Christmas is a glorious time to step aside every so often and meditate on Jesus’s coming so many years ago and now how he has a center in my life. So I bring my needs to him, but also my praises for what he has and will do.
AS I PRAY
As I pray, I see your work
in others' lives and in my own.
So patiently I lift the needs
of those I love and of my own.
May you be praised in all our deeds
as we go forth in praising you,
living for your glory, Lord,
walking in your power, truth.
Christmas is so close. How blessed we are to be able to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
A LIGHT SHINES
In the darkness
a light shines
that cannot be quenched.
In the shadows
a light shines
and hope grows bright.
In the night
a light shines
and joy is birthed.
THE WORD WAS GOD
It was God who came that day
to live a life on earth.
No beginning, always God,
becoming man at birth.
It was God who left his throne
on high to wear our form,
coming down to give His peace
to quell sin's awful storm.
It was God who came to die
to spread on earth His light,
that we could walk with Him each day,
delivered from our plight.
May God give us the realization of what Christmas truly is.
To me, Christmas is more than just birth of Christ. It is his whole sacrifice of coming from glory to human form and then, not just to die, but to rise and go back to glory having made payment for our sins.
THE SHADOW OF A CROSS
The shadow of a cross
across a manger lay
where God became a man
to bear that cross someday.
The shadow of the cross
speaks life to sinful men.
The innocent would pay
the price for all our sin.
The shadow of that cross
became reality
when God himself had died
so man would now be free.
Christmas is more than just about a baby. It is about God who came as that baby but was God incarnate. He was God in human form.
GOD IN HUMAN FORM
Watch the angels winging earthward,
singing praises to a king,
giving message to some shepherds--
lowly shepherds watching sheep.
"He is born! The Christ is come!
Peace on earth! Good will to men!"
Now the shepherds go to worship
God who's come in human form.
Watch the star that beams from heaven
guiding wisemen to a king.
Long they travel searching, searching
for the one the prophets tell.
Gifts of gold and frankincense
and myrrh to give the one they seek.
Now he's found, they bow in worship
God who's come in human form.
Watch the people as they gather,
singing carols, giving gifts.
Do they hear the Christmas message
"Peace on earth! Good will to men"?
Are they searching for the one
shepherds worshipped, wisemen sought,
One who died but still is living,
God who came in human form?
What hope Christmas brings. Life is scary and bad things are happening. But this is not all there is. God, in His love, sent His Son as a human being to give us hope.
BORN A BABY Born a baby Born a king Through the skies Glories ring. Peace with God the angels say He is bringing Freedom's day Worship Him the worthy one for the baby is God's Son Darlene Estlow 2021
We have just celebrated Easter! Praise God for the Resurrection. Now through Jesus we have peace with God and can live in peace. He is near in our trials. When we hurt, He hurts with us. He is worthy of praise.”
I TALKED TO GOD
The other day I talked to God
while driving down the road.
He sat beside me on the seat
and listened as I drove.
With heavy heart, I told my tale
of trials in my way.
When all was said, I felt His hand
reach out to mine that day
He dried my tears and I saw His;
He walked my path with me.
He took the load that I had borne,
and traded it for peace.
(2018)
THIS CHILD OF GRACE
This Child of Grace of Christmas fame
was sent to us who fail at life,
who struggle to find peace and hope,
but spend our lives in sin and strife.
This Child of Grace, one sent from God
for love of men who do not know
that through His grace this Child gives hope,
that life with peace from Him could grow.
This Child of Grace, the perfect One,
this Child of Grace, the worthy One,
who left His throne in heaven above—
this Child of Grace, God’s only Son.
(2018)
And so we end a day with the special memory of the Terrorists’ attack on our country on September 11, 2001, It was an event that never fades from the memory of those who lived through that day. As I remember, I pray for God’s grace to protect our country and draw us back to Him.
“God Bless America by Irving Berlin”
“God Bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.
God Bless America, my home sweet home.
God Bless America, my home sweet home.”
Gifts. So many of them. Sometimes I miss them because I am not looking. I took the challenge from the Christian writer, Ann Voskamp to find 1000 gifts from our Creator God. This is my “Thank You Journal”. I list my gifts and find I have lots to be thankful for. They aren’t major gifts. One day it was a sunny day after a lot of winter days. Another day it was simply peanut butter or half a grapefruit. Some days it is that I feel really good or I don’t hurt. I have given thanks for water that comes to my house so easily when I have read that clean water is available in some countries. My grandchildren, my car running despite many miles on it, a hot cup of coffee, a day at home after a busy week are all marvelous gifts. The other day I wrote tacos. I had been wanting to have tacos but since I live alone, I wouldn’t be able to buy just enough make only one meal. When I was at my daughter’s the other day, they had tacos for dinner and I got to stay.
I have made a commitment to put down five things I am thankful for every day. It may seem silly to some that I write down these simple things as gifts. But doing that reminds me that God is interested in even the little events of my life. When things aren’t going well, they remind me that God is there and He is taking care of me. In the really bad times which we all go through, I can have peace.
This isn’t the first Thank You Journal I have kept. But it is the prettiest and probably the least expensive. But inside are words of gold. So I add, thank you, Father in Heaven, that you give me gifts that show me you care. Not big ones most of the time, but small ones I can tuck into my heart. I love you.
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