Laced With Grace

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
~ Luke 2:1-20 (ESV)

I often ponder how the young girl Mary must have felt after giving birth to the Son of God. Away from home, in a very cool place….

If this is the first year you discover the wonders of the Babe born in the manger, please go here to find out more about the Savior born unto us…Merry Christmas, everyone. May this Christmas be a blessing to you and your family.

WAITING.  It seems to be the bad 7 letter word.  I wait in line at the store, I wait until my children are old enough to handle some everyday tasks; I wait for Christ’s return.  We spend our life waiting. 

Just like in Judah thousands of years ago.  They were under great oppression by King Harold to pay taxes.  They were waiting for relief.  Some held on to the hope that a “Savior” was coming just as Prophet Isaiah promised.  Some have given up waiting for that hope and just lived day to day. 

Thousands of years ago,
God spoke to Abraham under the stars
and promised that through him
all people would be blessed.

Abraham had a son named Isaac.
From Isaac came Judah.
From the house of Judah came Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
From Obed came Jesse,
of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.”

From Jesse came David the King.

David was the father of Solomon.
And from the line of Solomon,
there came a man named Jacob,
who was the father of Joseph,
who took Mary to be his wife.

To them Jesus was born;
the light of the world,
King of Kings,
Lord of Lords,
the Everlasting God,
the promised one of Abraham,
who came to bless and save us all.

Paul Dallgas-Frey

The day before the birth of Christ people were fulfilling their tasks. Shepherds were attending their sheep. People had to run to the market to purchase supplies. There was work to be done, taxes to be paid, and children to attend to.

Then in a quiet little stable, without any notice everyone’s life changed. Not one of us will ever be the same. Either we accept Him or reject Him, but we will never be the same.

What a difference a day can make.

Now today we are back waiting; very similar to the people of Judah. But today we are waiting for Christ’s return.

During this time of waiting we have errands to run, children to attend to, bills to pay, and chores to be completed. How are you waiting?

 Are you like some, who have grown weary of waiting and think it will never happen; do you make yourself busy with the “important” tasks of the day? Or are you anxiously waiting His return and using your energy and days anxiously waiting for the King.

You know He never comes as expected. But I hear for His second return, there will be no missing Him.

Are you ready?

Luke 12:35-40 

35″Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 

 

Merry Christmas!!!

I’m not writing my own post this week – exams and all that…

So, here’s an old hymn by Martin Luther. The words remind me of the majesty of God.

“We All Believe in One True God”

1. We all believe in one true God,
Who created earth and heaven,
The Father, who to us in love
Hath the right of children given.
He both soul and body feedeth,
All we need He doth provide us;
He through snares and perils leadeth,
Watching that no harm betide us.
He careth for us day and night,
All things are governed by His might.

2. We all believe in Jesus Christ,
His own Son, our Lord, possessing
An equal Godhead, throne, and might,
Source of every grace and blessing.
Born of Mary, virgin mother,
By the power of the Spirit,
Made true man, our elder Brother,
That the lost might life inherit;
Was crucified for sinful men
And raised by God to life again.

3. We all confess the Holy Ghost,
Who sweet grace and comfort giveth
And with the Father and the Son
In eternal glory liveth;
Who the Church, His own creation,
Keeps in unity of spirit.
Here forgiveness and salvation
Daily come through Jesus’ merit.
All flesh shall rise, and we shall be
In bliss with God eternally. Amen.