Happy Birthday, Jesus!

(our mantle nativity)

"The days were completed for Mary to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn...And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them...the angel said, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy which will be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!'" (Luke 2:6-11)

Everybody sing!!!

Happy birthday, Jesus,

I'm so glad it's Christmas.

All the tinsel and lights and

The presents are nice

But the real Gift is You.

Happy birthday, Jesus,

I'm so glad it's Christmas.

All the carols and bells make

The holidays swell

And it's all about You.

Happy birthday, Jesus; Jesus, I love You! 1

Merry Christmas, beloved, and may you have a blessed new year!

(Happy birthday, Jesus, from our grandkids' house)

1 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS. Carol Cymbala.

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Do you SEE what I see?

our sweet baby grand and Santa
2014

"No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him. And they will SEE His face, and His name will be written on their forwards." (Rev. 22:3-5)


        Since he was teeny-tiny, our babygrand has turned to SEE who's holding him and studied their face with his big, blue eyes.

       Long ago, on a star-spangled night in Bethlehem, baby Jesus came to earth and mankind SAW the face of God - the One who holds the whole world in His hands.

Said the night wind to the little lamb,

"Do you SEE what I SEE?

Way up in the sky, little lamb,

Do you SEE what I SEE?

A star, a star, dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite."1

           Until we SEE His face again, beloved, let us run with endurance the race of life God has set before us, keeping our EYES ON JESUS, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith! (Heb. 12:1-2)

So, do you SEE who I see?

The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light

BTW: Christmas Eve gift! (a Watson family tradition)

1 DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR. Lyrics by Noel Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker, 1962. (The husband and wife wrote this Christmas carol as plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis.)

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I'll Be HOME for Christmas

Capt. William Winfred Watson (middle) 
(My daddy, Dec. 23, 1921 - June 5, 1994)
U.S. Army, Japan, 1945

"Look and see! For everyone is coming HOME! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried HOME." (Isaiah 60:4)


            Because an ocean and a world war separated my parents for two Christmases, the carole, "I'll be HOME for Christmas," always made my mother cry:

I'll be HOME for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be HOME for Christmas

If only in my dreams 1

In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, "There is more than enough room in my Father's HOME... I am going to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so you will always be with Me where I am." 

            After World War II, God blessed Mother and Daddy with forty-eight Christmases together; and now, they're HOME with Him - together forever.

(Happy 93rd birthday, Daddy, from your li'lun.)

1 I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. Lyrics Kim Gannon, 1943.

                          

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When Heavenly Light and MUSIC Fell On Earthly Eye and Ear

Estey Parlor Organ
(Purchased by Byron Monroe and Audie Pearl Glassco, 1920)
(my Phillip's grandparents)

"Rise up, O Lord, in all Your power. With MUSIC and singing we celebrate Your mighty acts." (Psalm 121:13)




          In 1920, at the age of seven, my father-in-law rode with his dad to town on a wagon and picked up their brand new, $50 parlor, pump organ purchased through the Sears and Roebuck catalogue from the Estey Organ Company in Brattleboro, Vermont - today a treasured, MUSICAL heirloom in the Glassco family.

                 Across the pages of Scripture from the old to new testament, worship to Almighty God heralds through MUSIC. Beloved readers, this week is the birthday of Jesus, so tune up your wind pipes, clap those percussion hands, and sing praises to our Savior King!

Now let us sing the Angel's song

That rang so sweet and clear,

When heav'nly light and MUSIC fell

On earthly eye and ear;

To Him we sing, our Savior King,

Who always deigns to hear:

"Glory to God, and peace on earth."1

"Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making MUSIC in your hearts to the Lord!" (Eph. 5:18-19)

1THE ANGELS SONG. Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), a Middle Ages chorister at King's College, Cambridge and organist for the Chapel Royal and later Westminster Abbey.

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oh REST beside the weary road and hear the angels sing

Gil's beautiful widow and my friend, Nancy,
with the newly released storybook:
Sidney

"Then times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you, Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For He must remain in heaven until the time for the final RESToration of all things, as God promised long ago through His holy prophets." (Acts 3:20-21)




       In the early 70s, 27-year-old Gil Wheeler wrote and illustrated a children's book about a little snail and dreamed of having it published. Forty-two years later, by God's grace, his widow's determination, and Deep Sea Publishing's expertise, "Sidney," at last, is out of his shell and on the bookshelves.


              For centuries, the Jews dreamed of their coming Messiah, and two thousand years ago...

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth, 

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men

From heavens all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

Jesus came, died, arose, and ascended to heaven; and across the centuries since, Christians have longed for His return.

O ye beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours

come swirly on the wing;

Oh REST beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing. 1

REST, oh weary ones, dreams and God's promises do come true!

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you REST. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find REST for your souls." (Matt. 11:28-29)

(Sidney - now available at www.deepseapublishing.com )

1 IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR. Edmund Hamilton Sears, 1849.

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Like a CHOIR they're singing, Peace on Earth!

Our grandkids' church, Christmas musical
2014

"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." (Luke 2:13-14)


            After numerous rehearsals for a hundred wiggly, giggly youngsters, our grandkid's children's CHOIR gave a stellar performance (in this grandmother's opinion) of the Christmas musical, "The King is Coming;" and in that hour, the turmoil of the world fell quiet, and peace on earth was enjoyed by all.

Our grands holding the signs they made for the musical.

           Media screams, "There is no peace on earth, goodwill to men," but the Word of God sings promises of peace and goodwill for the children of the King:

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11)

"Violence will disappear from your land; the desolation and destruction of war will end. Salvation will surround you like city walls, and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there." (Isa. 60:18)

"On that day the Lord will be King over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord - His name alone will be worshiped...On that day even the harness bells of the horses will be inscribed with these words: Holy to the Lord." (Zec.14:8,20)

Hear the bells, beloved?

And the bells are ringing

Peace on earth

Like a CHOIR they're singing

Peace on earth

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

Peace on earth, peace on earth

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, goodwill to men

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing?

Peace on earth

The life the angels singing

Peace on earth

Open up your heart and hear them

Peace on earth

Peace on earth, good will to men 1

"Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at the gate, waiting for me...for whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves..." (Prov. 8:34-36)

1 I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. Casting Crowns, 2008.

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CELEBRATE!

"Cabo" 2014
(Beloved pet of our dear friends, Debora and Mark)

"Look! Striding across the mountains - 

a messenger bringing...good news: peace! 

A holiday...CELEBRATE! Worship and recommit to God!" 

(Nahum 1:15a The Message)

      At Christmas time, we deck the halls with boughs of holly, trim the trees with twinkling lights and shiny tinsel, and even don our dogs in red velvet ribbon because...

Once upon a Christmas far away in Bethlehem
Mary being great with child had no place to lie down
So Joseph found a stable in which Mary had her Child
Once upon a Christmas was the birth of Jesus Christ

Once upon a Christmas in manger far away
A King was born His palace was a manger filled with hay
His royal robe a swaddling cloth a halo was His crown
Once upon a Christmas away in Bethlehem

And all the world REJOICED because the King was born at last
A savior had been promised now it had come to pass
And the joyful news that He was born spread quickly
far and wide
Once upon a Christmas was the birth of Jesus Christ. 1


Beloved, may we never stop CELEBRATING the 
CHRIST of Christmas!

1 ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS. Dolly Parton, 1984.

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There's a Fragrance Much Like HOPE

Santa and my Phillip,  2014
"Little" Nashville, Indiana




"And His name will be the HOPE of the world." (Matthew 12:21)

            Sunday afternoon, while browsing through a quaint, novelty shop in "Little" Nashville, my Phillip and I ran into guess who - Santa! He said, "I'm shopping for an item my elves couldn't make. Ho, ho, ho!"

                Some deem Santa Clause make-believe, but a real Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian, served as Bishop of Myra in modern day Turkey. On Feast Day each December, the beloved, secret gift-giver spread HOPE to children and others by placing coins in shoes left on village doorsteps. So truth be known, the original St. Nick was merely a kind servant and faithful fragrance of Jesus Christ - the pure HOPE of the world.

There's a fragrance much like HOPE

That it sends upon the wind

Reaching out to every soul

From a lowly manger's crib.

Oh, Rose of Bethlehem

How lovely, pure, and sweet

Born to glorify the Father

Born to wear the thorns for me.1

Calling all 21st-century saints!!! Be a vessel of HOPE, today - leaving the sweet fragrance of Jesus wherever you go!

"Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit!" (Romans 15:13)

1 ROSE OF BETHLEHEM. Lowell Alexander.

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Bearing GIFTS We Traverse Afar

My precious niece, Virginia
Christmas, 1984

"They entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him GIFTS of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt. 2:11)

              When Virginia's dad (my brother) was a little fellow, our parents told him to be careful opening one of his Christmas GIFTS because it might be breakable. Mark said, "Might be eggs! Bet it is eggs!"

                   One Christmas tradition that my Phillip and I treasure is giving Jesus the first and most expensive GIFT every Christmas. Our church, Church of the Highlands, provides an incredible opportunity to do just that through the Legacy Offering, - a contribution GIFT given away to Christian help programs around our city, state, country, and world. 

                 May we never forget that Jesus truly is the Reason for the season - Christmas, after all, is the birthday of our King! What GIFT will you give Him this year?

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing GIFTS we traverse afar.

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never

Over us all to reign! 1

1 WE THREE KINGS. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1857.

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Go, Tell It on the Mountain that Jesus Christ is BORN

My little Ben and my sweet Rebecca
Christmas, 1984

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, 

unless one is BORN again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

               As a tot, one of my Ben's favorite songs was "Go, Tell It On the Mountain." Forever imprinted on this mother's heart is the vision of my little boy, all decked out in cowboy boots, swinging in the backyard, and singing at the top of his lungs, "Go tewit on da mooooountain dat Jesus Chwist is BOEN!"

       For God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary, and he said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you! You have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be BORN will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1)

          Though He was God, Jesus did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the humble position of a slave and was BORN as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. (Philippians 2)

          So let me remind you, dear friends, of the Good News - the Gospel preached before you. It is this Good News that saves you if you believe its message that [Jesus Christ was BORN], He died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day. (1 Cor. 15)

           Therefore, God exalted Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2)

Yes, Jesus Christ was BORN so that you may be BORN again into everlasting life and peace with God!

When I am a seeker,

I seek both night and day;

I seek the Lord to help me,

And He shows me the way:

Go, tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is BORN!1

1 GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. An African-American spiritual compiled by John Wesley Work, Jr., 1865.

         

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HARK the Herald!

L-R - My dear mother, me, and my Rebecca
Christmas 1994

"Anyone with ears to hear must LISTEN to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches." (Rev. 3:6)

                 Years ago, only because I love my daughter dearly did I reluctantly agree to partner with her in a piano duet of "HARK the Herald Angels Sing" at a children's Christmas program in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Both a bit nervous, once we began, momentum escalated, and our fingers literally sprinted toward the final chord. Afterward, our friend, Earl, said, "I think that was the fastest rendition of "HARK the Herald Angels Sing" I've ever heard."

                 In that timeless Christmas hymn, Charles Wesley urged believers to HARK, i.e. LISTEN to,  and join the angelic song of glorious praise to Jesus - the King who reconciles sinners to God and will one day bring perfect peace on earth.

HARK the herald of God! He speaks everyday through His Word and His Spirit. Throughout this Christmas season, are you LISTENING?

HARK the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim:

"Christ is born in Bethlehem."

HARK the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"1

1 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING. Charles Wesley, 1739.

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WHEN Faith Has Heard the Master's Word

My dear mother and father holding my Rebecca and my niece, Tamara
(Mother made the girls' velvet, Christmas dresses.)
Christmas, 1982

"But WHEN the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God's child, and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir." (Gal. 4:4-7)


            On the only white Christmas I can remember from childhood, "Santa" just happened to bring a super, cool Flexible Flyer Sled! 

         The Preacher of Ecclesiastes wrote, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens;"  and Acts 17:26-27 teaches that from one man, God made every nationality over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live so that people might seek Him. 

Therefore, my friend, your WHEN and where of this Christmas season is a divine appointment. Make the most of the opportunity! Seek God and bless others with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

O sing of Bethlehem, 

Of shepherds watching there,

And of the news that came to them 

From angels in the air.

The light that shone on Bethlehem 

Fills all the world today;

Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth 

The angels sing alway.

O sing a song of Galilee, 

Of lake and woods and hill,

Of Him who walked upon the sea 

And bade its waves be still;

For tho like waves on Galilee, 

Dark seas of trouble roll,

WHEN faith has heard the Master's word, 

Falls peace upon the soul. 1

1 O SING A SONG OF BETHLEHEM. Louis F. Benson, 1899.

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All is CALM, All is Bright

After unwrapping our presents, my beloved mother helped me with a warm cup of cocoa - the CALM after the storm.
Christmas morning, 1957

"When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Silence! Be still!' Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was great CALM." (Mark 4:38 NLT)

        In the post office yesterday, I waited in a long, crowded line beside two precious little girls and their sweet mother. The four-year-old said, "Mama, let's get out of this wild, crazy place!"

         One silent, holy night, at the dawn of redeeming grace, baby Jesus came into a wild and crazy world. The Word became human and made His home among us. Full of unfailing love and faithfulness, Jesus Christ spoke CALM into chaos.

Dear Lord Jesus,

           This Christmas season, as life rages around my dear readers, please speak a heavenly CALM into their hearts, minds, and souls.

                                                           In Your sweet name I pray,

                                                                Amen and amen

It is a beauteous evening, CALM and free,

The holy time is quiet as a Nun

Breathless with adoration; the broad sun

Is sinking down in its tranquility;

The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea;

Listen! the mighty Being is awake,

And doth with His eternal motion make

A sound like thunder - everlasting. 1

Silent night, Holy night

All is CALM, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant, so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace. 2

1 Selection from IT IS A BEAUTEOUS EVENING, CALM AND FREE. William Wordsworth, 1802.

2 SILENT NIGHT. Joseph Mohr, 1818.

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Let Every Heart PREPARE Him Room

My Dan and Mandy, 2014
(Mandy's first trip ever to a Christmas tree farm)

"At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' All the bridesmaids got up and PREPARED their lamps...So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of [Jesus'] return." (Matt. 25:6-7,13)




          Christmas season 2014, I'll PREPARE Christmas letters, Christmas lists, Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas menus, Christmas meals, and Christmas cookies, but how well will I PREPARE room in my heart for Jesus?

             In the Christmas story, no room was found in the inn for Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. O Lord Jesus, this Christmas, first and foremost, may we all PREPARE room in our hearts and schedules for You!

Joy to the world! The Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart PREPARE Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing!1

1 JOY TO THE WORLD. Isaac Watts, 1719. (Based on Psalm 98.)

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O Come All Ye FAITHFUL, Joyful, and Triumphant

My Dan, my Ben, and my nephew, Daniel
All dressed up for a special Christmas wedding, 1991




"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, FAITHFUL in prayer." (Romans 12:12)

               Because snow's a rare treasure in Alabama, my Dan as a little boy of 7 hurriedly pulled on his winter jacket, cap, mittens, and boots and rushed outside after seeing a few white flakes floating in the air. Through the window, I watched my boy plop down on the grass and bow his head. When he opened those eyes as blue as cornflowers, a shower of snowflakes swirled around him. He looked into the heavens and gave God a quick thumbs up and a thankful grin.

             Hebrews 11:1 defines FAITH as the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Jesus once called a little child unto Himself and said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get to the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 18:3).

Dear Heavenly Father,

               I ask that my beloved readers be FAITHFUL, hopeful, and confident in You, Lord God. May we all come and adore You this Christmas.

                                                            In Jesus' name I pray,

                                                               Amen and amen 

O Come All Ye FAITHFUL

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him, 

O come, let us adore Him,              

O come, let us adore Him,              

Christ the Lord!1

1 O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL. John Wade, 1700s.             

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LOVE Came Down at Christmas

L-R - my niece Virginia, my sweet mother, my Ben, and my Rebecca
Reading The Night Before Christmas 
Christmas Eve, 1985





"For this is how much God LOVED the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)



LOVE came down at Christmas
LOVE all lovely, love divine
LOVE was born at Christmas
Star and angels gave the sign.

          In a letter addressed to believers, Jesus' beloved disciple, John, wrote: 

"If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's LOVE be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we LOVE each other; let us show the truth (of LOVE) by our actions." (1 John 3:17-18).

             Almighty God so LOVED that He GAVE the One He LOVED most to save an unlovely world. This Christmas season, may we so LOVE that we GIVE smiles, hugs, encouragement, merry Christmas greetings, time, talents, blessings, and gifts of LOVE.

LOVE shall be our token

LOVE shall be yours and LOVE be mine

LOVE to God and to all men

LOVE for plea and gift and sign.1

1 LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS. Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1885.

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PEACE on Earth, Goodwill to Men

Our little princess-grand, Christmas 2012

Jesus said, "I'm leaving you with a gift - PEACE of mind and heart. And the PEACE I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat

Of PEACE on earth, goodwill to men.1

          Do you have the PEACE you'll sing about this Christmas season? As with JOY and MERRY, in Scripture, the Lord God gives heavenly instructions for acquiring His PEACE that surpasses understanding:

"Don't worry about anything; 

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and 

thank Him for all He has done.

Then you will experience God's PEACE,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus."

(Phil. 4:6-7 NLT)

God's PEACE is a gift - opened in prayer and enjoyed through thanksgiving.

Dear Heavenly Father,

           I pray that my readers will worry not, pray much, abound in thanksgiving, and delight in Your mind-boggling PEACE.

                                                              In Jesus' name I ask,

                                                                Amen and amen 



1 I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. Based on the poem "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1863.

            

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