One of my favorite books is Max Lucado’s little book, Cosmic Christmas. I have used these quotes from that book before, but some things are just worth repeating. Hope you enjoy them as we near the Christmas Season
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose was Joseph, of the descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary." Luke 1:26-27
"On a wave of worship I (Gabriel) flew, this time alone. I circled through the clouds and over the ground. Below me was the city where Mary was born. The Father was right; I knew her in an instant. Her heart had no shadow. Her soul was as pure as any I've seen. I made the final descent. 'Mary.' I kept my voice low so as not to startle her. She turned but saw nothing. Then I realized I was invisible to her. I waved my wings before my body and incarnated. She covered her face at the Light and shrank into the protection of the doorway.
'Don't be afraid,' I urged. The minute I spoke, she looked up toward the sky. Again I was amazed. I praised my Father for His wisdom. Her heart is so flawless, so willing. 'Greetings. God be with you.' Her eyes widened, and she turned as if to run. 'Mary, you have nothing to fear. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call His name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever - no end, ever to His kingdom.'
Though she was listening, she was puzzled. 'But how? I've never slept with a man.'
Before I spoke I looked up into the heavens. The Father was standing, giving me His blessing. I continued, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the highest hover over you; therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.'
Mary looked at me then up into the sky. For a long time she gazed into the blueness, so long that I, too, looked up. Did she see the angels? Did the heavens open? I do not know. But I do know when I looked back at her, she was smiling.
'Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.'
As she spoke, a Light appeared in her womb. I glanced at the vial. It was empty."
(Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado pages 62-66)
Thought for the week: "True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost." - Charles Caleb Colton
Funny for the week: Bluegrass Clippings - The Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch
The pond was froze over & so was the branch.
The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.
The kids were all home on vacation from school
And happier young folks you never did see
Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.
Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,
There came a surprise that gave them a shock!
The power went off, the TV went dead!
When Grandpa came in from out in the shed
With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.
"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.
"Them power line wires must be down from the
snow.
Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."
"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom.
"With their light, And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all
right."
The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.
Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,
Uncased his old fiddle & started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.
Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew
Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"
Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.
They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,
And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.
They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,
The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.
Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;
And when the kids wakened, the power was on.
"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"
Said Grandpa and no one suspected his trick.
Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,
He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!
-anonymous
Kind of brings a tear to the eye don’t ya think? ….Chaplain Barnes
Last week’s answer:
14. The wise men found Jesus in a
a. Manger
b. Stable
c. House See Matthew 2:11
d. Holiday Inn
e. Good Mood
This week’s question:
15. Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
a. The angel
b. Mary’s mother
c. Herod
d. Alexander the Great
e. Caesar Augustus
g. None of the above
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