good planning

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5

Photo by Elizabeth Pike

kisses

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.
— Unknown

Photo by Cheryl Cook

bridge

Faith is the bridge between where I am and where God is taking me.

Quote: Anonymous

Photo: Marge McCoy

one

“One with God is a majority” – Martin Luther
Photo by Cheryl Cook

The First Noel

The First Noel

The First Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Anonymous English Christmas Carol from the 17th Century
Audio: Stephen Sollars
Photo: Lynn Tackett Wilber

the voice of the Lord

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters.
— Psalm 29:3

Photo by Mindy Dalton

A Home for the King

A Home For The King

Inside the dreary stable,
golden sheaves of hay were spread,
The only glint of treasure
for a royal baby’s bed,
Soon to fill the crude manger
where the animals were fed —
Hay-filled crib for King Jesus,
to cradle his downy head.

Outside, the lanes were crowded,
not a vacant room to rent.
Innkeepers closed sturdy doors
with no hint of sentiment,
Till compassion moved one man —
to his stable they were sent.
Relieved to find a haven,
the tired young couple went.

Stumbling into the stable,
the pair was weary and worn,
Thankful, yet apprehensive;
feeling alone and forlorn.
They yearned for refreshing sleep
to fit them for the next morn,
Unaware, in this long night,
their baby boy would be born.

The dismal barn awaited
to see what the night would bring
As animals assembled,
and bright angels took to wing.
For years to come, God’s people
on this day would praise and sing,
For His birth transformed a stable
to a home fit for The King.

The journey across the miles,
begun as a trek for two,
Culminated in blessing —
the Infant, tiny and new,
And glory-light descended
ere the damp of morning’s dew,
For He would bring salvation
so man could be born anew.

When you hear the angels’ song
bringing God’s good news today,
Open the door of your heart —
let the Savior in to stay.
As He made a dingy stable
His welcoming home that day,
He’ll rejoice to live within you
when you welcome Him today.

Poem by Connie Faust

Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas Day!

let this

Let this Christmas season be a renewing of the mind of Christ in our thinking and a cleansing of our lives by His pure presence. Let His joy come to our weary world through us.
~ Gerald Kennedy

Photo by Aaron Paul Lazar
http://www.aaronlazar.blogspot.com

joy

Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

–Isaac Watts
Photo by Jean Pike

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 appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Photo by Cleve Sylcox