And the Word

 John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller

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A Christmas Hallelujah - Cassandra Star & her sister Callahan - YouTube

I've heard about this baby boy

Who's come to earth to bring us joy

And I just want to sing this song to you

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem

Expecting child, they searched the inn

To find a place for You were coming soon

There was no room for them to stay

So in a manger filled with hay

God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night

To see this baby wrapped in light

A host of angels led them all to You

It was just as the angels said

You'll find Him in a manger bed

Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east

To Bethlehem, the wisemen three

Came many miles and journeyed long for You

And to the place at which You were

Their frankincense and gold and myrrh

They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me

This baby boy would grow to be

A man and one day die for me and you

My sins would drive the nails in You

That rugged cross was my cross, too

Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

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For the Sabbath, a song and story. Good Sabbath, everyone ~ Marilee

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Recently a few days before Christmas I witnessed an act done by someone who understood the true meaning of Christmas. I was in a pharmacy when a woman walked in with two children, a girl maybe 8 years old, and a boy maybe 10-12. The girl was quiet and staying several feet away from the woman and boy. The woman was restraining the boy with both arms as they walked up to the counter. The boy was making shrieks and noises, yelling or mumbling random words and phrases, while struggling against his mother. He is autistic.

Looking obviously like she was under extreme stress and strain, the woman spoke loudly but hesitantly to the pharmacist. She was struggling to concentrate while holding the child and be heard over his noises. She could hardly focus enough to speak. She asked the prices of her medicines. The pharmacist told her that the autistic child's medicines were free, paid for by the state Medicaid program. But hers were not free. And though she had insurance, she could not afford the prices that she had to pay for her medicines. She said, "I'll just take the Prozac. I can't get the others. I only have $28 to live on the whole week. She was ashamed, stuttering and stammering, and having a very hard time dealing with the autistic child and her transaction at the same time.

In the meantime, another lady had been standing 15-20 feet away, waiting her turn. She walked up beside the mother and said to the pharmacist, "I'll pay for her medicine. Let me pay for her medicine." The pharmacist looked back and forth at the two women as suddenly a hush came over the autistic child.

There were several seconds of hesitation as the pharmacist and the strained mother took in what was happening. Then the second woman again said, "Let me pay for her medicine." The pharmacist looked at her and said, "It's up to her," then looked at the young mother and said, "It's up to you." The young mother turned and focused completely on the older woman for the first time as the older woman talked to her instead of the pharmacist this time. "Can I pay for your medicine?" asked the second lady in a voice that showed she was asking for permission.

The young mother just broke out crying while nodding her head. All she could say was "Thank you," five or ten times. Then the second woman paid for the medicine as the autistic child now waited quietly and patiently. As soon as the transaction was done, the young mother and children left.

They missed the rest of the story. The second lady then proceeded to get her own medicine from the pharmacist. And it turned out that she herself was on the state Medicaid program, which is for people below the poverty level that do not have enough money to pay for their own medicine. She, out of her own poverty, had paid $70 for the medicine of someone that she did not know, but loved and served.

The meaning of Christmas can be found in that kind of example. Jesus Christ gave up His high position and became our servant, to show His love to us. Today we should begin celebrating by honoring Jesus and emulating Him.

Extracted from www.christmaspirit.com