There in the Manger

 "The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David...."
You know the story.

I've heard it ever since I can remember.
You probably have too.

I've heard the Christmas carols you've heard, too.
"Silent night, holy night, all is calm all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy Infant  so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace."

Every year I wonder at the wonder of it all...
How this little baby, born so long ago can still impact the life of man.
I love how the little baby Jesus ushered peace into a world so in need.

Peace....

The armies of heaven praised God saying "Glory to God in highest heaven and peace on earth..." (Luke 2:14).

He, the Christ child, the Savior brought it with Him.
Peace.

Months back I wrote about my son,who was going in for surgery*.
Well, it was postponed, till this week.

A few mornings before the surgery my devotional verse was, "My peace I give to you. My peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives do I give, but my peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27). The New Living Translation says it this way: "I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

Immediate peace washed over me.
And it stayed.

Surgery is over.
It went well.
Through it all, God's peace kept me.
His peace is with me now.

His peace is available.
Find a quiet place in your heart.
It is there.

It's ours - this peace.

No matter what or where.
Peace.

His peace.
He gives it to us, and reminds us of it every year.

Look.
Go ahead.
It started with the baby in the manger.


*(In my blog archives 7/7/10-My Quiver is Full. A testimony of my son's faith.)

Take the fun and run

I'm like a kid at Christmas.
I love everything about it.

I must say,
my husband was taken by surprise our first Christmas season together,.

We had been married three months at Thanksgiving - still in early adjustment stages.
Immediately following Thanksgiving I began decorating.
"What are you doing." My new husband said.
"Well, decorating for Christmas! We need to get the tree up.' I smiled.

"What do you mean, put the tree up. It's too early."
"Oh no. I always start decorating around Thanksgiving. It takes time, you know."


Husband was in shock.
"It's not Christmas yet." He said.
"Well, when would you put the tree up." I said.
"Not till Christmas Eve."
I was shocked.

I put the tree up. I couldn't stand it. I had to.
Husband shook his head.

The tree was just the beginning.
The family room was the commencement.

Did I mention I love Christmas.

I go from room to room, decorating.
There's the tree in the family room, and another in the livingroom.
There's greenery on top of the bookcases.
Greenery on the piano.
A couple of beautiful nativity sets.
Santas and snowmen and angels.

There is meaning to my madness.

What a wonderful time of year.
Two thousand some years ago my Savior chose to come to this earth to shed His light in our lives.
He chose to bring His eternal life to this world.

It's a small thing I do.


For me it is a celebration of one of the greatest events in history (the other is Easter).
Christ the King was born!
My Messiah, Savior, Lord.
I get excited.
It is a holiday that is meant to be enjoyed.
It brings hope, peace and goodwill to all men.


Now, my daughter is married.
We talked the other night.
She has her tree up (I think she has two, actually).
Her husband shook his head.
She told him it's just the beginning....

Some traditions are meant to be passed down.
In my home, it's Christmas in every room.
Celebrate the Light.
Celebrate the Life.

My daughter has the idea.

Now, lets have a little Christmas, right this very moment.
Pass on the fun and celebrate.