DO NOT FEAR!! CHOOSE LOVE!! Advent Week 4 - PazNaz Children's Church December 20, 2020

God had been planning to give you a Christmas gift that would last forever. He promised to give us that gift since the Garden of Eden.... when we behaved at our worst! But God’s love covers a multitude of sins. When WE give the gift of love – we don’t have much love at all… the kind of love that can cover up other’s sins. But when you accept the gift of God’s love, you can share that gift with others and it will never run out. GOD’S LOVE IS LONG Loving us a long time before He even created us. LOVE IS DEEP Emmanuel – “God is with us” – He came down to us and understands our pains. LOVE IS WIDE He stretched out His arms on the cross and carried our sins and sorrows. LOVE IS HIGH He rose from the depth of the earth back to Heaven to be with us forever. BUT WOULD YOU TRAVEL OVER 1000 MILES TO WORSHIP AND BRING GIFTS TO JESUS? THE WISEMEN DID. WHO ARE THE WISEMEN? It was a Persian priesthood skilled in astronomy, preoccupied with stars and dreams. God then used a star and a dream to lead them to Him and guide them to safety. The Magi were schooled in Daniel’s teachings of God's Wisdom in Babylon which taught them prophecies of the coming Messiah. No one could be king on a Middle Eastern throne unless they were approved and crowned by the Magi. But the wise men recognized the Kingship of Jesus. Traveling 1000 miles from Persia - taking about 4 months. They would visit Jesus in a house in Bethlehem, a little while after Jesus was born - to worship and bring Him the finest gifts: Gold represented His Kingship Frankincense represented His Lordship Myrrh represented His Sacrifice. The Wisemen showed their love by seeking Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength – offering their best gifts - and even themselves – to be with Him. Will you do the same? The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path - the wise follow Him.