How Blessed We Are
For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
Luke 2:11-14 “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! “
You see, Christmas is joy, an inner joy of light and peace. Look to Jesus this Christmas. The giving of gifts is not something man invented. God started the giving spree when He gave a gift beyond words, the unspeakable gift of His Son. The greatest Christmas gift…God so loved the world that he gave His only Son. All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ. Christmas is a time of exchanging gifts…The gift from God was His Son…We in return present our bodies as a living sacrifice. Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday. It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness. Dur-ing the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the this season by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern. Spreading Christmas cheer is a universal language, for Christmas is the season that brings family and friends together. An old Irish blessing says, “May your walls know nothing but laughter. May your roof know nothing but shelter. May your hearts know nothing but love.” You see, as Winston Churchill said, “Christmas is a season not only of festivity, but of reflection.” Let us keep Christmas within our hearts, and let it be the star that shines in the world. because the true spirit of Christmas is not in the gifts but in the love we share. Remember, the most important message of Christmas is one of love, hope, and peace. Let’s all strive to embody that spirit throughout the year, not just during the holidays. A great man once said, “If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: ‘God with us.’” The brightest Christmas ever was lit by a single star and wrapped in swaddling cloth, this offered mankind the greatest gift of all... hope with true and lasting love.
How Blessed We Are
A time…a family…a Christmas season, As days tend to come and
go,
We lovingly hold the Christ Child as the reason, And face life’s ebb and flow.
Sunrise and sunset and little things that make each day, Helps us to understand, God’s strength gives us thought and purpose along the way, To proudly wear His brand!
“Joy to the World” we and our loved ones loudly sing, A melody so sweet, And listen to the mellow sound as church bells ring, A rich holiday treat! See, the blessings that are lovingly bestowed, To each and everyone, Gently helps our fellowman along life’s road, Holding steadfast to God’s Son.
Unconditional love from God is applied,
His only Son He gives, That rugged cross on Golgotha where Christ died, Defeating death, He Lives!
He shed His blood to forgive us of our sin, And took away our strife, He asks that our hearts will let Him come in, To be the Lord of our life. How do I love thee? We hear our Savior say,
A gift He gives by Grace, And shines in our life when Jesus comes to stay, Sweetened by God’s embrace.
© Ol’ Jim Cathey May God bless you richly throughout this holiday season. A silent night, a star above, a blessed gift of hope and love. A blessed Christmas to you! May Joy be your gift at Christmas and may Faith, Hope, and Love be your treasures in the New Year.
May God bless you and may God bless America!