“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ." -David Jeremiah

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RAOK: Text someone just to say good morning or good night.

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Good Sabbath, everyone ~~ Marilee

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You’re Here

Francesca Battistelli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2xxqRm3Hyg&t=88s

lyrics

Hold on now, I gotta take a deep breath

I don`t know what to say when I look in your eyes

You made the world before I was born

Here I am holding you in my arms tonight

Noel, noel, Jesus our Emmanuel

You`re here, I`m holding you so near

I`m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

You could`ve left us on our own, but you`re here

Don`t know how long I`m gonna have you for

But I`ll be watching when you change the world

I Look at your hand, they`re still so small

Someday you`re going to stretch them out and save us all

Noel, noel, God with us Emmanuel

You`re here, I`m holding you so near

I`m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

They could've left us on our own, but you`re here you`re here

Someday I`m gonna look back on this

The night that God became a baby boy

Someday you're gonna go home again,

But you leave your spirit and flood the world with joy

You`d be here, I`m holding you so near

I`m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

They could've left me on my own, but you`re here you`re here

Hallelujah you`re here hallelujah

You`re here

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DAVEY AND THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

By Beth Vardon

Let’s pretend there was a boy, and Davey was his name,

Whose family lived in Bethlehem when Christmastime first came.

Davey had a special pet -- a donkey small and grey,

And what the two of the did best was getting in the way!

Davey named the donkey Tim. He never rode him though.

Either Tim was built too high or Davey was too low!

Davey’s father had an inn where people came to stay;

And lots and lots and LOTS of them were coming there one day.

His father was as busy as six or seven bees!

So Davey said, “I want to help, can’t I do something, please?

Tim would like to help you, too. Find a job for us to do!

“Listen, Son,” his father said, “Last week you broke three jugs.

You scared my two best customers with your pet lightning bugs!

You tracked in mud on my clean floor, you tripped and dropped the bread.

And though I loved the fish you caught -- why leave them on my bed?

I have put up with your helpfulness as long as I am able.

So do me one big favor now, get out -- and clean the stable!”

Davey sadly went and stood beside the stable door.

It hardly seemed that anyone could clean that dirty floor.

He and Tim both felt so bad they started to cry --

But then (thought Davey), Yes, we can! Well, anyhow -- let’s try.

First, let’s chase those chickens out. That’s what we’ve got to do.

So Tim began to flap his ears while Davey shouted, “Shooooo!”

The chickens clucked and flew and ducked, they fluttered wild and scary,

Until their feathers filled the air like snow in January.

Yes, Davey chased those chickens out, He and Tim together.

But now he had to get a sack and pick up every feather!

You should have seen how hard they worked!

They stacked up all the wheat,

They straightened up the harnesses till they were nice and neat.

They fought with spiders bravely till they chased out every but.

And since we must admit the truth -- they broke another jug!

The very biggest job of all was stacking up the hay.

Davey climbed up to the loft and put it all away.

Look, Tim. You see how high it is? I’ll make just one more trip.”

Then clear up by the stable roof his feet began to slip!

Down came the hay and Davey, too. The stable looked so queer --

All you could see was piles of hay -- one sandal, and one ear!

Slowly they came out on top, and Davey didn’t whine,

Though hay stuck out all over him just like a porcupine!

He put the hay all back again and stacked it up with care --

But left one armload down below to fill the manger there.

So Davey’s work was done at last, and when it looked neat

He picked some flowers to trim the barn, and some for Tim to eat.

“I hope it’s clean enough,” he thought. “At least I did my best,”

And feeling very, very tired, he curled up for a rest …

Who woke up Davey from his sleep? Just guess them if you can.

Mary was the woman’s name, Joseph was the man.

Mary said, “Oh, Joseph, look! This is a lovely place!”

Then, seeing Davey there, she said, with such a shining face,

“Your father’s inn had no more rooms, tonight we’re staying here.

So tell me now, are you the boy who cleaned the stable, dear?

And did your donkey help you work? We want to thank him, too.”

Though Davey was still half asleep, his heart was glad clear through.

So that is how a little boy, two thousand years ago,

Stayed on to hear the angels sing, and see the Star aglow.

As soon as Baby Jesus came to use the manger bed,

Then Davey’s sack of feathers made a pillow for His head.

No one told Davey any more that he was in the way.

His work had helped get ready for the world’s first Christmas Day!