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Dec.19.05: Light for the Day -
"Christmas with Christ"
-- John 3:16-17
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
-- Luke 2:1-14
1 At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 3 Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown. 4 Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David.
5 He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 6 and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger—there was no room for them to stay in the inn.
[Matthew 1:25
"... And he gave Him the name Jesus (which means the LORD saves.)]
8 There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid,
10 but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day in David's town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord! 12 And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!"
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Loving Heavenly Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
In Thy Name We Pray,
Amen
-- R. L. Stevenson
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"Now This is Christmas"
Lots of people
Crowds everywhere
Rushing and pushing and shoving
Going nowhere!
It's Christmas time again
Have to get all those things done
Hussle, bussle, quickly
We must beat the sun.
Must get this and must get that
Maybe this nic, maybe that nak
When did it happen
When did we lose track?
It's a race, yes it is
We are running, yes we are
But lets not forget
Before we get too far ...
What is really, really important
Doesn't take much to figure out
Take time to love
And love from the heart.
You feel that warm glow?
That's a start
Now accept His love
He's in your heart.
Now you can reach out
Enjoy your holiday
Give to those around you
And don't forget to pray.
Now the joy of Christmas
Can really fill you up
All the rest is meaningless
Lord, fill my cup!
This is Christmas
This is what it's all about
Without Jesus there is only doubt
Christmas without Christ?
Who ever heard of such a thing
-- M. L. Maddox
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"A Christmas Lesson"
"Is there a purpose? Why are we here?"
A little boy asked as the yuletide drew near.
"I really do hope that someday I will know
The reason we have to stand out here in the snow,
Ringing this bell as people walk by,
While thousands of snowflakes fall from the sky."
The mother just smiled at her shivering son,
Who would rather be playing and having some fun
He soon would find out before the evening was done
The meaning of Christmas, the very first one.
The young boy exclaimed, "Mother where does it go?
All the pennies we collect - every year in the snow."
"They go to help others who can't help themselves,"
She said, "... children and their loved ones who have nothing else."
"But why do we do it? Why do we care?
We worked for these pennies, why should we share?"
"Because once a little Baby - so meek and so mild
was born in a manger - so humble the Child.
The Son of a King - was born in this way,
So the world could have the gift that He brought on that day."
"You see the present God gave to the world on that night,
Was the gift of His Son to make everything right."
"Why did He do it? Why did He care?"
"To teach us of love and how we should share."
"The meaning of Christmas, you see my dear son,
Is not about presents or just having fun;
But the gift of a Father - His own Precious Son,
So the world would be saved when His work was all done."
Now the little boy smiled, with a tear in his eye,
As snowflakes kept falling from out of the sky -
Rang louder the bell as the people walked by
While down deep in his heart he now knew why.
-- T. Krause
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"A Christmas Star"
Once upon a time,
or so our story starts,
a child climbed his Mother's knee,
and implored her from his heart:
"Mommy, why is there a star
Upon our Christmas tree,
And why is it so big and bright,
Please tell all to me."
Each year a mother hears this question,
And then she must review
The story that's been often told,
But still forever new.
"Long, long ago in Palestine,
Upon a night serene,
A wondrous star flamed in the east,
The brightest ever seen.
And people wondered as they looked
If this might be a sign,
That God would work a miracle
To show His hand divine.
And there were shepherds on a hill,
Who watched their flocks that night,
When suddenly, the whole sky glowed,
With a blinding, radiant light.
The shepherds were amazed and awed,
They shook with trembling fear,
Then slowly from the light they saw
An angel form appear.
'Fear not' he said,'`I bring you news
Of peace to be restored,
For unto you this day is born,
A Savior, CHRIST THE LORD.'
The joyful shepherds left their flocks,
And started following
The shining star that would lead them
To see the newborn King.
And in another region were
Three Magi, old and wise,
They, too, looked on the gleaming star
But it brought them no surprise.
This was the sign long prophesied;
The day was now at hand,
When a great new King would come
To bring peace to the land.
The Magi gathered precious gifts
Of gold and spices sweet -
A tribute to the Savior Child,
And lay them at His feet.
They mounted camels and they wrapped
Their robes about them tight.
The shepherds too, trudged slowly on
Throughout the chilly night.
Before the wanderers went the star,
It stopped at Bethlehem,
And now they knew the miracle
Would be revealed to them.
About the city streets they searched
For a palace high and grand,
That would be fitting for a King,
Who was to rule the land.
The star came down at last to rest,
Above a stable door,
The travelers saw animals,
And straw upon the floor.
'Where is the King that is to be?'
They asked in great surprise -
The donkeys and cows and sheep,
Turned on them wondering eyes.
A man named Joseph greeted them,
His face was worn and thin,
'We have been quartered here,' he said
'No room was at the the inn.'
'And this is Mary, my dear dear wife,
So gentle, pure and mild.
We've traveled far from Nazareth,
Tonight was born the Child.'
He pointed to a manger crib,
And there upon the hay,
Surrounded by a radiance,
The Infant Jesus lay.
The Magi and the shepherds knew
That here was CHRIST THE LORD -
They knelt upon the stable floor,
And worshipped and adored.
And high above the stable roof,
A host of angels sang,
'Glory to God in the highest,'
All night their voices rang.
And so each year we tell the tale
Of Jesus' humble birth,
That men may live in brotherhood,
And peace be on earth.
And then we put the shining star,
Upon the Christmas tree,
To show God's promise to the world,
And His love for you and me."
-- Rose Cordain
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-- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
PRINCE OF PEACE.
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