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

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1 John 4:9-10

9  This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

10  this love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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Good Sabbath, everyone.

Today is my sweet husband's birthday.  Each year, in his honor, I post a Christmas love story on my blog. He has been my life, my love, my heart for 47 years.  This year, I'm posting the greatest love story of them all in honor of Him who gave us our lives, our loves, and whose love fills our hearts eternally.  ~~  Marilee

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SILENT NIGHT - Beautiful Christmas Instrumental - Violin Cello Piano - YouTube

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The Night The Angels Sang
by Jim Bishop


Joseph apologized to Mary. He was sorry that the Hospice of Chamaan had no room for her and ashamed that he had failed her in this hour.

Mary studied her husband, a tender smile on her face. She told her husband that he had not failed her; he had been good and tender and lawful. Mary looked around at the haltered cattle, the few lambs, some asses and a camel. If it is the will of God, she said, that His son be born in a place like this, she would not question it.

She asked Joseph to go outside and tend the fire and to remain there until she called him.  Joseph did so, heating the water and praying ... when he heard a tiny, thin wail.  He wanted to rush in at once. He got to his feet, and moved no further.  She would call.

“Joseph.” It was a soft call, but he heard it. He hurried inside.

Mary smiled at her husband as he bent far over to look. There among the cloths, he saw the tiny face of an infant. This, said Joseph to himself, is the one of whom the angels spake. He dropped to his knees.

Down in the valley, sheep huddled against the chill–when the deep night sky was split with light. The sleeping shepherds awakened and, in fear, hid their eyes in the folds of their garments. Then an angel appeared in bodily form, standing in the air over the valley.

“Do not fear,” the angel said slowly. “I bring you good news of great joy. A Savior who is the Lord Messias, was born to you today in David’s town. And this shall serve you as a token: You will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and cradled in a manger.”

There was nothing frightening in that news. It had been promised by God a long time ago. The shepherds knew that they were not sleeping. This thing was happening, happening to lonely and despised men in a valley beneath Bethlehem.

They were still dwelling on the wonders of God and His works when the angel was  joined by hundreds of others, who appeared brightly in the night sky, and began to sing a Heavenly chorus:
“Glory to God in the heaven above, and on earth peace to men of good will.”