1 John 4: 14-19   14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us. 

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Celtic Woman 'Away in a Manger' - YouTube

Away in a manger,
no crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky
looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hays.

The cattle are lowing,
the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus,
look down from the sky
And stay by my side
Until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever,
and love me, I pray!
Bless all the dear children
in Thy tender care
And lead us to heaven,
to Live with Thee there.

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Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing my love of Christmas and of our Savior, Jesus Christ with you.  Today is Christmas Eve.  One of the most important lessons I've learned  this Christmas is that I am just a child with a lot to learn, and a lot of growing to do.  Like a child, I will follow  Him, and take joy in the journey.  We have started new traditions and will continue to find new ways to make our Love of Christ fill every day of our lives.  Merry Christmas. Until next year, Marilee 

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Christmas Eve Behind Bars

By Nanci McGraw

Have you ever had an experience that stopped time? A time when you were focused on the moment and you felt a tingling burst of excitement, hope, love and joy?

Christmas Eve has always provided me with magical moments but they tend to merge, blending into a swirl of memories. These memories of family, love, music, and traditions, combine with a renewed faith and Christian promise. There is, however, one special Christmas Eve that will remain in my mind and heart forever.

A church representative asked us if our family would like to present a musical program for the military prison at Miramar Air Station in San Diego on Christmas Eve. We consented and suddenly the smallest decisions seemed crucially important. What to wear? What to play? We packed our songbooks and instruments, some balloons to twist and a Bible.

We arrived at the prison on December 24, and quietly unloaded our instruments. As we filed in, a lone uniformed officer greeted us. The main doors clanked shut behind us. The officer conducted a careful inspection of our musical instruments, looking inside the cases, including the music stands. He gave us a nod and told us to walk through the metal detectors. After clearing the security door, we were led through a dimly-lit gymnasium and then into a small classroom that served as the chapel.

Along the walls were large, built-in bookshelves that contained assorted books and hymnals from varied religions. A modest electronic organ and a bench were nearby. At the far end of the room was a six-foot table that we staked out for the refreshments. We set up folding chairs in gentle curves. The room was simple but serviceable.

A voice from the PA system announced that the musical program was about to begin. About seven to ten men, each dressed in gray shirts and pants, filed in. They appeared to be in their twenties and thirties - not much older than my sons. We smiled and introduced ourselves as they entered. There were no armed escorts, chains, handcuffs or numbers on their uniforms.

As they entered, we were busy blowing up red, white and green balloons and twisting them together into creative shapes. We made festive balloon hats as a way to loosen them up. The icebreaker worked - before long, they were smiling and displaying their multicolored hats.

We passed out song sheets, introduced our family and opened with the song, "O Come All Ye Faithful." I fought to suppress tears that threatened to cloud my eyes, while I played the organ. The word "faithful" suddenly touched me in an extraordinary way. The chaplain then asked one of the men to offer an opening prayer, which was a brief but moving expression of gratitude for the evening celebration.

We sang religious carols and traditional Christmas songs, along with Bible readings. Toward the end of the evening we sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Together we munched on cookies and chatted. With little urging, the men ate all the cookies - they said they weren't permitted to take food back to their cells.

On Christmas Eve, most of us eat a special dinner, wrap presents, and attend religious services. Over the years we've done all that, but that Christmas Eve in San Diego will always be different.

I believe that each of us lives in a prison of our own making. We can allow ourselves to become prisoners of our own hearts and emotions - restrained by the chains of unfulfilled goals and dreams that have dissolved. Four walls alone does not a prison make; it can be a place, a condition of life, or even a holding pattern - a place where we merely exist.

We held a party in prison. It was a celebration, a reaching out. Our lives touched; we exchanged hopes, spent time together, and made music. Our family never discussed that Christmas Eve behind bars. Perhaps it was too personal. We quietly processed it within our own souls. It was a compelling experience. Did we make a positive difference? Perhaps. Were the inmates somehow changed? Maybe. It really didn't matter because we were!

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May our hearts find Him wherever we are ~~ Marilee