Happy New Year Blessings!
Happy New Year’s Blessings!
Happy New Year!
Consider your hopes and dreams, rather than your fears and frustrations.
A New Year, A New Beginning!
The New Year marks an opportunity for a new beginning! Yes, every day is an opportunity for a new beginning. But a new year usually triggers something inside of us to let go and begin again in the new year — we anticipate some positive changes in our life as we close one year and start a new one.
Let’s take a look at how God views the new year so we can see that if God Blesses us with another year we start it in a manner that brings God glory!
4 Ways a Christian Should Begin the ”New Year”:
1. Reflecting and Celebrating God’s Deliverance in our Life:
God made a way of deliverance for all people. When we begin a new year, it is a good time to reflect His goodness and grace in our lives. By celebrating in our hearts, in our minds, and in our standard of living, the great deliverance God has done in our lives by way of what Jesus did for us on Calvary. By His Grace and Love He gave us a new lease on life. That’s why we should celebrate the New Year. Think on that!
2. Appreciating God’s Glory in our Lives and Offering our Lives in Response:
In this New Year we see a chance to redeem the past mistakes of the last year. The New Year causes us to reflect upon God’s presence/His glory in our daily lives.Jesus is “Immanuel” and now we have the Holy Spirit living within us, leading us into the fulfillment of God’s promises for our lives. God’s glory now sits upon the mercy seat of our heart! We are God’s temple! And our temple is the abiding place of The Holy Spirit! Think on that. That’s something to get excited about!
3. Highlighting God’s Faithfulness to His Promises in our Lives:
In the New Year year we see a new generation rising up and some don’t know what promises God has given to His children. We are His children and because we are, we have not only the hope of a better future, but a promise from God if we are strong enough to accept His precious promises.
Stop highlighting the negatives around you and in your life, but rather highlight God’s faithfulness to His promises in your life. You have health. You have shelter. You have food. You have family and/or friends. You can use your mind and other abilities.
You have a purpose you will fulfill before you leave this earth. You have the protection of a sovereign God. You have eternal life. You have a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Do I need to go on?
4. Claiming and Walking in our Victory Through Christ Over Sin:
This fourth account is truly the epitome of “A New Year, A New Beginning”.
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. And that there is the right way to start the new year, claiming and walking in our victory through Christ over sin day-by-day.
A quote from Matthew Henry. He wrote, “When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before.” And that pretty much sums it up right there
New Year, New Beginning! We experience a new beginning, not JUST on January 1st, but every day of the year.
God Bless You As You Release Praise to God for His Grace to Us For New Beginnings!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield ~
Happy Valentine‘s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Celebrating St. Valentines Day!
Love is certainly worth celebrating! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine's Day is a day to express love and affection for a spouse or that someone special or other loved ones. People often exchange small tokens of affection, handwritten notes, or printed cards. While some use this day to express their desire to become more than just “friends”.
The holiday's origins in Christian martyrdom and acts of love align with broader spiritual themes of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. Not only do Sweethearts celebrate this day, but classrooms across America hold special celebrations in the class and share Valentine cards and treats with other classmates.
Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love and friendship by exchanging gifts, cards, and messages of affection:
- Celebrating Love: Couples often spend special time and exchange cards and flowers to honor their Love.
- Celebrating Friendship: Valentine's Day is also a day to show appreciation for friends and family.
- Expressing Affection: People show their affection for others by sending cards, flowers, chocolates, and messages of appreciation
To celebrate this special day, we must remember the Love chapter in the Bible:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8. (NKJV)
- Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
- does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
- does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
- bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
The Message version in part reads like this:
“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.”
Love is certainly worth celebrating! Happy Valentine’s Day!
God Bless You As Allow Love To Rule and Be First in Your Hearts!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield ~
To Bunny or Not to Bunny!
To Bunny or Not to Bunny!
It’s okay for Christians to celebrate Easter with an egg hunt and the Easter bunny, as long as the focus remains on Jesus' resurrection:
Focus on Jesus:
The main point of Easter should be to celebrate Jesus' resurrection and what He accomplished through His death.
Share the gospel:
Easter is a time when society acknowledges Christianity, which can be an opportunity to share the gospel with others.
Be intentional:
Parents can ensure that the focus of the celebration remains on Christ.
Enjoy the traditions:
If participating in Easter traditions brings you joy and allows you to praise God, you can fully enjoy them.
Other things to consider about Easter!
- This kind of Celebration can be used as a witnessing tool! Explaining to the children the importance of an empty tomb!
- Early Christians adapted the idea of eggs from pre-Christian societies, where they were associated with spring and new life.
- The empty egg shell with a number on the outside correlated with a prize. The empty shell became a metaphor for Jesus' tomb.
- Many of my Husband’s family wrote Scripture on the outside of the hard boiled eggs.
- The gifts or goodies inside the plastic egg is a representative of God’s gifts of new life in Jesus!
- Remember, it’s all about the miracle of our Messiah, Jesus, rising from the dead to defeat sin and death.
Let’s celebrate this holiday with joy and in unity with one another! There is nothing wrong with you and your family celebrating Easter, calling the celebration Easter, or going on an Easter Egg hunt.
As believers, we should do all we can to make the focus of this day Jesus and His resurrection. As long as you are not participating in actual pagan worship rituals, you are in the clear.
Enjoy This Special Day With Your Family, Especially The Kids!
Happy Easter, Everyone!
~ DrRachinda Sutterfield ~
Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday!
Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday!
Happy Easter! Or Better Yet - Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Easter is a Christian festival which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a celebration of the triumph of life over death, and a very important time of the year. Many non-Christians also have a holiday at this time, so it is a popular time to travel or spend with friends and family.
The Last Supper on ‘Maundy’ Thursday is celebrated in many Christian traditions in the form of the Communion, when believers share “break” bread and wine. Good Friday is traditionally a day of fasting, reflection and sadness.
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, among other names, is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels.
Easter is one of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity. It marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after His death by crucifixion. Christ died on a cross on a day called Good Friday. Jesus was then resurrected and came back to life on Easter Sunday.
May the Resurrection of Jesus Resurrect a Longing for More of Christ in Your Life!
Blessings in Him!
~ DrRachinda Sutterfield ~
Pentecost Sunday
The Day The Fire Fell!
Pentecost is a Christian holiday, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Which celebrates the Blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the book of Acts (Acts 2:1-31).
The term Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning "fiftieth". It refers to the Jewish festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after First Fruits, also known as the "Feast of Weeks" and the "Feast of 50 days".
The day of Pentecost is known as the day on which the Holy Ghost descended upon the Disciples and Apostles and they were all filled with Power from above. There were tongues of fire upon their heads, representing the Power that they were endowed with. Mary, the mother of Jesus, besides other women, were there in the upper room.
The Disciples of Jesus "were all together in one place" on the "day of Pentecost". The verb used in Acts 2:1 to indicate the arrival of the day of Pentecost carries a connotation of fulfillment. There is a "mighty rushing wind" (wind is a common symbol for the Holy Spirit) and "tongues as of fire" appear. The gathered Disciples were "filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance".
On Pentecost, the experience that the Disciples and others, including Mary, the Mother of Jesus, flowed out to anyone who would receive the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Peter, the one who had denied Christ during the crucifixion, was so emboldened with the Holy Ghost after the “upper room” experience, that he stood before a massive crowd of people preaching about and with this Power.
Thousands were converted in Jerusalem and filled with the Fire of The Holy Ghost! That day is a representative to Christians that we need the POWER of the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim the Truths of God’s Word.
Happy Pentecost!
Happy Mother's Day!
CELEBRATE MOTHERHOOD!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Psalm 71:6 (NKJV)
“By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.”
Ephesians 6:2
“Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise:"
Mother's Day is a day to celebrate motherhood and show appreciation for mothers, including great-grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and other women who are a mother to those whom they did not give birth to, but whom they are considered to be "mothers" because of their nurturing nature. Honor all women who are found in these categories in some capacity or another.
You may not need a special date on the calendar to encourage you to tell your mother how much you appreciate her, but she will let you know that she likes being appreciated. She certainly deserves it!
Proverbs 31:25-27 (The Message)
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared]. She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction]. She looks well to how things go in her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31:25-27 (KJV)
“Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future. Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn't eat the food of laziness."
God has placed within the heart of a mother a willingness to do whatever her child needs. And a godly mother faces life's demands without fussing, nagging, groaning, or comparing her situation with others' circumstances. She is determined to be the person God wants her to be. A godly mother is a servant.
The woman, who by the very nature of her creation, is geared to needing love, and affection, and reassurance. That’s why she makes a good mother, because she knows the need for love and when you become a mother, either by birth, adoption or fostering, you know how to fulfill that need in the child you are caring for.
God Bless You as You Become the Mother that Others Wish They Were!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield ~
Flag Day ~ June 14th!
Flag Day!
June 14th is Flag Day in the United States that is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the American flag in 1777.
The holiday was officially recognized in 1949 when President Harry Truman signed a law approved by Congress. However, the day was celebrated before then:
- In 1885, a Wisconsin teacher inspired the creation of the American Flag Day Association.
- In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for June 14th to be celebrated as Flag Day.
- In 1927, President Coolidge issued a proclamation calling for June 14th to be celebrated as Flag Day.
Flag Day Quotes:
“You're the emblem of The land I love. The home of the free and the brave."
“We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing our liberty."
”The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner.”
“Let it fly in shine and in rain; pack it if you have to but let the glory remain. Hold the flag high; let it flutter against the shiny blue sky.”
In 1777 the flag of the United States was made with thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new world of the 13 original colonies. According to family legend, the Founding Fathers visited Betsy Ross's upholstery shop in 1776 and asked her to make the flag. Ross may have suggested changing the stars from six to five points, which were easier to make.
This was the resolution adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution was made following the report of a special committee which had been assigned to suggest the flag’s design. A flag of this design was first carried into battle on September 11, 1777, in the Battle of the Brandywine. The exact person who designed the American flag is unknown, but historians believe it was likely Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
In the late 1800s, schools all over the United States held Flag Day programs to contribute to the Americanization of immigrant children, and the observance caught on with individual communities.
National flag is national pride; it should never be mishandled, disrespected or modified. It should never touch the ground and is a symbol of all the history of our individual states and our nation as a whole; so standing for it shows respect for this unique and cherished symbolism of our freedoms. We have a fundamental right to display the tricolors, but with pride and honour.
Flag Day happens to be my Husband, DrRobert Sutterfield’s birthday, and he is honored to share this special day with President Donald J. Trump, too!
Happy Birthday to Them Both and Happy Flag Day to ALL of US!
~ DrRachinda Sutterfield ~
Happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father’s Day!
I want to encourage the fathers and exhort everyone to encourage your fathers, if they are still living, to have a Happy and Blessed Father‘s Day!
God Compares Himself to Fathers
In Psalm 103:13 “Like as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on them that fear Him.”
George Sweeting, a former president of Moody Bible Institute, in a sermon of fathers said the following:
“Consider the word ‘father’. There is no more important word in any language. God even uses the word to describe Himself and His relationship to His people.” Mr Sweeting added, “Fathers, you stand symbolically in the same position over your family that God stands in over His people. You represent God to your family”
Jesus taught us in His prayer to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven….” (Luke 11:2).
Jesus in a parable again compared earthly fathers to our heavenly Father: Luke 11:11-13 says, ”If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you (fathers) being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”
God compares Himself to human fathers not because earthly fathers are perfect, but because just as God the Father is the leader of the Trinity, so too are fathers, leaders in their homes.
Paul gave this instruction in Ephesians 6:1-3. This command has two parts. The first part is addressed to children still at home: “Children, obey your parents in The LORD: for thus is right.”
The second part is for grown children who are no longer at home. Even though grown children are adults on their own, they still should,”Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.”
To honor your father means you find something for which to be thankful. Your father brought into this world, gave you life, fed and in most cases, protected you when you were too little to protect and provide for yourself. The human infant is not like an animal infant - able to take care of itself after a few months. We need the care that a father can give us.
This Father’s Day let your father know about some little things that he did that meant a lot to you. Give a Father’s Day card in which you thank him for the fishing trips, or the basketball games, or playing catch with you, or attending one of your sport events with you. Appreciate him while you can!
If your father was a good man, but he is gone from this world, you can honor his memory in some way!
Girls, most of you are your daddy’s little princesses, and if you got married, know that your father walked you down the aisle with pride in his heart, but it was hard for him to give away his little girl. Remember to honor him as the “daddy” that he is to you! And for you girls who haven’t married yet, I hope that you have a daddy who can walk you down the aisle.
But if your earthly father was / is not the kind of example that you can give credit to for loving and caring for you, this is how to honor them:
Biblical ways to honor those who are dishonorable:
- Don't return bad treatment.
- Practice forgiveness.
- Seek to understand.
- Pray for them.
- Be willing to show concern from a distance.
- Look to God for help.
God Bless you, fathers! Happy Father’s Day!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield ~
Independence Day - July 4th!
Happy Independence Day - Sunday, July 4, 2021
Galatians 5:1 [NKJV]
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."
The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It explained why the Congress on July 2 “unanimously” (by the votes of 12 colonies, with New York abstaining) had resolved that “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.”
Independence Day also called the Fourth of July or July 4th, in the United States, is the annual celebration of nationhood ... commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
The Congress had voted in favor of independence from Great Britain on July 2 but did not actually complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence, originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson in consultation with fellow committee members John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and William Livingston, until two days later on July 4th. The celebration was initially modeled on that of the king’s birthday, which had been marked annually by the bell ringing.
In the early stages of the revolutionary movement in the colonies during the 1760s and early ’70s, patriots used such celebrations to proclaim their resistance to Parliament’s legislation while lauding King George III as the real defender of English liberties. However, the marking of the first days of independence during the summer of 1776 actually took the form in many towns of a mock funeral for the king, whose “death” symbolized the end of monarchy and tyranny and the rebirth of liberty.
During the early years of the republic, Independence Day was commemorated with parades, oratory, and toasting in ceremonies that celebrated the new nation's existence. These rites played an equally important role in the evolving federal political system.
God Bless!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield
Thanksgiving Blessings!
Something to be Grateful for!
Giving Thanks for Life to the Life Giver!
Giving Thanks for Life to the Life Giver!
In the midst of a busy and chaotic world, we MUST STOP what we are doing and just give Thanks to God! Thanksgiving Day is a Special Time for Togetherness!
Thanksgiving Day is broadly considered a special time for togetherness, as it's a holiday where families and friends traditionally gather to share a meal, express gratitude, and strengthen their bonds with one another, making it a day focused on connection and creating lasting memories.
Key points about Thanksgiving & togetherness:
* Genuinely Grateful!
“God has given us a country in which we can worship Him freely. Many people and nations have tried to stop this ongoing movement called ‘The United States of America’, but we can still worship freely in this country.”
* Family Focus!
“The primary idea of Thanksgiving is spending time with loved ones, often traveling to be with extended family. Uniting in a wealth of goodness and feeling good about spending time with loved ones that you feel close to that you may not have seen for sometime.”
* A Shared Meal!
“The large feast at the center of the celebration encourages everyone to sit down together and enjoy a meal as a group, and catching up on lost time together.”
* Reflection and Gratitude!
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year or maybe, in some cases years, and express thanks for the Blessings in one's life.”
* Storytelling and Laughter!
“Sharing stories and laughter around the table is a significant part of the Thanksgiving experience.”
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Many people enjoy the closeness that they can enjoy on this holiday, while having fun with those they are closest to, cherishing the warmth and comfort they experience in the moment.
FAMILY:
F = Faithful
A = Accepting
M = Memories
I = inspirational
L = Loving
Y = Yielding
Sweet memories fill the air as we fill our hearts with a special time of anticipation for the coming season. It’s when the air fills with the aroma of roasted turkey, baked ham, and all the other favorite, yummy sides, and family laughter.
It’s a day that invites you to join the fun of the most exciting closeness, whether it’s watching football, playing games, or simply sharing stories. The essence of Thanksgiving lies in gratitude and enjoying the company of loved ones, family or close friends.
God Bless You as You Experience Sweet Memories Together on this Special Day!
Happy Thanksgiving!
🍁🦃🍽
Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield
Giving Thanks for Life to the Life Giver!
Giving Thanks for Life to the Life Giver!
Giving Thanks for Life to the Life Giver!
* A Thanksgiving Blessing can be a prayer that expresses gratitude for God's Blessings, such as the gift of Jesus, the beauty of nature, and the joy of family. For example, "God, we thank you for the Blessing and joy of family. Thank you for those who are gathered with us and those far away".
* A Thanksgiving Blessing can be a way to give thanks for life, the freedom to enjoy it, and all other Blessings. For example, "Thank you, LORD, for the Blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined".
* A Thanksgiving Blessing can be a wish for others to have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day, such as "Wishing you the gift of Faith and the Blessing of Hope this Thanksgiving Day!".
* A Thanksgiving Blessing can send messages like, “May this day and every day be filled with Love, Joy, Peace and Happiness!”.
Wishing you every Blessing of this bountiful season!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Merry Christmas!
What Christmas is ALL About!
What Christmas is ALL About!
What Christmas is ALL About!
“What Christmas is ALL About”
1. God has Spoken to us Throughout History! (His-Story)
God has been speaking throughout history to reveal Himself to us. He wants us to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him. God reveals Himself through His creation, through the sunrise and sunset, through the sun, moon and stars.
God spoke to Moses in the burning bush, He spoke to the Israelites from the smoke and fire on the mountain, He spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice, to Isaiah in a vision in the temple. God spoke to Hosea through his family circumstances and to Amos in a basket of summer fruit. He spoke to Jeremiah through a potter's clay and to Joseph through dreams. God even spoke His message through a donkey!
2. God Speaks to us Through Christ!
But now, at last, God sent His Son to bring His message to us! In the LORD Jesus Christ, God revealed Himself directly to us. It is true that God revealed Himself through the words spoken by Jesus, through His message, but He did more than that. Jesus Christ IS the living, divine Son of God. He did more than just proclaim God's message - He IS God's message.
Jesus came to reveal God, to make Him known to us in ways that we can understand. Hebrews 1:3(AMP) “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Jesus declares in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one."
3. God Speaks to Transform Us!
The miracle of Christmas is not just in the fact that God speaks to us today through His Son, but that that message has the power to transform our lives. Christmas is the celebration of the greatest message ever proclaimed.
God with us = Immanuel. God came near so that we could draw near to Him. We see in 1 Timothy 2:6 that Jesus gave His life as a ransom for all. The miracle of the message is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
4. God Speaks JOY to Us at Christmas!
He wanted us to know how very much He loves us. He wanted us to know the joys of the season, not just the reason for the season - that we might know how much He loves us.
He came to proclaim the message that we have been set free. We don't have to live as prisoners to sin, guilt and regret, but live in victorious joy!
5. God Speaks to Us Through the Christmas Music & Decorations!
At Christmas time we hear some of the MOST beautiful music. Christmas Carols fills our hearts with joy, and comfort! Even people who are not Christian love the sounds of Christmas Carols!
As December 25 approaches, the world is gearing up for the joyous celebration of Christmas. Decorations are brought out and put up, the tree is set up and decorated, Christmas music fills the air, and Christmas cartoons and movies are played, giving us so much joy for the season!
6. God Speaks Christmas to ALL Nations!
Christmas is a universal occasion that brings people together to commemorate the Blessings of the entire year, cherishing the essence of family and indulging in delectable treats such as cakes, cookies, and an array of culinary delights.
Snacks sit out for all to enjoy! In anticipation of this momentous occasion, diverse traditions unfold globally, highlighting the spirit of togetherness, gratitude, and the joy that defines the Christmas season.
7. God Speaks Through Us as We Give to Others & Celebrate!
Usually, people celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, (representing that Jesus was the first gift given … to us), families decorate their homes, celebrating with parades or parties, dedicating prayer, and sharing food and drink. Feasting on stuffed goodies and delicious items like gift boxes with brownies, macarons, ginger cookies, almond rocks, and chocolates.
We also have our Christmas Special menu that has the classic stollen, gingerbread men, Christmas tarts, Christmas trifle pudding cup, Christmas cake and one of my holiday favorites, eggnog with cinnamon or ginger. And children hanging their stockings on the fireplace mantle, for Santa to fill with goodies!
Every family may also have treasured traditions and ways to celebrate Christmas – like watching holiday movies together, even if it is the same one every year! Every family has a special time and way to open Christmas gifts to each other.
God Bless You As You Celebrate The Birth Of Christ - Christmas!
~ Dr. Rachinda Sutterfield ~
The Sounds of Christmas!
What Christmas is ALL About!
What Christmas is ALL About!
Remember to enjoy the music and sounds of Christmas! For it reminds us that we have Hope & Joy in this season of Love!
SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS:
- Carols: Popular Christmas carols include "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Winter Wonderland", and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", “White Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, and “Jingle Bell Rock”, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, and “O Christmas Tree”.
- Carols: “Oh, Holy Night”, “Silent Night”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “The First Noel”, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem”, “Joy to the World”, “Away in the Manger”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “What Child Is This”, and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
- Snow: The sound of snow falling. Even though the snow falling is almost silent, it is beautiful to listen to the soft whir of snow flurries falling.
- Fire: The sound of a crackling fire. Sitting with someone special next to a crackling fire can evoke emotions of a special kind of bond.
- Jingle Bells on a Sleigh ride. Oh what fun it truly is to ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the snow and hear the Sleigh Bells ringing!
- Santa: The sound of Santa's ho-ho-ho. Children and adults alike love to hear the Jolly Old Saint Nick as he gives out a hearty Ho! Ho! Ho!
- Bells: The sound of Church bells ringing. Especially at Christmas time when the Church bells rings out the tune of a Christmas Carol!
- Other sounds: The sound of Santa getting stuck in the chimney, the sound of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolph, the sound of tip toes, the sound of kissing under the mistletoe, the sound of friendly family banter as they gather around the tree, the sound of oohs and aahs when you light up the tree, the sounds of children giggling as they open their gifts Christmas morning, and the sounds of contentment as Christmas movies are being watched!
God Bless You As You Enjoy The Sounds Of Christmas!
~ Dr Rachinda Sutterfield ~
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
Luke 2:6-7 (AMP)
6) “While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth, 7) and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a [manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.”
Jesus was the greatest gift, so it is obvious that He would be the greatest giver of all, and we celebrate His birth by being givers as well. As you think about the gifts you would like to GIVE this year, consider what YOU can give to the LORD. Whatever you give Him, He will reward you in awesome ways.
The all-time BEST gift that has EVER been given is Jesus Christ! And, once you open this gift, you will NEVER want to ‘return’ it, because you will NEVER be the same again, because He is an AMAZING GIFT! THE BEST GIFT EVER!
The following is a story from Sermon Central:
“A Christmas Gift”
A little girl is sitting on her grandpa’s lap rattling off her long Christmas list. The grandfather recognized that this was “a teachable moment,” and so he said, “Honey, it’s more blessed to give than it is to receive.” To which the granddaughter replied, “I know that, Grandpa, but receiving is good enough for me.”
Sure, receiving is an important part of Christmas! If we do not receive the most precious and costly gift - God’s ONLY Son, then we are NOT celebrating Christmas the way it ought to be celebrated!
May You Have A Super Blessed Christmas By Receiving AS WELL as giving!
Merry CHRISTmas!
~ Dr Rachinda Sutterfield ~
The True Meaning of Christmas!
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
The Greatest Christmas Gift ~ Jesus!
Let’s look back over 2,000 years to that very first Christmas in Bethlehem, and hear some sounds of a busy inn, of animals feeding and settling into a stable, of angels singing on high, and of excited shepherds running to come and see the baby in the manger. I can just imagine Mary's voice as she sings a soft lullaby to baby Jesus, as He coos to His mother while she holds Him lovingly in her arms.
A little time passed and Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus were no longer in the stable. Now they were living in a small house in Bethlehem. And it was there that the Magi, the Wise Men as we call them, came to worship the newborn King. In Matthew 2:13, 18 tells us what happened after the Magi left Bethlehem to return to their own homeland. 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”.
So Joseph rose up, took Mary and the child, (Jesus), and left during the night to head to Egypt, where they stayed. And so it was fulfilled what the LORD had said through the prophet Hosea: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son’. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
In the land there were cries of anger and despair because a NEW KING was born! King Herod felt his rule threatened when he heard that another king had been born. And when he couldn't find that child, he ordered all the little boys in Bethlehem, two years old and younger, to be executed.
But had it not been for Mary and Joseph listening to the Angel, Gabriel, we would not be celebrating this precious holiday of Christmas today!
The true meaning of Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to reflect on the Love, Joy, and Hope that He brings:
- A time to celebrate:
Christmas celebrated by billions of people around the world. It's a time to give thanks for the gift of Jesus and to remember that we are loved and have hope for the future.
- A time to reflect:
Christmas is a time to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' birth for you personally. You can consider what it means for God to send His only Son to earth to experience humanity.
- A time to remember:
Christmas is a time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Of the greatest gift ever given to man.
- A time to worship:
Many people attend church services on Christmas. Or as they gather with friends and family, they take time to be grateful for the reason for the season!
The story of Christmas is told in the Bible in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:40. The word "Christmas" doesn't appear in the Bible, but people around the globe celebrate this special day. Some may not know the true meaning, but there is so much joy for the season that they will always remember the joy that it has brought them! That’s what Christmas does to the world, it brings comfort and joy!
God Bless You As You Celebrate The True Meaning Of Christmas!
~ Dr Rachinda Sutterfield ~