CHRISTMAS PARTY
Luke 2:13-14
“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, goodwill toward men.”
More light, more angels, and the ringing of thunderous, heavenly praise that God hears all the time, that He will hear for eternity.
The majesty of what that must have sounded like, legions of angels praising at once. Easy to see why, in the imagination of its writers, the carols say the angels sang. Easy to see why the shepherds got excited, so much so that they left their flocks in obedience and made haste to see the Child, adding praises of their own. They knew by simple faith that no harm would come to their charges; no shepherd is recorded as staying back to guard the sheep
The praising by the hosts speaks actually to the purposes of the Father’s plan: for men to give the Father highest glory and praise, and for men have peace in our relationship with Him through His Son, as He blesses us with His good will.
May you, by simple faith, realize the peace of the Son, the goodwill of the Father, and the swift quickening of the Spirit, so that in obedience you offer Him the highest praise this Christmas.
Amen.
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CHRISTMAS SIGN: Luke 2:12
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
God tailored the sign given to the recipient. Not for the shepherds the subtlety of a Star in the east. The shepherds received a Savior, the Magi were told of a king. The shepherds’ message was given in a startling fashion, that there would be no misunderstanding of the event that had taken place.
Since they were not welcome in places such as palaces and temples, access would be given them by placing the newborn King someplace where they too could see and worship.
Of the thousands of babies born that night to swell the ranks of the census, this one was in a special place, a place where typically no human baby would ever be placed, a container to feed cattle and sheep.
Another word used for manger is “crib.”
Later He would come to say, He who eats my body…
The signs that point the way to Him are still being revealed to those who would walk the path to see and worship.
May the knowledge that your King is accessible to you, and that you may partake of Him, bring you comfort, and joy. Amen.
Very beautiful and interesting arrangement by Norm Stockton. Enjoy!
CHRISTMAS CHILD
“For there is born unto you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Children are born to their mothers, into their families, not to groups of people. Christ, already being begotten of God, in order to redeem us, had to be, in a sense, born again Himself; this time, through the body of Mary, thereby becoming in His earthly body like one of the very men he came to redeem.
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Alfred Warren Smith shared a photo to Trish Hennessey‘s Timeline.
So glad you could make it, my friend….
CHRISTMAS FOR ALL
“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which will be to *ALL people.” Luke 2:10 *(Caps added).
Again, from the beginning, God intended His Word to reach ALL the nations, first to the Jews, then the Gentiles. It was never to be contained, but to enfold. The shepherds, social outcasts, were the FIRST to hear the news of the savior’s birth.
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Luke 2:9
A light from Heaven suddenly overtakes you. In your world, this has never happened. It’s night time, and you’re outside, and suddenly…. we have the gift of hindsight, but the shepherds were afraid. Greatly afraid: did they cry out, shield their eyes, maybe even start to run? Yet, the light was not hurting them, or blinding…
Tried to make it in. Local streets are not plowed?? Cars are stuck. Heeded the warning.
Well, I WAS gonna try to make it to work tomorrow (my Monday) cuz I figured the SNOW would be pushed aside, but now it’s sleeting so…the car stays parked. I hope they have a plan B. I don’t do ice.
believer55 