Merry Christmas

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

{Isaiah 9:6}

I pray you all have a very blessed day as you

celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE EARTH

This Christmas Eve...

My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.

Luke 1:46:55

I find myself feeling the same way I imagine Mary felt when she first spoke these words.  In many ways this passage says exactly what I'd like to say as the year comes to an end and we celebrate the birth of our Savior!  God has been so good to my family, and I'm so thankful for his constant protection and provision.  Only He knows exactly what each year will bring, and this one has had its fill of surprises for sure. ;-)  Needless to say, He is faithful and has sustained us through it all. 

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Blessed be the Lord, God of heaven and earth, who has done great things for me!

Holy is his name.

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It's the *Greatest* and *Busiest* Time of Year...

Which explains the lack of posts around here! 

So, what things have I been up to? 

Well, here are a few...

(Did I seriously just make all that rhyme?

That was totally un NOT intentional! lol)

#1

Watching Christmas movies.

This was the most recent:

↑ 

You gotta love these 'wise guys'!


#2

Drinking hot chocolate.

But I have such a hard time choosing which brand of instant cocoa is better! 

OR

I just can't decide!

#3

Reading the TRUE Christmas story

. . . and singing Christmas songs!

Luke 2 and Matthew 1 are read and re-read quite often during this time of year. :)

And some of my favorite Christmas songs include:

• What Child is This?
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel
• Silent Night
• O Holy Night
• Away in a Manger

    And many more! ;-)

#4

Last-minute prep for our church's outdoor drama performance!
.

For the past three years our family has participated in our church's annual Christmas drama on the life of Jesus Christ. However, this year we didn't sign up because we knew we wouldn't be able to fully commit with Dad's health issues. That is, until we found out last Saturday that there were still a few roles that needed to be filled! So... Shelly, Eliza, and I have joined in pretty much at the last minute. Yesterday was our very first practice--and the program is this weekend! Needless to say, we have a LOT to figure out between now and Saturday evening. :)



A scene from last year's drama -- 2009. 
I'm Mary, Shelly is the middle angel on the left,
and Eliza is the middle angel on the right. 
(Sorry... Had to blur our faces! :)



Oh! And I bet you'll NEVER guess what roles we're playing this year.

We're 'disguising' as three of the twelve disciples!!

...Shh!  It's a secret. ;-D

..

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Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing some of what I've

been up to lately. Have a blessed Thursday, everyone!

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'Tis the Season for Miracles

Yesterday my dad finally got his very first Tysabri infusion!  After three months of trying to get things worked out and approved, God finally made it possible for an appointment to be set up.  Daddy was soooo happy!  It's been about a year and a half since his sickness began and it's steadily progressed since then.  Each time he has more lesions grow, more symptoms come on, and more hospital stays, he says, "I don't want to do it again."  It's heartbreaking, but we find peace in knowing the Lord is watching over him and that He's in complete control.  Needless to say, it's been a loooong year and a half.  So we really are thrilled to finally have some treatment going!

While we're excited, we're also aware of the risks involved.  Basically, this drug will either kill you or 'heal' you.  There's actually no known cure for multiple sclerosis, but this drug has put many people into remission or at least lessened the severity of their exacerbations.  Honestly, either one would be great.  And guess what?  We're already seeing a bit of improvement!  Dad's walking is a little better and he's thinking more clearly too!  Praise Jesus!

Please pray with us that this drug will not cause any harm or damage to his body, and that it will keep him from having any more lesions grow!  We know Dad's healing will ultimately come from the Lord, but we also know God can use this treatment to cure him.  ...And it will be nothing short of a miracle when it does! ;)

"Then Jesus said to them,

'With man this is impossible, but with God

all things are possible.'"

Matthew 26:19
..

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Well, I hope you all are enjoying the first days of December!
It's hard to believe this year is almost over. Christmas will be
here before we know it!!  Until then... let's enjoy what God has
in store for us each day as we celebrate the season of the birth
of Jesus Christ. :)

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...This MIRACLE season! :)

"I will bring health and healing...

I will heal my people and will let them

enjoy abundant peace and security."

Jeremiah 33:6

...A White Christmas?

Okay, so we didn't exactly enjoy a Christmas quite this white. lol!

This is just a painting hanging on one of the walls in my dad's parent's house. :)

This is more like how our "white Christmas" looked...

Alright, so it was technically Christmas Eve and it wasn't exactly white. We did get about 30 minutes of snow that melted as it hit the ground, though! :D

You must realize this is probably a first for us having snow in December! ...Especially on Christmas Eve!
My sisters and I asked Mom if we could stand outside in it, and she, of course, said yes! We could barely catch the snow on our camera, but we soon realized it showed up fairly well against my black sweater. :)

( A very cold me! :)



Anyway, we had a very lovely Christmas--despite the fact that it wasn't quite "white"! ;)

Our family has been so blessed this year and we are very grateful for all our loving, caring, friends and family--and most importantly, the amazing God who has taken care of us throughout the entire year. His hand has stayed upon us continually and I praise Him for being faithful and for watching over us. "I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel." Psalm 71:22
So, how many of you enjoyed a "white Christmas"?!

I hope you all had a blessed holiday!

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he
will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be?" Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

Luke 1:26-37

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, 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 2:4-7


And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel 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 tidings 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...."

...So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:8-12, 16-20

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Christmas is a time for celebration and for remembering. I'm so glad that God was merciful to us and sent his son Jesus to such a dark and dying world, that we could have life! The same God mentioned in the Scripture above is the same God we serve today. He still works miracles and nothing is at all impossible for Him! This Christmas (and all year long!) let us remember how blessed we are and take time to thank God for sending us the ultimate gift--Jesus Christ. Without him, we would be lost and without hope... But because he humbled himself by coming to this earth and dying as a ransom for our sins, we now share the greatest Hope! Praise God! I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas. :)

Merry Christmas & God Bless You!

All pictures from our church's Christmas drama 2007

And Mary Said...

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

LUKE 1:46-55

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What Child is This/Mary Did You Know

What child is this, who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary...

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know...

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak

The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you knowthat your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

This, this is Christ the King!

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud

The babe, the son of Mary

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It's hard to believe that Christmas is finally here. Praise God for sending us his son, Jesus! What a precious, precious gift. He has most definitely done great and mighty things.

And holy is his name!

What Child is This written by: William Chatterton Dix

Mary Did You Know written by: Mark Lowry

*A Christmas-y Post*

Lindsay tagged me today with a "Christmas-y" kind of tag. :) Thank you so much, Lindsay! I've also taken a few pictures lately of some different Christmas decorations around the house, so I figured now might be a good time to share them. I hope you enjoy...

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1. Do you like sugar cookies?

Yes... If they are soft and moist. :)

Although, I do prefer desserts with chocolate!

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2. Do you like a LOT of lights on your Christmas tree,

or just a few?

Hmmm... well, I love having lights on the tree, but it always seems

to be such a hassle to mess with untangling them and making sure

they still work, etc.... so maybe just a few. :)

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3. Do you prefer a real tree, or an artificial tree?

I'm not really sure! Our family has never had a real one before.

We've always used an artificial tree. It sounds like it would be

fun to get a real tree, though. But I've heard a lot of people talk

about how messy they can be! :)

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4. What's your favorite Christmas carol?

Oh, my! This is going to be hard. How about I list a few? ;)

O Holy Night

What Child is This

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Away in a Manger

...Just to name a few!

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5. Do you like egg-nog, or boiled custard?

Hmmm... I don't really care for egg-nog, but I've never had

(or even heard of!) boiled custard before. lol So I guess

that would be egg-nog. :)

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6. Do you want a lot of snow for Christmas, or just

enough to sled in?

It would be nice to have a "white Christmas" but it doesn't

really matter to me either way. If I got to choose, I'd probably

go with "just enough to sled in". :)

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9. If you could spend $1,000,000 what would you buy?

Wow, if God blessed me in such a way I would know it wasn't

primarily for myself! I would use that opportunity to

bless others! :) (And by doing so, I would be just as blessed!)

Okay, so it doesn't look like that answers the question exactly.

Let's just say if I had that much to spend I would definitely be on

my knees in prayer about it because it must be something pretty

important God wants me to use it on! lol

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10. What is your favorite name of Jesus?

Obviously, all of them are important but I think "Shepherd"

(Psalm 23:1) & "Great High Priest" (Heb. 4:14) are my two

favorites. They mean a whole lot to me. :)

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That was fun! Thanks again for tagging me, Lindsay!! :) I enjoyed this one a lot. Now I will tag three people:

*

Moriah

*

Kayla

*

& Hannah*

I hope everyone is enjoying their "week-before-Christmas"!

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7. What's your favorite part of the Christmas story?

Wow, that's hard to answer! All of it is amazing. Without

everything involved it just wouldn't be perfect and complete!

Each circumstance is highly significant.

My favorite part is where God appears to Joseph in a dream and says,

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name

Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

I love that verse so much because it includes me in the story!! :)

Christ was sent to do the will of his Father in heaven...

Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus!

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8. What's your favorite Christmas movie?

I love the "Nativity Story"!

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^^^ Tee Hee! ^^^


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Name Above All Names

Jesus, Name Above All Names

hymn by Naida Hearn

Jesus, name above all names

Beautiful Savior

Glorious Lord

Emmanuel, God is with us

Blessed Redeemer

Living Word

"While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." Acts 3:11-16

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

The hymn above is one of my most favorites.

There is power in the name of Jesus... Praise the Lord all the earth!

Picture: from our church's Christmas drama last year.