Scripture Series: This Shall Be a Sign Christmas Card---It's Word Art Wednesday Challenge Time!

Hi there, Crafty peeps! It's time for another Inspirational/Anything Goes Challenge at Word Art Wednesday (WAW).  Today's Scripture Word Art comes from Luke 2:12 which says, "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  I am featuring my card with this verse along with all the DT members at WAW.  Download this free Scripture Word Art and use it for your projects (not mandatory) and link  them to our Challenge.

Anyway, our highlighted verse was spoken by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds in the field living near Bethlehem where Jesus was born.  Though terrified at first, the shepherds rejoiced upon hearing that a Savior of all has been born.  They were joined by a crowd of heavenly host giving glory and praise unto God.  I would like to share the exhortation surrounding this verse from my Life Application Bible and it says: "The greatest event in history just happened!  The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds.  The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary.  He comes to everyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him.  Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don't think you need extraordinary  qualifications---he accepts you as you are.  Some of the Jews were waiting for a Savior to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from their physical ailments.  But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin.  His work is far-reaching than anyone could imagine.  Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.  He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes---He offers us new hearts that will last for eternity."

Aren't you glad that we serve a God whose willing to leave the comforts of heaven and live among us?  Not only that, He would die on our behalf to free us from the bondage of Sin and Death and restore us to our condition before the Fall of Man.  The shepherds didn't have the fullness of this revelation which many of us in this generation now know.  I am extremely grateful that the Spirit of God led me to the knowledge of Jesus Christ---deeply understanding the significance and meaning of His birth and the Gospel (His death, burial and resurrection) to my life today and the eternal future.  However, I can't help but ask why God chose the shepherds to be bearers of this awesome news of Christ' birth?  Why not kings, leaders or the rich and powerful men of that time? You see, simple individuals live simple lives and less worldly baggage.  Most people (rich, powerful and driven with ambition) have to devote all their effort, time and resources in pursuit of worldly happiness.  Their minds are preoccupied with advancing their influence that they don't find time for anything else.  As a result, they become deaf and blind to the things of God. They become idolaters---lovers of themselves more than God.  They thought they achieved everything on their own and are in control of their destinies. But here's the Truth, unless you know Christ and place Him first in everything you say and do, everything this world offers can devour you.  Satan tried to tempt Jesus with riches and power in exchange for His worship.  Luke 4:5-8 tells us, "The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.^" Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Now, I am not saying you need to be poor (materially) in order to hear from God, not at all!  In fact, there are many people out there blaming and cursing God for being poor and refuse to thank God for daily blessings provided for them.  The point is, it's not your material richness or poorness that matters to God.  It is your receptiveness and humility to acknowledge Him as the Source of everything you have and everything you are."  The shepherds, upon hearing of the great news of Messiah's birth, ran to see the baby Jesus and they immediately spread the word, "Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior."  They discovered something so wonderful that they made it their priority to share it with friends.  And all who heard their story were amazed. (Luke 2:15-18). I pray that we follow the great example the shepherds showed us pertaining to the life changing Truth brought about by the birth of Jesus Christ.  Lets make it our priority always.

For this Card, I used a clear stamp image from Art Impressions that I bought from Michael's and colored it with my Touch Five markers.  The base is a white CS, cut and scored to make a 5.5 inches square card.  The DP's are from DCWV, the brad from Recollections, the flowers that I layered are from Prima and the glitters are from Stickles.  I used a border punch from MS punch to create the shape om both sides of the card, a Corner Chomper from We R Memory Keepers and Fiskars punch for the leaves.   Finally, I ran the panels through my sewing machine to create some fancy stitched border all over this creation.

 THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD

THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD LAYERS

 THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD INSIDE

THIS SHALL BE A SIGN CHRISTMAS CARD WITH ENVELOPE-BOX

This Card is entered  into the following Challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking---Make It Pop
A Bit More Time to Craft---ATG
A Perfect Time to Craft---ATG
Artistic Stampers---Christmas
Card Mania---Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round---Christmas
Classic DT---ATG
Connie Can Crop---I'm so Fancy
Country View---Christmas
Crafts Galore Encore---ATG
Crafty Girls---ATG
Crafty Girlz---ATG/Christmas
Craftyhazelnut's---ATG Christmas
Crea Chicky---Christmas
Creatalicious---ATG/Flourishes
Createful Heart---Christmas
CCC---Spots and/or Stripes
Creative Ladybirds---ATG
Digistamps4Joy---ATG/Holidays
DL Art---ATG/Christmas
Eclectic Ellapu---ATG
Let's Craft and Create---ATG Christmas
Love to Craft---ATG
One Crazy Stamper---ATG Winter/Christmas
Paper Creator---Christmas/New Year
Papercraft Business---ATG/Christmas
Paradise Stamps---ATG
Paru's Cardmaking---Christmas
YSP---ATG

Time to go, everyone!  Please make sure to visit us at WAW and link up the projects you make out of our free Word Art although not mandatory.  You can link up any inspiring, uplifting, family-friendly projects, up to 5.  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamps ($25 GC). So, head over to WAW and show us your wonderful projects.  Enjoy your week.  Always remember that God loves you and wants you to share the meaning of His birth to everyone who chooses to listen.