HE has arrived!!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

(Luke 2:8-15)

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

There He is... the newborn King.

The Savior.

Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Shhhhh.... I think He's sleeping!)

...with the Shepherds...

...with the angels...

...with all of heaven and earth...

REJOICE!!

to God be the glory...

For some reason this song keeps running through my mind today...

Truly, great things He has done...for us... and highest on the list is sending His Son... for us...because He loves us so very much. What better song to sing this Sabbath day?! As we begin to prepare ourselves for Christmas--for the very coming to earth of our Savior-- may we sing loudly and from the depths of our hearts in praise of Who He is and what He has done!

To God Be The Glory
by Fanny Crosby

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

merry CHRISTmas, everyone!!

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

He is Christ the Lord!"

~Luke 2:10,11

Merry Christmas, my friends!

He has come...God in human flesh...a baby in a manger...born to be our Savior!

May you find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger... but may you see the King of kings and Lord of lords wrapped in that baby-flesh...

May you see your incredible need for Him and His amazing love for you...

See Him in the manger... welcome Him in your heart.

...and for all of you who may not have made it onto my snail mail Christmas card list (yes, I still believe in the US postal service and stamps at Christmas time!), I am sending you my Christmas card below... (just imagine yourself opening the envelope and pulling out the card... the first scan is the front of the card, the second is the inside...just put your name in the space above the black print...viola!)

Thank You, God, for this most marvelous and wondrous gift of Your Self and Your Son!

* * * * * *

(photo by Sharilyn, outdoor decorations at Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan)

o holy night....

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope-- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

the star is pointing the way
to the birth of our Lord
a babe in a manger
born for us... God in human flesh...

Welcome the child...
Worship the King!

angels we have heard on high...

Angels We Have Heard On High
French carol, ca. 1862

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Joy! Anticipation! Excitement!

He is coming....

(Lord, prepare my heart to receive You...)

the Shepherds' Song...

The Shepherds' Song

It was a dark and starry night; the shepherds quaked in fright
As a host of angels filled the cloudless sky.
They said, "Do not fear...Rejoice! for we are here
To tell you of a child that's born this night."

In Bethlehem He lay in a manger filled with hay,
For there was no room in any of the inns.
There His mother, Mary, smiled as she gazed upon the child,
For she knew that He was born to be a King.

For unto us is born in the City of David
The Son of God, Jesus Christ the King,
God Himself on earth, through a humble baby's birth
Has come to save all people from their sins.

So the shepherds quickly went to see this great event.
They found the baby as the angels said.
Though a king He would be, there were no signs of royalty--
No velvet robe nor a crown upon His head.

But the shepherds, they believed
the word of God which they'd received--
That the Babe would be the Savior of all men.
Messiah was born! The shepherds couldn't wait til morn;
They hurried off to tell the world the news right then.

For unto us is born in the City of David
The Son of God, Jesus Christ the King,
God Himself on earth, through a humble baby's birth
Has come to save all people from their sins.

Now, all who heard were amazed.
The name of God was greatly praised
For the glorious things the shepherds saw and heard.
The Babe, they could see, was fulfilling prophecy.
Once again, the Lord Jehovah kept His word!

So, like the shepherds we should be telling everyone we see
Of the love of God which He so freely gives.
Through forgiveness of our sins, the peace and joy of Christ begins
When within our hearts we let this Saviour live...

For unto us is born in the City of David
The Son of God, Jesus Christ the King,
God Himself on earth, through a humble baby's birth
Has come to save all people from their sins.

(song written by Sharilyn based upon the account in Luke 2:8-20)

celebrate the Sabbath...in adoration...

O Come All Ye Faithful!

O come all ye faithful--joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him, come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.


let us adore Him this Sabbath day....

the gifts of the Magi

Three Wise Men.
(These just happen to be the ones from my nativity set.) Actually, the Bible doesn't call them Wise Men; they are called only "Magi from the east." Nor does it tell us there were only three of them. All we really know is that there were three particular gifts given to Jesus by the Magi (not that there were only three givers). It is also believed that the Magi did not actually visit Jesus at His birth, in the stable, but that they came later. Most commonly it is thought they arrived about two years after His birth. (I think we get much of our Christmas-related theology from Christmas carols--in the case of these ideas, we can attribute them to "We Three Kings.")

The important thing here is not how many Magi there were. Or when they arrived to visit Jesus. The truly important things are how they got there, what their posture was toward Jesus, and what they brought with them.

First, the Magi found Jesus by following a star: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." (Matt 2:1,2)

They knew the prophecies; they read the skies; they knew the exact time the star had appeared. And they followed it until they found the One to Whom it was leading them. They traveled a long way to find Him, but they did not stop until they found Him: "...they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed." (Matt 2:9,10)

When they saw the place to where the star pointed, they were OVERJOYED! Not because the place itself was special in any way, but because they knew they had found the King about Whom it was prophesied! Their long journey was complete!

Their posture toward Jesus is another of the important pieces of this story. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." (Matt 2:11a) These were men of wealth and respect. They were probably men to whom others bowed in reverance or to whom, at least, great respect and deference was given. And their automatic response to seeing Jesus was to bow down and worship Him. They knew Who He was-- the King of Kings!

Also of importance is the nature of the gifts which they gave to Jesus: "Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." (Matt 2:11b) Strange gifts, perhaps, for a child, but very appropriate gifts for this King. Gifts of great value. Treasures, no less. And, oh, so symbolic of Who Jesus truly was --King, God, Sacrifice.

Gold was a gift for a king--representing His royalty.
Incense was a gift used in worship of God--representing His diety.
Myrrh was a gift used in death--representing His sacrifice for us, that He was born to die.

These were the gifts that were laid at the feet of the child. These were the men who traveled so very far to bow down before Him and worship Him.

In the manner of the Magi, we, too, must search for Jesus with all our hearts. We, too, must bow before Him in reverence and worship Him. We, too, shall give to Him the treasures of our lives and our hearts....

...Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord...

what does love look like?

What does love look like?

It has the hands to help others.

It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.

It has eyes to see misery and want.

It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.

That is what love looks like.

~Saint Augustine

And, it is this love which came to earth

in the form of a baby

to live among us as a man,

to die for us as a sacrifice,

to conquer death itself...

and to live within us now...

May we now live this love ~

to be His hands and feet,

to see with His eyes and hear with His ears...

to live this incredible love

that Christmas is all about....

Lord, hear our prayer...

JOY of the season!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

~Luke 2:10

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.
~Psalm 71:23

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song.

~ Psalm 28:7

I Need A Silent Night...Amy Grant

I thought some of you may be able to relate to this song right about now in the season. I've heard it on the radio for the first time this year, and I really like it. (I'd put the audio on my post, but I haven't yet figured out quite how to do that yet!)

I Need A Silent Night
by Amy Grant

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line

What can I say?

*

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

*

December comes then disappears

Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace
*
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
*
What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?
Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid
And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy

that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace
*
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

Don't forget to take time out for a silent night, a holy night, so you may hear those angels' voices as they proclaim good news of great JOY... He is here... the Prince of peace... let us welcome Him...

celebrate the Sabbath...by preparing Him room...

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,

to Bethlehem the town of David,

because he belonged to the house and line of David.

He went there to register with Mary,

who was pledged to be married to him

and was expecting a child.

While they were there,

the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

~Luke 2: 4-7

let us celebrate the Sabbath

preparing our hearts

to make room for Him...

in this season,

and in our lives...

the busyness of the season...

It is not enough to be busy.
So are the ants.
The question is:
What are we busy about?

~Henry David Thoreau


...this season,
may we be busy about the things
that are centered on the real reason for celebrating...

Operation Christmas Child...or Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes...

Today a couple of friends and I spent the day volunteering at one of the processing warehouses of Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child, also known as the Shoebox Project, collects, processes, and delivers millions of shoeboxes full of gifts for needy children around the world each year.

This year they anticipate processing and delivering EIGHT MILLION boxes! The warehouse at which we volunteered is located in Southern California, and half a million boxes will go through that warehouse alone.

This is the sight that greeted us as we walked into the warehouse:

...thousands and thousands and thousands of boxes of gifts...

Below is a close-up of a couple of pallets of shoe boxes.

Before arriving at the processing warehouse, each of these shoeboxes was lovingly packed with little gifts for a boy or a girl, such as books, toys, pencils, crayons, toothbrush/toothpaste, brushes/combs, candy, stuffed toys, and other small treats. Individuals from all over the United States fill these boxes each Christmas to bring joy to children from ages 2-14 all over the world. The boxes are delivered by Samaritan's Purse staff to different countries each year.

When the boxes arrive at the warehouse, each box has to be "processed" by volunteers. The steps are presorting, inspecting, and cartoning. At the "presort" station, the boxes are opened and any money (including the minimal shipping fee) is removed from the box. The boxes are then stacked and moved on pallets to the "inspecting" stations.
The photo below shows volunteers working at one of the rows of inspecting stations. That's what I was doing today--I was an Inspector!

This (below) was one of my stations. We were working on boxes for children from ages 5-9 (see the sign at the end of the table). Here we take a box from the pallet behind us and place it on the table in front of us. We open the box and carefully look through the items inside the box. We take out any "inappropriate" items such as liquids, scary or military toys, and food items. We then fill the empty places in the box with extra toys, hygiene items, and candy. We then tape the box shut and place it on the conveyor belt above our heads (see the silver thing), and it makes its way to the cartoners at the end of the table.

Here is one of the boxes -- this one for a girl.

And here is one which a child decorated before filling!

Once the boxes are sorted, taped, and sent to the cartoners, they are put in large boxes to be shipped to their recipient countries. See all the boxes full of shoeboxes in these photos:

Operation Christmas Child is all about bringing joy and the Good News of Christ to children all over the world, and the work of this ministry touches the lives of so many. Whether through packing a simple shoebox or volunteering time in the processing warehouses, each person involved can make an eternal difference in the life of a child. It is an amazing organization through which God works miracles each year!

"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ."

the heart of Mary...

Yesterday I posted the Bible passage in Luke (1:26-38) where the angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she was going to become pregnant by God, and though a virgin, would give birth to a child... the Messiah, actually. Wow. Talk about a conversation that would wake you right up!

Here was Mary, a young girl (12 or 13 is my understanding). She was engaged to be married. And all of a sudden, an angel drops in for a visit! (That alone would probably be enough to send most of us running!) Not just any angel, but one of the 'big guys'-- Gabriel. And he tells Mary that God is pleased with her and that she will be the one through whom God's son, the Messiah, will be born. In other words, she's going to be pregnant. And not by her husband-to-be. The angel also tells her the child will be great--a King--and His kingdom will never end.

Now, I don't know about you, but I would have a whole long list of questions about all of this! I would want the details and would be trying to figure out how God would be protecting my reputation and my betrothal and ....and... and... so very many more questions. Yet, all Mary asks is: "How will this be since I am a virgin?" One simple, practical question is all she asks.

Gabriel gives her a one-line answer.... and she seems to be content with that. Once again, I'm sure I would be asking for all the specifics! And probably playing 'Devil's Advocate' to every answer... figuring out how it wouldn't work, and...and...and...??

But Mary... her response is simple. And beautiful. She says only: "I am the Lord's servant; may it be to me as you have said." Wow. That is amazing to me. Simply amazing.

Even Moses, mighty leader of God's people and friend of God, questioned God and made excuses when God called upon him: I'm not good at public speaking. No one will listen to me. What if...??? (Exodus 3)

Even Gideon, mighty warrior of God, asked many questions and requested signs to show that what he was being asked to do was truly from God: How can I save Israel as I am the weakest of my family which is the weakest of my clan? If I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. (Judges 6)

And then there is me-- who must have answers before stepping out in faith... who questions every little word and wants to know all the details beforehand...

But not Mary. Her answer was simple. Her answer was an unequivocable "yes, Lord." She acknowledges who she is and Who God is by her words: "I am the Lord's servant." She acknowledges that, because of her relationship with God, she will do His bidding without questioning, without arguing, without excuses.

And her words of acquiescence to His will: "may it be to me as you have said." Her response was one of complete obedience out of reverance for Who God is and who she is in Him. I'm sure she was afraid. And I'm sure she had questions. But Her heart was toward God completely, and she places her everything--her life, her reputation, her betrothal, her future--in His hands. Immediately. Completely. Whole-heartedly.

Now, that's trust. That's complete confidence in God. And that's the example I want to follow in my relationship with Him. Each day, each moment, may my heart be ever toward God, and may my words and my actions reflect this. May I say, as Mary did...

"I am the Lord's servant; may it be to me as You have said."

celebrate the Sabbath... anticipating His birth!

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

~Luke 1:26-38

Christmas parade with a seaside twist...

Tonight I went to our city's Christmas parade for the first time. A friend of mine was having a Christmas/parade party, so a group of us went down to 2nd Street to watch the parade. Though the parade was really long (2 hours!), it was a good time. I think half of the city was there to enjoy the festivities, as the crowds were several rows deep down the entire parade route. (I live in a city of about 420,000)

Because our city is right on the ocean--Long Beach is the second busiest port in the US!--the parade had an ocean theme. It was fun to see the creativity of the many floats... mixing the ocean theme with the Christmas theme. Below are a few shots of the parade...

Aquarium of the Pacific float

California State University Long Beach

the Christmas trees from the waterways

(Los Angeles County Parks & Rec - voted best in the US!!)

Christmasy high school marching band

...and another (Lakewood High School)

I just love this one...

...under the sea!...

this was my FAVORITE... lobster people!!! : )

...and this is a sight you don't see every day--

the Queen Mary sailing down 2nd Street!

And, here in California, Santa arrives on top of a firetruck!

And so ends the parade ... (after two hours!!)

and so officially begins the Christmas season in Long Beach!