For unto us

 

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

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Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. —Robert Hughes

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The Star Still Shines
Marie Harmony - The Star Still Shines (Official Lyric Video) (youtube.com)

In a place where midnight skies were clear so long ago, so far,
The little towns would lay so still beneath the silent stars
A world so different from our own where the Son of God was born
The light and life of every soul where ever we are.

If we seek the light when peace is hard to find
He’ll send a silent night and touch our ears
so we can hear an angel voice
And in the darkest times,
He will lift our eyes to see the star still shines

Now the lights we hang obscure the sky, the clamor steals the song
We miss the calm and quiet nights filled with wondering awe
And all the while the risen Lord freely gives us so much more
The peace on earth we’re looking for has been here all along.

If we seek the light when peace is hard to find
He’ll send a silent night and touch our ears so we can hear an angel voice
And in the darkest times he will lift our eyes to see the star still shines
He will lift our eyes to see the star still shines

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BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE

1 c. sugar

1/4 c light corn syrup

3 T water

1/4 c. butter (unsalted) in 1 T pieces

1 t. cider vinegar

½ c. heavy cream

2 T. vanilla

In a 1 ½ quart saucepan bring sugar, corn syrup, and water to a boil over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil mixture, without stirring but swirling pan occasionally until a golden caramel. Remove pan from heat and add butter, vinegar, and a pinch of salt, swirling pan until butter is melted. Add cream and vanilla and simmer, stirring 1 minute (sauce will be a golden brown). Cool sauce to room temperature (sauce will thicken as it cools). Refrigerate covered for up to three weeks. Serve sauce warm or at room temperature. Makes about 1 ½ cups.

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On the hillsides overlooking Bethlehem were flocks of sheep. Moving in crowds, like the residents of the city; noisy, bustling, complaining, frolicking or wandering off, they filled the hillside with the sounds of their cries. But with the setting of the sun came a time of quiet for them and a time of quiet for the men watching them. They were simple, hard-working men, men whose hearts were open and willing to receive the words of hope which Heavenly Father's messengers imparted. Those herald angels understood the eternal impact of Jesus' birth. The shepherd's hearts were filled with light and the glory of song. All of our hearts can be touched with the light of Christ and our hearts filled with song.  As the song said, “And in the darkest times He will lift our eyes to see the star still shines He will lift our eyes to see the star still shines” ~~ Marilee

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'The Christmas Star'

©2007 Publications International, Ltd.

Extracted from https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/inspirational-christmas-stories12.htm

Isaac's head began to nod. His hand slowed down scratching the dog's head. It was hard for a boy of ten to stay awake all night in the field. The dog licked his face. "What? Oh, good boy," Isaac said. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. The sky was clear and full of stars. Isaac was glad his father thought he was old enough to help with their flocks of sheep.

Isaac's father and his uncle soon came by to check on him. The three of them sat to share a loaf of bread and some cheese. Suddenly a bright light washed over the shepherds from above. They were scared. They looked up to see a host of beautiful angels. One of the angels spoke to them. "Do not be afraid," the angel said. "I bring you good news of great joy! Today a savior is born in Bethlehem. He is Christ the Lord. Go to the city. You will find the baby lying in a manger. Follow the brightest star."

Hundreds of angels appeared and sang praises to God. As suddenly as they appeared, the angels returned to heaven. Only one bright, shining star over Bethlehem was left in the sky. The shepherds were amazed. "We must go to the city and find this savior," said Isaac's father. "We must hurry!" said Isaac.

The shepherds began to round up their flocks and herd them toward home. Once the sheep were penned up, Isaac and his father and uncle walked quickly to Bethlehem, where the star was shining down on the stable behind the inn. There they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in the stable.

Isaac knelt by the manger and said a prayer, thanking God for giving a savior to the world. Isaac's father thanked Mary and Joseph for letting them see the baby. When the shepherds left, they told everyone they saw about the miracles they witnessed that night.

The star shone over Bethlehem day and night. One night a large caravan made its way past the shepherd's field. Isaac went to the edge of the field and called out to the men. "Did you see the one they call Jesus?" he asked. "We did!" the men replied.

These men were not like any men Isaac had ever seen. They were the three Wise Men. "We saw the star from our lands very far away. We have traveled a long time to see this child called the Savior. The kings from our countries sent precious gifts to give to him."

Isaac said to the Wise Men, "You did not come by my fields when you came to Bethlehem." "You are right," said the tallest man. "We asked King Herod where to find this savior." "The king did not know," continued the man, "but he told us to find out so he might worship him also."

"We followed the star to the house where young Jesus was staying," said the shortest man. "We gave our gifts of gold and frankincense, to scent the air, and myrrh, a costly oil."

"Then we were warned in our dreams by an angel not to return to Herod but to go home another way," said the oldest man. "So that is what we have done. And now we have met you, my young friend." "I am Isaac," said the young shepherd. "I'm telling everyone about God's glorious star lighting the way to the King of Kings."