Merry Christmas
Dec 25th, 2004 by cadmus
Merry Christmas to all of you.
It’s been 8 days since my last post. I’ve actually had other things to keep me occupied and time slipped by. So on this quiet, chilly morning I felt the need to write about Christmas. As I sit here in the light from the Christmas tree lights; reading; listening to Christmas music; and waiting for the family to wake up so we can go to my parents house, I bask in the simple pleasures that come with Christmas.
Since this is the first Christmas on this blog I want to start with this:
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Luke 2 The Message (MSG)
The Birth of Jesus
1 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. 4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. 5 He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant.rnrn 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
An Event for Everyone
8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God’’s angel stood among them and God’’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, “Don”t be afraid. I”m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David’’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you”re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’’s praises:
14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they”d been told!
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Last night we had Christmas with Autumn’s family. After nice gifts and good food we went to the Christmas Eve Communion Service at our church. It consisted of reading the Christmas story from the Gospels mixed with singing Christmans hymns. I am a sucker for Christmas (Ed. When I originally typed this Christmas it came out Christmans. Heh. That’’s a topic to ponder isn”t it?) music. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I could sing Christmas songs all year long. At the end we had communion and then came home. I finished wrapping presents and then we went to bed. I have to say I’m sorry I missed Letterman since I was up past midnight anyway.
Christmas is already here. Last night at the service I was finally able to relax and enjoy the season and ponder the past year. We’ve had some serious ups and downs. But I wouldn’t change anything. Through the service I would glance at Adam and just be filled with thanks. As he grows older I continue to be amazed at what a miracle children are. I enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus. It has so many aspects to it. But I always focus on where I would be without Him. I can’t go through Christmas without thinking of Easter. I know my life would be much worse, if I would be alive at all, if I hadn’t turned it over to Christ. I wouldn”t be married to Autumn and that in turn would mean Adam wouldn’t be here.
That is very humbling.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Much energy has again been spent this year on the topic of Christmas, beliefs, all holidays, politics and expression.
Please just remember the spirit of the season:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
