A White Christmas

Just a few random thoughts today to let you know that I am still among earth's inhabitants. The past week has been very busy for me and I am sure, for you readers also. GranDanny and I are enjoying the quiet, no where to go, the Christmas tree, Starbuck's Christmas blend coffee, and the beautiful snow on the ground, now beginning to disappear as it runs from the sunshine.  For all of my 58+ years, I have heard and enjoyed the classic song by Irving Berlin, sung best by Bing Crosby, called I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas. Basically, that is all we ever did- dream of one- because here in the south, we are usually in the 50-60- temperature range and that isn't conducive to snow.

Love Came Down at Christmas, Love all Lovely Love Divine.

"If He Had Not Come"

While reading through the Christmas story this morning from the Holy Scriptures, from Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah concerning his son, John, to the Magi's visit to the young Child, maybe around age two, our supposition being because of Herod's seeking out all the baby boys who were two and under, I kept thinking of the words of a new song entitled If He Had Not Come. Amy is singing it at church today and maybe I can post that later. The words are wonderful and I am sure it will be sung beautifully.

"While You Were Sleeping!"

Danny and I left Dawsonville on Wednesday afternoon to go pick-up a part for our broken heating system (yes, quite the cold week for a heater to break) in Lawrenceville. Well, as you might expect, that is a little too close to the babies, especially with the little one being sick for a week, so we swung by to see them even though we had vaguely heard of a winter storm advisory in our part of the state. Around 4:00, I didn't pay much attention when Grandanny reminded me that it was beginning to sleet because we were having so much fun with our Alicia and Landon but when it took us three hours to make a one hour drive home, I wish I had listened to the warning.

While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns

"Joseph the Husband of Mary"

Listening to one of my favorite (there's many of them, aren't they?) Christmas cds this past week, I heard a song that Michael Card wrote and performed called Joseph's Song. As I like to ponder what it must have been like for the young Jewish virgin girl, Mary, I also imagine myself in the story alongside another pivotal role player in this Christmas story. Little is said about the young man who God in His sovereignty chose to be the earthly guardian of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ but what is recorded for us in the Scriptures, I believe, has insights for us concerning this son of Jacob from the lineage of David. The Bible says that he is Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus Who is called Christ.

Joseph's Song -Michael Card

"My Soul Magnifies the Lord!"

To people who know me well, if they were challenged to list 50 things about me, (well, maybe that would be too difficult- how about 25?...15?....10?... I sound like Abraham, don't I?), that I am a music lover would be one. And of course, it goes without saying that Christmas music, good Christmas music makes me happy. I retrieve my green rubbermaid container from the top of the closet about two weeks before Thanksgiving and have a day of mourning around Jan. 15th when that wonderful music goes back to their designated shelf.

That Beautiful Name

I love the study of the names of our Savior in the sweet Scriptures. Just in the Book of John alone, I have been blessed this week as I read that He is the Word, the Light, the Lamb of God, the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel and we aren't even out of the first chapter of the Apostle's writings.  Psalm 9:10 tells us that "And they that  know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou,LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee" and here in the Christmas season, I want us to look at a few that the Isaiah prophesied concerning our Lord hundreds of years before He lay in a manger. In chapter 9 of that O.T. Book, He is called Wonderful.

Cherish That Name

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"

So far, we have looked at two Christmas songs which in essence are the prayers of the people- crying out for the long expected Jesus to come- our same cry today!  Imagine, with me, the scene on earth before He came the first time- the weary and oppressed people awaiting and we know, that some were eagerly anticipating His arrival. We see two of them in Luke 2, two elderly people, one named Simeon, "a just and devout man, waiting for the Consolation of Israel." Anna was another who served God in the temple "with prayers and fastings night and day and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."