Holly lobby pic....

Holly lobby pic....

Hollylobby.com.   Picture "behold"

This picture was a full page "ad" in the paper yesterday.  The very fine print at the bottom told who had placed it..it is an intriguing picture....the toddler out with his earthy father..playing with spikes....and then His shadow-the cross....with the light shining brilliantly on his little head...

I can just hear those spikes being pounded ....pounded....pounded...and this innocent little one taking the sin of the world on his shoulders....oh, the weight of those....did Mary and Joseph see that shadow?  Did they fully understand all that was told them about this precious little baby?  I can't even imagine and we have the hindsight of the story in written form ....

 Faith, trust, belief...and the hope that goes with it....a common denominator that we have them....

Thank YOU for this little child, his life, his resurrection ....His hope...his gift of the Holy Spirit...

Luke 2:25-27, 29, 31-40 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you may now dismiss your servant in peace. which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.