Christmas Devotionals 2022 #3 "Run to Jesus"

 “Bethlehem! there in manger lying,

Find your Redeemer haste away,

Run ye with eager footsteps vieing!

Worship the Saviour born today.

Bethlehem! there in manger lying,

Find your Redeemer haste away.”

Traditional French Carol

Run quickly! Don’t waste time! “Today is the day of salvation…” “Redeem the time because the days are evil.” We have no assurance of tomorrow. But, we have the here and now to go quickly to the only One who can take away the burden of our sin which causes us so much grief and sorrow. Find Him today!

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #2 "All in Jesus"

The great hymn writer, Charles Wesley, summed up the longing of each heart in these beautiful words—

“Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.”

Each soul searches for something-we often look for it in the worst of earthly places. GK Chesterton said that the man who knocks on the door of the harlots is really looking for heaven. Friends, just skip that door and all others that lead to ruin. Instead, come to the Manger! All you truly want is there in Jesus.

Christmas Devotionals 2022 #1 "Dispel the Night"

 In these trying and frightening times, I would not want to live without the hope that comes from Jesus. He came to be not only my Savior from sin but my Hope! I love these beautiful words from a very old carol…

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orders all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in its ways to go.

O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,

And bring us comfort from afar!

Dispel the shadows of the night

And turn our darkness into light.

From the Latin, 12th Century

Christmas Carols 2022 #2 In a Manger He Is Lying-Polish Carol

1.  In a manger He is lying

Who will greet Him as He sleeps?
Baby Jesus, infant Christ-child,
Who will greet Him as He sleeps?
Wake, ye shepherds, and as ye play
Gladsome songs and carols gay,
Seek the Babe ere break of day;
Seek the Babe ere break of day.

2. Angel hosts have sung their story,
Who will follow the bright star?
Told of Christ in all his glory,
Who will follow the bright star?
Wake, ye shepherds, and sing Noel,
Help the angel chorus swell,
To the earth glad tidings tell;
To the earth glad tidings tell.

3. In a stable, dark and dreary,
Who will be the first to kneel?
At the crib where Christ is sleeping,
Who will be the first to kneel?
Wake, ye shepherds, Seek out your King!
Play your songs and loudly sing,
Till the air with echoes ring;
till the air with echoes ring.

Christmas Carols 2022 #1-Oh How Joyfully! Latin Carol

 

Oh, how joyfully!  Oh, how merrily!

Christmas comes with its grace divine!
Grace again is beaming, Christ the world redeeming,
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time.

 Day of holiness, Peace and happiness.

Joyful, glorious Christmas Day
Angels tell the story, Of this day of glory;
Praise Christ our Savior, Born this Christmas Day.

 Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how merrily,

Christmas comes with its peace divine!
Peace on earth is reigning, Christ our peace regaining,
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time!

 Oh, how joyfully, Oh, how merrily!

Christmas comes with its life divine!
Angels high in glory, Chant the Christmas story:
Hail, ye Christians, hail the joyous Christmas time!

Decorating Idea-Using old records

 Rob and I enjoy visiting Flea Markets, and even enjoy visiting a very large one whenever we go to Florida.  On one of our jaunts to a Flea Market, I found this old record set of Bing Crosby singing Christmas songs.  What a find this was, as I love Bing Crosby, and I love vintage things.  I got it for a really good price, and now it adorns my piano at Christmas time.  Yes, it's a little ragged, but that's part of the charm!  

Family and Holidays...

 I love my family, and being with them is one of the beautiful parts of the holiday season.  But, for some, family can bring a lot of pain due to past actions and hurts.  

I think of my parents who are well on their way to 80 years old.  Hard to believe.  They so enjoy it when everyone is there, altogether.  But, the family is growing and it's getting harder for everyone to be in the same place at the same time.  It's easy to feel hurt and long for something better.  Even if we can all be together, there is always the end of the day or the end of the visit.  Everyone packs up and goes back to their own homes. We wish these times filled with laughter and joy would never end.  We love that feeling of togetherness and warmth.

But, there is a place where we can be together in unbroken fellowship, and that is heaven.  For those of us who have placed all of our trust in Christ Jesus for our salvation, we can be assured  that eternity together will be a reality!  We can gather together around the throne of God in a family gathering that will NEVER end!  We will never need to pack up in our cars and go back to our homes, apart from each other, ever again.  Living for that day will make the family gatherings here that seem so short, alright!  

Enjoy your family during these holidays!