The Peace of Christmas

I'm so thankful for the message of Christmas! Jesus came to give us life more abundantly! He is the Way, Truth and Life. No man comes to God except through Him. This year has been very hard at times for me, working through some very difficult emotional battles and struggles. Just want to say as Christmas time is here again, that the struggles and battles have lessened and that joy and peace have been stealing themselves back into my soul. Such a wonderful feeling. Got a long ways to go, but glad I'm on my way! If I have Jesus, I have everything. If I have Jesus, all WILL be well. Merry Christmas to all!
An appropriate carol for this post. "Still, Still, Still" A beautiful Austrian carol presented by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...


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Christmas Thoughts

Christmas thoughts. I am finding joy in the fact that Jesus was the Word made flesh. He laid aside His glory, left heaven to dwell among us earthlings. John 1:14 says "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." One of my favorite carols is "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." "It first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley." (wikipedia) In this stanza, we see the Gospel, clearly laid out. "Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel" So thankful that Jesus came. He came so we could see what God is like. He came to walk beside us. He came to save us.  
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God in Flesh Appearing

I love Christmas! I love the music, the decorations, the parties, church services, the concerts, the family times, etc. It is also my privilege each December to play and sing LOTS of Christmas music, sacred and secular as I travel around to play for the Greatest Generation. One of my many favorites is "O Come All Ye Faithful." I especially like the words of verse three..."Yea, Lord we great Thee, born this happy morning. Jesus, to Thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.." I was overcome yesterday when singing this song at one of my gigs. Think about it. Christianity is the ONLY "religion" whose God became a man. He became a man out of love. He WANTS us to be saved. As it states in Colossians 1:15-18, if we see Jesus, we will know what God is like. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." That is why He came. So, we could see God, the Father. So, we could be saved. I LOVE Christmas! Here is one of the most beautiful versions of this glorious carol by Josh Groban.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhFTXYB69pw