And the Angel

 Luke 2:10-11

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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“For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.”—William Jewett Tucker

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Many of You are familiar with Michael McLean's work "The Forgotten Carols".  This video uses that song.  It is a wonderful visual/audio treat.  I hope you will take the time to watch it.  is a beautiful video showing the shepherds and the night.  

The Shepherd - You Were Not There in Bethlehem

…

I knew that as the world moves on through time

There would be more stories just like mine

About the souls who've chosen to believe

In something that they never got to see

So do you think you'll join us, 

Though you've not seen a thing? 

You were not there in Bethlehem 

To hear the angels sing. 

But, if you feel the spirit in the air

Then just like me you'll know 

That He was here

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Candy Crack recipe

1 - 16 oz jar Salted peanuts

1 - 16 oz jar unsalted peanuts

1 - 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 - 10 oz. bags peanut butter chips

2 pounds vanilla candy coating

Layer all ingredients in a 6 QT crockpot, starting with peanuts.

Turn the pot on low and cover with lid for 2 hours.

Stir well until fully combined.

Spoon mixture onto wax paper and allow to harden for 1 hour.

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I apologize for not having a blog entry yesterday.  I had computer problems and my mind was just too tired to fight my way through them.  I guess that happens to those of us who are more technically challenged than others.  Thank you for your supportive comments last night.  I appreciated them.  i was frustrated, but the joy is back.  Yesterday at church, we had 2 speakers who each talked about Christmas past and present.  As they were talking, I pictured myself sitting on a donkey or walking by its side on the road to Bethlehem.  Bethlehem was a small city and probably did not have many Inns located there.  Most people stayed with family when they traveled, but Bethlehem was filled with people who came to be counted and to be taxed.  There was no shelter, no roof overhead for Mary and Joseph.   Instead, a humble spot was found, away from the people and the congestion.  A place where Mary could deliver her baby and the shepherds could come to see Him.  I don't imagine they would have been welcomed in the Inn.  The night of His birth, that stable would have been filled with joy.  It did not matter the circumstances.  The only thing which mattered was the joy which filled the stable, the manger, Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds, and any others who came and saw their King.  I have included "Joseph's Song" by Michael Card several times, but once again, here is the link 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5RLChQZz-M

 I hope all goes well for each of you and that you know, regardless of the circumstances, joy is possible through Our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ~~ Marilee

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THE EXPECTED GUEST

~ Anne Mccolum Boyles

There once lived in the city of Marseilles an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who affectionately called him Father Martin.  

One Christmas Eve as he sat alone in his little shop reading of the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus, and of the gifts they brought, he said to himself: If tomorrow were the first Christmas, and if this Jesus were to be born in Marseilles this night, I know what I would give him!  He rose from his stool and took from a shelf overhead two tiny shoes of softest snow-white leather, with bright silver buckles. I would give him these, my finest work. Then he paused and reflected. But I am a foolish old man. The Master has no need of my poor gifts. 

Replacing the shoes, he blew out the candle and retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his eyes, it seemed, when he heard a voice call his name.  'Martin! Martin!' Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the voice spoke. 'You have wished to see me. Tomorrow I shall pass your window.  If you see me, and bid me enter, I shall be a guest at your table.' 

Father Martin did not sleep that night for joy. Before it was dawn, he rose and swept and tidied up his little shop. He spread fresh sand on the floor, and wreathed green boughs of fir along the rafters. On the spotless linen covered table he placed a loaf of white bread, a jar of honey and a pitcher of milk. When all was ready he took up his vigil at the window. Presently an old street sweeper passed by, blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to warm them. 'Poor fellow, he must be half frozen' he thought. 'Come in my friend and warm yourself and drink something hot.' And the man gratefully accepted. An hour passed and Martin saw a young, miserably clothed woman, carrying a baby. She paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his doorway. The heart of the old cobbler was touched. Quickly he flung open the door. 'Come in and warm while you rest. You do not look well.'

'I am going to the hospital. I hope they will take me in, and my baby boy. My husband is at sea and I am ill, without money.' 

'Poor child,' cried Martin. 'You must eat something while you are getting warm. No? Then let me give a cup of milk to the little one. Ah! What a bright pretty fellow he is! Why, you have put no shoes on him!'

'I have no shoes for him.' sighed the mother. 'Then he shall have this lovely pair I finished yesterday." And Martin took down from the shelf the soft little white shoes he had admired the night before. He slipped them on the child's feet ... they fit perfectly. And shortly the poor young mother went on her way, some coins in her hand and tearful with gratitude. And Martin resumed his post by the window. Hour after hour went by and although people passed his window, and many needy souls shared the hospitality of the old cobbler, the expected Guest did not appear. It was only a dream he sighed with heavy heart. I did hope and believe, but He has not come.

Suddenly, so it seemed to his weary eyes, the room was flooded with a strange light. And to the cobbler's astonished vision there appeared before him, one by one the poor street sweeper, the sick mother and child, and all the other people whom he had aided during the day. And  each smiled at him and said: 'have you not seen me? Did I not sit at your table?' And they vanished from view.

At last out of the silence Father Martin heard again the gentle voice repeating the old familiar words: 'Whosoever shall receive one such in my name, receiveth me ... for I was hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in ... inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.'