🤶Christmas Story🎅

 

Christmas Story - Alphabet Poem

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host.” Luke 2:13.

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.

C is for Cradle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.

“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?'” Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.

“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.

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

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.

“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation.” Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.

“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.

“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.

“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.

“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.” Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.

“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.

“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.” Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.

“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.” John 2:17.

- Adapted

🌲True Christmas🎄

 

 

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, 

I'm just another decorator. 

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, 

I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, 

it profits me nothing. 

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, 

attend a myriad of holiday parties

and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, 

I have missed the point. 

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss a loved one. 

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. 

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, 

but is thankful they are there to be in the way. 

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, 

pearl necklaces will be lost, 

golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure

Santa Claus’s Prayer

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place,
I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace.

People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true;
But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do.

Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;
But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound.

I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.

I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame.

I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.

You may find several of me in town or at a mall;
But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

A good lesson. I didn't know this, so sharing with you all. 

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. 

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? 

This week, I found out. 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. 

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

•  The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. 
•  Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. 
•  Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. 
•  The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. 
•  The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old   Testament. 
•  The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. 
•  Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. 
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. 
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. 
• The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. 
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. 
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. 

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'

Christmas's wishes

Tis Christmas time yet again,.! :-)
The season of celebrations nd happiness.
The festive mood is up in the air,
With the Santa, Stars and Carols evrywhr!

But wait, Is that all Christmas is about?
Sigh!... Not even near!..

The Great I AM,
        in de form of mortal man!
The Light of de world,
       down in pitch darkness!
The Holy of Holies,
        into a world of sin!

all jus fo love's sake!!!  <3 <3 <3

It's all about..

The gr8st luv evr demonstrated,
      To the whole of human race.! :-)
The brightest light evr shone,
      In the path of ever wandering man.! :-)
The strongest hope anchored,
      In a heart lost in hopelessness.! :-)
And, The meaning t hath added,
      To every life that trusted ds good news!! :-) <3

That gives the true reason,
For the overwhelming joy of ds season! :-D

The good news of Christmas is not jus fo a season but a lifetime..! :-)

Merry Christmas

Love,
Esther