Monday’s Music Moves Me

If you have visited this blog in the past ten days then you are aware that I am in the middle of my annual Christmas Music Marathon. Curious as a Cathy has been kind enough to put a link on her blog and I cannot thank her enough for that kind gesture.

Over the years I typically share some of the ornaments that adorn the trees in our house. Yes, I said trees. This year there are three Christmas trees in our home. Nearly every ornament you have seen so far is on one of the trees. Today I’d like to feature some very special ornaments. These decorations are very simple, but very durable. In fact these ornaments have adorned the main tree in our home for forty-seven years. They were on the first tree my wife and I bought after we were married in 1974.

Just in case you were wondering, I provide all of the photographs for my blog. Some are shot on my phone, some with my compact mirrorless camera, and some are taken with my Nikon DSLR. Photograpy has been a hobby of mine for decades. I am still in the intermediate amateur class, but I love capturing images of the world around me. I’ll give you a little more info on the equipment at a later date. The image above was captured with my newly acquired compact Canon M50 mirrorless camera, coupled with a Canon 24mm f2.8 lens.

Scripture does not give us the complete story of his reaction, but when Joseph discovered that Mary was expecting, he was advised to quietly dissolve the relationship. Apparently Joseph sought what he thought was wise counsel because he truly loved Mary and wanted to do the right thing and not cause her any harm, emotionally, physically or spiritually. God sent an angel (most likely Gabriel) to inform Joseph of the situation and that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his bride. Joseph and Mary showed great faith and trust in God and each other. One can only wonder how Joseph dealt with their situation on a daily basis, because people are going to talk. After all, it wasn’t his child.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

It’s my final week of hosting 4M and the theme is free choice, but I am just beginning my annual Christmas Music Marathon so sit back, listen to some music of the season that focuses on the purpose of the celebration. There will be a new post every day with one or more songs and usually a bit of information about Christmas or family. Come back often for some arrangements that may be new-to-you. Merry Christmas to all.

Soon after the angel Gabriel had visited Mary and shared the news that she had been chosen to give birth to The Savior, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child. When Mary shared the news with Elizabeth, the babe in her womb leaped for joy. You see, Elizabeth was going to give birth to the child who would become known as John the Baptist. Thirty years later, John declared the beginning of Christ’s ministry by baptizing Jesus. Mary became the first person to share the good news of the gospel.

The account of the birth of Christ is found in the second Chapter of Luke, but some of the details surrounding His entry into this world are found in chapter one. The coming of Christ was revealed seven hundred years before His birth, when the prophet Isaiah spoke these words, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with us). In the first chapter of Luke this prophesy is fulfilled as the angel Gabriel visits Mary and declares, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in you womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be, great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

That is a lot of information to drop on a teen-aged girl who is engaged to be married. In fact Mary asked how it was possible for her to have a child when she had never been with a man. God reveals His truth to us when we are able to understand it. Looking back on this encounter, we are inclined to ask, “Mary, did you know?”

“Mary Did You Know” has become a Christmas classic and has been recorded by dozens of artists. The first time I heard this song, it was by Kathy Mattea. I still think it is the best arrangement I have ever heard.