Here with us...

It never gets old. 

The story that I've heard and read over and over and over. The birth of Jesus, God's son, in a humble stable to two unlikely parents, lying in straw. The story is sweet and yet bitter. Born to die - and then to live again. Hard to even comprehend the sacrifice, love, and poetry. 

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I love all the Christmas carols - so hard to pick a fave. They are the background of our Decembers and so much a part of our yearly traditions. A few wonderful new ones have come out as Christian music has become more contemporary. I love so many of them - Mary, Did You Know might be my all time fave. I think what I love is the sweet and bitter. The innocent and peaceful baby - the creator, healer, and controversial teacher - the innocent man who suffered a brutal death on the cross to pay the price for us - and the risen Christ - triumphant - all wrapped up in a little baby. The nativity story isn't just about his birth - it is about his death and eternal life.  

Oh Jesus, be born in us so that we, despite the trials and sufferings of this life, will one day rise to live again.

 Here's another current fave. It depicts the bitter with the sweet and I will warn that there are a few difficult scenes from The Passion of Christ movie. The song is just beautiful. Take time to listen to the beautiful words and thank God for his precious gift.

Wishing all of my friends and family a peaceful and special Christmas.  Continue to pray for the families of Newton, CT on this very difficult Christmas - may they feel the outpouring of love from this country and most importantly, the loving arms of Jesus' comfort wrapped around them.

Merry Christmas!

It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us

It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us
(Ohh, mmm, here with us)

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You're here with us
You're here with us