SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS

TEXT: "This shall be a sign unto you." � Luke 2:12

SKETCHING PREPARATION: Draw in the holly border with green and red dots. Prepare ladder lettering for the shepherd, star, and gifts. Add color areas. The shepherd, star, and gifts can be lightly penciled in.

"SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS"  (Fill in title)

Lights, bells, Christmas songs, trees, toys � all say, "Christmas is here again!" GOD HAS HIS SIGNS OF THAT FIRST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

THE SHEPHERDS, THE STAR AND THE GIFTS ARE SOME OF THEM.

THE SHEPHERDS CAME TO THE ONE WHO WAS HIMSELF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. (Draw in the shepherd and lettering)

"There were in the same country SHEPHERDS abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock . unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Which is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:8, 11) AND THEY CAME WITH HASTE AND FOUND ... THE BABE LYING IN A MANGER. (Verse 16)

WERE THE SHEPHERDS WATCHING THE SHEEP OF SACRIFICE? They came to the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. "THE GOOD SHEPHERD THAT GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP" John 10:11 . Mixed metaphors but glorious truths!

THE WISE MEN FOLLOWED THE STAR WHICH LED THEM TO THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR. (Draw in the star, house, etc. and lettering)

"There came wise men from the East to Jerusalem , Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen HIS STAR in the East, and are come to worship Him," Matthew 2:1, 2. And "when they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child . . . and worshipped Him."            (Verses 10, 11)

THOSE WERE DARK DAYS IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY BUT THE LIGHT OF PROPHECY TOLD OF HIS COMING.   "Thus it is written by the prophet ...out of thee shall come a Governor," (V. S, 6)

AS THE WORLD GETS DARKER TODAY, WE LIFT UP OUR EYES TO LOOK FOR THE SECOND APPEARANCE OF THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR. (Rev. 22:16)

He came. He will come again! Every Christmas star reminds us of His near return. (II Peter 1:19)

THE WISE MEN GAVE GIFTS TO THE ONE WHO HIMSELF WAS THE GIFT OF GOD! (Draw in the gifts and lettering)

"When they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped (Them? Never! �) "HIM" and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; GOLD, (He is the King of kings, V. 2) and FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH." (for He was born to die) Wise men always worship Him. Are you wise?

HAVE YOU SEEN HIM AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU? HAVE YOU RECEIVED HIM? HE IS GOD'S CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU? John 3:16 ----           

ARE YOU READY FOR HIS APPEARING AS THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR?