Post by sorenk on Dec 24, 2023 12:50:49 GMT
On Sunday morning I send out my Sunday School lesson - But today something different - - Just thought I would share wih the forum
One of my earliest Christmas memories is simple but filled with the meaning of Christmas. I walked into the living room on Christmas Eve to see our beautiful, month-old Christmas tree in a cold, dark room. Dad kept the living room cold, as was common in those days, by closing the heating vents and door, so that the tree could last the entire season. We captured that tree by playing a game in the woods on Thanksgiving morning, where we found the perfect one.
This tree that had been his month-long creation, provided a wonderful glow as we all sat together on the sofa. It was time to punctuate the reason for the season in the presence of that tree. By the tree lights, Dad read the Christ story from our family Bible - printed below. And Mom helped us sing the first verse of "Away In a Manger." It felt perfect, like the Tree.
2 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) 5 to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. 6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Christmas Morning
12.25,2023
Luke 2:1-19 (KJV)
One of my earliest Christmas memories is simple but filled with the meaning of Christmas. I walked into the living room on Christmas Eve to see our beautiful, month-old Christmas tree in a cold, dark room. Dad kept the living room cold, as was common in those days, by closing the heating vents and door, so that the tree could last the entire season. We captured that tree by playing a game in the woods on Thanksgiving morning, where we found the perfect one.
This tree that had been his month-long creation, provided a wonderful glow as we all sat together on the sofa. It was time to punctuate the reason for the season in the presence of that tree. By the tree lights, Dad read the Christ story from our family Bible - printed below. And Mom helped us sing the first verse of "Away In a Manger." It felt perfect, like the Tree.
2 And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) 5 to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. 6 And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”
15 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Merry Christmas
Rodney and Alyce Rae
