The History Behind The Nativity Scene

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Lord's day! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. Listen I'm back with another blog and the title of it is called. "My Graduation Day". Ladies I finally graduated from Matc stands for Milwaukee Area Technical College on May 17th 2025! It's so crazy how it happened. My journey began in the fall of 2017 five years after finishing high school where I took precollege classes. (I attended District School Of Ministry to study ministry from 2012 until 2016 before that.) My official semester began when I began in the Spring of 2018 and it continued on for the next several years. Why the delay? Well I chose to go part-time instead of full-time and in 2022 I took one eight week course and took the rest of the Spring, summer, and fall semester off. (In 2021 took five courses one online course one virtual course, three courses that fall. In 2020 took two courses Math and Economics . In 2019 I took three courses, 2023 and 2024 took four courses and this year took only two courses.) At Matc students have a choice to go full-time or part-time, have a choice of various majors, and can go however pace they want. I didn't want to be a full-time student and I knew that going part-time would be me taking longer to graduate but looking back at it it was worth it! I attended the Matc downtown campus for most semesters, took one semester at the Mequon campus, and had three semesters at the West Allis campus. (One in the fall of 2021, fall in 2024, and Spring of this year.) I picked up my cap and gown three days before Mother's Day right after my Thursday course. I'll never forget my time at MATC and I've had many wonderful professors,tutors, and administration who helped me with so much with homework, registration, financial aid, and so much more. Those memories I'll cherish forever. The graduation took place in a Saturday at the UW panther arena (UWM ceremony for their graduation took place the very next day on Sunday. I guess me being a part of Matc paid off because no way I'm gonna miss church on Sunday!) and the day felt surreal. I couldn't believe I got to walk across the stage with several of my classmates in the current semester and previous semesters and getting to sit down with other graduates! The reason why it's a big deal is because though I graduated from high school in 2012 I was homeschooled and my sister graduated from high school being homeschooled in 2014. (My brother graduated from high school in 2018 at a public high school.) We never got walk across the stage receiving our high school diplomas and my sister didn't attend her college graduation ceremony though she graduated in 2018 though my brother did in 2023. I'm so thankful it was on a Saturday not a Sunday (again I refuse to miss church on Sunday) and I'm the last Kelly to have graduated from college and a third generation college graduate. (Mom is a second generation college graduate and my late maternal grandfather was the first generation college graduate.) My time at MATC has been a crazy ride dealing with ubering to school, (sometimes I'd worry sick how is make it there and back especially when money was tight) dealing with Covid having to do class online or virtual, (that was no walk in the park) doing homework, and making sure not being in debt. (Thank you financial aid.) But through it all God has been good to me and had given me grace. I give credit to Him for keeping and motivating me especially when my motivation low at times. I thank God for the prayers of intercessors who prayed for me especially on my Tuesday night prayer meetings praying for me doing well in school. Mom would often pick me up from school many times though Dad last semester picked me up from school. One journey has ended and now a new journey is beginning. I don't know what the future holds but I know the One who does. I have a graduation party I'll be hosting May 31st and inviting folks to go. Blessings, happy Lord's day, and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Tuesday! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. I'm happy to present another blog called "Mental Health Jeremy Camp's Story". You may think what lessons can we learn from Jeremy Camp? Well there was a movie made on his life back in 2020 called "I Still Believe" and he wrote a book on his life back in 2013. His story is inspiring especially having to overcome lots of issues especially grief. What were his early beginnings like? Well his parents Tom and Terri were high school sweethearts but also were "hippies" before getting saved. His parents even "cohabited" and had a daughter April out of wedlock in 1975! Alot of people live like that now but not so much back then! Nevertheless it would be in early 1977 that Jeremy's parents became Christians and got married shortly after that. They'd go on to have three more children Jeremy born 1978 Jared would be born, and youngest brother Joshua who had Down syndrome was born. Also Jeremy Camp's day was extremely poor when he was growing up but God always provided for them. Jeremy became a Christian as a teenager though it took a awhile for his other siblings to live as Christians. He later graduated high school and college (not at the same time of course) and he eventually met a godly lady named Melissa who was sold out for Christ. They dated for awhile but sadly broke up. When they broke up it hurt Jeremy's heart but it was during that time that Melissa had cancer. After that they got back together and started dating despite her going through chemotherapy, radiation, hospital stats, and medication. She even lost her hair for awhile but he stuck by her side and prayed for her. Then eventually they got engaged and married in fall of 2000. Before they got married her hair grew back and the cancer went away. But after coming home from their honeymoon Melissa got sick again cause the cancer returned meaning she couldn't have kids! Melissa being in the hospital became normal and eventually in February 2001 Melissa went to heaven causing for Jeremy Camp a widower at 23 years old!!!!!! He went through lots of time grieving, anger at God, and going to counseling after Melissa died. Later he got signed a record deal and in 2002 released his debut album "Stay". (He's released many albums since then and y'all can check out his discography on Amazon or Google that mentions his different album names.) It would be during that time he met his second wife Adrienne from a rock band "The Benjamin Gate" and they toured alot together. (She was lead singer of the band until the band disbanded.) They enjoyed a wonderful friendship until well they fell in love. (Jeremy told his folks and prayed about it.) Eventually they got engaged and married in December 2003. It was Adrienne's only marriage and Jeremy's second marriage. They later had three kids two daughters and a son and Jeremy's music ministry has grown. He's known for hit songs such as "Right Here", "I Still Believe", "Walk By Faith", "There Will Be A Day", "He Knows", "Lives In Us" to name a few. Even though Jeremy has remarried and has a family he hasn't forgotten his time with his late first wife Melissa. You might think what does Jeremy Camp's story have anything to do with mental health? Grief impacts mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We know grief has it's stages shock/denial, sadness, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. Jeremy went through those stages as I have and many of you have. Maybe you're wrestling with deep questions and perhaps asked God why. I have and Jeremy Camp has as well too. If you feel alone in your grief remember Jeremy Camp's story. Grief impacts the way we see the world and affects how we see God. Grief can lead us to God or away from God. Jeremy had that choice too. He chose to run to God and not only that, many of his songs have touched the world and helped others walk through the most difficult storms in their lives. That's what I wanted to share with you ladies. As this month progresses I'll have more stories to share and what lessons we can learn from those precious people as well too. Blessings, happy Tuesday, and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Lord's day and Happy Mother's Day! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. I have so much to say here and the title of this blog is called "Happy Mother's Day/Teachers Appreciation Day". There are so many different ways of being a mother. One can be a grandmother, great-grandmother, stepmom, a mother of a pet, and even a spiritual mother. (One that mentors kids and adults in the things of God whether she has kids or not.) I'll likely get to be with my mom, my sister who had my nephew, and possibly see my grandmother later on. God gave women mothers or not the ability to nurture and bring forth life naturally or spiritually! That's something precious. Also let's not forget women on a day like this maybe hard. If you lost your mother, mom maybe you buried a child, (could be miscy, stillborn, died maybe as a child or adult) mom you have prodigal sons and daughters possibly grandkids, (someone who once knew the Lord but drifted away from Him) you're in a blended family and dealing with challenges with that, (could be divorced and remarried or widowed and remarried) single mom's, maybe a new mom, a wife with infertility struggles, or a single lady with no children, or a mom who lost a child, (Either miscarriage, child died young or died as a adult like in the case of Naomi Ruth's mother-in-law in the Bible both her sons died young and Mary mother of Jesus watched her Son and our Lord did on the cross for us but watched Him rise again.) days like this can be hard. But we need to pray for each other. Whether this day is a happy day or hard day we need to lift each other up. Mothers I pray you enjoy your day but don't forget to honor teachers if you haven't (it was Teachers Appreciation Week this past week.) and don't forget to love on others who maybe struggling on Mother's Day. Again while we want to honor and pray for moms don't forget those who are hurting. Let's believe God to bring prodigal sons and daughters back to Himself, to help blended families, believe God to comfort those who lost their mothers or lost children, to believe God to help wives with infertility struggles to conceive children, and believe God for single women called to marriage will find godly men. I know that a day like this can be hard on single women who may feel no worth because they have no husband or kids. I'm happy that at my church "New Life Assembly Of God Church" honor women and give gifts to them whether they are mothers naturally or not and I've been going here the past five years. I'm so thankful they acknowledge single women who are "childless" as worthy of honor. One of the few churches that does that. Let's also honor and bless "spiritual moms" who pour out the things of God to others because theyre worthy of honor too. Having "spiritual children" is just as much as blessing as having natural children. The Bible says in Proverbs 31 the children rise and call her blessed and I believe that can apply to natural and spiritual children blessing their natural and spiritual moms. Let's not also forget to pray for daughters who have a difficult relationship with their mom and toxic family cycles too. I wanted to share this with y'all. Whether it's a good day or a hard day I pray blessings on y'all, happy Lord's day, and Happy Mother's Day, everyone.

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Hi ladies it's me again and happy Lord's day! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. I can't believe it's the month of May and there is so much to talk about this month! The title I have for this blog is called "Mental Health From A Christian Perspective". Why is that important for Christians especially to know? Well number one God made our minds as He made our bodies and spirits. Secondly it's a big problem in our culture, thirdly it's something most people in the church are uncomfortable talking about, and lastly the concerns of psychology. To be honest I used to think like this too all the reasons people don't like talking about mental health. But here's what happened. When COVID happened five years ago, later on losing multiple loved ones in a short amount of time, and recognizing the abuse of my past (I encountered emotional, verbal, psychological, and slight case of spiritual abuse but no physical or sexual abuse) and I saw how it was impacting my walk with the Lord, dealing with others, and my emotional life I began to care about mental health. Also doctors and psychologists have said that trauma can impact the brain significantly and affect our mood swings. Believe it or not mental health is something to be concerned about. I find it interesting if our physical body gets sick we know to pray and know to get medical help right? We do those things without thinking about it do we? But when it comes to our mind and emotions being in shambles we don't know what to do about it. I know all of us no matter how long we've been walking with the Lord have encountered trauma in some way. Whether it be abuse, losing a loved one, dealt with a betrayal, or even COVID or something significant that turned our world upsidedown. Even non Christians deal with that stuff as well too. The good news is as Christians we know that we can go to God and we can get practical help too. The fact is God knows we live in a fallen world since Adam and Eve sinned. God knows the deep parts of our hearts and minds that have been altered due to unthinkable things that happened to us. We must ask Him to mend our broken hearts and traumatized minds and does that mean healing will happen overnight? No not necessarily. But that's when healing can and needs to begin. Someone has said. "God only heals what we reveal" is very true. Also don't forget people in the Bible dealt with issues too people like Joseph in the Old Testament, Job, Ruth and Naomi, King David, Prophet Jeremiah, the Apostle Paul, and even our Lord. They all had traumatic things happen to them but they made it through. Some endured abuse, betrayal, loss of loved ones, imprisonment, and even depression but they made it through. As this month goes in ill be sharing stories from people in the Bible and people in our world that have dealt with mental health challenges but by God's grace and going to counseling they were able to overcome that. If you or someone you know is dealing with concerns about mental health go to God in prayer about it and don't be afraid to get practical help like going to counseling or the doctor if need be. That's what I wanted to share with you ladies. Blessings, happy Lord's day, and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Tuesday! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. The title I have for this blog is called "Christ Ascending And The Spirits Descending". Now the gospel accounts of Mark and Luke and the early part of the book of Acts talk about Christ's last words before He ascended to heaven. Another important point I want to make is before Christ ascended into heaven the Bible says that He was on for forty days after He rose on Easter Sunday! What was He doing? He talked to two disciples of Emmaues (see Luke 24) He likely appeared to His mother Mary, His siblings, possibly Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and other unnamed people to prove He was alive through the marks on His hands and feet. He also was probably trying to make the most of His time spending time with loved ones (especially the disciples) knowing that He was going to depart the earth very soon because He fulfilled His mission which was Him dying on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day. Jesus told the disciples and others to meet Him at the Mount of Olives because He had some final words to tell them. What did He say? Well we know that He gave them the "Great Commission" where He told them both in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 to "Go to all the world and make disciples of all men baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to observe what He commanded them. " The disciples asked if it was time for Israel to be restored! What were the disciples asking? They wondered if it would be time for Jesus to establish His earthly rule at the Millennial reign after His death and resurrection! (The Millennial reign will happen after Christ and the raptured saints/armies of heaven overthrow the Antichrist and false prophet and other wicked armies who oppose Israel after the tribulation period.) But Christ redirected the conversation back to the "Great Commission" and shared Acts 1:8 "They will receive power when the Holy Ghost will come on them and be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth". He promised He's with them until the end of the age. Then Christ ascended into heaven in the clouds and the disciples and others looked up until they could see Him no more. Two angels promised the disciples that Jesus will return in like manner as they saw Him go. But here's the beautiful thing about this. Christ told the disciples in John 13-16 He would leave them but promised He would send the Holy Spirit before His death and resurrection took place! You know what? The disciples and the rest of the 120 in the upper room earnestly prayed and waited for ten days until the Holy Spirit came down and their lives and world was turned upside down! Though Christ ascended the Holy Spirit descended! That's something for all of us to be thankful for. You know what ladies? Someday Jesus will descend again on the clouds and take us away to be with Him in heaven and bring the Holy Spirit with Him too. What a day that will be! But until then we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to bring us closer to the Father. That's what I wanted to share with you ladies. Blessings and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Lord's day! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. I hope and pray that each of you ladies had a good Easter Sunday last week and I got to attend my church "New Life Assembly Of God Church", (we were off for Bible study Easter Sunday night) got to see my nephew and his interesting parents, and eat yummy Easter treats. (Thanks Easter Bunny lol!) Well ladies I'll be sharing today in a blog called "Jesus Forgives And Restores Peter". Y'all can read about that account in the gospel of John 21. Yes that's right that took place after Jesus' death on Good Friday and after His resurrection on Easter Sunday! This also was after Peter denied Jesus three times! I don't blog hardly about Peter that much much less about him denying Jesus and all four gospel accounts Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mentioned that. The Bible says that before the rooster crows that Peter would deny Christ three times and he did! This took place when Christ was arrested and put on trial when the disciples (including Peter) scattered with the exception of Judas Iscariot. (Judas later unfortunately committed suicide!) Of course we know about the crucifixion and resurrection and I'm sure during those events Peter struggled to forgive himself for what he had done for denying Jesus. That also brings me to this point. I think all of us have done things and said things or even didn't do things or didn't say things that we regret. What do we do during our time of failure? I imagine that Peter was wrestling with a lot of questions about what to do with his life and John 21 mentioned that Peter decides to go back to fishing and the disciples agreed to go with him. They fished all night and caught nothing and Jesus who stood on the shore asked if they caught anything. Peter and the disciples said no and Christ told them to throw the net on the other side and they'll catch fish. They did so and a ton of fish got caught and the disciples realized it was Christ! Peter decided to jump out of the boat and swam to see Jesus while the other disciples rowed the boat full of fish until they all made it to the shore. Jesus made a campfire and Peter and the disciples brought the fish they caught and Christ grilled the fish in the fire! (Side note I wonder if in the "Marriage Supper Of The Lamb" if we'll eat fish in heaven. Just something to think about.) Then they and Christ ate and enjoyed their time together just like how we enjoy eating with our loved ones too. Then after they finished eating Christ asked Peter three different times if he loved Him. Now I know that may seem strange for Jesus to do that but I'm sure He asked that for a reason. Remember when Peter denied Jesus three times? Perhaps Christ wanted to give Peter three more chances to prove His love for Him even after his worst failure! What a loving and compassionate Savior we serve! Jesus also told him to feed His sheep and predicted that when Peter would get old and prophesied what death he would die for the gospel sake. (After Peter wrote 2 Peter, historians say they crucified Peter upsidedown! That last time he stood up for Jesus!) Peter asked about what would the other disciples future would be (specifically John the Revelator who wrote John's account) but Christ asked him what is that to Him to continue to follow Him. Even after Peters worse mistake Christ forgave him and restored him. I pray that this will encourage all of us to know that none of us are too far gone from a loving Savior. Some of us may have unsaved loved ones or prodigals that according to the world "they're too far gone". (You know things like homosexuality, drugs, alcohol, incarceration, having financial problems, divorce etc.) But there's room at the cross for everyone and I love how there's a song called "Flawless" by Christian band "Mercyme" and there's a phrase in that song that says "No matter what they say or who you think you are the day you called His name that made you flawless". Let me explain what they mean by that. Flawless in the worlds mean is without faults but flawless in God's eyes mean complete. (The same could be said about perfection. Perfect in the worlds eyes means without fault but God defines perfection as maturity.) That gives me hope and encouragement that in our worst failure Christ is there waiting for me with open arms even though other people won't always do that. Christ extends the same for you ladies and your loved ones as He did for Peter. That's what I wanted to share with you ladies and I pray that this blog encouraged y'all. Blessings, happy Lord's day, and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Tuesday! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well. I hope and pray that each of you ladies had a good Easter Sunday with family and friends celebrating the Lord's resurrection. The title of this blog is called "Similarities Of Holy Week And Passover". Of course this year both Passover and holy week were close to each other this time and in this blog I'll be sharing my thoughts as well as truths from God's Word that deal with both. Passover is in honor of the Passover lamb. If you remember the story of Moses in the book of Exodus (Exodus means exit) and remember the ten plagues God sent to the Egyptians as a result of judgment because of Pharaoh's rebellion for refusing to let the Israelites go. The first nine plagues Pharaoh unfortunately hardened his heart but God sent one more plague the death of the firstborn of humanity and firstborn animal would die but if the death angel saw blood it passed over it. God told Moses and the Israelites take one year old male lamb with no blemish to kill it and put blood on the doorpost so their lives would be presevered. Because the Israelites put blood on their doorpost God protected them while death smote the firstborn of Egypt with people and animals. God would tell the Israelites from that moment on to honor Passover for generations to come to remember their deliverance from the wicked Egyptians. Well in the New Testament though holy week isn't in the Bible perse we came out of celebrating Christ's remaining time on earth on Palm Sunday when He rode in Jerusalem, His death on the cross on Good Friday, and this past Sunday on Easter Sunday honored His resurrection. Christ before He died on the cross had the Passover meal with the disciples and He transitioned it to what we call today "Communion". We take the bread in honor of Christ's broken body and juice the blood. Remember during Passover the Jews had to use a one year old male lamb with no blemish and kill it to put blood on their house to keep them from physical death? Well Jesus our Lord and Savior is the spotless Lamb of God who was brutally killed in the cross on Good Friday for our sins and it's through His blood that cleanses the stain of sin! I hope and pray that we're all grateful for that! Not only does His blood forgive our sins but keeps us from eternal death eternal separation from God the Father. His blood may or may not keep us from physical death but it keeps us from eternal death! Also for thousands of years after the Jews Exodus from Egypt they would offer sacrifices from lambs, bulls, and goats so blood could be shed for their sins and Passover was a high holy day for the Jews to be honored every year. Well we God's people celebrate holy week every year in honor of Christ death and resurrection who would be our Deliver spiritually. Also Christ died on the cross of Calvary on Good Friday during Passover week! I don't think it's a coincidence with that happening and holy week and Passover took place the same time this year! That's what I wanted to share with you ladies. Blessings to each of you ladies and have a blessed week everyone.

Hi ladies it's me again and happy Lord's day and Happy Easter! Oh my goodness! We're at the end of holy week! I hope and pray that each of you ladies and your families are doing well and hope that you ladies and your families are doing well. I got to have a great time worshipping the Lord at church while enjoying hearing about His resurrection. I'm happy to present another blog called "Happy Resurrection He Is Risen!" We know that last week Sunday on the Lord's day that we honored Palm Sunday when we remembered Christ riding on a donkey in the streets of Jerusalem and the crowd shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!" But then later on they crucified Him on the cross of Calvary and I wrote a blog last week even though it was Tuesday I wrote a blog honoring the cross of Calvary. Well today we're honoring the resurrection of our Lord! We know that all four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) recorded the Psalm Sunday and crucifixion moments but all accounts also recorded Christ's resurrection! All accounts mentioned about Mary Magdalene (a single woman who had seven demons casted out on her see Luke 8) Mary mother of James the younger and Joses, Joanna wife of Cuza, (Cuza worked for Herod Antipas and they were wealthy too) Salome, (likely the wife of Zebedee, mother of John the Revelator and James who were fishermen. Herod Antipas had a step daughter named Salome too.) Susanna, and possibly Mary the mother of Jesus carried their spices to annoint our Lord's body. Remember these were the women who followed Jesus and often traveled with the disciples as well as helping them financially too. (See Luke 8) They also were there during the crucifixion and there have been many paintings of women mourning at the cross and Passion plays too. I can only imagine the grief that Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Jesus, and the rest of the women of Galilee must have felt seeing their Lord being scourged 39 times and see Him put on a cruel cross and how troubled their hearts must have been. As they walked a long journey the stone was rolled away! An angel moved it and he said. "Do not fear the Lord Jesus isn't here but He has risen just as He said. Go quickly and tell the disciples that He will see them in Galilee". The women hurried away about what was told to them. John's account says Mary Magdalene told Peter and John and they hurried to the tomb and ran back to their dwelling place. Mary Magdalene looked to find Jesus wearing a white robe and asked why she was crying and called her name! Then Mary Magdalene ran to tell the other women what happened and Jesus appeared again! (Mary Magdalene saw Jesus twice in one day!) Jesus greeted them and they bowed down and worshipped Him. He told them not to be afraid but tell the disciples to go to Galilee where they'll meet Him. Listen ladies Jesus chose women to be the first to see Him alive! Eventually Peter and the remaining guy disciples would get to see Jesus later in the day and other occasions but I find that cool Jesus chose women to witness the resurrection. Why? A woman's testimony back then wasn't accepted and Mary Magdalene especially had a troubled past too. But it didn't stop Jesus from appearing to them and yes the disciples unfortunately doubted the women though Christ sent them and Marks account mentioned that Christ rebuked the disciples sternly for their lack of faith too! Wow! The other important part about the resurrection besides women being the first to see Him alive is Jesus took the keys away from Satan the keys of death, hell, and the grave and was given authority on heaven and earth as mentioned in Matthew 28! Wow! What a dimension! Also the resurrection was a completion of Christ's mission and our salvation was completed at the resurrection! The resurrection sets Christ apart from all other religions and all the false deities like Mohammad and all the others never got up from the grave but Jesus did! We along with the women of Galilee have a reason to rejoice and be glad that because Christ rose from the dead guarantees a "spiritual resurrection" (those spiritually dead to become born again) and a bodily resurrection at the rapture too! We have much to rejoice about and there's many wonderful songs that honor the resurrection like "Forever" by Kari Jone, "Christ The Lord Has Risen Today", "He Lives" just to name a few. That's what I wanted to share with you ladies! Blessings to each of you ladies, enjoy time with loved ones, happy Lord's day, happy Easter, and remember because He rose we can rise and overcome anything life throws at us!