O come let us adore Him...

It's Christmas 2000, a time to rejoice!

 No one can deny that this is a wonderful time of the year! I stepped into a store in the mall at the end of October, and there were Christmas decorations everywhere! It thrilled me to the bone! No one else has their birthday celebrated for two whole months.

I understand that the world doesn't acknowledge Jesus Christ's birth in general, and you might argue that the store was out to make money. That may be true. Yet we can turn every opportunity we have into something thrilling. What a witness!

At least we're not like those unfortunate countries around the globe that ignore Christmas all together. There is so much scope to share with others in what we have; so much we can give! 

I encourage you all to take advantage of it, before it disappears.

He's Crazy About You

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the gift He sent you in Bethlehem?
Not to mention that Friday at Calvary!
He's loaned you everything you own.
He speaks to you daily in a still small voice.
He has shown you a perfect way to live, do you notice?
Face it friend, He's crazy about you!

(author unknown)

Christmas is more than a gift-laden tree,
It is caring and sharing...unselfishly.
-Laura Haynes

The light that shines from the humble manger is strong enough to lighten our way to the end of our days.
-author unknown

"Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

Do we know how to worship him today? In the rush of the holiday season; in the anxiety of selecting  the perfect gifts; in the stress of mailing out the cards, baking the special treats, and racing about hither and yon, have we remembered to take time to really worship?

Have we stood in awe recently and humbly thanked the Creator of the universe for ever noticing us, and sending His best gift to us, in the shape of a sweet, innocent baby, destined to become the sacrificial lamb for the sins of corrupt humanity?

If not, the Christmas season is a wonderful and awesome time to begin!

The miracle of Christmas
Is a Babe of long ago
And a gentle mother kneeling
By a manger crude and low
And one star of glory shining
In the heavens up above
For the One who is the symbol
Of God's everlasting love.

-Vincent Godfrey Burns

I have many favourite Christmas memories. I was raised in a home where both parents were Christians, and the emphasis of the season was placed on Christ's birth, not Santa Claus.

We saw Santa in the Sears store near our home, but we didn't ever sit on his lap, or go too close to him. We understood he was just pretend, and we knew our parents gave us the gifts that were under the tree on Christmas Eve .

It was our custom to buy a real pine tree, and oh! The scent that filled the house when it was brought in a week before December 25th! We each received a pile of ornaments to carefully place on the branches, and our Mom was the only one allowed to put the tinsel on the next day, when we were in school. It was a wonderful sight. 

 Another thing that filled me with delight was the nativity scene that was placed on the mantel each year. For a few years, I was just the right height to peer over the edge of the mantel, into the depths of the stable, and I would pretend I was really there, gazing at the Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

He didn't look too comfortable out in the open like that, but at the time, it didn't bother me. I believed with all my heart that He was real, I believed the story of His birth was what Christmas was all about, and I still believe.

From Bethlehem

Great is the tumult of men's anger grown,
Of hate exalted and of love defiled;
But hark, on gentle airs from Bethlehem blown,
Rise clear the tender accents of a Child!

A little Child...and yet the voice of dread
Is stilled, greed shamed as wrath and envy are:
Hate's sword is sheathed; the tyrant bows his head,
As sudden on earth's darkness streams a star!

-Mary Sinton Leitch

 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."     Isaiah 9: 6

A Christmas Recipe

I would like to share one recipe with you. It's one of my favourites, and a special part of Christmas is baking delicious things to share with those who come to our home during the holidays. I've also given these away as gifts, wrapped tantalizingly in a pretty tin, then covered in shimmering cellophane, and tied with a big bow.

Cherry Chocolate Cookies:

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp almond extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup coconut
1 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, 
drained and coarsely chopped

Cream shortening and sugar until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and creamy. Combine flour and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture gradually, beating with a spoon. Stir in chips, coconut and cherries. Drop dough by small spoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees, 10 minutes. Enjoy!

May each and every one of you find the true meaning and the exquisite joy of Christmas, which will last throughout time and eternity, and not only for a brief holiday season.

May we remember to adore Him; Jesus Christ, our Lord!

 Written by LH Houben,
for the Roses of Sharon Christmas Page Contest
Copyright 2009

I received this in my email on December 12th, 2000!
I was so surprised to win this lovely award!
I am just thrilled!!
 

You are welcome to visit my other Christmas pages.