'Twas Years Before Christmas/EPI and School Ministries

Did Christmas begin just inside this barn door? Or did it begin many years long before? ’twas Years Before Christmas by brian cretney



Years by brian cretney

This book is dedicated to young people everywhere who have yet to discover their place in God’s marvellous, massive, miraculous plan. “ You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created.” — Revelation 4:11 Text © 2019 Brian Cretney Illustrations © Sweet Publishing/FreeBibleImages. Used with permission according to the license: Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Editors: Eunice Free, Jabe Nicholson, Jamie Martin All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other — except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Canada by Everyday Publications, Inc for School Ministries (U.S.). Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ISBN *** www.everydaypublications.org www.schoolministries.org

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. — Galatians 4:4-5 —

’Twas years before Christmas, before time began, God’s marvelous, massive, miraculous plan was thought of right there in God’s gift-giving heart. But what was that plan? And where would He start?

Part One: The Garden ’Twas years before Christmas, 4000 or so, when Adam was formed from the dust down below. God breathed in his nostrils, alive he became, then made him a wife and Eve was her name.

We walked with our God in the cool of the day; We talked and we listened to all He would say, “Of all these great trees you may freely partake except for that tree...” Then along came a snake. That sneaky old serpent was quick to inform that ‘following our heart’ was simply the norm. He promised that if we would eat from that tree, we’d be our own gods — at last, you’ll be free!’

Now, sadly, we listened, believing that fraud; We willfully chose to ignore our good God who gave us abundance — all trees but that one. The serpent just sneered, “God is spoiling your fun.”’ We tasted that fruit…and we felt a cool wind. Deep down in our hearts, we both knew we had sinned. “Get out from this garden!” God said, heavy-hearted. With shame and with sorrow, we sadly departed.

ADAM 4000 BC Yet God, in His heart, had a marvelous plan, a plan that would come through a regular man named Seth — a dear son of both Adam and Eve — a plan so divine only God could conceive. SETH NOAH NOAH 3000 BC For, centuries later, from Seth’s family tree, came Noah, a builder, as soon we shall see. He once got a project directly from God, which all of the people agreed was quite odd.

Part Two: The Boat ’Twas years before Christmas, 3000 or so, and sin filled the earth. God’s heart filled with woe. God warned me of judgment. His patience wore thin. For, though He is loving, He won’t ignore sin...

I did as God told me. I built a great ark while warning the people who walked in the dark. I finished the boat. God closed the door: THUD! Then, just as God promised, He sent the great... flood!

God rained down His judgment, for sin has a cost. And all human beings (but eight) were then lost. It pained God to do this; His heart ached with sorrow; But sending a rainbow meant Hope for tomorrow.

ADAM 4000 BC SETH NOAH 3000 BC Yes, God, in His heart, had a marvelous plan, SHEM a plan He’d fulfill through a regular man named Shem (one of Noah’s three hard-working boys); This plan would be bursting with heavenly joys! SHEM ABRAHAM 2000 BC For, centuries later, from Shem’s family tree came patriarch Abraham, bless-ed was he! But why was he special? What part would he play in bringing about such a blessing today? ABRAHAM

Part Three: The Lamb ’Twas years before Christmas, 2000 about, when patriarch Abraham let out a shout: God gave me some news of great joy and glad cheer: “You’re having a son in your one hundredth year! “And from your own son shall all people be blessed and grow as a nation beyond all the rest; Your offspring will be as the stars of the sky!” (Though God, at that point, chose to not explain why).

But there was no doubt that Jehovah was true. “My God, I am certain that I can trust You!” And just as God promised, my Isaac was born, then grew — till that day that my poor heart was torn. “Please offer your son as a gift unto Me,” said great God Jehovah, as plain as could be. “I don’t understand, but Your will I obey.” I placed my dear son on God’s altar that day.

My knife was positioned and ready to drop when God spoke like thunder, “now abraham, stop! ““ I see you are willing to give me your best; now watch how such faith shall be royally blessed.” A stir in the thicket, a tangled-up ram to take Isaac’s place. “But one day a Lamb! A lamb I’ll provide that is spotless and pure to die in man’s place and provide man a cure.”

ADAM 4000 BC ADAM NOAH SETH OTHERS SETH NOAH 3000 BC SHEM ABRAHAM 2000 BC So still, in God’s heart, was that marvelous plan, SHEM ISAAC that plan He passed down through a regular man OTHERS named Isaac, then Jacob, and others came later; We can’t stop quite yet, for God’s plan was still greater… ISAAC ABRAHAM JACOB OTHERS DAVID 1000 BC For, centuries later, DAVID from this family tree a shepherd name David appeared on the scene. Though just a young boy with a sling and a stone, God placed him as king upon Israel’s throne!

Part Four: The Crown ’Twas years before Christmas, 1000 I’d say, When King David ruled in a wonderful way. A lion? A bear? A giant to fight? I go in the name of the Lord and His might!

Although I am known for my great love for God, I, too, have a record that deeply is flawed. For, rather than helping my army to win, I stayed home and lost in a battle of sin.

Not many years later, the nation was split; Our poor little country had taken a hit! God’s people were captives — but, still, it got worse: For four hundreds years, they lived under God’s curse.

ADAM NOAH ADAM 4000 BC SETH SHEM SETH OTHERS OTHERS NOAH 3000 BC SHEM ABRAHAM 2000 BC ISAAC DAVID 1000 BC Yet still, in God’s heart, ABRAHAM was that marvelous plan, that plan He passed down through a regular man ISAAC who came from King David’s own fam-i-ly tree... OTHERS DAVID OTHERS JOSEPH 0 ...a Nazarene? Joseph? But how could this be? MARY JOSEPH

Part Five: The Manger ’Twas months before Christmas, nine months just about, when Joseph’s fiancée named Mary found out that part of God’s plan was to visit this earth. He’d come as a baby, arriving by birth! But there was more news that would shock her that day, for God, in a special, miraculous way would place in her womb His very own Son! She simply replied, “May God’s will be done.”

’Twas weeks before Christmas; Augustus decreed: A census of all in the earth is in need! I want to make sure you’re all paying your taxes.”  So back to their hometowns went people in masses! ’Twas days before Christmas, and Joseph gets ready. He helps Mary onto a donkey. “Now steady.” They set off for Bethlehem — birthplace of David. At last, in the distance, they see it. “We made it!” ’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town not a single hotel nor a bed can be found. Both Mary and Joseph are tired and weary. The only available option looks dreary...

A stable? A trough for a bed…for a baby? We must be mistaken, an oversight maybe? For, coming from Glory, yet crowded by cattle Will be Lord Jehovah, Almighty in Battle! ’Twas the very first Christmas, dear Jesus is born, and God’s wondrous plan ushers in a new morn! Those parents are caring! The angels declaring! The shepherds are joyful and silently staring!

Some wise men detect an unusual star; They know God is here so they travel from far! The Hope of all ages! O grand celebration! This baby shall bless every kindred and nation! However...

ADAM & SETH JESUS ABRAHAM & ISAAC NOAH & SHEM Part Six: The Snake, the Ark, the Lamb, the Crown KING DAVID ’Twas years after Christmas, about thirty-three, JOSEPH & MARY when Jesus, the grown-up, was nailed to a tree. Forsaken by God and forsaken by man… Was that really part of God’s “marvelous” plan? That wonderful secret God passed down through men, From Adam to Seth and then Noah to Shem? From Abraham, Isaac, to David the king? Through Joseph’s wife, Mary, to this tragic scene? But YES! Listen on! Let our wond’ring souls hush...

Because of this Christ, JESUS CAME TO “CRUSH THE HEAD OF THE SERPENT.. that old serpent was crushed! CALLED THE DEVIL.” (GEN 3:15; REV 12:9) And just like that ark, He now guards all of those who obey the gospel before the Door’s closed. Because, like that lamb Serpent-Crusher that was promised of old, He died in our place. What a sight JESUS CHRIST IS THE... to behold! Beaten and bruised, though completely unflawed. Ark of Salvation Then taking our blame, He was punished by God! JESUS IS “THE LAMB OF GOD (JOHN 10:28; 1 THES 1:10) WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.” (JOHN 1:29) JESUS: “I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE.” HE “DELIVERS US FROM THE COMING JUDGMENT.” Lamb of God Yes, this was the plan, but not the whole thing — King of kings for up from the grave He arose, The Great King! Ascending His throne as the Lamb that was slain which David but pictured  in his earthly reign.

Part Seven: You! Now there’s just one part to be added — it’s true: God’s wonderful, marvelous plan includes YOU! He’s patiently waiting for you to step in and let Him forgive you and cleanse you from sin. So this very night, when all through your house, no creatures are stirring, not even a mouse, remember this plan, born in God’s heart of love, passed down through the ages: The Babe from Above!

PRESENT: YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY PAST: YOUR PURPOSE IN GOD’S HEART SEEING THE BIG PICTURE: GOD DESIGNED YOU ON PURPOSE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: YOU ARE NO ACCIDENT: “Before I FORMED YOU 1. God made you (Jer 1:5) to bring joy to His own heart (Rev 4:11). in the womb I KNEW YOU...” — Jer 1:5 2. Our sin makes it impossible for us to bring joy to God’s heart. 3. But God has a way to make this possible. How? GOD DESIGNED YOU FOR A PURPOSE 4. Since Jesus brings joy to God’s heart (Mt 3:17; Mt 17:5), God can put the very life of Jesus into the heart of a forgiven sinner (Gal 2:20). “You, O Lord, have created all things, and FOR YOUR 5. As we let Jesus live His life through us, we bring joy to God’s PLEASURE they are and were created.” — Rev 4:11 heart. Only then can we experience a sense of fulfillment and joy (Jn 15:5, 8) that cannot be found in any other place, pleasure, or person. GOD LOVES HIS CREATURES. SIN GOD MUST PUNISH SIN GOD WILL PROVIDE A LAMB SPREADS THROUGHOUT NOAH TOWER OF BABEL ABRAHAM THE WORLD LIKE A ADAM DISEASE (See Gen 6:5) 4000 BC 3500 BC 3000 BC 2500 BC 2000 BC CREATION OR EVOLUTION? In a newspaper article, George Caylor (Feb. 17, 2000, The Ledger), interviewed a scientist (microbiologist) about his views on evolution. The scientist, a non-Christian who wished to remain anonymous, stated: “Nobody I know in my profession believes we evolved. Life was engineered by genius beyond genius. The paper and ink didn’t write the book! Knowing what we do, it is ridiculous to believe we evolved.” Caylor asked, \"Have you ever stated that in a public lecture, or in any public writings?\" Scientist: “No, I just say we evolved. To be a molecular biologist…it would be insane to say I don't believe evolution. All government work, research grants, papers, big college lectures—everything would stop. I'd be out of a job.” FUTURE: YOUR PROMISE OF HOPE THE WORLD WITHOUT GOD THE WORD OF GOD HOW THE WORLD DEFINES “HOPE” — “A desire HOW GOD DEFINES “HOPE” — “A promise that HAS A that has nO BASIS OF CeRTAInTY.” For example — BASIS OF CeRTAInTY”. Also translated as “confident expec- “I hope it doesn’t rain today so I can go to the beach.” tation”. For example: “[God] has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” IMPOSSIBILITY OF TRUE “HOPE” — “You were (1 Pet 1:3). NOTE: A Christian has a LIVInG HOPe (the prom- ise of Jesus returning to take His people to HeAVen and also without Christ...having no hope and without God in to reign with Him on this earth). The basis: The resurrec- tion of Christ from the dead. See also John 11:25. the world” (eph 2:12). You choose...

WHERE YOU FIT IN and why! HISTORY REALLY IS HIS STORY SO HERE YOU ARE! Many would have you believe that the Bible is just a collection of fairy tales. not so! Listen to the Just stop for a moment and words of someone who walked and talked with Jesus: “For we did not follow cunningly devised fa- bles...but were eyewitnesses...” (2 Pet 1:16). Among other things, the Bible is a careful presentation think about it: As you read of history that shows how all the events it contains are connected and move together towards God’s marvelous plan of forgiving sinners and making us His children and co-heirs of His Kingdom. these words, you are one decision This is the main focus of the Bible. Many would call belief in the Bible and its message blind faith. But listen to this: “Supposedly, Christians are blindly stumbling from one fantasy to the next with no evidence away from stepping into the very to justify any of it. This betrays an utter ignorance of what the Bible means by faith. Christians make one assumption: the Bible is the Word of God. From this assumption (for which there is overwhelming evi- purpose for which God made you! dence), flow all of our beliefs... In contrast, the unbeliever is awash in a sea of countless assumptions and wishful thinking. Who is operating by blind faith: the person whose beliefs flow from one completely defen- In a moment of time, you could sible assumption, or the person whose beliefs are an endless string of guesses and I hope so’s?” —J. MARTIN experience the thrill of having God’s plan for you (unfolded throughout the ages) and your ultimate purpose (knowing God and bringing joy to His heart) come together and“click”. Just like that, you’ll step into a whole new life with a new peace GOD WILL REDEEM AND REIGN! (sins forgiven!), a new identity (a PROPHETS WARN NATIONS child of the King!), new desires OF SIN AND TELL OF THE COMING KING: THE CHRIST! (to please God), a new power to 500 BC do those things, as well as a new MOSES & RED SEA RESCUE DAVID JESUS hope of Heaven! YOU! 0 BC The choice is up to: 1500 BC 1000 BC 2000 AD Just like looking CH se your through a pair of glasses, whatever our glasses carefully view of the world is will influence how we Everyone has faith! Faith just means“to believe”— to select the glasses through which you choose to see everything else. view the world. every day, you believe weathermen, doctors, teachers, parents, friends. But do you believe God? If you remove God from your belief system, then this is how you must view your world: There “I believe in was no purpose before time; there is no purpose after time; therefore, there is no purpose between those Christianity as I two points. If we are the result of evolution (“no one plus nothing equals everything”), then what I think, believe that the sun has risen: not only say, or do now has no significance. These activities are nothing more than chemical reactions. In that because I see it, case, what’s wrong with harming other people? Lying? Stealing? However, if you include God but because, by it, in your belief system and accept His forgiveness, this changes everything! You will un- I see everything derstand that: God made you (which gives you value); God promises you an eternal home in Heaven (which gives you hope); between those two points, He wants to use you to make else.” an eternal difference in the lives of others (that gives you purpose). So which of these two pairs of glasses will you choose? Will you place your faith in man’s notions or God’s Word? — C.S. LEWIS —

SEEING THE BIG PICTURE: PART WOULD GOD REALLY GET UPSET OVER ONE SIN? —1— We might be tempted to think that God overreacted when Adam and eve disobeyed Him. After all, they only took one bite of some fruit, right? It might appear that way, but... Let’s zoom out a bit to see the bigger picture: God knew this was a way bigger deal YES, HE REALLY WOULD! than just eating some fruit. This was a matter of eternal life and eternal death. God even said so: “The day that you eat of it, you shall surely die.” (Gen 2:17). God wasn’t just talking BIG SIN OR LITTLE SIN, YOU NEED about physical death — Adam didn’t die physically until he was 930 years old (Gen 5:5). TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY ACT God was talking about spiritual death — Adam and eve (and the entire human race, Rom OF SIN IS SOMETHING THAT CAN 5:12) would be separated from God. To die in this condition would mean being separated DESTROY YOU. GOD KNOWS THAT, from God eternally. And THAT is what made that single act of SO HE DOESN’T TAKE SIN LIGHTLY. disobedience a really big deal. When they disobeyed, they also introduced sin into the human race (see Rom 3:23). This means that every one of us is a sinner and is, therefore, separated from God: “But your iniquities [sins] have separated you from your God” (Isa 59:2). If we die in this condition, we will be eternally sep- arated from God in a literal place called The Lake of Fire. This is never a pleasant topic to think about, but, because God loves us, He has made it clear that this is the result of rejecting His forgiveness. See why that one little sin was a big deal? What about your sin? God is waiting for you to come to Him and to ask Him to save you! He designed you to have a relationship with Him (Rev 4:11), but until your sins are forgiven, such a relationship is impossible. PART DOES A LOVING GOD REALLY PUNISH PEOPLE? —2— Here is something you need to know about God. Bottom line: He is holy and punishes sin. The Old Testament is full of stories where God destroyed those who practised wickedness. YES HE REALLY DOES! But let's zoom out a bit to see the bigger picture. As we read in other places in the Bible about God punishing sinners, we discover this important truth: GOD WARnS BeFORe GOD IS EVEN CALLED A “CONSUM- He PUnISHeS! If your parent randomly removed a privilege for no known reason, you might ING FIRE”, THE GOD WHO UTTERLY say they were being unfair. But if your parent warned you in advance, “Your room must be DESTROYS ALL EVIL IN HIS PATH. clean by this evening, or you’re not going out with your friends,”then they would be right, or “just”, in removing your privilege if you failed to clean your room in time. This is exactly HOW IS THAT LOVING? how God operates. Listen to what He says in the Bible: “Then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head“ (ezek 33:4). In every instance in the Bible, God forewarned before He punished. The Flood: noah warned the people for 100 years. The Plagues: God sent Moses to warn Pharaoh. The Slaughtering of the Canaanites (who came from noah’s family!): Over 1000 years of wickedness and warning! The City of Ninevah: God sent Jonah to call the people to repent. Even when disci- plining His own people (Israel and Judah): God warned them about their coming captivity if they did not repent. In all of these instances, there was only one time when the people repented: Those in nineveh. What happened? They were spared! Have you re- sponded yet to God’s warning to be saved? If so, the Bible says you shall be “saved from wrath through Him” (Rom 5:9). The last time the world saw Jesus, He was nailed to a cross. But He rose from the dead! The day is coming when every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will admit: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Have you bowed to Him yet?

WINORCDASE&YIODUE’ARES IWNOTNHDISERBIONOGK... DID GOD REALLY TELL A DAD TO KILL HIS SON? PART —3— YES, HE REALLY DID! If you’re not completely stumped by now, here’s one more puzzling fact: GOD COnDeMneD CHILD SACRIFICeS! He actually WHAT YOU ALSO MIGHT FIND punished nations for this behavior.Yet, right there in Genesis 22, SURPRISING IS THAT THIS it seems that God encourages such a thing. It sure appears that way...if you only began reading at Genesis 22 — which many people do. Then they conclude that God is horribly mean. DAD DIDN’T HESITATE OR PUT IT OFF. HE “ROSE UP EARLY IN But let’s zoom out a bit to see the bigger picture: We need to back up a little to where we discover a secret that God shared with Abraham. This secret made it possible for Abraham to obey THE MORNING” TO GET TO IT! as he did. In Genesis 15:5, God told Abraham, who was old and childless, that his family tree would include as many people as there were stars (referring to all who would be saved through Christ, who came from Abraham’s earthly line). Then God gave one more important detail to Abraham in Genesis 21:12 - This “spiritual” family tree would come through Isaac. So, though God had said, “I’m giving you a son and a massively huge family tree through him,”He now told Abraham,“Sac- rifice Isaac.” This was a test! Did Abraham really believe God’s promise concerning Isaac? What Abraham DID know was that God’s character was totally trustworthy (see Heb 6:13!). On that basis, Abraham put the full weight of his faith in the character and promise of God, knowing that even if Abraham did sacrifice Isaac, God would have to raise Abraham’s “son of promise”back to life again to bring God’s plan to pass. This is why Abraham could tell others before going up to the mountain to sacrifice, “The lad and I will go...and we will come back to you” (Gen 22:5). WILL JESUS REALLY REIGN ON THIS EARTH? PART —4— Wasn’t Jesus nailed to a tree and buried in a tomb? So how could He ever become a King? True, the last time the world saw Jesus, he was a heap of mangled flesh on a cross. “His ap- pearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being...” (Isa 52:14, nIV). But let's zoom out a bit to see the bigger picture: Three days after He was buried, He YES HE REALLY WILL! rose from the dead (1 Cor 15). So what’s next for Jesus? He’s coming back! A prophet named Zechariah (who lived about 500 BC; see the timeline on the previous page) declared, “He IN FACT, THERE ARE SEVERAL [Jesus] shall be King over the whole earth” (Zech 14:9). It’s really going to happen!Why? Jesus REASONS WHY HE MUST REIGN! still has some unfinished business to take care of. 1. He has to show the world they were wrong about Him. He was hated by the world and crucified as a criminal. They didn’t believe Him when He said He was God’s Son. But listen to this: “You shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mk 14:62). 2. He has to restore creation. The Bible talks about this earth as if it is actually groaning (Rom 8). It has suffered horribly because of sin! But God is going to restore the planet to a state even better than the Garden of eden, better than His original Creation! 3. He has to fulfill some promises. As we just read, God promised throughout the Old and newTestaments that Jesus would reign on this earth. He has also promised that Israel will one day be the capital city of the world (Mic 4; Isa 2). God always keeps His promises: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Christ]” (2 Cor 1:20, eSV). It is far better to obey Him now when He says, “Come to Me” (Mt 11:28). If you wait until it is too late, you will have to bow to Him as your Judge. Then He will announce, “Depart from Me” (Mt 7:23).

(1 Cor 15:3-4) — Your — 5 FINGERS OF FAITH Taking hold of God’s gift There is 1 way to Heaven: JESUS CHRIST...plus nothing! (John 14:6) We have 2 choices: Receive Him or reject Him. (John 3:36) To be saved, we are called to believe 3 facts: a) Jesus died to pay for our sins, proving His love for us. b) He was buried, proving He really died. c) He rose again the third day, proving He really is the Son of God. 4- giveness is granted by God to those who: Agree with Him about their sin (“repent”) and receive His Son as Savior (“faith”). (Eph 1:7) 5 golden words of eternal security: “I give them ETERNAL LIFE.” (John 10:28)