MERRY CHRISTMAS

Blessed Christmas Friends! 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas Day filled with the love, joy and peace of Christ!  Let us remember the  FIRST Christmas:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And everyone went to his own town to register. 

 So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, " Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, " Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about".

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  -Luke 2:1-20

May you treasure up these things in your heart and ponder the wonder of our Lord Jesus Christ who's birth we celebrate this day.  

Wishing you a blessed Christmas Day filled with the love, joy and peace of Christ! 

FIRST WEEK IN ADVENT

Hi Everyone!

Happy December! Yes! It IS December! It is hard to believe we are well into the first week of December already and every year I wonder where the time goes between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With Thanksgiving being earlier this year, it kinda threw me off! Hubby was raring to go to get the Christmas Tree as soon as our daughter and SIL pulled out of the driveway on Saturday after Thanksgiving. I tried to convince him it was too early to put the tree up but tradition stands and that means going to get a Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving. Okay, so the tree is up in the stand and there are strands of lights on it however, it is yet to be decorated. 

It is hard to even think about Christmas shopping when the temperature hovers near 80 degrees.  I know, it is tough but someone has to live here and enjoy the warm weather <wink>, but this is one time of the year I think about the colder climates and the romance of snowy evenings by a fire, etc. Our version of that is candles and if we really want a fire we light one in the fire pit. 

Advent begins the first Sunday in December, to celebrate the meaning of Christmas, we gather for the Advent by Candlelight and hear the story of Jesus' birth.  It is a wonderful way to start the season of Advent and to get our hearts focused on the reason for the season.  Each year as the season of Advent begins in our church, we sing "O Come Emmanuel" and it gives me goosebumps when I hear the words.  Do you have a favorite Christmas song that brings tears to your eyes or gives you goosebumps? Another favorite is "O Holy Night", I love that song. 

Of course there are other fun events like the Christmas parade and parties to celebrate, along with a shopping and gift wrapping and cookie baking. This year will be attending our granddaughter's first Christmas event at her pre-school. I can't wait to see this! 

During the hustle, bustle and business of the season, my hope is that you will take a moment to reflect on why we celebrate Christmas.  

Have a Happy Jolly Week! 
Suzy