Evangelist Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks
The Ministry of S.A.R.A.H.
Lyons, GA.
SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 5:2, 19-20
As we quickly approach the date of December 25th there are still many Christians who are debating whether that was truly the date of His birth! Since 353 AD the Feast of Nativity has been celebrated and it has become a day of celebrating the life of Jesus, so why debate the issue today???
Isaiah 9th chapter , 6th and 7th verses written thousands of years ago declared,-nlv- (6) FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER; (7) AND THE NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELLOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
Isn’t it a blessing to know that God loved us so that he gave us a Savior in the name of Jesus? At a time like this in our world when people are carelessly and callously taking lives to which they have no right to end, we can still find hope and a place of refuge in the Prince of Peace! Although, we who sin have done nothing to deserve God’s mercy , He is still granting it to us daily as we wake up each morning....that is enough for us to stop right now and Praise The Lord!!!
Brothers and Sisters, this is traditionally a time of year when a lot us begin to think worldly and feel depressed about what we have or don’t have to spend on Christmas gifts, but the Divine Word says not to worry about a thing! Keep on praying and ask God for everything you need. But- you have to be sincere and you have to pray specifically for what you want!
Always give thanks to God and don’t wait until you receive it. You see, GOD’S PEACE, WHICH IS SO GREAT, WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND IT, WILL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.
.....God’s peace is sweet, just like your favorite candy! Remember what it is like when you crave chocolate or need a glass of water? You receive what you asked for or desired and then your are satisfied!!!
Well, God’s peace can satisfy the thirsty and fill up the hungry according to the Book of Psalms 107:5,9 (nlv).
Yes! His peace in your soul and spirit is sweet, like candy ! During this Christmas and Kwaanza Season 2002, it is my wish that you remember The Legend of J (The Candy Cane) and share it with others....
....for it is told that many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to use several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus.
So he began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize and remind us that Jesus is our Rock of Refuge (Deut. 32:4), but also that the promises of Christ is a precious cornerstone and sure foundation to those who follow Him, but also...a :stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject His gift of peace.
(1 Pet.2:6-8)
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior (Matt.1:21) destined to save us from our sins. Turned the other way, candy canes reminds us of the staff of the Good Sheperd, in which Jesus the Good Sheperd has reached way down into the ditches of the world to search for His lost sheep, who have gone astray!
The large red stripe is for the blood shed by Christ on Calvary’s Tree (Is. 53:5) on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. And the 3 small stripes are to remind us of the lash of the soldier’s that Jesus received, by which we are healed.
The flavor of the cane is peppermint which is similar to hissop used in the Old Testament for purification and for sacrifice.....JESUS IS THE PURE LAMB OF GOD, COME TO BE A LIVING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!.
......unfortunately, the candy cane has become a meaningless decoration seen only at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear! Therefore for those of you who are reading this sermon today or may hear it preached, join me in breaking tradition and remind everybody that Jesus is the reason for the season and for everyday that we live!!
Take a candy cane and post it on your door in its proper position of "J" and when someone asks your reason simply and confidently say to tehm:
Look at the Candy Cane- what do you see?
Stripes that are red- like the blood shed for you & me.
White is for my Savior- who is sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus, my Lord, that’s for sure!!!
Turn it around- and a sheperds staff you will see-
Jesus, Sweet Jesus- was born for you and for me!!
I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday. I encourage you to never look at a candy cane the same again. And to lead you to Ephesians 5:2, 19-20 (nlv)
LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE JUST AS CHRIST LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US AS A SWEET- SMELLING OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD. SPEAK TO EACH OTHER WITH PSALMS AND HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING AND MAKING MUSIC IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD. ALWAYS GIVE THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER FOR EVERYTHING, IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
AMEN. AND SO IT IS!
