adminHave you ever noticed how many feasts God originated? How many times were His people told to remember God through a feast and exchanging of food as well as gifts for the poor? I love it! Jesus said to His disciples at the last supper that He would not eat with them again until they ate together in the Kingdom. Have you thought about what that means? It means we will eat food in Heaven with Jesus (and ladies – not get fat!!). Now that is super cool!
Through this season Ken and I have remarked how much we have enjoyed it. We have had Christmas instrumental music quietly playing softly in the background and we have decorated and made simple plans. But the quiet sitting and thinking about the goodness of God has blessed us immensely. The sweetness of the Presence of God is awesome!
Tonight is Christmas Eve. Let’s spend time remembering and celebrating the day when Christ was born as a human being. Whether this is His actual birthday is immaterial! This is the day we celebrate His birth! Oh let’s spend some time this night in worship of our Wonderful God!
O Holy Night
O Holy Night, The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared, gift of infinite worth!
Behold the Babe in yonder manger lowly,
‘Tis God’s own Son come down in human form:
[REFRAIN]
Fall . . . on your knees . . . !
O, hear . . . the angel voices . . . !
O night . . . divine . . . !
O night . . . when Christ was born,
O night . . . divine!
O night, O . . . night divine!
O day of joy, when in eternal splendor
He shall return in His glory to reign,
When every tongue due praise to Him shall render,
His power and might to all nations proclaim!
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,
Let’s thrill to the name of Jesus this night! God became man so He could redeem a sinful people. What a God! What a King! What a Savior!
THE NAME OF JESUS
By A. B. Simpson, D.D.
GLORY to the Name of Jesus!
Once it stood for sin and shame;
Now the songs of earth and Heaven
Join to bless that glorious Name.
PARDON through the Name of Jesus!
Free from guilt, and fault, and blame,
We may stand beloved, accepted
As we come in Jesus Name.
VICTORY through the Name of Jesus!
Once for us He overcame,
And we conquer sin and Satan
Only in our Captain’s Name.
POWER through the Name of Jesus!
All His power our faith may claim,
God will work His wonders through us
When we use that mighty Name.
HEALING in the Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our suffering frame
When we learn to take from Jesus
Life and healing in His Name.
TELL abroad the Name of Jesus,
‘Round the world His love proclaim
Till earth’s saved and ransomed millions
Join to praise the Savior’s Name.
GLORY to the Name of Jesus!
Once it stood for sin and shame.
Now let all in earth and Heaven
Join to bless His glorious Name!
Have you ever thought about what you could give Jesus for a present on His birthday celebration? The following poem was written by Romana Waller as a very young girl and found its way into GRANDMA GRIER’S SCRAPBOOK. She gave permission for Charlie Grier to put it in his book of poems.
A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR HIM
By Romana Olson Waller
Tonight I am thinking of Jesus,
As I look at this beautiful tree,
And wonder just what I can give Him
Who has given so freely to me.
I’m counting my treasures all over,
And am wondering what He can use;
In loving a Person so dearly
It is really a problem to choose.
I wonder what really would please Him
And just what should my gift for Him be?
God gave HIM to us – oh! – I wonder,
Do you think He would like to have ME?
I’ve hands that will work for Him gladly,
I have feet to run errands of love,
And lips that can tell of a Savior,
Who came down from His home up above!
My heart – it will love Him forever!
There are souls I can help Him to win!
Tonight I am giving – yes, giving myself
As a Christmas present for Him!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice…” Rom 12:1
-Homespun Poems by Charlie Grier, Family & Friends (1973) p.28
I have also wondered what I should give Jesus for His Christmas Gift. Here’s my poem.
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
By Marvine Scott
What can I give You, my Wonderful Lord;
Once a small baby so sweet and adored,
God of all Universe, Creator and King.
This is Your Birthday – Oh, what can I bring?
I give you myself, Lord – every last bit.
I give you my home and all that is in it.
I give you my husband and family to start
But I wish for a present to give joy to Your Heart!
TO give money to others – You must first give to me.
The sky is the limit, Lord, what do we see?
There are missions and missionaries, churches and staff
Or we could give to a child so that child could laugh.
Dear Jesus, I wish You a Happy Birthday.
May others find You is what I really pray.
May Christians draw close and grow in your grace sublime.
I know what I’ll do, Lord. I give You my time.