The Christ of Christmas + Friday Smiles 200!!

Hullo there everyone .. another Friday here in Oz is drawing rapidly to close, so better do my Friday post to link up with Annie's Friday Smiles. 
(Big congrats to dear Annie for her 200th Friday smiles post)

As well, it is rapidly heading towards Christmas!
We celebrate ahead of lot of other folks, here in Australia in our time zone. 

This card is an upcycle and I made it for my best friend Robin (just for record I have lots of best friends, my best Friend of all is Jesus :D), the verse is a favourite of mine for Christmas time ..
"The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world"..
...the greatest gift of all was the LORD Jesus. (Robins are very cute and make me smile.)
The EF was smooched with gold ink to make it stand out and added bit of ribbon and bling to it.

 I love Christmas, I realise not everyone does, but even when I am sad Christmas things make me smile.
Most of all for me as a Christian is the Christ of Christmas that makes me smile. We really dont know when Christ was born and to be honest it doesn't really matter (if it did, we would know).

The reason I love the verse above is because it gives the real reason of Christ's coming. He came to be our Saviour. 

God, the Father, knows what it is to suffer loss, to be deeply sorrowful and afflicted, He suffered when he gave His own Son for us, that first Christmas. 
His Son, the Lord Jesus, gave up His heavenly home for a stable and human frame instead of His holy Home.
We can't imagine what it was like for Him, the King of Glory, Who knew no sin, to be made sin for us... when He bore our sins upon the cruel cross.

Another upcycled card.

I love this card... it tells the story of Christmas, of the Nativity, foretold thousands of years before, and the cross which lay ahead. It tells of the ones who saw the star, the humble shepherds and wise-men who followed it from afar.
It tells us of the happiest thing that happened to the world, the Gift of Salvation through our SAVIOUR the LORD Jesus.
(**and the twist for challenge below is that Christmas leads us to the cross)

This card shows those humble folk who came to see... see the Saviour sent by the Father. They were poor but honoured by God to be at Jesus' birth. 
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,
yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
I Corinthians 1:27-29

As it is Friday Smiles - extra smiles for you.

Loved this one as it is so true .. God is our greatest Friend, but our dear earthly friends bring a smile to our face too.

 .. hope it brought some smiles to your face!

Happy Smiles day everyone!! 

and may God richly bless your day wherever you maybe,
and may the real reason of Christmas shine brightly in your home and heart.

Shaz in Oz.x

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

EDIT: A dear friend commenting below suggested this video was a good one for this time of year
- I agree with her.

Well, I'm delighted to welcome new wonderful encouragers ..
Jan of http://serendipity45.blogspot.com.au/
Lois of http://lilartsywoman.blogspot.com.au/
You will learn much from these clever crafters.. a pleasure to visit..
.... so do pop over to their blogs and give them some encouragement! 

Joining up with: 
1. Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au 

2. link up with Annie's Friday Smiles.

3. Crafty Hazlenut's  Extra Christmas challenge  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com.au/

3. Robin card  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/chnc-challenge-312-cute-or-anything.html  

4. Simon Says Wednesday - Make it sparkle. Last card  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-make-it-sparkle-3/ 
5. Crafty Cardmakers, the second card - **with the cross http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/179-christmas-with-twist.html