A Blessed Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all, may you have a wonderful day with family and friends and never forget the reason for the season, Jesus. 

Our family reads Luke 2 before we open gifts. Please take a few minutes to read about our Savior’s birth.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 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. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.   Luke 2:1-20

Have a blessed day, Donna

Innkeepers

Let us not forget what Christmas is all about. It is not about gifts, it is not about who buys the most "stuff" but it is about Jesus. Open your heart and life to Him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The Christmas season

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Can you believe it is already December? Christmas is only 16 days away. What does Christmas mean to you?

As I ponder this thought many Christmas memories come floating to mind. I remember one Christmas going with my father to pick out the Christmas tree, while there I saw a poor crippled boy. I remember crying for this boy and praying for him for many months. It had an impact on me.

I have lots of happy Christmas memories which include:

·        Singing carols with the neighbors

·        Having one big present and one or two “small” items

·        An orange, apple and tangerine and maybe a few coins in my stocking

·        Singing carols at the veteran’s home

·        Singing carols at the nursing homes

·        Making cookies for the veterans

·        Going to see “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with my granddaughters

·        Adopting a family instead of buying gifts for each other

·        Our first Christmas tree as a young married couple – we purchased the biggest one we could afford

·        Making my grandfather my favorite pumpkin bread recipe, which is all he wanted and all I could afford.

·        Making homemade gifts, which I still think are the very best kind

·        Making cookies for the neighbors

·        My uncle “playing Santa”

What are some of your favorite memories? As the season begins dwell on your happy Christmas memories. Find ways this Christmas to make more good memories. Look for ways to help those less fortunate than yourself.

Here are some ideas:

·        Buy gift cards (local coffee shops, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and Target) in small amounts ($5-$10) and give them out when the Spirit leads

·        Make cookies or fruit breads (banana, pumpkin etc) for shut ins

·        Volunteer at a soup kitchen

·        Volunteer at a local charity

·        Make small gifts or look for small gifts to have on hand to give when the Spirit leads

·        Spend time with an elderly neighbor or family member

·        Give the gift of time

Here are some verses and quotes that may help:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippines 4:8

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~ Charles Dickens

When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?  ~ G.K. Chesterton

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?  ~ Dr Seuss

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.  ~ Oren Arnold

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Merry Christmas

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah  9:6 

This verse is on many Christmas cards. It is a wonderful prophecy God gave to Isaiah, a promise to all. Take a moment to read the verses from the New Testament.  

For unto us a child is born,

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 Luke 2:11  

unto us a son is given:

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. 17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

 Matthew 2:6

and his name shall be called Wonderful

( a miracle: - marvellous thing, wonder)

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

  Acts 2:22 

Counsellor,

(to advise; reflexively to deliberate or resolve:)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

Luke 4:18

The mighty God

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

  Matthew 8:27

The everlasting Father

(A Father that will be there forever – Father of Eternity)

I and my Father are one.

John 10:30 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God.

 John 1:1-2

The Prince of Peace 

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

 Ephesians 2:14

Merry Christmas to one and all, may you have a wonderful day with family and friends and never forget the reason for the season, Jesus. 

Have a blessed day,

 Donna

Christmas Lights

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Each year as I get older it seems like Christmas is 10 times more commercialized than the year before. When I was a child the Christmas season would start the weekend after Thanksgiving. It now starts at the end of October or the beginning of November. This year Santa Claus was at our local mall on November 12. Thanksgiving doesn’t even register on most people’s radar, why? because there is really no money to be made on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for the blessings He has given us throughout the year. Even Thanksgiving is not the same as it was during my childhood. Take time next year to listen to what people say about Thanksgiving, not much of what is said is in relation to God.

As Christians, we need to look at what Jesus did for us. He came as a baby; he had a purpose and a job. We as Christians also have a purpose and a job to perform in this world. Our job is to be lights and testimonies in this dark, sin cursed world. (Phil 2:15) An easy job it is not but a rewarding one it is. What can we do this Christmas season to show others that we follow a kind and forgiving Savior?

We need to be kind and forgiving to those around us. Not acting like harried, frazzled, anxious shoppers that push and shove to get by. We need to stand out and demonstrate that we are different, not just in talk but in actions. Anyone can say they are Christian but the world is watching our actions, to see if they match the words we speak.

Are we squandering all our money on ourselves or are we looking at those in our community and church community who are less fortunate than us? Are there ways we can help those around us? Can we give a gift to a lonely elderly person? Can we buy a gift card at a grocery store to help someone at church who may have lost a job? There are many opportunities for us to share what we have with others. Each one of us is in a different situation, but most of us have money for little things such as a cup of coffee, a new CD, or a new app for an I-phone. This Christmas season ask the Lord what you can do to help someone else. It may seem like a small gesture to you but it will be a LARGE BLESSING to the one who receives.

We need to adopt I Peter 2:9 into our everyday life, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Have a blessed day,
Donna

What can we give

What can we give to the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? (Psalm 50:10) As you listen to this song remember all that the Lord has done for you.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Text: Christina G. Rossetti, 1830-1894
Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Blessed Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all, may you have a wonderful day with family and friends and never forget the reason for the season, Jesus.

Our family reads Luke 2 before we open gifts. Please take a few minutes to read about our Savior’s birth.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 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. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:1-20
Have a blessed day,
Donna