-

 A Christmas Story by Erika Oosthuizen 

- December 16, 2021





Matthew 22


The very first Christmas... so beautiful... Baby Jesus wrapped in  beautiful, clean snow-white, swaddling clothes, snuggly in a manger surrounded by soft woolen lambs and clean beautifully drawn animals - all glitter and gold... singing angels surrounding this holy scenario with Mary and Joseph, smiling tenderly at the precious Baby...




A Christmas card picture, so beautifull, all glitter & gold... Our hearts singing and rejoicing...




I was pondering on this renown story, asking Father why Christmas in this modern age feels so different. Still a beautifull scenario of lights all around and christmas trees decorated in magical colours but allmost like there's something missing... people's faces, even while celebrating seems tired and worried... the last 3 years of covid wrecked havoc all around and the worries in the world seems to have magnified everywhere.




While meditating, Father spoke to me. Dearest child, the story of Baby Jesus is a treassured story of so much hope in this world, therefore it's not wrong to add magical colours and love in every christmas card image and all around. But you see, that very first Christmas was actually very different. Poor Mary was only about 15 to 16 years old, traveling on a donkey to Bethlehem for 150 kilometres while heavy pregnant with Baby Jesus. She did not know what was waiting, she did not even know if Joseph will accept her as it was a very big scandall those days to be pregnant outside wedlock. Bible tells us Joseph wanted to let her go but for the dream he had.What went through Mary's mind? Although she boldly agreed to have baby Jesus, she knew the laws of the Jews. She must have been very scared and worried. And tired, so tired.... and then nowhere to go in her need to have a baby, no bed for her, no soft hands to help ease her...




Child of God, did you really really think how Mary must have felt and her, not knowing the future but holding on to Hope of the Almighty, meeting the unknown with courage... 




Jesus' name: "God saves": thats the Hope Mary and Joseph found. And thats the hope that conquered all the fears and anxiety even the knowledge that they had to flee with baby Jesus...




Child of God, today I want to bring the tidings of good news, Hope for everyone...! No matter what your situation, worries and pain... that very first Christmas, a baby was born to bring Hope. He became poor that you can be rich, He died so that you can live, He was forsaken so that you can know: He will never leave you, nor forsake you *(Jos 1:5)* . I called you by your name.... *(Isah 43:1)* 




This is the true Hope, if you only believe.... *(Mark 9:23)*




Hold fast, and never let go!




My name is Erika Oosthuizen, l'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm currently living in Pretoria still passionate about being a grade R teacher. I did my first course in prophetic at Father's Heart Ministry and did a counseling course at Oasis Church Kempton Park where l was a volunteer for six years, working with substance abuse and other addictions as well as high school children.




Meditate on Matthew 22


Love


Erika

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Never Give Up.

-
 Writing this post, the Holy Spirit was ministering to me that so many people are letting go of their faith thinking that the Lord has forsaken them and looking to what is going on in the world, they have no hope for tommorow. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. God never leaves nor forsakes His own, He remains God amidst all.  Romans 4:18-19 NIV. As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom He believed the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it has been said to him "So shall your offsprings be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old and that Sarah's womb was almost dead. Abraham believed in the God who gives life to dead situations. He had faith in God and was regard
Read more

When Heaven Open.

-
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses l will be with you l will never leave you nor forsake you..Joshua 1;5 NIV. Indeed God is our refuge and present help in times of need. I have seen it all in this life but all glory to Jesus Christ the author and perfector of my faith. Christ in me the hope of glory.  This first testimony l'm sharing with you,is the most significant and the miracle was a highlight for all events to follow and contributed to the journey we will stroll together as the daughters of the most High. It happened that l was expecting our second bundle of joy. And this was a crucial point in our marriage and lives. We were going through a rough patch to be specific we were in a desert. Ladies if anyone in the house has been from the summit and suddenly everything vanishes l'm sure you will understand. These incidents reminds me of one of my role models Steve Harvey when he narrates how he had it all and ever
Read more

Trailblazing in God's Favor

-
 Welcome to 2024 child of God, the year of TRAILBLAZING in FAVOUR ISAIAH‭‭ ‭58:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [11] The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Trailblazers are pace setters, winners, fearless doing something that hasn't been done before. Persistent keep moving no matter the matter. Creator building new things or taking existing ideas to a whole new level. Curious and teachable.  You are extraordinary and you go where no one has gone before, you inspire followers with your boldness originality. Establishing new standards putting more effort in making sure the world is a better place.  This year the Lord is saying He will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.  Meditate on Isaiah 58 Love  Ellen 
Read more