Category: Memory Verse

“Then they rushed at him as one man, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him.” —Acts 7:57-58 Most families have special Christmas traditions. On the second day of Christmas, the Catholic family traditionally recalls the brutal murder of St. Stephen, the first martyr. Why recall such a gruesome event, especially at Christmas time? The original purpose of Christmas was to challenge the lifestyle of the world by intentionally trying to ruin the pagans’ festivities. In the third century, the Romans set their sun-god festival for December 25. They had the date years before Christians formally celebrated...

“Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered this prophecy…” —Luke 1:67 To give birth, a mother must be pregnant for approximately nine months. To give birth this Christmas, a Christian must be filled with Jesus for at least a few weeks. The birth of every creature requires a pregnancy of varying duration. Have you carried the baby long enough? Have you reached full term? How far apart are the contractions? Tomorrow is birth day, Jesus’ birthday. Are you ready for birthing? Zechariah went through the nine-month pregnancy with his wife. It was a difficult pregnancy. He was deaf...

“When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.” —Matthew 1:24 Many of you have Christmas planned. You’re going to go to certain parties, see certain family members and friends, and give specific presents. You expect to receive a few presents yourself along with some Christmas goodies. The Christmas you have planned is about the same as last year’s Christmas, with a few minor variations. What if Jesus decided to change your Christmas plans dramatically? Would you let Him be Lord of your Christmas? Ahaz had plans about how to avoid destruction by the Assyrians....

“Hark! my lover — here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.” —Song of Songs 2:8 At the very beginning of her pregnancy, Mary visited Elizabeth. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: ‘Blest are you among women and blest is the Fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ ” (Lk 1:41-43) Both Elizabeth and John responded to Jesus’ presence and Mary’s visitation with praise in the Holy...