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Morning Devotional...Luke 2Christ Born of MaryThe Birth and Childhood of Jesus1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. [/list]
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Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne (http://www.christianphotographers.com/sounds/christmas/thouddst.mid)
(Click to hear music)
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men
Philippians 2:6-7
Words: Emily E. Elliott, 1864
Music: Timothy R. Matthews, 1876
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehems home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
Refrain
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heavens arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
Refrain
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
Refrain
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
Refrain
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee."
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
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I will be leaving in about half an hour for the Christmas Eve service with my neighbors. It has started raining again and will probably continue into tomorrow and the next couple days. I will probably be driving south (toward Sacramento, CA) in the rain but that's better than driving in the snow and ice. :o
I am looking forward to being with Nita tomorro and going out for dinner. It is always sooooo good to be with a bestest friend.
Pat, I guess I didn't comment on the Christmas card you posted ... the reason is that I got a phone call just about the time I was ready to post a message! :-\ Anyway, I really like it and thank you so much for making it available for us all. I'm hoping you have a truly blessed Christmas celebration with your family.
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(Oh weary, weary was the world,
But here is all alright.)
Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make thee bed, soft, undefiled
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber, kept for Thee.
My heart for very joy does leap
My lips no more can silence keep,
I must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle song.
G K Chesterton
Thanks Jane.
I'll be with just Ian tomorrow. Then probably we'll have some family get together with Janice but not sure when and then our family will try to get together on Jan. 7
Difficult when the kids are getting older.
<3 MY HUSBAND IS HOME & IN BED !! <3
I do believe in prayer more today but I always did before but I prayed more on Christmas Eve then I have before !!
So ... Merry Christmas ONE & ALL !!
More later !!
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Merry Christmas folks :) ;) :D :crazy:
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Merry Christmas. My heart smiles when I hear of all your blessings...wood, husbands home from the hospital, hearing from friends far away, cooking with granddaughters, singing Christmas Carols...what blessings all of you have.
I am off to take my crock pot to my sisters and then to church. God Bless All of You on His day and every day.(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmy.core.com%2F%7Eettasue%2Fanimations%2FMerryChristmas.gif&hash=c97320d510f0d90cb270ab965b3a4d7c142e7810)
The kids were here for a couple of hours and we had our nice meal and opened the gifts. I gave Gilbert and Sarah a copy of that letter from Jesus that I posted here on Friday. It did not go over well. Sarah was very quiet about it but Gilbert was very unkind. It really put a damper on our festivities. I am hoping that today will be better.
I have my veggies in the oven already this morning and will be getting ready for church pretty soon. Last night I noticed that I am now getting the head part of this cold in spite of the anitbiotics which won't do a thing for colds. Ah well that's life.TTYL
Good morning on this Christmas of 2005. I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.
We went to service last night and now we are ready to go this morning. For dinner today we are having the whole family and a few guests, 29 in all. The turkey is in the oven, all the food is prepared, all of our grandchildren and of our children, their husbands, etc. will be here. We are truly blessed on this Christmas Day.
http://www.reuters.hu/card_dom/index_content.html
Papa John
The attitude with which our Lord came into this world:
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
God the Father celebrated the advent of His Son by raising Him from death and exalting Him above all. None will ever appreciate Jesus so much! But let all celebrate His coming, His dying, and His reigning today! Amen.
BLESSED ADVENT!!
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I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (http://www.christianphotographers.com/sounds/christmas/iheard.mid)
(Click to hear music)
Suddenly there was with the angel a great company
of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace,
good will toward men.
Luke 2:13-14
Words: Henry W. Longfellow, 1864
Music: John B. Calkin, 1872
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.
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
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, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."
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Merry Christmas everyone! <3
We are going to Bonnie's for dinner today and back for a quiet evening at home. :D
I have been off the computer a lot this past week WE have spent some real good time together.
Love to all from all of us to all of you.
Judy
Well I am out of here in just a few minutes to the church. Yes we are having Sunday school first. I am leaving my veggies in theoven on as low a temp and It goes. Maybe? depending on how dione they are before I leave.
Merry Christmas to all and I will see you this evening.
Have a Blessed day with your families.
Merry Christmas everyone. We are just back from church and there was a good crowd there. We had a combined service. We just plan a quiet afternoon and I expect, even though I got up fairly late this morning, that I will have a little nap in a bit.
Tbear, certainly glad that Rolan got to come home for Christmas. Hope he is doing better each day.
Marilyn, just keep in mind that you weren't rejected but rather Jesus. Sorry to hear of the reaction of your family to the letter but maybe it will cause them to do some thinking. Hope you have a nice afternoon today.
God bless every one with a joyous Advent! We went over to the house of one of the church families last evening, and there were about 18 or 19 there, including kids. The host led everybody in singing to each person or couple as they left for the evening. There were tons of food brought by all. It was a great time.
Today we took over some presents for our extra grandkids. We would have been over at their house this evening, but they're all getting over some kind of crud. They're feeling better today, but washed out. Except Chris, the dad - he didn't get it at all, thank our Father. While we were there, though, their oldest girl, Johanna, drew a very nice picture of a flower, put on it "to the Moaks," and gave it to us. So it's on the refrig. now. What a sweet kid! Praise God for children - they're wonderful.
Amen, Al! Children are wonderful!
At church last night the pastor's little boy Caleb, who is five, had on a brand-new suit, shirt and tie! He looked adorable, and I asked him if he is our new preacher. He just looks at you and smiles, never says much. His grandma told me he always wants to dress just like his daddy. ;)
The candlelight service last night was beautiful and meaningful. My family filled one whole pew! :) :) I thank God continually for the way the kids are rearing the grandkids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
We are going to have a new Granddaughter! Curtis announced that he has asked Toni to marry him. She came last night, and her gift to me was 2 sets of really cute snowmen dishes. She wanted us to use them last night, but I had set the table the day before already, and we had the food ready to put on the table as soon as we came in from church. The new dishes would have needed to be washed, etc. So I hope Toni wasn't too disappointed. I told her I would use them today, and I did. Now they are back in the boxes and put away until next year.
We had a nice dinner for our friends and my Mom today. They all went home by 2:30 so they wouldn't miss their naps! ;) All are in their late 80s.
It is an incredible 68 degrees here today! I think I will take off my sweatshirt and put on something cooler and go for a walk!
I know now what I did wrong while trying to post those photos, so I will go try again. It came to me just as I was drifting off to sleep the other night......... :-[
Okay, I did it! They are in my gallery in the Family album. Thanks for looking.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!
It's all over. I am stuffed. Don't think I will eat anything for at least a month!! :crazy: Ivalou's little house was stretching at the seams! She was expecting 18 but ended up with 24!!! And all that food! And all those presents!! The bigger kids decided to not exchange gifts but to bring White Elephant Gifts...so I made up a story and when I said 'left' they passed their gift to the left and when I said 'right', they passed their gift to the right. Some of those White Elephant gifts were really nice!!
And Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was suppose to rain today...it was raining when I went to church and back home. But right after everyone got to Ivalou's, it started snowing. And 12 of them had to drive back to Ohio, Dayton area tonight! It was even slick walking back to my house...a very wet snow...
I know everyone had a Merry Christmas! Now look forward to a Happy New Year!!
We had a wonderful time of family, eating and giving. I got a wonderful lavender infused litttle pillow and the lavenderoil to go with it. (It's and Organic thing, we are organic kind of people in this family) ;), Gilbert got my a pack of 50 CD's now I can put all my stuff on them. I got everything I can use and I am happy with what I received.
I still have to download my camera to my computer, I didn't get but a couple of photos at church today I put the wrong batteries in my camera. :ticked:
TTYL
Oh, my, I am so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open. I stayed up too late and got up too early this morning. ??? Yawn.........
I'm trying to watch another Christmas movie on Hallmark, if I can keep my eyes open long enough.
Etta Sue, sounds like a very nice Christmas was enjoyed by all at Ivalou's house, how nice! And don't you just WISH you could fast for a month? ;) ^-^ I know I ate things I shouldn't have eaten, and the scales will tell on me. :( But it sure did taste good! Back to the treadmill and the weights tomorrow! :thumbsup:
I wish you all a restful and pleasant night's sleep.
OOPS! I've been meaning to congratulate JANE on the new addition to her family! And I'm so happy you are getting to see Joy again.
Marilyn, how long will 50 CDs last you? I got 50 about three years ago and still have most of them. But you're a lot more computer savvy than I am. :)
Okay...........good night!
Thanks Janet :) I will be going south either Tuesday or Wenesday. There are many things that need my attention, but the JOY will be seeing my newest great grand (also #7, Dave's newest addition, born in June) and touching bases with Joy and Bry ... Tricia and C.J. are staying at Daves "temporarily" so I know the address and will be able to visit. :)
Nita and I had a great time together this afternoon ... including the tradtional Christmas dinner! (I'll let her tell you about that if she chooses :D) I received a call from my youngest, Dot, and left messages with other family members so all in all it was a really nice Christmas day.
I have eaten, rejoiced, worshipped, and feel completely satisfied ... I will now take a break and watch some more TV ... Tomorrow I have an appointment for a flu shot (figured I needed it before venturing south into California and unknown germ territory), then I will do a little shopping to take advantage of the After Christmas sales. :thumbsup: and get ready for the trip to California. I would very much like prayers for what lies ahead ... God knows, but it is a necessary trip. ::) Thanks.
Just watched a beautiful (local) program--Hasn't God Been Good To Oregon--filled with beautiful photos of beautiful places throughout our state ... always an inspiration and reason to love (even more) the wonder of God's creation. <3
I'll be back as I can ... Until then, y'all have a most blessed and restful rest of the week .... Jane
It has been a long day but a very enjoyable day. We ended up with 30 with seating for dinner in the dining room, in the kitchen, and den. But we survived. Everyone is gone now except for James and Beth who are spending the night.
I looked around one time from over in the corner and saw all these people, mostly my family, but other close friends of the family, and I thought how wonderful life has been to me and how lucky I am.
1 Pet 3:8-16
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
(NIV)
But now it is 9:30 and time to go to bed. Good night everyone.
Papa John
I am very sleepy tonight. I won't tell the entire story of our traditional Christmas dinner, but we did have it. It was nice, pumpkin pie and all.
Today has been a day of blessings. My daughter called last night to say that Kyle, my grandson, was spending Christmas eve with his dad. This is the first time he's stayed with him since he left and moved in with me over a year ago.(he's in college now and no longer living with me ) Rene said that was the best present she could ever receive. Then she called me tonight to say Kyle was staying again with his dad. This is an answer to prayer. After Jim was killed, she talked to Kyle and Terry both, telling them that they needed each other and please try to reconcile. I am so happy for them all. I know this took some of the sadness away from Rene this Christmas.
It seems you all had a nice day, filled with family and friends.
God is good.
Well, I can't stay up much longer or I'll go to sleep right here! So go here to coninue.
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