Christmas Eve 2010
The Birth of Jesus 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
It is truly the most amazing story, and the most amazing time of year.
As my precious girls slumber still, I am hard at work preparing for them a feast in great celebration. This is the day of the year that we truly celebrate Christmas. Our plans for today include: reading the passages from Luke, reading the Night Before Christmas, watching It's a Wonderful Life and topping it all with midnight mass (or candlelight service).
I am finishing my first caramel latte while the saugages/onions simmer and I have to stop intermittently to flip the spiced pancakes.
I have already started making the fruit salad and cooking a pot of navy beans for soup later today.
The amazing gifts bestowed upon me this year include: great health, a job I love, amazing friends, a perfect 4.0 in grad school, reconnections with family, daughters who continually amaze me with maturity and growth into independent and emotionally healthy young women, a warm and safe home, an abudance of food, financial security to explore the world around me....
The list goes on and on. I am blessed!! Completely!!
My wish for everyone this Christmas is for the peace and understanding to truly truly develop a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is everything and gives to us everything. I have been stretched beyond my comfort zones at times by non-believers and by non-Christians this year. Through it all, God has never left my side and has renewed within me all that I knew I could be.
I am completely blessed.
Merry Christmas
The Birth of Jesus 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
It is truly the most amazing story, and the most amazing time of year.
As my precious girls slumber still, I am hard at work preparing for them a feast in great celebration. This is the day of the year that we truly celebrate Christmas. Our plans for today include: reading the passages from Luke, reading the Night Before Christmas, watching It's a Wonderful Life and topping it all with midnight mass (or candlelight service).
I am finishing my first caramel latte while the saugages/onions simmer and I have to stop intermittently to flip the spiced pancakes.
I have already started making the fruit salad and cooking a pot of navy beans for soup later today.
The amazing gifts bestowed upon me this year include: great health, a job I love, amazing friends, a perfect 4.0 in grad school, reconnections with family, daughters who continually amaze me with maturity and growth into independent and emotionally healthy young women, a warm and safe home, an abudance of food, financial security to explore the world around me....
The list goes on and on. I am blessed!! Completely!!
My wish for everyone this Christmas is for the peace and understanding to truly truly develop a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is everything and gives to us everything. I have been stretched beyond my comfort zones at times by non-believers and by non-Christians this year. Through it all, God has never left my side and has renewed within me all that I knew I could be.
I am completely blessed.
Merry Christmas
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