My Christmas Post...early!

Hello Everyone~

I hope you have all of your shopping done, cards out, things wrapped...and have had your flu shot.  It has taken hold of my 2 youngest Grandsons.  I feel quite a bit under the weather as well.  I am praying that we will all be able to celebrate together on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.  I would really appreciate your prayers for Gregory and Matthew Thomas.  For me, I have had a migraine that has been getting worse for 2 weeks. 

There is sadly, no "Card of the Week" drawing today, nor "Special Drawing" because there was not one comment this past week.  I know you are all busy, I understand. I spent the entire day wrapping yesterday.  I just so look forward to hearing your comments....your thoughts about the sharing for the day.  I hope you will catch up on the posts you have missed.

I decided that I will be taking Friday off from blogging this week.  The message for today is so wonderful, so educational, so full of love...that we could read it every day for a month and keep learning something new.   Now, some of you have seen it...some of you have heard it.  I ask you to drink it in...word by word, line by line.  It is my MOST FAVORITE Christmas Story anywhere.

Before then, I would like to pray.  I hope you will join me.

Dear Lord, I thank You for Immanuel..."God with us."  You are amazing.  I thank You for letting us all meet together and learn more and more about You.  Lord Jesus, I pray that each of us will remember to share the true meaning of Christmas with our loved ones, with strangers, with friends who are still lost...but may celebrate the commercial-type of Christmas, they may have good will and cheer, and still not know You.  I thank You for your Word.  I thank You, Lord for loving us so much more than we deserve.  Thank you for forgiving us, and making us cleaner than snow.  Lord, I pray that everyone that this blog touches through reading, through receiving cards, or give-aways, or anyone that is related to one of our guests will have a safe, memorable and meaningful Christmas!  In Your Holy Name, the name of  Jesus, I pray these things.  Amen.

OK--THIS is my favorite Christmas story:

Luke 2:1-21

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while [a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

 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 guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord 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 news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”


Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

     “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
       and on earth peace to those on whom
       his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let ’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

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."

I think the part I like most of this Scripture is that when the angel appears to the shepherds in the field...the shepherds listen.  And as soon as the Heavenly Host...which I believe means-- all of the angels from Heaven--(it even says when they returned to Heaven.)  The shepherds...quickly gathered their their sheep...and off they went!  They didn't wait for day light...they heard the Message...and they were obedient...off they went!  How wonderful!  I pray that I can be as obedient as them.  And, imagine the Heavenly Host!  Wow!  It is all of the angels from Heaven...gathered together...at one time.  I wish I was there! Don't you?

And, what a reward for them...they were among the first to see our King, our Lord...our Messiah!  Oh, I love this Scripture so much.  Which Christmas Verse is your favorite?  How about letting me know in the comment section?

I will not be here on Christmas Eve Day or Christmas...I am taking the time to really be with my family...and to spend some serious study time with our Lord. I hope you will be back on Monday!  I will be here.  There is a very special event next week.  I won't say which day...it may not be one of our regular days...but be sure to leave a comment!

 Precious, Lord Jesus, I pray that you all share the Good news of the Great Joy...with others who don't know about Him, truly.  It is up to us! Prayed in Jesus' name. Amen.

Be blessed!  Merry Christmas to All!

He IS Able,
Traci Starkweather

p.s.  Please let me know what Christmas Scripture is your favorite in the comment section.  And, just so you can get a jump on next week's things...please tell us one thing that works for you in this blog.  Is the the Card Give-Away?  Is it the challenges?  Is it posts from other books and columns.  Is it when we have a guest writer?  A Testimony?  Have you learned anything from this post.  It is going to have some changes next year...and I want to keep the things that are working for you...are helping you find the excitement in being a Christian again.  So, that will be a question coming up...but you can answer if you would like of course!

Merry Christmas my Friends!