The Gift of "Frozen"

 

I've been considering adding a new dimension to the blog. I'd like to start posting a series on gifts because the Lord gives us so many every day. Since the usual blog I post disappeared after 2 hours of work this afternoon, I thought this might be a good time to begin with a gift. Have you ever thought of a Disney movie as a gift? After reading this you may have a new perspective on viewing Disney.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24

There in the dusky light of the classroom, on a day of frozen recess, my little students spend their time watching as the computer reflects the light of Frozen onto a screen dropped from the wipe board. Children are entranced by yet another story from Disney. The innocent young girl, Anna, struggles to survive because her heart has been frozen by her sister, Elsa. Now the daggers of ice are claiming her body and soon she will be as still and frozen as the landscape around her. Only an act of true love can reclaim her heart. Anna’s wicked fiancé makes an attempt to slay Elsa but with Anna’s last strength she wards off the blade of her fiancé’s sword. Anna is left frozen; or so it seems. Everyone was led to believe that like Snow White, Anna would revive with the kiss of true love from her prince charming, Kristof. It was not to be. Anna was the one who would show the act of true love by neglecting herself for the sake of her sister’s life. As the children watched, the ice began to disappear from Anna. She awakened in the arms of her sister, weeping over her. And they all lived happily ever after.

Just as Elsa’s life was cursed with the magic of frozen, so have our lives been cursed by sin. Just as Anna bore Elsa’s sin in her body, so Jesus took our sin and bore it on the cross. Anna knew the cost to save Elsa, just as Jesus knew the cost to save me and you. The cost - Jesus death on the cross – an act of true love. Anna’s life was restored. Jesus rose from the dead. Anna and Elsa and the town lived happily ever after. So we who put or faith in Jesus, repenting of our sins, will live happily for eternity with Him in heaven.

Elsa’s heart was broken that she had caused the death of her sister. Has your heart been broken over the sin in your life that caused Jesus’ death? Have you sought the forgiveness that Jesus offers to each of us? May you live happily ever after in Christ Jesus.

Blessings on your week,

Gail

The Tree of Christmas

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1

There is a little bug in many of the classrooms today. It’s called an EETCHY worm. It’s made of colored beads and it helps kids organize their thoughts to tell a story. I want to use an EETCHY worm today to help us tell about a Christmas tree.

• The first bead of the worm is green to remind us what group we are talking about.

Our group is Christmas Tree

• The second bead is blue to ask us what does it do. A Christmas Tree represents the various meanings associated with Christmas.
• The second bead is yellow with an eye on it. This asks us what does it look like.

A Christmas Tree looks like a tree covered with red, gold, blue and white balls, stars, angels, ribbons, and bells.

• The next bead is brown to ask what is it made of. A Christmas tree is made of wood.
• The next bead is pink to ask what are its parts. A Christmas tree has a trunk, branches, and evergreen needles.
• Then there is a white bead to ask where is it? A Christmas tree is placed inside or outside of a home where everyone can see its beauty.
• The last bead is orange and asks what else do you know. By now most of us have a pretty good picture of a Christmas tree in our minds and our answer to the question what else do you know may be, “That’s all.” Or that there are presents under the tree. But that’s not all!

Let’s go back and examine what we said about the tree. The blue said is represents the various meanings associated with Christmas. What meanings? In the yellow we answered red balls; red is the color of blood. Christ shed His blood on a cross made of wood. The tree is made of wood. We also said gold balls. The wisemen brought Jesus gold and frankincense and myrrh. Blue balls are the color of royalty. Jesus is King of Kings. White balls are the color of purity. Jesus was without sin. Wisemen followed a star. Angels announced His birth. Ribbons held the breastplate to ephod on the robe of the high priest. Bells were sown around the hem of his robe so all could here him as he preformed his priestly duties. Jesus is our High Priest.  The evergreen needles tell us that Jesus gives us eternal life. The trunk and the branches lead us back to our scripture: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

We display our Christmas trees where all can see their beauty. So should Jesus be displayed in our lives that all can see His beauty. We want to come to the tree and receive the gifts. May all the world come to Jesus this Christmas and receive His gift of salvation. May there be Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

What else? Won’t you tell us the what else that God is doing in your life?

Blessings