Happy Third Sunday of Advent and Happy Christmas!
Third Sunday of Advent Reflections: On the Third Sunday of Advent, we remember, that St. John the Baptist was arrested for his bold preaching and baptizing. St. John the Baptist's disciples went and told Jesus, what had happened to their great and interesting teacher and baptizer. St. John the Baptist's disciples wanted to know, if Jesus was the long awaited Messiah or if they should keep looking. Jesus is the Messiah and St. John the Baptist was one of the greatest people to serve Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus warned St. John's disciples, that the Kingdom of Heaven would sadly experience persecution. Sadly the world cannot accept the Message, that Yahweh sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die for every single person for the the forgiveness of their sins. Many people reject the notion, that they are sinners and they need Jesus to be their Savior from their sins. Sadly even some "Christians" cannot even acknowledge, that they are sinners. True Christians are both sinners and saints at the same time, as Martin Luther taught, after they experience water Baptism, they believe, that Jesus died for them to save them from their sins, and they confess the Holy Trinity to be the one true God.
Let us read Matthew 11:2-15, "2 Now when John had heard in the prison the Works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto Him, 'Art Thou He, That should come, or do we look for another?' 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Go and shew John again those things, which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.' 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, 'What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger before Thy Face, which shall prepare Thy Way before Thee.' 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he, that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven, is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias (Elijah), which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (KJV 1611).
Christmas Tree Festival 2019: I will again have my slim Christmas Tree set up at the 2019 Allen County Museum Christmas Tree Festival at the Allen County Museum at 620 W. Market Street in Lima, Ohio. My slim Christmas Tree will again have all green lights on it and it shall also have Irish decorations on it. I plan on standing next to my Christmas Tree singing Christmas Carols in English, German, and Latin at random times during the festival, but I will try to be there once a day. The Christmas Tree Festival is a totally FREE event, but donations to the museum are greatly appreciated. The 2019 Christmas Tree Festival will be celebrated at the Allen County Museum from Wednesday December 4, 2019 to Sunday December 8, 2019. The festival hours will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday noon to 5 PM.
Stores Carrying My Books: My books, which I’ve written and published, are also available at the following stores: Brunner News Agency on Flanders Avenue in Lima, Ohio, Jen’s Furniture and Collectibles (JFC) on High Street in St. Marys, Ohio, The Menagerie at 1178 Indiana Avenue in the St. Marys Business Complex in St. Marys, Ohio, Readmore Hallmark Stores out at Eastgate Plaza and on Elm Street in Lima, Ohio, Wagner’s IGA Grocery Store in Minster, Ohio, in the Book Mart section of ohiobookmart.com , and in the Shop section of my website ohioirishlutheranpress.com .
Thank you and Happy Christmas!
James W. O’Flannery, President and Founder of Ohio Irish Lutheran Press (OIL Press)