"Supernatural Gifts, Common Good"

Symbols of the Christ Of course there are many symbols of Christ and His birth with which we are familiar: the manger, the five-pointed star, the Magi, shepherds, etc. There are many more that are less familiar to us, but that were common among early Christians–a partial list is at the bottom of page. All of these were meaningful to Christians at some time in history and many are still used today. Today we consider the symbol of the evergreen tree itself. In Christian art, the old illuminators and glass-painters often represented the genealogy of Jesus in the form of a tree, the “tree of Jesse,” in allusion to that text in Isaiah 11:1 where it states that “there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Thus the tree represents Jesus’ royal genealogy or “family tree.” In addition, the evergreen tree is symbolic of eternal life, God’s everlasting love, and Christmas itself. Thus, for us, the “Christmas tree” can become a unique reminder of our Savior at His birth. Some symbols that have been used for the Lord Jesus Christ: almond tree, alpha omega, anchor, angel, apple, ark, branch, bread, burning torch, burning bush, butterfly, candle, chi rho, crown, crown of thorns, cruse of oil, daisy, dayspring, descending dove (see the stained glass above the baptistry), door, escallop shell, fish, five-, six-, eight-, & twelve-pointed stars, fleur-de-lys, gastonbury thorn, gladiolus, good shepherd, horn, horse and rider, IHS, lamb, lily, literally dozens of crosses of various designs, manger, olive, ox or bullock, pelican, rock, rose, rosemary, scepter, shepherd’s crook, tau cross, the unicorn, the cornerstone, three caskets, three nails, three intertwined circles, triquetra, vesica piscis, vine, wine-press. Each of these has an interesting history and was used at one time (maybe still) to direct our attention toward the Savior. If you are not familiar with some of these, try Googling them after the service! Calendar for this week Today Welcome to the Morning Worship of the College Heights Baptist Church on December the seventeenth, seventeenth 2023 9:15 am Bible Study Classes 10:30 am Morning Worship live and online Nursery is provided during worship for preschool-aged children. 6:00 pm Hour of Prayer Wednesday The Third Sunday of Advent: JOY 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study (in recess) 6:45 pm Conversational English Classes Service begins at 10:30 AM Thursday 7:30 pm Young Women’s Bible Study at 2140 College Heights Rd. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 Saturday 8:00 am Ladies Accountability Group Postlude Music Announcements, etc. “My Soul Magnifies the Lord” Welcome & Announcements Advent Video and Prayer Music Lentz Upshaw JOY Leigh Ann & Scott Bowman 100 “Angels We Have Heard on High” “Immanuel” Mission Video “A Refuge for Ukrainians” Christmas Eve Brunch, Next Sunday at 9:45 a.m. (No Bible Studies) “Supernatural Gifts, Common Good” Christmas Eve Service Next Sunday at 6:30 pm. We will celebrate Christmas Eve with a Candlelight Service and observance of the Lord’s Supper. Be sure and pick up some Christmas Eve Service cards (in the front foyer) and invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Pastoral Prayer Message All-Church Open House TODAY This is a “pot luck” event, however, if you didn’t get “the memo” and didn’t bring a dish, please join us anyway. There will be plenty of food, fun and fellowship to go around. Lentz Upshaw (1 Corinthians 12:1-31) Response “O Come All You Unfaithful” Benediction 2 Corinthians 13:14 Postlude Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, if he’s not born in thee, thy soul is still forlorn. ANGELUS SILESIUS (1624–1677) John Ball is “deacon for the month.” He, as well as all the others are available to help you as needed. Deacons John Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-8168 Scott Bowman . . . . . . . 936-718-6182 Jerry Lawson . . . . . . . . 405-788-1317 John Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-2365 George Wyatt . . . . . . . . . . . . 587-7671 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering This is our annual offering for international missions. Let’s commit ourselves anew to joining in the task and, together, reach the nations. Our church’s goal this year is $4,000. 2024 Bible Reading Calendars are in the foyer. Recommended resource for 2024: “Seeing Jesus Together” journal. https://www.seeingjesustogether.com/ seeing-jesus-together-purchase Thanks be to God for his unspeakable Gift: indescribable inestimable incomparable inexpressible precious beyond words. LOIS LEBAR (1907-1998) COLLEGE HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH 2320 Anderson Avenue 785.537.7744 email: office@collegeheightsbaptist.org website: collegeheightsbaptist.org facebook: college heights baptist manhattan Lentz Upshaw, pastor lentz@collegeheightsbaptist.org