There were several individuals during Jesus time who claimed to be the Messiah or were believed to be messianic figures by their followers. Some of these figures include:

• Hezekiah/Ezeklas: Defeated by Herod in 47 BCE.
• Judas the Galilean: Active around 6 CE.
• Theudas: Active around 44 CE.
• Simon of Perea: Active around 4 BCE.
• Athronges the Shepherd: Active around 4 BCE.
• The Egyptian: Active in the 50s CE.

These individuals often led revolts or had significant followings, and their claims or the claims made about them were seen as threats by the ruling authorities. Thank God  that he had a plan to make Jesus the one and only true Messiah sent by God.

     A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university Professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general.

     Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal – some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite.

     Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee. When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address the small gathering.

     “You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems.”

     He continued…”Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups,,,Then you began eyeing each other’s cups.”

     “Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define  nor change the quality of Life we live. Often, by concentrating on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us.

     God brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your coffee!”

     The haapiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have…So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the Rest to God.

     And remember –  the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to your and your family from Woodburn Presbyterian Church ! And this Christmas, always remember to give thanks to God for the priceless gift that he gave to all of us – JESUS CHRIST, our savior!

     Jesus had a lot to say about handling stress, worry, and anxiety. Some examples of this are as follows:

1.Trust in God: Jesus often emphasized the importance of trusting in God and not being consumed by worry. In Matthew 6:25-34, He taught that we should not worry about our lives, what we will eat or drink, or about our bodies and what we will wear. Instead, He encouraged us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting that our needs will be provided for.

2. Come to Him for Rest: One of Jesus’ most comforting teachings on stress is found in Matthew 11:28-30. He invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

3. Living in the Present: Jesus encouraged living in the present moment rather than being anxious about the future. In Matthew 6:34, He said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

     These teachings highlight the importance of faith, prayer, and focussing on the present as ways to manage stress and find peace.

     The Parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37, teaches several profound lessons:

1. Compassion and Mercy: The Samaritan showed compassion and mercy to the injured man, unlike the priest and the Levite who passed by. This highlights the importance of helping others in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.

2. Breaking Social Barriers: At the time, Jews and Samaritans had significant animosity towards each other. By making a Samaritan the hero of the story, Jesus emphasized that love and kindness should transcend social and ethnic boundaries.

3. True Neighborliness: Jesus used this parable to answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” He illustrated that a neighbor is anyone who shows mercy and kindness, not just those who are close to us or similar to us.

4. Active Love: The Samaritan didn’t just feel pity, he took action. He bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. This teaches that true love involves action and sacrifice.

     These lessons encourage us to show compassion, break down social barriers, and actively help those in need. Have you helped anyone in need lately ?

     The Bible doesn’t provide specific details about Jesus experiencing illness. However, as the Son of God, Jesus was also fully human. This means he likely experienced the full range of human conditions and emotions, including hunger, fatigue, and possibly even sickness. His humanity allowed him to fully empathize with our struggles and sufferings.

     In biblical times, the distance between cities varied significantly. For example, the distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem was about 90 miles. The average walking speed was aroundc2.5 miles per hour, and people typically walked about 20 miles a day. So, a journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem would take approximately 4-5 days.

     The terrain and conditions could affect travel time. For instance, traveling through mountainous regions or dealing with weather conditions could slow down the journey. It makes one wonder whether or not they had “road maps” at that time and if you made a wrong turn somewhere, you couldn’t call someone to ask for directions either?

1. “Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes”

2. “People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.”

3. “Always remember that you are absolutlely unique. Just like everyone else.”

4. “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

5. “My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them.”

6. “Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.”

7. “One advantage of talking toyourself is that you know at least somebody’s listening.”

8. “Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?”

9. “Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.”

10. “Wine is a constant proof that God loves to see us happy.”