In the fields outside of Bethlehem shepherds were working. The job of a shepherd was a thankless task. They were expected to protect the flock at all costs, regardless of the circumstances. It is little wonder that the news of the Good Shepherd was first shared with these men. Bethlehem and the world were not prepared when the angels announced that a King was coming to Town. Have a blessed day.
I just wanted to be among the first to officially wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Life can be difficult. Life can be disappointing and move much faster than we are able to adapt. It is easy to get overwhelmed and stressed, but remember one thing. A Savior was born and with the birth of Christ, "Joy Has Come to This World". Have a blessed day.
"And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
For centuries the prophets of God had been telling the faithful that one day God would send a Savior to dwell among them. On the the night that Christ was born, Grace Has a Face. Have a blessed day.
When Joseph discovered that Mary was expecting a child prior to their formalizing their marriage, he was advised by some to put her away. However God sent him a messenger saying. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Joseph listened to the angel, obeyed the will of God and a Savior was born. It wasn't his child, it was the Son of God.
"Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And you will conceive in our womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-33)
Mary was just a teenager engaged to Joseph when the angel of the Lord appeared to her. He told her what was going to take place very soon and that her life would be changed forever. That is a lot of information for a young woman to absorb. Still, her answer to the angel was, "Behold the maidservant of the lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) Mary simply made herself available to God and a Savior was born.
Welcome to season seven of my annual Christmas Music Marathon. The purpose of this event is to temporarily take your mind off of the commercial madness that typically surrounds this season and focus on the true reason that we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ is the single greatest event in human history and when coupled with the events of Easter we have a complete picture of God's plan for the redemption of the human race.
Each day, between now and Christmas, you can come to this blog and find a music video that celebrates the birth of our Savior and the joy that His birth brings to the heart. There will be new songs, old songs, hymns, along with praise and worship music. So take a break from your Christmas shopping, football watching holiday season and stop by here to enjoy a little music to uplift the soul and focus on the Savior.
I traditionally begin with a video that reminds us of the first Christmas and invites us to Take a Walk Through Bethlehem. Let the marathon begin!
Fall colors can still be found here in NW Arkansas. You just have to look and shoot a little closer to the subject in order to weed out all of the clutter.
