An so we have come to the end of 2023 Christmas Music Marathon. The time always seems to pass so quickly. I hope you found some joy, a little peace from the business of the season, and a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. May you and yours have the merriest Christmas ever and may the spirit of Christmas reign in your heart and home throughout the year. God bless to one and all.

All Things Made New

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who over

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Revelation 21:1–7.

Christ is Born

2 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.

The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds

8 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!”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Lk 2:1–14.

Neighborhood Lights

Last Friday we traveled to Tulsa to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. If you have never seen this group in person by all means put them on your bucket list. Their concert is a feast for the eyes and ears. I have never been a part of such an audio-visual experience. 

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A Baby Changes Everything

On Sunday, December 17 our grand daughter and her husband welcomed our Great-Grandson into the world. He arrived a couple of weeks early so he is a little fella (16 inches and 4.2 lbs). He will spend a few days in NICU to gain some weight, but everything else is working just fine…thank you Lord. They live about 3-1/2 hours from us, so as soon as the young man comes home we will make a trip to see him and more photos will be taken.

What a beautiful example of how a new born changes the dynamics of the family. Everyone is excited and arranging their schedule to see the newest addition. Oh that the world arrange it’s schedule and meet the one who brings life eternal to the soul. Merry Christmas all!!!

Next Monday is Christmas Day. Time and space are too limited to explain all that this day means to me and all of mankind. The promised Savior, first mentioned in Genesis 3:15 and declared in Isaiah, was born. Through the crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and day of Pentecost, the New Testament Church was established and mankind had direct access to a Savior. Christmas and Easter are co-dependent in that Christianity cannot exist without both events. 

It is difficult, if not impossible for the mind of man to comprehend just how much God the Father loves us, the crown jewel of His creation. We are the only creature created in the image of our creator. We are the only creature with a moral compass and a spiritual need for fellowship with our Creator. God met that need in the only way possible by providing the perfect sacrificial lamb to cover the sin of mankind originated in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The first mention of Christ is found in Genesis 3:15 when God addresses Satan as a serpent and declares that God will bruise the head of the serpent while the serpent will bruise the heel of the seed of God. Isaiah 53 speaks of the coming Savior by telling us He will come into this world without much fanfare (v2)and would be despised and rejected by men (v3). The Messiah would remain silent when accused (v7-8), and He would die for our sin (v12). Micah 5:2 declares that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Savior and Isaiah 7:14 gives us the details, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin hall conceive and bear a Son, and shall His name Immanuel (God with us). On a winter night, in a stable, in a crowded town, shepherds in a nearby field were the first to know just how holy that night was. Merry Christmas to you and yours. May God’s gift of Christmas be present in your heart and home.