Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Luke 2:1-20

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.   This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.   All went to their own towns to be registered.   Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.   He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.   While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.   And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.   In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.   Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.   But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.   This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”   When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”   So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.   When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.   The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.

Oh Holy Night!  Tonight, I had the privilege of attending Christmas Eve services at my church, the service was designed for the children and it was beautiful.  Message was different individuals narrating from the book, “Christmas Love Letters from God: Bible Stories” by Glenys Nellist and Illustrator Rachel Clowes.  As listeners of the readings, the congregation was encouraged to write their own love letter to God and during communion to drop it in the basket next to the manger scene.  Many people participated, myself included.  The service was filled with lots of Christmas songs and ended with everyone lighting a candle and standing in the circle, emulating the light of Jesus and Jesus being the light of the world.  It was a beautiful scene to behold. It is a reminder that the chases the darkness away. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” ~John 1:5

I learned something new tonight about a favorite Christmas song of mine, “Joy To The World.”  It was originally written about the Second Coming of Christ, not the first as a baby.  *See references below for the full story.

I am currently sitting in my church, it is quiet, not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. 

All I hear is the pecking of the keys on the laptop I am using. It is in the quiet spaces that God speaks to us, listen He is always there. I am sitting here in the somewhat silence preparing my blog and waiting for the 11pm Christmas Eve service.  This is truly a joyful season and I am thankful for so many things.  I am blessed to be a part of this Christian community of believers, I am blessed that through this mode of communications I have been able to reach people and places I have only dreamed about.  To say my life is perfect would be incorrect, but then again perfection is only a God thing, we are human and have a sinful nature and our goal should not be perfection but to be Christlike in all we do.  Love one another as Christ loved.

“…Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.” ~John 13:34b

May you rest in the knowledge and peace that you are loved beyond measure and that God is always with you.  I wish you the Merriest of Christmas’ and Happy Holiday’s no matter how you celebrate.  All I know is that you are all my brothers and sisters and this family of God thing is AWESOME!

Prayer:

Lord, you have come in dramatic fashion and invite each of us to meet you at the manger. Tonight, we come to kneel, worship, and celebrate.  As we gather tonight singing carols by candlelight, reveal your grace to us. Through the greatest story ever told, weave our stories into yours. ~Amen.

~Hope-Peace-Joy-Love-Christ~

References:

https://www.crossway.org/articles/a-brief-history-of-joy-to-the-world/ferences:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Monday, December 23, 2019

Micah 5:2-6

“But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight installed as rulers. They shall rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword; they shall rescue us from the Assyrians if they come into our land or tread within our border.”

Jesus is the great Shepherd! He seeks the lost to bring them home.

“Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” ~Hebrews 13:20-21

As we approach Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, let us remember the love and sacrifices Jesus made to seek us and redeem us. The picture above remind me of cards with Bible stories printed on them that I received when I was very young and attending Sunday school. I had a wonderful teacher by the name of Roberta “Birdie” Smith. I’m so grateful for her faith and love for Jesus. She taught me so many value lessons, many I didn’t not fully understand until I was well into my adult years. She planted seeds that she was unable to see grow, produce and come full circle. If you are reading this and you know “Birdie” I’m confident that you too, were blessed by her. Christmas is a time of sharing with family and friends, gift exchanges and sharing meals and giving thanks for all these things. Most important of all is the celebration of Jesus’ birth, Jesus reunites is with God the Father. My hope is to remind everyone to keep “Christ” in Christmas and that Jesus, is the reason for the season. Gifts from the heart no matter the size, quantity or price tag are the most value, in fact they are priceless. I simple hug can made all the difference in the world to someone who feels like they don’t exist. Diamonds may be a girls best friend but having Jesus in your heart is out of this world spectacular!

Friends, we are never too far gone that Jesus can’t bring us back home.

Prayer:

Lord Almighty, you search after the lost because we belong to you. We try to extend ourselves beyond your reach, not realizing you will stop at nothing to find us. As we try to run, bring us back and remind us of your grace and mercy. ~Amen.

~Hope-Peace-Joy-Love~

References:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/library/newton/messiah_vol_1/sermon_xiii_the_great_shepherd.htm