Christmas 2022 - "Behold the Lamb "..

 At Christmas time IF the Christ of Christmas rates a mention, it is as the Babe in the Manger. 

So I was delighted when I saw this 'Lamb of God' set of Beccy's (here) with this verse on it... (this card is my favourite make for 2022). 

"Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. 

Let us adore Him."

In this set Beccy presents the Christ child as our Saviour Who came to take away the sins of the world 🌎.. 

The “Why” Christ came is the emphasis. 

Christ, born to die that we might live...

These words were spoken not at Jesus' birth, but approximately 30 years later at the commencement of Jesus’ ministry by His cousin, John the Baptist. 

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and (John) saith, 

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

“And I saw, and bare record that this IS the Son of God.”

John 1:29, 34 

 John the Baptist was the Forerunner who went before our Saviour, as Isaiah says to prepare the way of the LORD (Isaiah 40:3 see here). 

John was led by God’s Spirit to speak thus.

It was prophetic of WHY Jesus came and WHO Jesus was!

Two miraculous births occurred in the first Christmas story, see here in Luke 1.

The birth of John to his barren elderly mother Elisabeth (and priestly father Zecharias), and 3 months later the LORD Jesus to Elisabeth's cousin Mary, both births were miracles. 

As the birth of Christ is noted, may His coming again be remembered.

Jesus Himself said in Matt 24:44

 Watch “ therefore and be ye also ready, for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh." 

This Christmas time I worship (and as Beccys verse says) and adore the Christ - crucified, risen, glorified and coming again, not just the Babe in a manger..

(Recipe of card - link to Beccy's Digi Lamb of God Digital set here. Printed on light card just on inkjet, used coloured image of baby Jesus, fussy  cut it - I love that there is a coloured option! Folder is 3D Crafters Companion bought in 2018, dies stitched oval, inked on coloured card to speed up process, with Distress as explained in Beccy's post - inspired by Beccy's technique here. SB Royal Circle die for verse).

“Thankfulness” and “Thanksgiving” belong to Christmas, so VERY thankful Jesus came from heaven for us all.

So this is a thank you card I made for my neighbour.

Finally I cracked the Batik ink technique, first seen on Loll’s blog sometime ago. (Recipe first attempted here, this my third go, second time I forgot to random scrunch paper before inking!) all snippets used except the base card. Also used top edger thank you on this card, I forgot I had it till looking at an old blog post! It was cut out of an edge the batik inked card (used DI) as extended the inking edge past stamped floral to use for greetings.

Just closing as usual with Aussie photos.😃

The glories of God's creation on a visit to the Sunshine coast, Qld! Skyline in first two are Glasshouse Mountains and the red flowering tree is a Poinciana. Very Christmassy!

On the way home (in a small 18 seater plane) the skyline was spectacular,  you could almost touch those cumulus clouds, stunning 😍 truly took my thoughts heavenwards. I so long for heaven, longer I live the greater the longing.

 I trusted in Jesus as my own Saviour from my sin as a kid of 12 years down here at the beach one summer, a very long time ago.. so to me it seems it's been a long wait.

But just how much longer and how very patient is God, our Heavenly Father, Who longs that all come to faith in Jesus, and have that promise of a home in heaven. 

This life is short.

Happy Christmas everyone - may God be with you wherever you maybe, sending giant prayer hugs and much love - thank you if you read this far. 

You all mean a lot to me!

🙏🤗❤ Shaz in Oz.x 

 

If you'd like to know more, please read this post here 

- Who or What is a Christian?

Linking up to the following:

** NBUS Challenge Never Before Used Schtuff  https://mynbus.blogspot.com/2022/12/nbus-challenge-45.html?m=1 beccys digi is first time used this verse on a card.

** WAW Word Art Wednesday - http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ ANYTHING Goes - both new cards.

** Snippets Challenge - Thank you card. All snippets used except for base.. 😃😃https://pixiessnippetsplayground.blogspot.com/2022/12/challenge-444-anything-but-christmas.html?m=1

** Beccys Place December Challenge https://beccysplace.blogspot.com/2022/12/december-challenge.html?m=1 Christmas card

** Allsorts blogspot challenge CAS design. http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2022/12/week-7089.html?m=1 thank you card