God’s gift . . .
Christmas Wonder ~ Awesome Joy!
Look for Christ and you will find Him. And with Him everything else.
(C.S. Lewis)
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
Sometimes the most precious and sacred things are right in front of us, in plain sight, but we miss them.
This may be especially true during the season of Christmas . . . This is a beautiful time of the year . . . Trees are draped with sparkling lights, the stores glitter with dazzling decorations, and the streets are busy with crowds of shoppers seeking gifts for those they love.
All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be striking and uplifting, but if that’s all we see, then we’re missing something that’s in plain sight . . . Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we fail to see with our hearts what is essential and most sacred . . . the celebration of the birth of the Child, a Savior, for all the world!
In an age when vast amounts of knowledge are at our fingertips, the familiar story of Jesus Christ gets lost in the middle of the flood of pressing news or the latest movies or books.
ARE YOU WATCHING – eyes wide open? Mind engaged? . . . looking for the presence of Christ in your life?
In spite of our good intentions, we can miss the sights and wonder of the Holy Spirit and so miss receiving the Christmas testimony of the coming of Jesus Christ . . . so . . .
Close your eyes and share the dream that everyone on Earth believe!
A Child was born the stars shown bright, and love came down at Christmas time
So Merry Christmas everyone and peace throughout the year
The time has come to celebrate so let your voices fill the air
(When Love Came Down)
♪♬♪ . . . When Love Came Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDrukY7YBqM&list=RDJDrukY7YBqM&start_radio=1
THE CHRISTMAS STORY . . . God’s Greatest Gift of All
The Birth of Jesus Christ
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”
Luke 2:1-5
♪♬♪ . . . O Little Town of Bethlehem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMih36CvZPo&list=PLN6ijTZWiYC-CKYbtMdyvYvcPFIi34Zcy&index=20
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:6-7
♪♬♪ . . . Mary Did You Know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trW_lD9sBt0&list=RDtrW_lD9sBt0&start_radio=1
The Shepherds and the Angels
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’"
Luke 2:8-12
♪♬♪ . . . Away in a Manger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AdwfPkBgpM&list=PLN6ijTZWiYC-CKYbtMdyvYvcPFIi34Zcy&index=25
“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 among those with whom he is pleased!’"
Luke 2:13-14
♪♬♪ . . . Angels We Have Heard on High
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGCxTOYBy50&list=PLN6ijTZWiYC-CKYbtMdyvYvcPFIi34Zcy&index=5
“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.’
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:15-16
♪♬♪ . . . The First Noel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tyr61XaHPM
“And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them
concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Luke 2:17-20
♪♬♪ . . . Joy to the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX6ThHbts5Y
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,
and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
(Norman Vincent Peale)
Christ is here . . . Christ is with us now and always . . . I pray this brings warmth to your heart and a smile to your lips.
As you think about what memories provide that warm hug to your heart and brush a smile across your lips, and what memories give you hope in tomorrow, spend a few moments talking with God.
Thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ . . . for the precious memories of the season . . . for the love He gives each of us, no matter what is going on in your life right now.
Pray for those God places on your heart, that need His love, grace, and mercy . . . pray for yourself, your family and friends . . . and pray for those who need to know our savior in new and deeper ways.
ILLUMINATION . . .
Sharing the Light of Christ
This is a season of rejoicing! . . . A season of celebration! . . . A wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world! . . . To redeem us!
It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love . . . It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that are ours . . . It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven.
But perhaps most of all, let it be a season of watching for and seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.
With sincerity and humility, seek Christ with your heart . . . we can see Him, we can find Him—on Christmas and throughout the year.
“For once you were full of darkness,
but now you have light from the Lord.
So live as people of light!
For this light within you produces
only what is good and right and true.”
Ephesians 5:8-9
♪♬♪ . . . You’re Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoqHsy5Akbc&list=RDHoqHsy5Akbc&start_radio=1
Who can add to Christmas?
The perfect motive is that God so loved the world.
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son.
The only requirement is to believe in Him.
The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.
(Corrie Ten Boom)
When Christmas is truly understood as the love of God, manifested in the person of Jesus, and is the means for the eternal life
of all who believe, then it is truly worth celebrating . . . At Christmas, Jesus came to dwell among us so that we could dwell with God forever . . . Glory to God! Hallelujah!!
Dear Lord, in this holy time, we gather to celebrate the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ.
As we come together may our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude.
Thank you for the gift of salvation and the love that you have shown us through Jesus.
May the spirit of Christmas bring us closer to you and to one another.
Help us seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day.
Help us look forward to your coming among us.
Help us long for the complete joy of Your Kingdom.
We are Your people, walking in darkness, seeking the Light. In Jesus' name, we pray.—Amen.
♪♬♪ . . . Silent Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jYvmY6Gfk&list=RDz7jYvmY6Gfk&start_radio=1
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