All Things Through Christ

She wanted to keep trying,

even though the sun was hot and her legs were unsteady.

Her daddy held the bicycle with his strong hands

and guided her along with his encouraging words.

 

 

Our Father in heaven is just like that.

Just ask Paul.

He was being held under house arrest as he wrote to the Philippians,

encouraging them, praying for them, and exhorting them to live godly lives.

At the end of his letter, Paul wrote of his contentment no matter his circumstances:

 

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content

in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all things

through Christ 

who strengthens me."

Philippians 4:11-13

 

Paul knew the secret to contentment was finding his strength in Jesus,

trusting Him to hold him up and keep him going,

no matter the circumstances.

And so can we.

Fall On Your Knees ~ O Holy Night

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.”

Luke 2:8-15

(image)

O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him

So it was,

when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,

that the shepherds said to one another,

“Let us now go to Bethlehem

and see this thing that has come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us.”

Luke 2:15

Be Still...

 

This old bench has been in our yard for several years,

and this picture was taken at our old house in the winter.

 

It now has a new home under our pergola this winter,

providing a spot under the white Christmas lights,

reminding us to pause and remember why we celebrate Christmas.

 

We remember that...

 

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning...

 

The Word became flesh

and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His glory,

the glory of the One and Only,

who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-2, 14