasn’t fully known to her at this point; Jesus destined to be the sacrifice for sin. We can, like Anna, rejoice at the birth of the baby and be ever thankful for the sacrifice of the man!
Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY EIGHTEEN
Luke 2:21-32 (NIV)
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22 “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 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.” 25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.””
Thought:
I think this is one of my favourite moments in the story. Jewish custom dictated that the first born male was consecrated. Mary & Joseph taking Jesus to the temple, encounter Simeon – who was directed by the Holy Spirit to be there! Simeon had a promise from God – he wouldn’t die until he had seen the messiah! God fulfils His promises! With Jesus in his arms he thanks God for the fulfilment of his promise! Jesus is the light of the whole world not just the Hebrew nation!
What’s Coming Up
Christmas Carol Service 22 December 2019
Our last Celebration for 2019 will be our Christmas Carol Service on the 22nd December 2019, 10am at Tree Tops Academy (ME15 9JR, Furfield Close entrance). Come and join us in Celebrating Christ Jesus! Bring friends and family – the more the merrier.
Celebration will resume as normal in 2020, on January 5th.
Maidstone Churches Annual Winter Shelter
Maidstone Churches are joining forces, to love and serve the homeless by washing sleeping bags this cold winter!
What’s involved?
We need volunteers to pick up, wash and dry weekly, 1-2 sleeping bags and return them to Jubilee Resource Hub (9 Ashford Road, ME145BJ)
If you didn’t get to sign up Sunday, let Jutta know you would like to help and she will send you more information on where to pick up sleeping bags and when to have them returned to the hub.
jutta.neumann@restoringhands.org.uk
What a great opportunity to love and serve those in need!
If you’d like to find out more about Maidstone Shelter and the wonderful work they do, visit their website here: http://maidstoneshelter.org.uk/
Light Of The World
“Light Of The World” our December Advent series has started! Click the above image to view all our recent Light Of The World posts! You can also follow the Advent series via our twitter or facebook.
The Feast – Starter | Ladies Ministry
We’re looking forward to the 22nd January, spending time together as ladies for a ‘starter’! We’ll be meeting at Christ Church, Parkwood at 7:30pm. Please book on by clicking this link, £2.50 per person.
Have a read of this article post for more info on what ‘The FEAST’ is all about!
Shopping on Amazon this Christmas?
Support Jubilee Church with every purchase made on smile.amazon.co.uk with just one click: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1115331-0 add Jubilee Church as your nominated charity and amazon will make a donation for every purchase made through it- every little helps in the building project!
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Want to connect in?
Homegroup is a great way to get to know people without the bustle of Sunday! Contact us at office@cotnjubilee.co.uk and we’ll get our pastoral team in touch 
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Light Of The World | Advent Series | DAY SEVENTEEN
Luke 2:13-20 (NIV)
13 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Thought:
what a sight this must have been! This heavenly host singing and praising God! These shepherds were men of action! Hearing the message and after a quick committee meeting, they go to find the baby! Finding him just as they had been told. Meeting Jesus caused two things to happen: they tell everyone about the child; secondly they return to work praising God for all they have seen and heard! Encounters with Jesus cause these responses!