Luke 2:8-9 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
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“I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind forgiving charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of other people as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. Therefore, Uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, it has done me good and will do me good, and I say, God bless it!” from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
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This song is new to me this year. It's a beautiful song performed by children. I Loved it and hope you will too.
If I Were There - Official Music Video
…
I was not there, but inside I know
That precious baby who came so long ago
Was Jesus Christ, Lord of heav'n and earth
I sing his praises as I celebrate His birth
If I were there, I'd find the manger
And bow before the tiny Savior
I'd sense the peace that filled the air
If I were there, if I were there
If I were there
Hot chocolate
6 c. whole milk
2 c. heavy cream
1//2 c. sugar
8 ounces semi sweet chocolate, chopped
¼ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 t. Vanilla extract
Place all ingredients into large slow cooker. Vigorously wish to get the cocoa powder as mixed in as possible. Keep whisking for a minute or 2. Cook on low for 6 hours. Make sure you whisk every 45 minutes to make sure the chocolate isn’t burning on the bottom. Serve warm with marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream or other toppings.
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Yesterday we went to a Christmas concert performed by Nathan Pacheco. The concert was simplicity itself. Candles on the stage, a fabulous pianist, an incredible cellist, and Nathan. Wow! When I heard that cello, my heart sang. Everyone agreed the pianist was the best pianist in the world, just as the cellist was the best cellist in the world! Nathan's voice was vibrant and filled with joy! It ws so simple, so pure. As the concert progressed, I thought about the importance of keeping Christmas simple and feeling joy. I thought of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem.
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Jesus Is The Reason
In Bethlehem, God gave to us
The source of Christmas joy;
A star shown on a miracle:
The virgin birth of a boy.
He was born both God and man,
A Savior for us all,
The way to get to our heavenly home,
If we just heed His call.
So as we shop and spend and wrap
And enjoy the Christmas season,
Let’s keep in mind the sacred truth:
Jesus is the reason.
–Joanna Fuchs
Do we need to travel to Bethlehem? Physically, no. In our hearts? Yes. Bethlehem was just a small town located on the edge of the Judaean desert. There was nothing particularly special about it. I live in a small town, out in the desert, and to much of the world, there's nothing all that special about it. But it is from here that i make my annual journey to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph were just ordinary people, but their mission was divine. I'm an ordinary person. Christmas is precious to ordinary people like me. The Atoning sacrifice followed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important thing which has ever happened in this world. It could not have happened without His birth. My family has heard me say for years that without Christmas there could be no Easter and without Easter, there is no need for Christmas. Every December, I start my journey to Bethlehem by reading the Gospels. I find Him in the pages. We need Him in our hearts. We need Him in our lives. Once we accept that He is Real, that He was Born in Bethlehem, that He lived, died and lives again we have found our way to Bethlehem. ~~ Marilee
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THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM
If as Herod, we fill our lives with things and again things;
If we consider ourselves so important that we must fill
Every moment of our lives with action;
When will we have the time to make the long slow journey
Across the burning desert as did the Magi;
Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds;
Or to brood over the coming of the Child as did Mary?
For each one of us there is a desert to travel,
A star to discover,
And a being within ourselves to bring to life.
~ Author Unknown
