'Twas The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house...Not a creature was praying, not one in the house...Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there...The children were dressing to crawl into bed....Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head....And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap...Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap....When out of the East there arose such a clatter...I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter....Away to the window I flew like a flash,..Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear...But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here....With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray...I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!..The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said....And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth... cried when I saw Him in spite of myself....In the Book of Life which He held in His hand...Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;....When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Author unknown

Urgent Times

We are no better than any other people! We have ALL sinned. Some have accepted Christ's gift/payment others have not. We are in URGENT times!  The world is getting further away from what God has told us in His Word! It is our job, Christians, to tell others in LOVE that we are all sinners and need to pay for our sins by being separated from God. But, over 2000 years ago, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, born in the flesh to die a horrible sacrificial death,  baring our sins, (like people did with animals at the temple before that), shed His own blood, died, rose again and is preparing to return for those who have accepted this gift of payment that He did for EVERYONE! 

Be aware of those around you and share the gospel!  

The shepherds believed and shared. We need to do the same!   

"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." Luke 2:17

This One Night When it Was Dark

    When George was little he would start telling stories the same way every time... "This one night when it was dark..." It was always fun to hear what would happen next. So my story begins the same. Just imagine this. 

     This one night when it was dark there the shepherds were out in the open field probably already settled for the night with the sheep attended to and quieted. When suddenly there was light all around them. The Bible doesn't tell us details about how that happened. It was not a gradual light. Not a dimmer light that was slowly raised to adjust their eyes to. No!  It shone around them.  Instant. Right now. It was a surprise of gigantic light around them that frightened the crazy in them. Remember they are not use to seeing any sort of lights other than the fire. There was no noise that got them up on their feet to check the fold for intruders. They were relaxing, maybe even asleep. Wow!  The shock factor would have sent many today into cardiac arrest or at least, to the bathroom. Lol!  

    Quickly, the angel spoke to not have fear. I like that. Compassionate and understanding is our Lord. He comforted first. He told them what not to have and then gave them joy and glad tidings. Direct and pointed information. That's how our Lord is. He tells it like it is.  

    I wonder, why them?  They had to have been taught and trained in the law of God and knew of the coming Messiah, but why them?  Were they closest to the Bethlehem? Maybe because the open sky they could see the star clearly. Were they extremely scholarly?  Did they have influence over large people groups? Maybe all of these.  I will have to wait for  the answers until Heaven, but they were submissive, obedient and faithful.  We should strive to have all these characteristics and leadership qualities. 

    The message of good tidings and great joy is for all people. That's me and you!  If we accept the gift that God gave us we will get to live eternally with Jesus in Heaven. He was born to die on a cross for our sins, to be buried, rise from the grave, prepare a home for us in Heaven and come again to receive those of us that believes in this good tiding and great joy!

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:9,10

Highly Favoured

"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." 

Luke 1:28

Highly Favoured.... what a great testimony Mary had. We should strive for this daily. It's not about favor with people...that will always fail, but to be Highly Favored with The Lord is the goal. 

#12DaysofChristmas

Although we realize Jesus was not born in the winter and several "traditions" are man-made, we recognize Jesus birth at this time. If not for Him being born, we would not have salvation from our sins and an eternal home in Heaven.
Thank you, God, for sending your Son for us! Merry CHRISTmas!
John 3:15-17
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.