Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

"When The Herds Were Watching"

In the midnight chill,
Came a spotless lambkin
From the heavenly hill.

Snow was on the mountains,
And the wind was cold.
When from God's own garden
Dropped a rose of gold.

When it was bitter winter,
Houseless and forlorn
In a star-lit stable
Christ the Babe was born.

Welcome, heavenly lambkin.
Welcome, golden rose.
Alleluia, Baby,
In the swaddling clothes!


[William Canton]



Luke 2:12 ... And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

Thursday, December 25, 2025

"Christmas Day"

Lord, we will extol You, O God, our King. We will bless Your name forever and ever. But especially on this hallowed morn, we desire to pour forth floods of adoring praise. O our souls, bless the Lord. O every faculty within us, magnify His boundless love. We bring our thanks for the gift of gifts. Your only begotten Son is born into this world. He is made bone of our bones, flesh of our flesh. The least gift from heaven to guilty earth exceeds all praise. 

What shall we render unto You for sending Your own dear Son to take upon Him our nature, and truly to be one of the family of man! Utterance cannot express due gratitude. But accept, we beseech You, the breathings of Your Spirit in our hearts. Mark how fervently we love You, and how we strive to testify thanksgiving. "Wonder of wonders! The Son of God comes down from heaven that to heaven we poor sinners may be raised. Our Lord Jesus Christ takes the manhood into God that we may become partakers of the divine nature. He is born one with us that we may be one with Him forever. 

Herein is love, when we could not rise to Him, He flies down on the wings of grace to raise us to Himself. Herein is power, that when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart, God has joined them in indissoluble oneness. He has united infinite opposites in one Christ. Herein is God's wisdom in the highest, that when we were utterly undone by sin, without will to return, without intellect to devise recovery Jesus appears on earth, able as God to save us to the uttermost, and qualified as man to die our death, to shed sin-atoning blood in our stead, and to work out perfect righteousness in our behalf. 

Father, God most merciful, help us to bless You more. In spirit we take our station by the watching shepherds. So, we strive to expand our contracted hearts. We hear, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2:10-11)

We hear, we believe, we rejoice, we give thanks, we adore. We bid all fears to flee away. We call upon our consciences to bathe in an ocean of repose. We look up with filial confidence. We see You our reconciled Father. Separation has ceased. We draw near, because You have thus drawn near to us. We love You because we have this proof that You have so loved us. A Redeemer has come! We put all our trust in Him. We believe that we are fully and forever redeemed from sin, and all sin's penalties and woes. You have raised up a horn of salvation for us. We see its all-sufficient might. We embrace it with undoubting faith. We realize that You have saved us. Like Simeon we clasp the new-born Savior to our hearts. 

We exult that He is ours, and we are His. We are one with Him. Therefore, You are our Father because His Father, and His God because our God. Father, again we say, help us to bless You for all the benefits of this wondrous birth. Give us grace, that our lives may praise You better than our lips. Keep our thanksgiving free from every blot. You have given so much for us, that heaven itself could give no more. Here we present ourselves to Your undivided service. Accept us. Preserve us. Rule within us. 

May Your dear Son indeed be born within us. May His continual indwelling sanctify every movement of our minds. May the good tidings of this day have free course and be glorified throughout earth's length and breadth. Wherever man lives, may he rejoice in the Child born, the son given. Hasten the time when He who as at this time came to visit us in great humility, shall come again in His glorious majesty with all His saints. Holy Father, we offer our prayers and praises in the way which You have ordained Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

[Henry Law]

 ✞     

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

The True Meaning of Christmas

... as told by Linus.




 ✞     

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:8-14

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Something In It!!

A stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.

[C. S. Lewis]



Luke 2:11-12 ...  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

Friday, December 19, 2025

Born to Die!!

 Jesus was born to die ~ so you could live.




Mark 10:45 ... For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Matthew 1:21 ... And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

John 3:16 ... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Saturday, December 13, 2025

He Will Save His People From Their Sins!

Here we stand on holy ground. This verse (Matthew 1:21) is the first explicit announcement of the mission and purpose of the incarnate Son. Before He speaks a word, works a miracle, or calls a disciple Heaven unveils His identity in one radiant sentence. He is Jesus, which means Savior. Not counselor, not social reformer, not moral example, but Savior. He does not come to assist men in saving themselves, but to save them altogether. He enters this fallen world, not to improve sinners, but to rescue them from their sins and damnation. 

The name Jesus reveals the very heart of God toward sinners. The Father ordains salvation, the Son accomplishes salvation, and the Spirit applies salvation. Jesus is God coming down from Heaven to earth, to save His people from their sins. His very name announces His office: He WILL save. Not might save, or try to save, but WILL save His people from their sins. His saving purpose cannot fail, because it rests upon His divine nature and His sin-atoning death. Sin is man's greatest plague. 

Sin alienates from the thrice holy God, blinds the mind, hardens the heart, corrupts the will, and damns the soul forever! All misery in time and eternity, flows from sin! Yet here is the good news: Jesus rescues His people from sin's penalty by His sacrifice, from sin's power by His Spirit, and from sin's presence when He returns. Being a Divine work, this salvation is complete, eternal, and irrevocable. How sweet this name is to sin-wearied hearts. His righteousness satisfies the law which we broke. His sin-atoning death pays the full punishment for our sins. His intercession secures the eternal glory of every soul He redeems. None for whom He died, shall ever be lost. 

Mark the objects of His salvation: His people. Jesus did not come to make salvation a possibility, but to save an actual people whom the Father gave Him before the foundation of the world. He purchased them, effectually calls them, sanctifies them, and will one day present them faultless before His glory with great joy. Their salvation does not depend upon their hold on Him but upon His hold on them. Here, then, is the essence of the gospel: Jesus will save His people from their sins! To utter His name with faith, is to confess both our ruin, and His remedy, both our sin, and His salvation. His name is His promise: Jesus will save His people from their sins. Eternally blessed are all who trust in Him. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon] 




Matthew 1:21 ... And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

A Child With Four Divine Names

Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."


In this glorious prophecy, Isaiah lifts the veil of history and gives us a glimpse of the unspeakable gift that God would send to this sinful and hopeless world: a Child born, a Son given. Yet this is no ordinary child. In His birth, He is human. In His names and essence, He is divine. Every title reveals a facet of His infinite majesty and gracious mission. 

Wonderful Counselor. In a world drowning in confusion and moral blindness, Jesus comes as the infallible guide for His redeemed people. He needs no teacher, for He is wisdom incarnate. His counsel is never shallow, never mistaken, never misleading. He discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. To the weary, He gives rest. To the broken, He gives hope. To the perplexed, He gives direction.  Jesus is the great Counselor who can unravel all mysteries, solve all difficulties, and advise us in all dilemmas. Have you gone to Him for counsel? Have you sat at His feet and let His Word guide your steps? 

Mighty God. Though born as a helpless infant, He is none other than the omnipotent One! This is the staggering mystery of the Incarnation: The Almighty nursing at the bosom of a young virgin. He is not a mere man with divine power; He is God incarnate. With a word, He calmed the storm. With a touch, He healed the sick. With His death, He crushed Satan. And with His resurrection, He conquered the grave.  This Mighty God makes all things work together for the good of His people. He who hung upon the cross, was the God who made the heavens and the earth. How great is the love that made Him stoop to such humiliation! 

Everlasting Father. Not in the sense of replacing God the Father, but in His paternal care for His own blood-bought people. He is fatherly in His goodness and compassion. He never abandons His people, never forgets them, and never grows weary of them. He is a faithful Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. He loves His people with a Father's heart. His compassion never fails. He provides, protects, and disciplines us as a loving Father does. Do you rest in His unchanging love? 

Prince of Peace. He does not merely bring peace; He is peace. At the cross, He reconciled guilty sinners to the holy God, making peace through His sin-atoning blood. Now he gives peace to the troubled heart, to the sin-burdened conscience, to the fearful soul. The world offers fleeting distractions, but Jesus gives a peace that surpasses understanding. Are you looking to Him alone for peace in your soul? These are not mere names. They are divine realities. This is the Christ we worship: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is wise in counsel, strong to save, tender in care, and perfect in peace. 

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Revelation 5:12 ... Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Mystery, Wonder and Love of Christ's Incarnation

He who was eternally in the bosom of His Father, chose to be born in a foul stable. He who hung the stars in the sky, chose to be nailed and die upon the accursed tree. This is love immeasurable, love incomprehensible!
[William Gurnall]

Consider Christ's condescension: He who made man, was made man. He who is the eternal Word, was pleased to be an infant who could not speak. Oh, the depth of this mystery! 
[Isaac Ambrose]

The Eternal God was pleased to wrap Himself in flesh, in order to come down from the height of His glory to the depths of our misery. Here is a love that surpasses comprehension. Here is the greatest wonder that heaven and earth have ever seen!
[John Flavel]

He came not as a fierce lion to devour, but as a spotless lamb to be sacrificed, that we might be reconciled to God. Marvel at this: the King of glory chose a cradle over a crown, and a cross over a throne.
[John Bunyan]

The Son of God left His glorious throne, to become a servant; in order that we who were rebels, might become children of God. The incarnation is the key to all our hope and joy.
[John Cotton]

The Creator became the creature. The infinite was clothed in flesh. The Son of God, became the Son of Man. Such is the divine wisdom and love that it staggers the comprehension of angels and men alike.
[William Perkins] 

What greater wonder is there, than that the infinite God should clothe Himself in finite flesh in order to save wretched and rebellious men? This is the bottomless ocean of mercy.
[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Behold the marvelous mystery! He who was rich, became poor; that we who were poor, might become rich. The Son of God entered the misery of the world that we might enter the glory of Heaven.
[Christopher Love]

The infinite became an infant. Incomprehensibility was made man. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman's bosom. Supporting the universe and yet needing to be carried in a mother's arms. Oh the wonder of wonders. Oh, the mystery of mercy. Oh, the profoundness of His matchless grace.
[Charles Spurgeon]

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

The True Meaning ...

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:9-14


Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

O Holy Night



O Holy night, 
the stars are brightly shining 
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth 
Long lay the world in sin and error, pining 
'Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth 

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices 
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn 
Fall on your knees O hear the angel voices 
O night divine O night when Christ was born 
O night divine O night, O night divine 

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother 
And in His name all oppression shall cease 
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we 
Let all within us praise His holy name 
Christ is the Lord Let ever, ever praise Thee 
Noel, Noel
O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night divine

 

Monday, December 23, 2024

Christ ~ The Incarnate Word

The Lord Jesus Christ assumed our nature, that He might sympathize with us in our sorrows; obtain our everlasting deliverance from sin, Satan, and Hell; and supply all our needs according to His glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19) He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor that we, through His poverty, might be rich. Unparalleled benevolence! (2 Corinthians 8:9) Unexampled love! Savior Jesus! fill us with wonder, gratitude, and love! He was made flesh; He wrapped His Godhead in a human form; He became one with us, and one of us that we might be one with Him, and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit through Him. 

He dwelt among His disciples, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) Full of truth to inform their judgments; full of grace to sanctify their hearts. He had truth to delight them, and grace to supply them. He is still full of grace and truth. He has grace to pardon all sin; grace to sanctify your polluted heart; grace to conquer your powerful corruptions; grace to subdue your rebellious will, and to bring every thought into subjection to His own blessed will. He gives freely without money and without price; He gives cheerfully without upbraiding; He gives frequently without complaining. 

Have you been thinking that your attainments are but small, that your evidence are but weak, that your spirituality is questionable? Jesus is full of grace! He is a fountain ever flowing a fountain to which you are welcome, for He says, "If any man thirsts let him come, and take of the fountain of life freely." (John 7:37)

The promises He has made are truth, they flowed from his heart; they express His mind at present; and He will make them good to every seeking soul. The supplies He sends us; the answers He gives us are confirmations of the truth of His word; they are the overflowing's of the grace that is in Him. He delights to bestow; He rejoices to impart; He cannot deny what He has promised. He will consult your welfare, and perhaps make you wait; but He will not falsify His word and leave you to want. Look at Jesus then, as full of grace, full of truth. You never read of His being full of wrath, full of vengeance, full of indignation; but you do read that He is full of grace, rich in mercy, plenteous in compassion, and waiting to be gracious! 

He wears your nature in Heaven. He is still as kind, as tender, as loving as when He had compassion on the widow of Nain, wept at the grave of Lazarus, or prayed for His cruel murderers. He is Jesus still the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) changes not, and therefore we are not consumed. He still says, "Look unto me, and be saved, all you end of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22)

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so is the Son of man lifted up; that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. All things are delivered unto Him by His Father and He will use all to protect your person, supply your needs, and carry you safely to the realms of peace. Lord, we adore your boundless grace, The heights and depths unknown, Of pardon, life, and joy, and peace, In your beloved Son! 

Oh, wondrous gift of love divine, Oh source of every good! Jesus, in You what glories shine, how rich your flowing blood! Come, all you are pining, hungry poor, The Savior's bounty taste; Behold a never-failing store for every willing guest. Here shall our every need receive A free and full supply; He has unmeasured bliss to give, and joys that never die! 

[James Smith]

 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Christmas ~ A Personal Promise

Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecy when He came to earth, and that’s the reason we can trust Him in everything.

If someone’s birth was predicted thousands of years ahead of time and then announced by a heavenly host on the night of his arrival, wouldn’t you consider this event extremely significant in human history? Yet for too many people, Christmas is simply a time for festive parties, decorated trees, and wrapped presents. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with these expressions unless they replace the real significance of the celebration. The truth is, Christmas is more than an event; it’s a promise offered to mankind, and it originated long before that first Christmas night. In fact, God planned this entire event before the foundation of the world. He foreknew the coming child and all the details of His birth, life, and death.

[Charles Stanley]




1 Peter: 19-21 ... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Memories of Christmas!!

 One day years from now,

your Christmas tree won’t be graced with the same handmade decorations. You won’t be trying to find the time to book in Santa photos, and the only squeals of excitement are the echo of a memory you didn’t know would be your last.
You won’t be leaving milk and cookies out or gnawing on the end of carrots. You won’t be sending letters off to Santa, hiding presents, or stroking their head as they fight sleep hoping to catch that elf, or hear sleigh bells make music in the sky.
You won’t miss the exhaustion, but you will miss rising early and smiling behind a mug at the scene before you.
There will be Christmas movies, just without little limbs curled around you.
There will be Christmas lights, just not reflected in their eyes.
There will be magic, just less wonderment.
One day years from now, they will be older, wrapping presents of their own, their memories of Christmas wrapped up in you.
And you will talk of sleigh bells and reindeer once again, because if you are lucky, you get to relive the tired magic through rested eyes,
and you will realize,
these really are the days.

[Unknown]

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

"The Word Became Flesh"

And this is why Christians celebrate. God sent His only begotten son to dwell among men and deliver them from their sin.

Rejoice!!




Matthew 1:21 ... And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

Monday, January 1, 2024

From Above ...

The perfect gift.




James 1:17 ... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 



Happy New Year 2024 

Monday, December 25, 2023

This Christmas ...

 May you never forget!!

Merry Christmas!! 



John 1:14 ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.


Matthew 1:23 ... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke 2:10-11 ... And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞ 🕊 ✞

Sunday, December 24, 2023

5 Ways to Rekindle Your Relationship with Christ this Holiday Season

Christmas is the perfect time of year to rekindle your relationship with Christ – but you’ll have to be intentional about it. The more effort you put into focusing on your relationship with Christ, the more you’ll experience his love. That great love of his is what made the first Christmas happen!


1. Deepen your prayer life. Since prayer is the main way you communicate with God, and frequent communication is vital to build any kind of close relationship, make prayer a high priority every day during this holiday season. Evaluate your life in fresh ways that Christmas brings to mind, such as how much compassion you have in your heart and how well you’re dealing with stress. Ask God to show you specific attitudes and behaviors in your life that are interfering with your intimacy with him. Then confess those sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Pray for God to empower you, through his Holy Spirit, to grow to become more like the person he wants you to become. Pray for guidance about how to cultivate more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – in your life during this Christmas season.

2. Seek to learn more about God’s different names through every Christmas activity you include on your schedule. Before committing your time and energy to a Christmas season activity, ask “How will this help me move closer to Christ?” If you don’t see a clear, specific way that a certain activity will do so, don’t give it a place on your holiday season schedule. Invest only in activities that will truly help you get to know God better. Focusing on activities that help you reflect on God’s names mentioned in the Bible will rekindle your love for Christ in fresh ways. Just as dating couples love to learn more about each other’s qualities, you can passionately get to know more about your first love, Christ, by learning the qualities that his names express. While you’re eating Christmas cookies, for instance, you can reflect on how Christ is the “Bread of Life.” (John 6:35) As you drive around enjoying Christmas lights, you can celebrate that Christ is the “Light of the World.” (John 8:12) If you’re feeling sad about dysfunction in your family at holiday events, you can consider how Christ is your “everlasting father” and “prince of peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)


3. Practice the presence of God. Since the essence of Christmas is God’s incarnation with humanity, the Christmas season is the perfect time to practice connecting with God – who is constantly present with you – throughout each day. The habit of tuning into God’s presence in mundane moments comes from a classic Christian book called The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, who worked in the kitchens of a monastery in 1600s Paris and wrote about how God is always with people in the work of their daily lives. In his book, Brother Lawrence advised about relating to Christ: “Lift up your heart to him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to him. One need not cry out very loudly; he is nearer to us than we think.” Remind yourself often of Christ’s presence with you as Immanuel (which means “God is with us”) – thanks to Christmas! Whenever you think of that reality, take a few moments to communicate with Christ in prayer, wherever you happen to be at the time.








4. Simplify your lifestyle amid Christmas commercialism. The original Christmas in Bethlehem was distinguished by simplicity. Rather than coming to Earth into a family of wealth and status, Christ chose to come into a family of poor and humble – yet devoutly faithful – people: Joseph and Mary. Christ clearly valued spiritual riches over material riches, so it’s ironic that his birthday has become so full of commercialism. This year, resist cultural pressures to buy and experience as much as possible. Scale back to make room in your lifestyle to enjoy simple pleasures this holiday season, like drinking a cup of hot cocoa while listening to Christmas carols or taking a walk around your neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. When friends and family members come to visit you, don’t worry about trying to impress them with elaborate hospitality. Instead, relax and simply enjoy each other’s company however works best for you.


5. Give to the poor and get to know some of them. Christ made it clear in Matthew 25:40 how closely he identifies with poor people: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” When you obey his call to help poor people, you can’t help but grow closer to him, because you’re doing what’s close to his heart. During the holiday season, you’ll probably be deluged by opportunities to reach out to the poor, either by donating your time through volunteer work or contributing your money to a worthy charity. Pray for guidance on which specific ways would be best for you to focus on, and when you get some clarity about that, don’t hesitate to follow through. If possible, try to get to know some of the poor people you’re helping personally. Spend some time with them, listen to their stories, and develop friendships. That way you can continue to be a blessing to them – and them to you – beyond the Christmas season. Ask God to teach you more about his heart through the experiences you have given this season. Pray for the ability to become a more generous person because Christ has been so generous with you, giving you the ultimate gift: salvation.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

His and Hers

HIS APOLOGY: 

Hi Sweetheart, I am sorry about getting into an argument about putting up the Christmas lights. I guess that sometimes I feel like you are pushing me too hard when you want something. I realize that I was wrong, and I am apologizing for being such a hard-headed guy. All I want is for you to be happy and be able to enjoy the holiday season. Nothing brightens the Christmas spirit like Christmas lights! I took the time to hang the lights for you today; and now I will be off to the hockey rink.



HER REPONSE: 

Hi Honey, Thank you for the heart-felt apology. I don't often get an apology from you, and I truly appreciate it. I too felt bad about the argument and wanted to apologize. I realize that I can sometimes be a little pushy. I will try to respect your feelings from now on. Thank you for taking the time to hang the Christmas lights for me. It really means a lot. In the spirit of giving, I washed your truck for you; and now I'm off to the mall. I love you too!


ツ ツ ツ ツ ツ ツ ツ ツ 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Why Joseph?

To fulfill God’s plan, God needed a carpenter. He needed a man who was sturdy, stable, and practical, yet sensitive to the voice of God. He needed one who would stand quietly with a young virgin who might have seemed an object of ridicule, yet who carried in her womb the hope of the world. Joseph was strong but compassionate; he was able to lead the tiring expedition to Bethlehem and to the stable, to love and encourage the mother of Christ. Joseph, as the man of the house, was the teacher to give Jesus His first lessons in the law of God. 

And in Jerusalem, when the boy was twelve and it became evident that his first allegiance must be to another Father, Joseph was the man to humbly and silently step back and let God step forward. Amazingly, Joseph never spoke a word in the Christmas story. But what he did, speaks volumes to us all. 

[Dr. David Jeremiah]




Matthew 1:18-25 ... Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Why Mary?

Mary must have wondered, why am I a “favored women”? Why me? Indeed, the reasons she was chosen are known only to God. But it is clear that she was no random selection. Though an ordinary, small-town girl, she must be obedient and courageous, and she was. 

From her song, we know that she was a woman of Scripture, and a woman of faith. She must be a virgin so that the glory of God might be miraculously demonstrated. She must be a peasant, in keeping with the humble nature of the Lord’s birth. Mary was all these things. She honored and obeyed the will of her Father, providing His only son a home from which he would emerge to launch the work that would define all of human history. 

The child toddled behind her in his infancy. Then, in time, she followed behind Him all the way to the cross and the tomb. Mary was favored by God for a task that would finally allow each of us to be favored. Gabriel said, “The Lord is with you,” and as a result, the Lord is with us all. In that way, God sent the ultimate Christmas gift not just to Mary, but to all of us and it was Mary who delivered the package.

[Dr. David Jeremiah]



Luke 1:30 ... And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.


Luke 1:46-49 ... And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.


Matthew 1:23 ... Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.