Isaiah 7:14 revealed to the ancient world that the sign of the arrival of the Messiah would be a virgin born child. 800 years later the angel Gabriel visits Mary and tells her she has found favor with God and will conceive and birth the Son of God. Mary was barely a teenager when God selected her to bring the Savior into this lost and dying world. The first chapter of Luke records the conversation between the angel of the Lord and the mother of Christ. After a brief explanation, Mary yielded herself to God. We don’t know much about Mary’s pregnancy other that it ended in Bethlehem. I am sure we would like to know if Mary understood the magnitude of her decision and exactly what was about to happen. The song asks, “Mary Did You Know?”d

Regardless of how the Christmas holiday is portrayed in our world, it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior, the Son of God. While the world of Christ may have taken little notice of His birth, we can find that it should not have been a surprise to anyone in search of a Savior. Hundreds of years prior to that Christmas morning in Bethlehem, prophets spoke of His coming. Isaiah 7:14 tells us, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 800 years prior to Jesus’s birth Micah 5:2 told the ancient world, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” These are just two of several Biblical example that tell of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. And one one night in Bethlehem the world was changed by a baby boy!

One Christmas tradition that seems to have faded is that of carroling. Each year our local high school music program has a concert that involves every choir. I it quite a treat to hear these young, talented voices sing the music of the season. They sing a few traditional carrols, a few classical arrangements, and a few pop offerings. All in all it is a great evening. If your local high school has such an event, I encourage you to attend. You won’t be disappointed and the kids will love a full house.

I cannot believe this is the 14th installation of my annual Christmas Music Marathon. There are very few things in this life that I have done for fourteen years. Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Each year, the day after Thanksgiving I post a photo and at least one video per day until Christmas Day that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. I hope it allows you to take a few minutes to slow down, enjoy a song of the season and reflect on friends, family, memories and the joy that is inherent in the celebration of the birth of Christ. I do have one tradition associated with this marathon and that is I start each marathon with the same song. With everyone scrambling for Black Friday sales and traveling for Thanksgiving I am reminded of how busy Bethlehem must have been on Christmas Eve. People were required to travel their city of origin for a census that was to be used for tax purposes. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem while Mary was expecting her first child at any moment. Bethlehem was flooded with people and there was not a room to be found. You can read the whole store in the second chapter of the gospel of Luke. I’ve always wondered what is was like to “Take a Walk Through Bethlehem”. Let the marathon begin.

Dumpster Enclosure

I am going to combine Aww Monday with Monday’s Music Moves Me this week.

Yes, we’re still on track to welcom our newest great-grandson to the word in late Cecember or early January. Saturday there was a baby shower at the church for four grand daughter and mother-to-be.

This image is my wife (Nana), or grand daughter (mother-to-be) and our daughter (to be known as Nina). They are quite a trio when they get together.

Paternal grandmother, Nana, Mother-to-be, Nina, and the other maternal great grand mother (our son-in-law’s mother). There was a large group in attendance and numerous gifts, many of which I have no idea of their purpose. It was an Aww…some event.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

How appropriate is it that this week’s theme is music about food, FAMILY, and friendship. I choose family. In a few short weeks we will be singing “Welcome to The Family”! Yes, there will be photos.

When the great-grandson arrives there is sure to be discussions about who he looks like. Does he have his Papa’s hair or his mothers skin tone. One thing we all pray for is that he has his heavenly Father’s eyes and heart. Eyes to see a need and a compassionate heart to help. Eyes to read God’s Word and hide them in his heart. Yes, his Father’s Eyes.

What can I contribute to this child’s life that is worthwhile and lasting? Maybe I’ll Buy a Boy a Baseball! Have a blessed week.

Ozark Autumn 2.0

I am going to feature the same event in Aww…some Monday and Monday’s Music Moves Me. Last Wednesday night Joe Bonamassa was in town for a concert. I bought tickets in April and have been looking forward to this event for months. He did not disappoint. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Joe Bonamassa, he is one of the best blues gutiarists to ever step on the stage. At the age of 12 he opened for BB King. At the age of 26 he recorded his first album, Blues Express, and it is still being sold. He has had 27 no.1 hits on the blues charts. Joe has shared the stage with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, BB King, and Albert King.

Last Wednesday night Joe took the stage at 8:00 pm (no opening act) and played for just over two hours without a break. It was an Awe…some evening.