WATCHWORD:
3 Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. 4 And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home—journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger. Luke 2:3-7
6 For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace.” 7 His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David. He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven’s armies has dedicated himself to do it! Isaiah 9:6-7
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23
Meditation:
Oh, Happy Day!
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle ’til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Thank Me throughout this day from My presence and My peace. These are gifts of supernatural proportions. Ever since the resurrection, I have comforted My followers with these messages: Peace be with you, and I am with you always. Listen as I offer you My peace and presence in full measure. The best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank Me for them. It is impossible just spend too much time thinking and praising me. I created you first and foremost to glorify Me. Thanksgiving and praise put you in proper relationship with Me, opening the way from My riches to flow into you. As you thank Me for My presence and peace you appropriate My richest gifts. Now and throughout this day rest in My love.
(From Jesus Calling for Christmas, by Sarah Young)
“Christmas Bells”
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
by Dr. Suess
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”
“It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!”
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”…
Yes indeed, Christmas means so much more. Peace on earth, good will toward people, and Joy throughout the world. Praise the Lord. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Amen.
Oh, Happy Day, Indeed:
We celebrate all those born this day, in Bethlehem and throughout the world, especially Colton, born three years ago in Cincinnati, and Alaina, born years ago in Goshen, and all the others, you know their names.
Happy Day – Happy Christmas – Happy Birthday
A Christmas Prayer:
Loving God on this Christmas Day, we praise the newborn child, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We open our eyes to see the mystery of faith and we claim the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us.” We remember that Jesus was born in a manger, and walked as a humble suffering Savior. Lord, help us to share the love of God with everyone we encounter, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and stand against injustice and oppression. We pray for the ending of war and for peace in the world. We thank you for our family and friends, and for the many blessings, we have received. We rejoice today with the best gifts of hope, peace, joy and the love of God in Jesus Christ. Amen.
