JOY TO THE WORLD...

the LORD has come!

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"  
2 Corinthians 9:15

Merry CHRISTmas!!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

silent night, holy night

"... and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son.  She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:7   

What makes CHRISTmas so special?  The children... especially The One.

No room in the inn for The Child... yet, may we always have room in our heart, for Him, our Savior and Redeemer.  Thank You, Father!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

have you heard?

As many leave school for CHRISTmas Holy-day, i pray you are filled with the love, joy, and peace our Father intends for you.  If you need a little help, try putting this melody of songs in your heart. And speaking of heart, know you are in mine…. but more importantly His.

You better watch out

You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is all around.

He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Jesus Christ is all around.

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is all around.  

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:14

Do you hear what i hear?  Good News can be found!
Angels we have heard on high exclaim, " Jesus is coming to town!"
Come all ye faithful, be filled with His joy and love,
A silent, holy night will then give you His Peace from above. 

Deck the halls, we have reason to shout!
Christ the LORD has risen! let there be no doubt.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree, your beauty i see,
is about celebrating what Jesus did for you and me. 

So, you better not cry, you better not pout,
Hark! the herald angels still sing it out,
"Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"
Have yourself a merry 'lil Christmas... each and every one!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

have a joy-filled day and a glorious Merry CHRISTmas!

Happily His and grateful to be your sister-in-Christ, 

veneal

do not fear

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3  

Last year's decorations had been quickly packed, stored and stuffed in the attic.  It was good enough for most items, but not the glass CHRISTmas bell.  It was totally shattered.  Better wrapping could have saved it.

How is your CHRISTmas season coming?

Shattered bells, shattered lives ~ and CHRISTmas still comes. It's near impossible to live 365 days without changes.  Marriages, deaths, loss of income, sickness, births and other things happen. Some for the better, some not - as least through our eyes.  During trials, i struggle, as my eyes shift down on me and not up to Him.

Father, there are times i am crushed by the world around me.  Life is hard, unpredictable and mean.  And when i tackle it, without You, i shatter like glass.  I need to be completely wrapped, protected and covered in Your Love, Wisdom and Will.  Oh, how thankful  i am for the wonderful CHRISTmas season! 

During this time, no matter what has happened the past 365 days, i am reminded and brought back to what really matters -- You and Your unconditional Love.  Thank You for my Savior... because of Him, we will not fear but give thanks.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
love, JOY and peace to you, 
veneal

there's a song in the air

"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Thank You, Father, for your mighty love and song over me, day and night.

Now here's one for You...    a Hallelujah CHRISTmas

Because of Jesus, our hearts are filled with JOY and thanks.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

we are loved and chosen by God, 

may we live like we believe it,

love, JOY and peace to you,

veneal

a Mighty Word ~ love

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Best gift of the season?  You...Be the gift.  Care and love others.

Father, may we keep our eyes on You, as You demonstrate best how to love others.  May we reflect Your image during the CHRISTmas season and every day.  For some, we may be the best or only present received.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
love, JOY and peace to you,
veneal

do you hear what i hear?

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:6-12
 

He didn't like CHRISTmas, and why should he?  He had never had a tree nor presents -- there were no good memories.  All he knew about CHRISTmas was what the world told him and what he saw around him.  So when asked to write about CHRISTmas memories, he couldn't.  Sensing his emptiness, Mrs. Wesley told him about CHRISTmas, the true CHRISTmas.  He had never heard it, but now he has... and hope is possible where there once was darkness.

If you are stressed, disheartened, discouraged,maybe you need to hear the real CHRISTmas story, again.  Escape the make believe and usher in Truth and Peace -- then we can celebrate no matter what the circumstances.  

For God gave His Son for us to have eternal life... isn't that enough?  If we need to give anything to others, may it be the sharing of Him.

"Hark" the herald angels sings. Glory to the newborn King,

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled;

Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem,

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

May we never forget...

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
love, JOY and peace to you,
veneal