 Painting by Nathan Greene Christmas! The very word stirs within us thoughts and images of Joy, Hope, Longing, Expectation. We each bring our own stories and memories into the heart of this season. What is yours? What will Christmas bring into your story this year? I'm not at all prepared for Christmas in many ways. I haven't finished decorating the house and I've barely started the shopping, but this year I'm trying to approach the holiday differently. I want to take time to still my heart to receive the quiet gifts that each day brings and delight in them. Gifts that I am often too busy to receive or notice……...the scents, the sounds, the sights, the wonder, the Word. It seems as if the Lord is whispering…. Look. Listen. Prepare your heart. Let go of the pressure and embrace the joy, because in the midst of the whirlwind, the crowds and the busyness of the season, Christmas - the coming of the Christ Child - is meant to be personal and intimate and sacred. The story of Christmas forever changed the world and the human heart. Centuries ago the prophet Isaiah proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to God’s people. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God!” A Savior, a King, a Deliverer has come for you and for me. He is the One born to set us free and release us from fear and sin. He is the One who brings comfort and rest and peace and joy to every heart prepared to receive Him. 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 The Father’s Love reached down to us on that glorious, miraculous night over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born. 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 for every longing heart.  Father God left the galaxies of heaven and came down to earth out of His great love for us. This year as I try to slow down my pace a little it's wonderful to ponder anew the story... the ones whom God chose to participate in the birth of His Son. I want to prepare the way for my heart to receive the Savior in my life this season afresh. I want to experience the beauty and joy of His coming. I invite you to join me. The night Jesus Christ was born heaven’s joy could not be contained! Imagine…….. a multitude of the heavenly hosts singing “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” The angels song echoed though the Bethlehem hills..... and into the hearts of a group of gentle shepherds. They made their way to the manger bed and fell to their knees, overcome with joy, and they left glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen just as they had been told. And Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Try to place yourself there at the manger. Mary, the young virgin whom God chose to be His vessel to carry His gift of love into our world, cradles this treasure from heaven and holds Him sleeping in her loving arms.  She holds the One who will save us from our sins, the One who is God incarnate, the One who brings Joy! He is here. He is God with us. Jesus. Emmanuel. " ... a God so for us that He is a God who chooses to be with us." Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift God enters our world as a baby, vulnerable, fragile and tender. Come...draw close to the Savior, the sleeping, holy child in the manger for whom the whole world has waited and pause in wonder at the miracle of it all. 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 reconcile 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 to make us new. Jesus offers us His gift of love. And yet in the hurry and bustle of Christmas it would be so easy to miss it. To miss the wonder, the beauty, the joy…. the Savior. At the Drake house for the last few months we have been preparing our hearts and voices to bring the Christmas Musical entitled "Joy" to the Chapel next weekend. There is one song that continues to run over and over in my mind. Listen and read the lyrics. Awaken Us What is we miss Love's finest moment-- our Rescue breathing in our midst, the Holy now in flesh appearing: What if we take for granted this beauty unfolding, like it is just another night? What if we look, but we're not blinded by the light? Awaken us, glory in the highest, to the wonders of Your love, to the wonders of Your love, Awaken us, glory in the highest, for unto us a Child is born. We don't want to miss this. Are these the hands that made the heavens now reaching out to make us new: Is this the heart our sin has broken, the eyes of grace You see us through. Sing, Hallelujah. Behold our God who comes to save. What kind of God are You to give Yourself away? Awaken us, glory in the highest, to the wonders of Your love, to the wonders of Your love, Awaken us, glory in the highest, for unto us a Child is born. We don't want to miss this. In the dark a Baby's cry Hope is born for us tonight. Now forgiveness has a name - Jesus Name that sets the captives free Mighty God and Prince of Peace, hear the song of the redeemed - Jesus (Chorus) Words and music by Travis Cottrell, Sue C. Smith and David Moffitt  That glorious Christmas night the everlasting Light of Jesus came to dwell among us. All who came to the manger were changed by the light of His presence as they beheld the mystery of God’s love. Come….. let us adore Him and let us live for His glory, ushering in His light to shatter the darkness of our world! Awaken us Father! Stir our hearts by your Spirit that we might look deeply into the light of your grace that came to save us at Christmas and be forever changed for your glory! During the next few weeks won't you join me in preparing your heart for Christmas by trying to slow down and ponder the wonder, beauty and joy of the birth of the Christ Child. Joy has come to our world! 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 If you have a moment, enjoy some beautiful music to still and prepare your heart to unwrap the gift of the Savior this Christmas.  Recommended Advent Reading and video Isaiah 9: 1-7; Isaiah 40:1-5; Micah 2: 2-5; Luke 1-2; Matthew 1-3 The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp, aholyexperience.com (see advent videos each Sunday in December) The Power of Christmas Prayer, Stormie Omartian The Women of Christmas, Liz Curtis Higgs  If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner.
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