Luke 2:7

 

 Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

“The magic of Christmas is not in the presents but in His presence.”

The Most Breathtaking Version of "Mary, Did You Know?" by Nathan Pacheco

 I love the beauty of His voice – the faith he has in the words he is singing - the beauty of the dance.

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” – R. A. L. G. G. A. Krishnan

Let us remember to dedicate time this year towards helping those in need and sharing our blessings with others. 

A little girl named Anna wanted to give Jesus a present for Christmas. She had no money, so she wrote a note that said, “I give You my heart.” She placed it under the church’s nativity scene. Weeks later, her father—who had been distant and bitter—found the note while helping clean the church. Touched, he began attending services again. Anna never knew her small act had given her father the greatest gift: faith restored.

“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; it makes no noise at all but softly gives itself away.” – Eva K. Logue 

This Christmas, let’s embody the gentle spirit of a candle, shining our light through acts of kindness and love. 

On a snowy Christmas Eve, a small-town pastor noticed a single candle glowing in the window of an old, abandoned farmhouse. Curious, he knocked on the door and found a weary traveler inside, shivering. The man had been walking for days, searching for work and shelter. The pastor invited him to the church’s midnight service, where the congregation welcomed him warmly. That night, the traveler said, “I thought I was lost, but your light led me home.” The candle became a yearly tradition—a beacon for anyone in need.

“Christmas Eve is a night filled with magic and love. It reminds us of the importance of togetherness and the joy we can share with one another."

Christmas reminds us that God is near and that his love is real.

Every Christmas, Mrs. Thompson set an extra chair at her table, saying it was “for Jesus.” Her neighbors thought it was just a sweet tradition—until one year, a young man knocked on her door, cold and hungry. She invited him in, seating him in the empty chair. Over dinner, he shared that he had been praying for a sign that God still cared. Mrs. Thompson smiled and said, “This chair has been waiting for you.”

 When I was a child, our family did a lot of traveling by car. Mom and Dad rode in the front seat, with Dennis between them while Lee, Suzy and I sat in the backseat.  I was the youngest of the 3 of us backseaters, so I would start out in the middle.  I did a lot of grumbling.  I moaned. I groaned. When that did no good, I demanded a window seat because I felt sick.  I almost always got moved to the window when I pulled out the car sickness card because the truth of the matter was that I DID get car sick.  No one wanted to be between me and the window when that happened.  (Suzy got her revenge at night by kicking me in bed.)  One morning, Dad woke us up in what I thought was the middle of the night insisting we get an early start because it was going to be 120 degrees in Barstow that day and he wanted to get through there before we cooked to death. This was back in the days before air conditioning was standard in cars.  I grumbled.  I moaned.  I groaned.  None of it did any good.  I stuck out my lower lip and I pouted!  Then I looked out the hotel window and saw the most glorious sight I’d ever seen.  I saw the sun rise in the sky.  The colors were so beautiful that I asked my parents if that was where God lived, if we had found Heaven.  They laughed at me, but in my heart I believed that I had seen Heaven and that it was beautiful.   I was so good all that day!  All of my life I have longed to see Heaven again.  In 1 Corinthians 2:9 we read “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  What a glorious place it must be, even more beautiful than my sunrise.  And just think, it’s all made possible through the love of Our Savior, Jesus Christ who entered this world as a tiny innocent child and grew to be the trail blazer, the path setter, the guide for all of us who wish to find our way to Heaven.  One night I sat at my grandson’s bedside reading him stories and singing songs to him.  Many of them were Christmas songs.  I sang "Away in a Manger", "Candlelight Carol", and "Shine for Me Again: Star of Bethlehem".  The song tells the story of a young shepherd boy who saw the Savior lying in the manger.  He saw a friend a King.  As the shepherd ages, trials enter his life.  The 3rd verse says:

"as I stumble and fall,

I can hear someone call,

do not despair,

your star is still there.

The final verse:

that Christmas night so long ago

has filled my life with light because I know

that He lives now,

as He did then,

a King in Bethlehem,

whose love never ends,

shine for me again, star of Bethlehem"

As we celebrate this special night, let’s remember to express gratitude for the child born that night, for the man He became and for the Savior and God that he is. The spirit of Christmas can extend beyond this “one” night and tomorrow’s glorious day if we carry it in our hearts all year long. That is my hope and my prayer. My 25th year of Christmas messages is now complete. The scriptures, quotes, poems and stories we’ve shared this year can help us find peace even in difficult times. Peace comes, as well as joy and love, as we strengthen our faith in Our Savior. Thank you for allowing me to share my love of, and faith in Jesus Christ with you.  If I could leave you with one message, it would be that “God lives. Jesus is the Christ. Eternal salvation is ours through Him.” Merry Christmas, ~~Marilee

These poems were found at 9 Christmas Poems About the Nativity: The Birth of Christ in Poetry - Poems Please no authors names were listed.

Angel’s Proclamation

Angels proclaim with voices clear,
A message sweet for all to hear.
“Rejoice!” they sing, “the Savior’s born,
In humble dawn, a new hope’s sworn.”

The heavens dance with joyous light,
As glory shines through the darkest night.
The hearts of men beat soft and low,
For in this child, love’s river flows.

And

Gifts of the Magi

From distant lands with stars as guide,

The Magi traveled, hearts filled with pride.
Each gift they bore, a treasure to share,
Anointed king, the world’s true care.

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh they bring,

For in this child, eternal spring.

Their journey long, their faith was bright,

In seeking Him, they found their light.