Here It Comes

JOSHUA 1:9 (NKJV)
Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and be of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Tomorrow we start a new year.  Ready or not here it comes!  There’s no way we can stop the passing of time, and with each new year comes a great deal of uncertainty.  There will be new technology, unexpected challenges, and rapid changes in every area of our lives.  As we think of all these uncertainties and the possibilities that come to us as individuals and as families, there’s a lot we could worry about.  But remember, you are not alone because the Lord promises to go with you each step of the way.

The pages of Scripture are full of God’s promises and stories about God’s presence going with His children through all of their tough times.  In Joshua 1:9 God promised His people that He would go with them as they entered an unfamiliar and frightful land and faced the difficulty of fighing enemies to take possession of that territory.  And He did.

In Hebrews 13:5, Paul reminded the New Testament believers that God promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Look at the promise Christ gave to His followers in Matthew 28:20, “Fear not for lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  God promises to be an ever-abiding, ever- strengthening, ever-providing presence with His people always.

Yes, the new year is here and the presence of God goes with you each month, each week, each day, each hour, each minute, and each second!  You do not walk alone if you know Christ as your Savior.  He promises to go with you every step of the way.  Now that’s comfort, and you can say, “Come on, New Year!  I’m ready!”

I Am the New Year

I am the new year.

I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have --

these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "behold, I make all things new."

I am the new year.

Dealing With Adversity

A daughter who was dealing with adversity complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and in the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a mug. Turning to her he asked, "Daring, what do you see?" she replied: "Carrots, eggs, and coffee,"

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked. "What does it mean, Father?"

He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed to the water. "Which are you?" he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Time

Though even thinking on the subject of time may prove discomforting, it is not a bad idea, especially at the beginning of a new year.

As we look at 2014 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.

The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Whether rich or poor, educated or ignorant, strong or weak, every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.

Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust it. Time marches on.

One other thing, you cannot bring back time. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year’s block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it.

Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God.

The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?

Worry and Fear

A friend of mine asked me how not to worry about her cat, which had some mild symptoms of illness, but nothing that looked severe enough to take the cat to the veterinarian. She also thought the symptoms were so subtle that they might not be easy to describe to the vet, but still she worried. I finally said to her, "You must do something."

"That's just the problem, there's nothing to do," she said.

"Take some kind of action," I said. "Call the vet and talk to him."

"That doesn't make sense because the vet wouldn't know anything from what I told him, and he'd probably ask me to take her in to see him, and I know it's not that serious," she said.

"Yes, I understand," I said, "But you should take the action for you, not for the car or the vet. By not doing anything you're keeping yourself trapped in worrying."

"Okay," she said. "I see what you mean."

When she called the vet, to her surprise, the vet was able to make a good assessment of what was wrong. He recommended that she bring the cat in, and if it was what he thought it was, he could give her something to clear it up right away.

Anything that worries you should be acted on, not just thought about. Don't be scared about the action; you can make it very small and easy, as long as you take an action. Even small actions will chase away your fears. Fear has a hard time coexisting with action. When there's action, there's no fear. When there's fear, there's no action.

Happy New Year Thoughts

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life
Make Your Decisions Count
A new year is a time to get your options clear and to make a significant decision to do what it is that makes you really happy. The real issue here is that you must take each day as a new opportunity to keep moving towards what you want. Do not look at what will happen in a year but more what will you do each day you awake to change, to move forward, to put into action knowing that each day wasted can never be found again. Each day is a new beginning, the chance to do with it what should be done and not to be seen as simply another day to put in time.

Make It More Than A Dream
Turn those dreams into a realistic plan where you are able to take steps even if it is only one action to keep your dream traveling forward and not stuck on the tracks with no power to the wheels. Wheels of a train only can move with energy and that energy must be directed to the wheels. And, just like a train, life moving forward needs your energy directed to life's wheels. Each revolution of the wheels, each revolution of your steps keeps the train and your life moving -do not waste energy.

My Hope For You
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges;
hope, may you always have it, never lose this;
goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and,
success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you
"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time."
Ann Landers


Related:

• Quotes about New Beginnings
  
• New Years Achievements
  
• New Year - Poem by William Arthur Ward
  
• Count Those Blessings

Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#yKdZcxDT34Qa2mqI.99

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life
Make Your Decisions Count
A new year is a time to get your options clear and to make a significant decision to do what it is that makes you really happy. The real issue here is that you must take each day as a new opportunity to keep moving towards what you want. Do not look at what will happen in a year but more what will you do each day you awake to change, to move forward, to put into action knowing that each day wasted can never be found again. Each day is a new beginning, the chance to do with it what should be done and not to be seen as simply another day to put in time.

Make It More Than A Dream
Turn those dreams into a realistic plan where you are able to take steps even if it is only one action to keep your dream traveling forward and not stuck on the tracks with no power to the wheels. Wheels of a train only can move with energy and that energy must be directed to the wheels. And, just like a train, life moving forward needs your energy directed to life's wheels. Each revolution of the wheels, each revolution of your steps keeps the train and your life moving -do not waste energy.

My Hope For You
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges;
hope, may you always have it, never lose this;
goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and,
success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you
"Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time."
Ann Landers


Related:

• Quotes about New Beginnings
  
• New Years Achievements
  
• New Year - Poem by William Arthur Ward
  
• Count Those Blessings

Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#yKdZcxDT34Qa2mqI.99

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life
Make Your Decisions Count
A new year is a time to get your options clear and to make a significant decision to do what it is that makes you really happy. The real issue here is that you must take each day as a new opportunity to keep moving towards what you want. Do not look at what will happen in a year but more what will you do each day you awake to change, to move forward, to put into action knowing that each day wasted can never be found again. Each day is a new beginning, the chance to do with it what should be done and not to be seen as simply another day to put in time.

Make It More Than A Dream
Turn those dreams into a realistic plan where you are able to take steps even if it is only one action to keep your dream traveling forward and not stuck on the tracks with no power to the wheels. Wheels of a train only can move with energy and that energy must be directed to the wheels. And, just like a train, life moving forward needs your energy directed to life's wheels. Each revolution of the wheels, each revolution of your steps keeps the train and your life moving -do not waste energy.

My Hope For You
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges;
hope, may you always have it, never lose this;
goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and,
success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you
Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#BMPq7dUY4MkfL031.99

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. - Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted. - Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life
Make Your Decisions Count
A new year is a time to get your options clear and to make a significant decision to do what it is that makes you really happy. The real issue here is that you must take each day as a new opportunity to keep moving towards what you want. Do not look at what will happen in a year but more what will you do each day you awake to change, to move forward, to put into action knowing that each day wasted can never be found again. Each day is a new beginning, the chance to do with it what should be done and not to be seen as simply another day to put in time.

Make It More Than A Dream
Turn those dreams into a realistic plan where you are able to take steps even if it is only one action to keep your dream traveling forward and not stuck on the tracks with no power to the wheels. Wheels of a train only can move with energy and that energy must be directed to the wheels. And, just like a train, life moving forward needs your energy directed to life's wheels. Each revolution of the wheels, each revolution of your steps keeps the train and your life moving -do not waste energy.

My Hope For You
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges;
hope, may you always have it, never lose this;
goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and,
success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you
Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#BMPq7dUY4MkfL031.99

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. - Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! - Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. - Never forget you have talent

Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#BMPq7dUY4MkfL031.99

Make It More Than A Dream
Turn those dreams into a realistic plan where you are able to take steps even if it is only one action to keep your dream traveling forward and not stuck on the tracks with no power to the wheels. Wheels of a train only can move with energy and that energy must be directed to the wheels. And, just like a train, life moving forward needs your energy directed to life's wheels. Each revolution of the wheels, each revolution of your steps keeps the train and your life moving -do not waste energy.

My Hope For You
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges;
hope, may you always have it, never lose this;
goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and,
success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you
Read more at http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#BMPq7dUY4MkfL031.99

Happiness depends upon your outlook on life. Find the good in all situations .
Attitude is just as important as ability. Keep your attitude positive.
Passion must be found this year. Do what you love and it will never feel like work.
Positive thoughts make everything easier. Stay focused and stay positive.
You are unique, with special gifts, use them. Never forget you have talent.

New beginnings start with the new year.
Enthusiasm is a true secret of success.
Wishes can turn into goals.

Years go by to quickly, enjoy them. Receive wisdom from your elders and listen.
Energy may you have lots of it and take care of yourself .
Appreciate life and don't take it for granted. Live each day
Relax and take the time to relax in this coming year. Keep a balance in your life.

Christmas In Heaven

45 years ago  on Christmas I lost my grandfather to eternity. The Lord called him home that afternoon. It was a hard thing to deal with then and it still is when I think about him. The hardest thing however to me is to watch my mom alone on Christmas Day. It is 25 years since dad has been with us on Christmas Day. His last Christmas with us was in 1987  before the Lord called him home 3 months later. I'm sure he is still singing and playing his guitar in glory in that heavenly band and worshipping His King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but I sure do miss him a lot at this time of year because of how much he loved Christmas.

Mom never remarried or dated anyone after Dad went home to be with Jesus. She has always said that no one could ever take his place and that she wasn't looking for anyone. She has held to her guns on that one. But watching videos last night and seeing my pop and my other Poppa sure does bring back the memories. My grandkids got to see their great, great granddad and their great granddad in action through an old VCR video. It was a quite a treat to see them watch their dad in the second grade, especially since he is so much like Hayden.

For all of you that have lost a loved one this year I feel your pain today. My prayer is that you will cherish the memories you have of those loved ones and not let grief overwhelm you. In fact they are reveling in their first Christmas in glory today. Aretta has probably asked if she could work with the little ones, Brother John Ramsey has joined that heavenly band and added a little bluegrass touch, Brother John Thomas knew there was no funeral home there so I'm sure he is assisting those welcoming in family thru the gates of glory, and Brother Doug's still visiting with loved ones he hadn't seen in years, since he just barely got there.

I miss my Pop, as I'm sure all of these families and others miss their loved ones too. But one thing is for sure-even though it's hard on us down here, it's Christmas in heaven for them.

Merry Christmas Pop! I will always love you and miss you. I hope to see you one day.

Loosing Baby Jesus

Someone shared this most unusual story she had decorating for Christmas 3 years ago. Karen, which was the young lady's name, said that it went like this:

"The first weekend in December in 2010, I unpacked the Christmas ornaments as usual. I have a nativity set that I have put up every year for about three years. It goes back in its original box after the holidays, one of those boxes with a molded plastic spot for each figure.

When I unpacked it and set everything up, it was all fine, except that I had a rectangular manger surrounded by some "hay" (the figures are molded resin). I said to myself, "That's weird. Where's baby Jesus?"

I thought the baby had fallen out of the manager. I searched the box and emptied everything out of the larger box: no baby Jesus. I didn't remember that He was missing the year before when I put the set away.

I even got down on my knees and looked under all the furniture, thinking I may have dropped baby Jesus when I took the figures out and that one of the cats had played soccer with Him.

No baby Jesus.

I finally gave up searching and went on a search through the stores in our small town, looking for a replacement baby. I did find some nativity figures in Wal Mart that looked about the right size, but the only Jesus was Black. I thought about it but didn't ultimately buy it. No place else had any nativity figures.

So I went on line: eBay to the rescue! I found several nativity figures that looked like they would work. I decided I should measure my manger first though, to make sure the new figure would fit.

When I picked up the manger, I discovered that baby Jesus was on the bottom! The manager was made with an empty box on one side and baby Jesus on the other (I guess so if people wanted Jesus to appear on Christmas Eve, they could just flip the thing over). I had simply set it down upside down without realizing it, and baby Jesus was there all along.

Every word is true! We have had many laughs over this story."

Being a leader ain't easy-just ask Jesus

Being a leader ain't easy-just ask Jesus.

There are people always rooting against you. That’s one of the unattractive realities of holding a position as a pastor pastor. No matter how well-liked you are, how hard you work, how qualified you might be for your job there will always be people who aren’t pulling for you.

Some of these people will be indifferent to your efforts. Nothing you do will impress them. Others will roll their eyes when you suggest an idea or show initiative. Some will trash you behind your back when talking to other members. Some will take a more active role and will attempt to undermine you in small or large ways. Some will just pack up their stuff and leave your church over silly stuff that really doesn't matter.

Your detractors will come in all shapes and sizes. Some are people you thought were close friends at one time. Some are people you’ve clashed with before and never really liked. Others dislike you in spite of the fact that they’ve never actually had a conversation with you, but have listened to junk from other people.

Their motivations are numerous. They might be jealous of you, or they might simply get enjoyment out of messing with you. Perhaps they have actual problems with your leadership style. Maybe they feel that there was someone better suited for the position. Maybe you offended them with a joke you told two years ago, and they can’t get over it. They might hate the way you dress, or the tone of your voice. This can be very visceral, unexplainable stuff, and it often defies logic. They just don’t like you, and they never will.

You can analyze it, agonize over it, complain about it, cry and scream at the unfairness of it all. Or, you can just get over it and move on to doing your job. Whether you were elected or appointed to your position, there will always be people who celebrate your shortcomings and errors.

Even when they don’t like you, they still are members of your church, and you have to do your best job to lead them. If you are hoping for 100-percent approval and support, then it’s time to bid farewell to the delusion. There’s nothing you can do to control it, change it, or avoid it. You can lead them and you can do great things for your organization, in spite of those who hope you fail.

Do your job the best you can. Make ethical decisions with the well-being of your organization front and center in your mind. Expect and admit your mistakes, and always keep your mind open for better ways to do things.

Learn to separate honest criticism from the silly, nasty stuff based in negativity. If you’re looking for a dependable gauge of the quality of your efforts, find four or five fair-minded people in the organization and check in with them regularly for feedback. Give these people permission to point out your areas for improvement, and respect them by demonstrating a willingness to fix mistakes along the way.

If you work hard and do the right thing, a beautiful moment awaits you about a year after you get done with your position. Someone you thought HATED you during your leadership term will come to you and thank you for all you did. It will blow you away when it happens. That feeling, at that moment, makes up for all the junk you tolerate from the detractors during your term.

8 gifts that are priceless.....

1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
   But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. 
   
   
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
   Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
   
   
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
   Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you." 
   
   
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
   It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
   
   
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
   A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
   
   
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
   Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
   
   
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
   There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
   
   
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
   The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

If you look for me...

If You Look For Me At 

...you won't need a special star -

I'm no longer just in Bethelehem,
I'm right there where you are.

You may not be aware of me
amid the celebrations -

You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do

And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.

You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason that I came,

And you'll find me in the stillness
As I'm whispering your name.

Love,

Jesus

Immanuel

Joseph was in intense pain. His fiancé Mary was pregnant, but not by him. What could he do now? How could their proposed marriage ever work now? But how could he let her go?

As he slept fitfully, and angel came to him in a dream to assure him, "What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." He believed the angel, took Mary to be his wife, and the rest is history.
I'm sure the townspeople believed Joseph was the child's father. To discredit him, a story circulated that he was the illegitimate son of a Roman soldier.
But right after the account of Joseph's dream, the Bible narrator says a very curious thing:

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' — which means, 'God with us.'"

A prophetic sign given some 700 years before has a meaning beyond its own time.
What does Immanuel mean? First, the name or title Immanuel comes from two Hebrew words — the preposition �im, "with, beside, by, among" + 'el, "God." It means simply, as the narrator tells us, "God with us."
But what is its significance? What does it tell us about Jesus' person and life mission? What does it mean to you? Two things, I believe.

God Is with Us to Help Us

Do you know what it feels like to feel utterly alone? To try to attempt to live your life with no one to fall back on, no safety net, no help? If you've been through some desperate times in your life, then you know exactly what this feels like. The wonderful promise made through the Christ-child Immanuel is that God promises to be with you in your troubles. He will not leave you to your own resources. All of his resources are now available to you.
The difference for you can be like night and day. In past times God had made this kind of promise to special people in history.
Abraham was an alien in a threatening land, but God said to him, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go." Moses was told to personally confront the most powerful king on the face of the earth with nothing but a staff and the promise from God, "I will be with you!" Moses believed him and went to Pharaoh at great risk. As a result, God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt through the Red Sea. After Moses died, his apprentice was thrust into leadership. God promised Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Powerful stuff! But what about you and me? That Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," means that his promise is not just to the great leaders but to all. The promise is to you. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he spoke to his disciples:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."⁷

That promise of Immanuel is not just to the apostles, it is to us also, for we see the same promise in the Bible to reassure all the rest of us — "I will never leave you or forsake you."

God Himself Is with Us in Jesus

The title Immanuel tells us about the mission of Jesus, it also tells us about his nature. Remember the context? We have just been told about Mary's pregnancy, Joseph's concern, and the angel's assurance ("What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit"). At that point the narrator tells us that this fulfills Isaiah's prophecy, "'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' — which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew's account of Mary's conception tells the story from Joseph's point of view. Luke's account focuses on Mary's experience. The angel Gabriel has told Mary that she will bear a son who will be the Messiah.

"'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'"⁹

In other words, Immanuel, "God with us," is to be understood literally. Jesus is physical son of Mary in his human nature, but spiritually, he is the Son of God, he has been begotten by God himself.
So when the shepherds and wise men gather and worship the Baby, they are worshipping God himself. Jesus the Son is divine to the same degree that the Father is divine.
Jesus is God!
That is the very radical meaning of Christmas. It isn't about mistletoe and music, or parties and presents, or even the spirit of giving. Christmas is a celebration of the radical fact that God took on human flesh when Jesus was born. Jesus — God Himself — is Immanuel, God With Us!

Santa's Wish

Santa's Christmas Wish

It's Christmas Eve once again,
And the world awaits Santa's return,
But as children sleep with happy faces,
Santa's face is full of concern.

For he knows that many believe in him,
Even though they see him not;
Yet they don't believe in the unseen God,
Nor the Son that He begot.

They accept the many gifts from Santa,
As an expression of his love;
But they won't accept The Greatest Gift,
From the loving God above.

The gift of eternal salvation,
Was offered on Christmas Day -
Through the birth of Baby Jesus,
Who is still rejected today!

"How sad it is," thought Santa,
As he climbed into his sleigh.
And with tears staining his cheeks,
Santa bowed his head to pray.

"Lord Jesus, 'tis not for my glory,
That I return each Christmas Eve.
But to show men, women, and children,
That they don't need to see to believe.

"And if they can accept my gifts,
Even though they're undeserving -
I pray they'll learn to accept Your Gift,
Through a clearer understanding.

"And Lord, If could have a Christmas wish,
I would ask for it to be --
That on each and every Christmas Eve,
The world would look for Thee, not me!"

~ Julie A. Dawes ~

Christmas Puppies

Penny Helton tells this story of her most unusual Christmas Day:
One Christmas we recieved a very unusual gift. We had had our usual Christmas gift exchange that Christmas morning and had our meal and we were just relaxing in the afternoon.
One of my sons found a mother dog and her pups in the meadow behind our house. The mother dog was dying and had moved away from the puppies and was several feet away from them. We drug her onto our carport and cared for her as best we could. She was our neighbor's dog and he was away but we didn't know why at the time. The mother dog died the next day. There were three puppies and they were as cute as could be.
We named them St. Nickolas, Christmas, and Noel since we found them on Christmas day. Since I already had 3 dogs I knew we couldn't keep them, but we each claimed one.
Mine was Christmas who I nicknamed Chris. All of them were fuzzy except the one that Danny and Stephanie claimed. He was slick haired. His name was St. Nickolas.
The puppies were older than we thought because their eyes were open in just a few days. We bought the special powdered mild from the vet for them and Danny and Stephanie got up at night and fed them the 2 am feeding. You didn't have to worry about missing it because they would let us know when they were hungry.
Danny and Stephanie had only been married a few months and they were living with us. They were good about getting up and feeding the puppies at night. When they moved to their own place they took St. Nickolas with them.
I gave Noel to a friend and I gave Chris to a patient's little grandchild who was 3 years old so I know he got lots of love and I didn't feel so bad about letting him go although I did cry a few tears.
We always call this the Christmas God gave us a gift. We enjoyed saving those puppies and bottle feeding and cuddling them, but I hope we don't get another Christmas gift like that.

O Holy Night

O Holy Night was written by a Frenchman named Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Placide was the commisionaire of wines in his small town and was known for writing poetry. Although he was not a regular at church, his parish priest asked him to write a poem for that year's Christmas mass. Cappeau was honored and soon completed his poem, "Cantique de Noel".

However, after the inspiration of writing his poem based upon the Gospel of Luke's account of Christ's birth, Cappeau decided to that his poem was worthy as a song as well. He asked his friend Adolphe Charles Adams, who had written scores for both opera and ballet, to assist in writing the music. The completed song was presented to the priest and parish and received wholehearted acceptance. Soon, it became widely known throughout churches in France.

Years later, though, Cappeau left the church to join the socialist movement. Around the same time, news that Cappeau's friend, Adolphe, was a Jew found its way to the Church and "Cantique de Noel" was suddenly deemed inappropriate, unfit for service and banned from the Church altogether. Although it was no longer welcomed in church services, however, the people of France still sang the Christmas song in their homes and saved it from obscurity.

Then, in the mid-1800's, a Unitarian minister named John Sullivan Dwight found and translated "Cantique de Noel" into English. Dwight had left the ministry because of severe anxiety and panic attacks. He became reclusive but continued to serve musicians by finding new musical pieces and reviewing them in a journal he privately published. Falling in love with the lyrics of "O Holy Night" as he translated it, Dwight published the lyrics in his journal and in several songbooks and the carol took off in America.

The last marvelous part of the story occurs in 1906 when a former chief chemist for Thomas Edison made the first voice radio transmission. Inspired by the Morse code transmissions of Marconi, Fessenden was determined to speak words to the world, not merely dots and dashes. On Christmas Eve of 1906, Fessenden achieved his goal and the first words were spoken through airwaves: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed..." He read from the Gospel of Luke as amazed radio operators listened to the story of Christ's birth! And afterwards, Fendesson picked up his violin and played the first song heard on radio: "O Holy Night"! The broadcast ended and one of the world's favorite Christmas songs took flight!

The story behind Joy To The World

No Christmas carol list would be complete without the exuberant celebration song, “Joy to the World.” This lively tune is easily memorized and simple to play on an instrument. But do you know the interesting story behind this well loved hymn?

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), author of around 750 songs, is commonly called “The Father of Hymns” due to his popularity as the first English hymn writer. A few of his most well-known songs still sung today include: Come ye that Love the Lord; When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; At the Cross; and the topic of today’s post, Joy to the World. Isaac Watts was a young man when hymns other than the Psalms were allowed to be sung in the Church of England. This gave way to Watts developing many beloved songs. Watts still based many of his songs on the Psalms, but he was especially interested in writing hymns based on the “Christian experience.”

Joy to the World was written in 1719 and based on Psalm 98:

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together. Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

If you notice the lyrics of the song, Joy to the World, you will see nothing about shepherds, a manger, wise men, angels, or any other character or element that we normally associate with the Christmas story. The reason being that Isaac Watts did not write Joy to the World to be a Christmas song. The original theme of this song was the second coming of the Lord. Christmas won’t always be a joyful time, but when Jesus comes back, even the rocks will sing!

Over 100 years later, in 1839, Lowell Mason adapted and arranged this song into a melody many believe to have been written by Handel. In my research, however, I have not been able to establish when or why this hymn became associated with Christmas. Certainly we can look at the message in the song and see that it can be applied to Christ’s appearance as a babe in Bethlehem. We must prepare room for Him in our hearts and lives. This is a joyous occasion!

As you hear and sing this beloved carol this season, think about the words. Yes, they apply to the Christmas story in that the Lord is come! We should rejoice! But, let the lyrics all point you to the reason Jesus came: to save the world. Be ready because He is coming again! What a glorious day THAT will be when the whole earth celebrates His appearing!

The story behind Silent Night

In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing in towns throughout the Austrian Alps. On December 23 they arrived at Oberndorf, a village near Salzburg where they were to re-enact the story of Christ's birth in the small Church of St. Nicholas.

Unfortunately, the St. Nicholas' church organ wasn't working and would not be repaired before Christmas. (Note: some versions of the story point to mice as the problem; others say rust was the culprit) Because the church organ was out of commission, the actors presented their Christmas drama in a private home. That Christmas presentation of the events in the first chapters of Matthew and Luke put assistant pastor Josef Mohr in a meditative mood. Instead of walking straight to his house that night, Mohr took a longer way home. The longer path took him up over a hill overlooking the village.

From that hilltop, Mohr looked down on the peaceful snow-covered village. Reveling in majestic silence of the wintry night, Mohr gazed down at the glowing Christmas-card like scene. His thoughts about the Christmas play he had just seen made him remember a poem he had written a couple of years before. That poem was about the night when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah to shepherds on a hillside.

Mohr decided those words might make a good carol for his congregation the following evening at their Christmas eve service. The one problem was that he didn't have any music to which that poem could be sung. So, the next day Mohr went to see the church organist, Franz Xaver Gruber. Gruber only had a few hours to come up with a melody which could be sung with a guitar. However, by that evening, Gruber had managed to compose a musical setting for the poem. It no longer mattered to Mohr and Gruber that their church organ was inoperable. They now had a Christmas carol that could be sung without that organ.

On Christmas Eve, the little Oberndorf congregation heard Gruber and Mohr sing their new composition to the accompaniment of Gruber's guitar.

Weeks later, well-known organ builder Karl Mauracher arrived in Oberndorf to fix the organ in St. Nicholas church. When Mauracher finished, he stepped back to let Gruber test the instrument. When Gruber sat down, his fingers began playing the simple melody he had written for Mohr's Christmas poem. Deeply impressed, Mauracher took copies of the music and words of "Silent Night" back to his own Alpine village, Kapfing. There, two well-known families of singers — the Rainers and the Strassers — heard it. Captivated by "Silent Night," both groups put the new song into their Christmas season repertoire.

The Strasser sisters spread the carol across northern Europe. In 1834, they performed "Silent Night" for King Frederick William IV of Prussia, and he then ordered his cathedral choir to sing it every Christmas eve. Twenty years after "Silent Night" was written, the Rainers brought the song to the United States, singing it (in German) at the Alexander Hamilton Monument located outside New York City's Trinity Church.

In 1863, nearly fifty years after being first sung in German, "Silent Night" was translated into English (by either Jane Campbell or John Young). Eight years later, that English version made its way into print in Charles Hutchins' Sunday School Hymnal. Today the words of "Silent Night" are sung in more than 300 different languages around the world.

I Told You

Story by Beverly Roberts Jostad, Salem, Oregon

Christmas 1940 makes me misty-eyed every time I think about it. I was a high school student in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In the hard times of the era, people depended on one another. We collected food, clothing, bedding and household items and gave them to the needy.

We saved the toys we collected for Christmas. The home economics classes made new dresses for the dolls, while the shop classes turned lumber into trucks, games and other toys.

That Christmas we students found ourselves wrapping toys and loading packages for delivery. As we presented the gifts, we saw joy in many faces, especially those of the children.

We had a few more visits to make on Christmas morning. The air was heavy and chilled us to the bone. A rancher offered us his truck for deliveries, and we gratefully accepted. For several hours, we knocked on doors. But as the cold hours passed, our enthusiasm gradually waned.

When we finally headed home, someone pointed to a small house down a canal bank. Although there were no electric or telephone lines running to the structure, smoke curled from the chimney. The house stood bleak in the forlorn terrain that surrounded it.

None of us knew who lived there, and we wondered if there were children. We still had a doll, two trucks, assorted small toys, chocolate Santas and a box of groceries. We decided to make one last visit. Three of us climbed down from the truck bed and gathered the gifts.

Mud sucked at our boots, slowing our progress. When we knocked on the door, a young woman whose dark hair was tied back with a red ribbon answered it. Three small children peeked from behind her skirt—a little girl of about 2, and boys perhaps 4 and 5 years old. The mother put an arm around the toddler and looked at us questioningly.

“Merry Christmas,” we chorused as we bent down and handed the gift-wrapped packages to the children and the box of groceries to the mother, whose eyes widened with amazement. She slowly smiled, then quickly said, “Come in.”

The catch in her voice was sufficient for us to accept her invitation. We removed our boots and stepped inside.

I knelt to reach the little girl, and it was then that I looked around the room. The linoleum floor was worn but spotless. Bleached flour-sack curtains hung at the windows. Neatly made beds occupied one corner of the room and the kitchen another. A small stove furnished heat.

As I turned back to the children, dressed in clean, neatly patched clothes, I noticed several green tree branches standing upright in a dirt-filled pot. A red cloth circled the base. Can lids and paper angels hung on strings, and a tiny paper star graced the treetop. Streamers of popcorn completed the decorations.

The room was silent as the children looked at their mother, wondering if the gifts were really for them. The little girl hugged her doll, and the boys grasped the trucks as they sought an answer. She put her arms around them and said in a choked voice, “I told you Santa Claus would come.”

What If?

What if, GOD couldn't take the time to bless us today becausewe couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if, GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because
we didn't follow Him today?

What if, we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain.

What if, GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if, GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?

What if, GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if, GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.

What if, the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if, GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if, GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him yesterday?

What if, GOD answered our prayers 
the way we answer His call to service?

What if, GOD met our needs 
the way we give Him our lives?

The Gold Wrapping Paper

Once upon a time, there was a man who worked very hard just to keep food on the table for his family. This particular year a few days before Christmas, he punished his little five-year-old daughter after learning that she had used up the family's only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper.

As money was tight, he became even more upset when on Christmas Eve he saw that the child had used all of the expensive gold paper to decorate one shoebox she had put under the Christmas tree. He also was concerned about where she had gotten money to buy what was in the shoebox.

Nevertheless, the next morning the little girl, filled with excitement, brought the gift box to her father and said, "This is for you, Daddy!"

As he opened the box, the father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, now regretting how he had punished her.

But when he opened the shoebox, he found it was empty and again his anger flared. "Don't you know, young lady," he said harshly, "when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside the package!"

The little girl looked up at him with sad tears rolling from her eyes and whispered: "Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was all full."

The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his precious little girl. He begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger.

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later. It is told that the father kept this little gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems, he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and remember the love of this beautiful child who had put it there. 

In a very real sense, each of us has been given an invisible golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

The Mysterious Gift-A True Story By Michael Woodard

I looked at the gift. It looked SO different than the others under the tree. It was so carefully wrapped and even had a ribbon tied in a bow. In rich red paper it was beautiful! THIS gift was larger than the others too. Something was missing… It didn’t have a name on it. I couldn’t ask whose it was; it seemed too special. I just looked in wonder. Just having it under the tree added something special to Christmas.

That Christmas, along with other holidays, was not special. Holidays, in my home, were filled with lots of drinking. Drinking always led to yelling, Yelling led to fights. Fights sometimes went beyond words. In our home the “special” had been lost in holiday events. This Christmas in particular was framed in angry discussions of job loss and financial stress.  I overheard a lot.

The GIFT was so mysterious; it was a blaze of red color in my black and white world. It captured my mind.

I could hardly contain myself as the time came to open presents! I am the youngest of four. Presents were handed out in order, oldest to youngest. Each time another gift was handed out the anticipation built.

It did not go to my sister. My oldest brother did not get it. My middle brother was given the box next to it. . .

I looked at the gift. It looked SO different than the others under the tree. It was so carefully wrapped and even had a ribbon tied in a bow. In rich red paper it was beautiful! THIS gift was larger than the others too. Something was missing… It didn’t have a name on it. I couldn’t ask whose it was; it seemed too special. I just looked in wonder. Just having it under the tree added something special to Christmas.

That Christmas, along with other holidays, was not special. Holidays, in my home, were filled with lots of drinking.

Drinking always led to yelling. . .

Yelling led to fights. . .

Fights sometimes went beyond words . . .

In our home the “special” had been lost in holiday events. This Christmas in particular was framed in angry discussions of job loss and financial stress.  I overheard a lot.

The GIFT was so mysterious; it was a blaze of red color in my black and white world. It captured my mind.

I could hardly contain myself as the time came to open presents! I am the youngest of four. Presents were handed out in order, oldest to youngest. Each time another gift was handed out the anticipation built.

It did not go to my sister. . .

My oldest brother did not get it. . .

My middle brother was given the box next to it. . .

Next, my mom’s hand reached for THE gift . . . my world went into slow motion when she handed THE mysterious, beautifully wrapped gift to me! For just a moment I didn’t move. Maybe it was a mistake… then I saw the hidden tag; it said, “To Mike from Santa.”   It was real. It was for me. My fingers began to un-wrap the box; I was still in disbelief.  As the paper fell away, I could hardly believe my eyes; a brand new pair of black ice skates. New for ME!  Being the youngest boy with two older brothers almost nothing was new coming to me. Now right in front of me were brand new shiny ice skates.

I remember nothing else of that day beyond skating up and down the ice covered country roads. I was the only one thankful for the recent ice storm! In the next few days, I’m sure I must have broken some world record for the distance skated by a 9 year old boy.

That gift lifted me out of a fog. I’m not sure what I would label the fog. Maybe it was the expectation that somehow Christmas should be special. Maybe it was TV or maybe comments I heard at school but somehow I thought Christmas should be a special time. The mysterious gift made that Christmas the most memorable of my childhood. I never found out who “Santa” was. I wish I could say, “Thank you” and let them know how much that gift meant. Someone’s kindness made a significant impact and a memorable Christmas.

I now know there is another mysterious gift that makes Christmas special.  Often it is missed in the busyness, emotion or misplaced focus of the season. This gift has removed the fog of despair that had a grip on my life. This mysterious gift came in the form of a baby born in a stable. When I consider that Jesus left the perfection of heaven, it is almost incomprehensible. He came to walk the planet He created. Each day, His heart was broken by the people he came to serve. He did this for nine year old boys. All this is wonderful, mysterious and beautiful. What a gift. Since I do know THIS gift giver, I can say “Thank you” for a life changing gift. 

Have you considered Jesus, the One whose heart has been broken and He knows all your hurts and sorrows. Would you like to know Him personally?  You can by simply opening up your life to Him and asking Him to come into your life, forgive you sins and be direct your life from this moment on. You can pray a prayer something like this:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Bring peace to my world this Christmas. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.Next, my mom’s hand reached for THE gift . . . my world went into slow motion when she handed THE mysterious, beautifully wrapped gift to me! For just a moment I didn’t move. Maybe it was a mistake… then I saw the hidden tag; it said, “To Mike from Santa.”   It was real. It was for me. My fingers began to un-wrap the box; I was still in disbelief.  As the paper fell away, I could hardly believe my eyes; a brand new pair of black ice skates. New for ME!  Being the youngest boy with two older brothers almost nothing was new coming to me. Now right in front of me were brand new shiny ice skates.

I remember nothing else of that day beyond skating up and down the ice covered country roads. I was the only one thankful for the recent ice storm! In the next few days, I’m sure I must have broken some world record for the distance skated by a 9 year old boy.

That gift lifted me out of a fog. I’m not sure what I would label the fog. Maybe it was the expectation that somehow Christmas should be special. Maybe it was TV or maybe comments I heard at school but somehow I thought Christmas should be a special time. The mysterious gift made that Christmas the most memorable of my childhood. I never found out who “Santa” was. I wish I could say, “Thank you” and let them know how much that gift meant. Someone’s kindness made a significant impact and a memorable Christmas.

I now know there is another mysterious gift that makes Christmas special.  Often it is missed in the busyness, emotion or misplaced focus of the season. This gift has removed the fog of despair that had a grip on my life. This mysterious gift came in the form of a baby born in a stable. When I consider that Jesus left the perfection of heaven, it is almost incomprehensible. He came to walk the planet He created. Each day, His heart was broken by the people he came to serve. He did this for nine year old boys. All this is wonderful, mysterious and beautiful. What a gift. Since I do know THIS gift giver, I can say “Thank you” for a life changing gift. 

Have you considered Jesus, the One whose heart has been broken and He knows all your hurts and sorrows. Would you like to know Him personally?  You can by simply opening up your life to Him and asking Him to come into your life, forgive you sins and be direct your life from this moment on. You can pray a prayer something like this:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Bring peace to my world this Christmas. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.