His light, His love, His hope

  

It is the glorious Christmas season.
 It is wonderful and beautiful, and shiny and stressful!
 The doors and halls of my home are decked with greenery and lights, which I must admit is very unusual for me to have finished this early.  

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        The advent candles are lit next to the Jesse tree and the tree is glowing with tiny white lights next to the manger scene we have set out for at least 20 years. However, there are many more presents to buy, presents to wrap, presents to mail, baking and cooking to be done, caroling and parties and people to care for before the season is done. It always seems to be a race to the finish for me, no matter how hard I try to get things organized ahead of time.

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      Amidst all the things to be done this year, I am purposing to take some time to pause, reflect and wonder at the miracle that took place on that glorious, miraculous night over 2000 years ago. I pray that you will do the same, no matter how long your "to do" list is! For the story of Christmas, of that Holy Night, is your story and mine.  It is a love story that God planned for you since the beginning of time.

  Jesus... His name brings forgiveness for our sins.
             He came to rescue us, 
                  to offer hope in our helplessness, 
                         grace in our brokenness, 
                                 joy in our sorrow, 
                                       and peace in our pain. 

The hands that made the heavens are reaching out to you and me. They are hands that hold us and make us new. They are hands that offer us Jesus' gift of love. 

And yet in the hurry and bustle of Christmas it is so easy to miss it.

 To miss the wonder, the beauty, the joy, the Savior.  


For on that night  when Jesus was born, the Father’s Love reached down and the Lord God Almighty presented His long awaited promise, His Son, wrapped in human flesh. The light of heaven broke through our darkness with hope. God’s gift of love came and offered joy to the longing that is present in your heart and mine. 

                   The Living Word, Jesus, became flesh and made His dwelling among us! 

Take a moment and let that truth sink in…. deep into the depths of your soul.

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Today I could write many words about Christmas, but I think it is best to focus on the the Words of Christ.

     His Light, 
     His Love 
        His Hope. 

Jesus reveals it to us in the pages of His Word. Take some time and read the My Beloved Letter below.
 It is Scripture paraphrased and written to you from God's Word. 
There is power and authority in the Word of God for your life.
 Try reading it aloud, like a love letter sent to you from the Father filled with truths and promises for your life,
 for that is what His Word is!  

My Beloved Child

 I, the Creator of the universe, the One who spoke the galaxies into existence sent my one and only Son for you. 
 He chose to take on flesh and enter your world as a little baby born in a manger. He is the hope of salvation for all who believe and His name is Jesus.  The miracle of the incarnation is too mysterious 
for you to understand completely.
 Only follow the shepherds to the manger and bow in amazement and give glory and praise to Me for what I have done.  Jesus is life, and that life is the light of men. Follow My Beloved Son, 
and you will never live in darkness,
 but will have the light that gives life.
 Jesus is the light of the world.  Let light shine out of darkness. 
I have made My light to shine in your heart to give you the light of the knowledge 
of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
  You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as a child of light. 

Beloved, if you are willing, I will flood your soul with My Spirit and life. Will you choose to let Me posses your whole being so utterly that your life will display the radiance of My Son? Let your light shine before men, 
that they may see your good deeds and praise Your Father in heaven. 

Who can separate you from My love: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness 
or danger or sword? No! In all these things you are more than a conqueror through Me because I love you.
 Nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from My love that is in Christ Jesus, your Lord. 

 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what I have prepared for you because you love Me,
 but I will reveal it to you by My Spirit. The Spirit of God within you will search all things, even the deep things of God. My Spirit will guide you into all truth and bring glory to Me by taking 
from what is Mine and making it known to you.

This is love: not that you loved God, but that He loved you 
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for your sins.
 My love is better than life. Let your lips glorify My name.
 Lift up your hands in My name and sing praises to Me as long as you live. I will satisfy your soul, beloved.
 Come, My child, let Me lavish My great love on you.
 My precious bride, I have committed Myself to you forever, in righteousness and justice,
 in love and compassion and in faithfulness. Because of your love for Me you can know
 that I will work all things for your good.

Do you need rest, My beloved? It is found in Me alone. Your hope comes from Me. Put your hope in my unfailing love. My delight is in you. Pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which Jesus has called you, the riches of Jesus’ glorious inheritance in the saints.
 When you place your hope in Me, I will renew your strength. 
You will soar on wings like eagles, you will run and not grow weary, you will walk 
and not be faint. I am the God of hope. Trust in Me and I will fill you with all joy and peace 
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of My Holy Spirit. 

I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 
plans to give you a hope and a future.
Hope will not disappoint you, because I have poured out My love into your heart by the Holy Spirit whom you have been given. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer, My beloved. 
Hold unswervingly to the hope that you profess, for I have promised and I am faithful.

Luke 2:6-20, John 8:12, Acts. 13:47, John 1:14, John 1:4; 8:12, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Eph. 5:8, Matthew 5:16
1 John 4:10, Psalm 63:1-5, Hosea 2:19-20, Romans 8:28, 35, 37-39,  1 Corinthians 2::9, 10,  Psalm 62:5; Ephesians 1:18, Psalm 13; 7:11; 40:31,  Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 15;13, 5:5; 12:12, Hebrews 10:23

Awaken us Father! Stir our hearts by your Spirit that we might look deeply into the truth of your Word and the light of your grace that came to save us at Christmas and be forever changed for your glory!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
 there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
 and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
  will accomplish this.
  Isaiah 9:6-7

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A child has been born for you! He has come to bring us light, love, and hope. Let us Celebrate the season, the story, and above all,
 the Savior of Christmas! 



        Sherry and I want to wish you all a very joyous and Merry Christmas!  We will be taking a little break from the Monday Musings blog until the first of the year to devote special time to our Savior, our families, friends, and the sights and sounds of the season. We pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas filled with His unending love, abundant joy and perfect peace! 


Rejoicing in the Savior,
Kathy

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