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

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

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

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

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

This past weekend, I saw the play “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with my granddaughters. It is the story of the Herdman kids, the worst hooligans in the neighborhood. They terrorize the other children by stealing lunches, starting fights and being down right mean. They are known for smoking cigars, “even the girls”.

When the annual church Christmas pageant is announced, guess who shows up, the Herdmans. Their reputation has preceded them. The Herdmans do not “act” or “look” like they belong in church. None of the other children what to be in the pageant with them. The children are not the only ones who do not like the idea of the Herdmans participating. The adults are also dubious of their attendance. The director of the pageant is criticized for allowing the Herdmans to be in the pageant.

As the story continues, we learn the Herdmans had never heard the Christmas message. As a matter of fact, the original reason they went to church was to get all the “good snacks”. The director patiently answers their questions and explains the Christmas story.

In the final act, the Christmas pageant takes place. Each one of the six Herdman children is in the pageant. Each one performs his or her part, more or less, according to the script. When “Mary” holds the babe, she wipes tears away from her eyes. The Christmas message touched her heart. The church people were also touched by the transformation of the Herdman children and the change in their own hearts as they proclaimed this to be, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”.

On the way home, we talked about the play. My seven year old granddaughter had lots of questions. A sampling of her questions: Was this a fiction or non-fiction? Why did the Herdmans act the way they did? Why did the other children not like them? I answered her questions; she was quiet for a few moments. Then she said, “You know Mimi sometimes I act like the Herdmans.” I didn’t say anything, then the next question came, “Mimi did you ever act like the Herdmans?” Yes, I have.

I was touched by my granddaughter’s admission and honesty. As I thought on this I have to admit, there have been many times that I acted like the Herdmans, but praise God He has forgiven me.

Lord, help me to be kind, compassionate and friendly to the “Herdmans” who cross my path.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a quick read for the Christmas Season.

Have a blessed day,
Donna