This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.

In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.

We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.

Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.

In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.

Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion , outlined here https://wqth.wordpress.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/

Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.

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The Storm is upon us.
Please remember to Pray for our President.

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AND WHAT TIME IS IT?
TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!

It’s time to replace
a failed and CORRUPT political establishment
with a new government
controlled by you, the American People.
~ Candidate Donald J. Trump

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Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:

1. No food fights.
2. No running with scissors.
3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.

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And,

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On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

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Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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Aahhhh! It’s Christmas season again. And we have the Christmas movies, carols and poems, letters to Santa, Santa himself, the North Pole, elves, the 8 reindeer and Rudolph, Frosty the snowman, the Grinch, the lights, our Christmas trees, the other activities associated with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and, in some parts of the country, the snow . . . the beautiful, white snow that covers all with is glistening blanket of white. But, (yes, there is a but) . . .

As wonderful as all of these things are, they tend to obscure the true meaning of Christmas . . . more to some people and less to others. The actual events leading to and surrounding the birth of Jesus, the prophecies, the visit of the angel Gabriel, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the trip to Bethlehem, nowhere to stay, the manger, the host of angels, the shepherds and their visit to the manger, the star, the wise men, the flight to Egypt, and other events. But, (yes, there is another but) . . .

As necessary as all these things are to understand the birth of Jesus, what I’d like to bring to mind are three aspects of the events of the birth of Jesus that may tend to be overlooked during the Christmas season.

The first aspect is that all the events of Jesus’ birth were of the Will of the Father, by the Power of the Father, and all, all of this, is because of the love of the Father for us and for His Son, Jesus. And it was important to Jesus that we knew that He was sent by His Father.

“I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me” (John 17:8).

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20–21).

“O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me” (John 17:25).

The second aspect is, as we get lost in the wonder of the night of Jesus’ birth, it comes as a shock that we remember the reason for His birth is so He can die a horrible death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 6:23)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The third aspect is that Jesus died on the cross resulting in the forgiving of sins for those who believe, all for the Glory of the Father,

“Father, the hour has come,” he prays. “Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:1-3).

Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Peter 4:11)

Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7)

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)

And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7)

That God, the Father is preeminent in the birth, life and death of Jesus, including His resurrection is no surprise. Neither is the fact that Jesus was born so that He could die (and be raised). Nor that all of this, and every good that ever was, is and will be is to the glory of God, the Father.

Let these aspects be three more reasons to express our joy during this Christmas season!