SAYINGS NOT IN THE BIBLE: God Works in Mysterious Ways

God works in mysterious ways Though uncertain in origin and certainly not found in Scripture (the phrase may originate from William Cowper's hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"), that God does work in ways curious and beyond the measure of our limited experience and conception is obvious. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that: The secret things belong to the Lord our God. The final chapters of Job present God's reprimand of Job wherein He asks how Job could possibly understand or judge the reasons for God's actions (Job being so far removed from God in power, wisdom, and longevity).

And perhaps the biggest mystery is revealed us in Romans 8:28. And we know that all thing work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Though we may not understand the purpose of our circumstances in God's plan, we are assured that every detail will work for the benefit of the Redeemed

Who is Jesus

Found this thought you might be intrested ---

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND WHEN HE WALKED ON WATER;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING & THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM
WHO IS HE? (JESUS).

The 3 Wisemen

The Three Wisemen During the advent season it is quite common to hear people tell the story of the three wise men, who, following the Star of Bethlehem, traveled from Babylonia on camels to present gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This story, however, has just as much mythology as biblical truth.

The Gospel of Matthew is the only place in Scripture that refers to these magi. The text is as follows:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:1-12, 16 esv

First of all, Scripture does not designate the number of magi. Traditionally there were only three because that is the number of gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh—presented to the Christ Child. Really there could have been any number of magi visiting Christ.

A famous hymn often sung during the advent season is "We Three Kings" by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857). The first stanza goes as follows:

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Though this well-cherished song refers to the three "kings" there is no evidence which supports that these magi were in fact kings. These magi were wise men who were probably experts in astrology and oneirocriticism (interpretation of dreams), such as the wise men described in Daniel 2. Of twenty translations surveyed, thirteen referred to the magi as "wise men" (asv, cev, Douay-Rheims, esv, hcsb, kjv, ncv, net, njb, nkjv, nlt, nrsv, and rsv), five called them "magi" or "mages" (Darby, nasb, niv, tniv, and ylt), J.B. Phillips names them "astrologers," and the Message, "a band of scholars."

Another possible misnomer is that the wise men were present at the birth of Christ (or shortly thereafter), presenting gifts to the Christ Child in the manger. The evangelist Luke tells us that shepherds visited the Christ Child in the manger (Luk 2:8-20), but there is no mention of the magi at this point. In fact it seems that the magi could have arrived sometime later according to Matthew's account. Matthew 2:11 states that they entered a house (Gk. oikia) which is distinct from a manger (Gk. phatnê). Matthew 2:16 makes reference to Herod confiscating life from all the male children in and around Bethlehem "according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men." Therefore the magi may have arrived circa two years after Christ's birth, despite the traditional timing of twelve days later (January 6th is date that the magi arrived, however, this is working from the false premise that Christ was born on December 25th).

Some accounts of the "three" wise men are accompanied with their names: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The earliest reference to these names is from Excerpta Latina Barbari, which is a Latin translation of an early sixth century Greek manuscript. The names seem to be purely tradition as they do not have an early witness.

Something else to consider is the origin of the wise men. Some have attributed it to Babylonia or simply Persia based on the term magi, yet Matthew leaves it ambiguous by stating that they came "from the east."

As a note of interest, Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, records several portents or omens that foretold the war with Rome and the destruction of the Temple in a.d. 70.

Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. (Josephus, War 289)

This event would have occurred in a.d. 66, and it is possible that Josephus merely included this incident from the prior account of the star at Christ's birth in order to strengthen his pro-Roman argument.

When all is said and done, the only impeccable information which we can obtain regarding the magi is the very words of Scripture.

Christmas Quotes

Christmas Quotes
If you have other great Christmas Quotes add them below please source them.

If you hitch your wagon to a star, be sure it's the Star of Bethlehem.
I've seen the face of Jesus...
It was a wondrous sight!
Oh, glorious face of beauty,
oh gentle touch of care;
If here it is so blessed,
what will it be up there?
--W. Spencer Walton

The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

From a little spark may burst a mighty flame.
The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
--Helen Keller

There is no name so sweet on earth,
no name so sweet in heaven,
The name, before His wondrous birth,
to Christ the Savior given.
--George W. Bethune

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
I give Him my heart.
--Christina Rossetti

Christ was one child Who knew more than His parents--yet He obeyed them.
A Christian is one who makes it easier for other people to believe in God.
Keeping Christmas is good. but sharing it with others is even better.
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Savior, led in paths of light.
--E. Hewitt

The three wise men saw the light and followed it.
They are rightly called wise!

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
--Dale Evans

A joy that is shared is a joy made double.
--John Roy

Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush,
rather than a last-minute rush.
God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
--Wilda English

It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.
-Van Dyke

Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmastime.
--Charles Dickens

Born in a stable,
Cradled in a manger,
In the world His hands have made,
Born a stranger.
--Christine Georgina Rossetti

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.
--Dr. Thieme

Christmas living is the best kind of Christmas giving.
--Van Dyke

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.
--Henry David Thoreau

I never realized God's birth before,
How He grew likest God in being born...
Such ever love's way--to rise, it stoops.
--Robert Browning

The way to Christmas lies through an ancient gate....It is a little gate, child-high, child-wide, and there is a password:

"Peace on earth to men of good will."
May you, this Christmas, become as a little child again and enter into His kingdom.
--Angelo Patri

Giving yourself is the greatest gift of all.
Love is a circle that goes on and on and on.
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can!
--John Wesley

Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year.
--A. F. Wells

Whatever else you give to your children, give them roots and give them wings.
You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.
--John R. Rice

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.
--Mencius

We may seek God by our intellect, but we only can find him with our heart.
--Cotvos

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
--Emerson

The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.
--Ralph W. Sockman

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Christmas is a spark that ignites in someone's heart.

How many angels are there?
One--who transforms our life--is plenty.
Selfishness makes Christmas a burden;
Love makes it a delight.

The joy of brightening a child's heart creates the magic of Christmas.
--W. C. Jones

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
--Guillaume Apollinaire

Seek joy in what you give... not in what you get.
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty;
not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
--Charles Dickens

The very purpose of Christ's coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.
--Rev. Billy Graham

Christmas is telling time--wondering time. Wonder enough about it, and you'll know, and you'll tell about it....
--Roy Rogers

So remember while December
Brings the only Christmas Day,
In the year let there be Christmas
In the things you do and say;
Wouldn't life be worth the living
Wouldn't dreams be coming true
If we kept the Christmas spirit
All the whole year through?
--unknown

If we think of our heart,
rather than our purse,
as the reservoir
of our giving,
we shall find it
full all the time!
--David Dunn

There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
--Albert Einstein

I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.
--Taylor Caldwell

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart.

The means to gain happiness
is to throw out from oneself,
like a spider,
in all directions
an adhesive web of love,
and to catch in it
all that comes.
--LeoTolstoy

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.
--Mother Teresa

It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart.
--Marjorie Holmes

Each day of the holidays comes bringing its own gifts.
Open your heart,
Untie the ribbons,
and enjoy the contents!
Were earth a thousand times as fair
Beset with gold and jewels rare
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle,
Lord, for Thee.
--Martin Luther

Love and life
That's why He came, and what He offers,
Christmas isn't just for children.
It's for the world.
Don't worry if your Christmas card list seems to be growing each year. Instead, be grateful! It just means you're making friends faster than you are losing them.
A little child
a shining star
a stable rude,
the door ajar.
Yet in that place
so crude, forlorn,
The Hope of all
the world was born.
--Anonymous

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.
--Anonymous

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift--
indescribable
inestimable
incomparable
inexpressible
precious beyond words.
--Lois Lebar

Appreciation is a wonderful thing:
it makes what is excellent in others
belong to us as well.
--Voltaire

The Christmas season reminds us that a demonstration of religion is always much better than a definition of it...especially in front of the kids.
Perhaps the best Yuletide decorations are to be wreathed in smiles and wrapped in hugs.

The miracle of Christmas is that a baby can be so decisive.
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself.
--Charles Dickens

Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.
--William Parks

"Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again." G. Whitefield

"For a beggar to live at court is not so much as the King to dwell with him in his cottage." William Gumall

"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor." John Huss

"He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute." C H Spurgeon

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!"

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself." Charles Dickens

"The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birthday of our Savior, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected." Samuel Johnson

"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December....Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son." CH Spurgeon

quotes taken from the following sources:
..Merry Christmas: Inspiring Quotes, Poems, and Stories to Celebrate The Season
..Everything I Need to Know About Christmas I Learned from Jesus
..The Greatest Christmas Ever: A Treasury of Inspirational Ideas and Insights for an Unforgettable Christmas
..Christmas Treasures of the Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories and Traditions
http://www.cathye.com