Stamin' Sisters in Christ #167

Good morning dear friends.  It's Sunday again, so that means it's time for another challenge over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  This week our hostess is our most beautiful and gracious Coordinator, Kris.  She has chosen the verse and challenge for us this week.

"They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him.  And...presented gifts to Him."  Matthew 2:10-11

Can you imagine seeing the Christ child in person?  The wise men came a long distance.  Some believe they were descendants of men who sat under Daniel and were well schooled in the scriptures.  They knew the scriptures.  They knew the Messiah was coming.  They knew a Star would announce His arrival.  They knew, and they wanted to worship Him.  They traveled a long way.  In fact, if you read the accounts in the gospels you realize they were no longer in a stable when the wise men arrived.  They were in a house.  And He isn't called a baby.  He's called a young child.  They traveled for months, maybe as many as 24 months to find the Messiah.  Can you imagine that?  How great this Child must have been to cause these men to travel so far and so long to find Him.  And quite honestly, it probably wasn't just 3 men.  Herod wouldn't have cared if it was only 3 men.  It was probably a large number of them.  (Yes, only 3 gifts were given, that still doesn't mean it was only 3 men)  What must Mary and Joseph thought when this huge group of very important men showed up at her door?  The Bible tells us when they took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated according to the Levitical law, Mary "kept these things and pondered them in her heart."  What an amazing, amazing event in the history of the world.  The God of the universe left His throne above, became a baby, and lived 33 years on this earth so He could suffer and die on the cross for our sins.  It overwhelms my heart every time to think about that.  What a tremendous love that is.  I am so undeserving of His gift.  His gift to me of salvation.  I can be assured of my entrance into heaven simply by believing in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  Simple as that.  It is a gift to me by my heavenly Father.

In remembrance of His great love and His amazing gift, we give gifts to each other on Christmas.  We can never give anything like what He gives us, but we can remember Him.  That is why we celebrate Christmas, because without a baby in a manger, there would never be a Savior on a cross, offering us a free gift.

Kris has asked us to make a Christmas card or project.  Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry who is offering 3 digital images to our randomly drawn winner.

I chose a very simple and elegant design for my card.

 I used a sentiment from Inkadinkadoo.  The papers are from Kaiser Craft, so vintage and elegant.  I inked the edges a bit and did some sewing.  My only embellishments are the pearls in the corners.

I used the same sketch on the inside for the writing panel.

I hope you'll decide to join us this week.  We would love to see what you create.

I think that's about it.  Thanks for taking a peek!

Blessings & Hugs,

Michelle