What Christmas Isn't

They say that it's the most wonderful time of the year.

This is true, but over the centuries, it is so far from what it is,

that it is hard to keep it what it is.

One thing that it's become and is not, is a Martha Stewart Christmas.

The one with the perfect decorations and coordinating wrapping paper & ribbons!

It's not about the perfect dinner with all the trimmings.

Like this Norman Rockwell painting.

It's not Hollywood or Hallmark idea of what it is.

It's not about Santa Clause or shopping until you drop. or maxing out your credit cards.

It's about a world in darkness and sin.

It's about a loving God and a promise of redemption.
It's about the greatest gift ever given

"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"And there were shepheds 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angel had left them and gon into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Behtlehem 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." Luke 2:8-18

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told," Luke 2:19-20


This is what Christmas is about,
a loving God,
a promise,
a hope. a future .

Now, I am not a shepherd, but I have heard and I have found the promise that was foretold so many years ago. Yet, like the shepherds, I will spread the word concerning what had been told about this child. I will tell of the promise of God who so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

So I celebrate what happened in a manger and was completed on a cross.I too glorify and sing praises to God for His promise and His great gift!

"Comfort Ye, comfort ye my people.......

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people..... these were the word George Frideric Handel read from a manuscript that he received from Charles Jennens. The manuscript was a word-for-word collection of biblical texts about Christ, his life, death & resurrection.

On August 22, 1741, Handel closed the door of his home in London and started to compose music for the words. The results "Messiah", was written in twenty-three days. Trying to describe the experience, Handel later said, "Whether I was in the body or out of the body when I wrote it, I know not."

Have you ever listen to "Messiah", I mean really listened? I thought I had. After all, I was apart of the Chorus many years ago. What I realized was that I paid more attention to the breathing, notes, the coming in, other parts and the orchestra. The Hallelujah Chorus gave me a thrill and still does, but I never really paid attention to the complete work.

This past Sunday, my husband and I were blessed with tickets to "Messiah" at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Mich. First of all, the auditorium is spectacular and our seats where 8 rows from the stage! When we came in, we were given the music for the "Hallelujah Chorus" if we wanted to sing along. I was of course thrilled with that. The program showed the three parts with the title of the sections and the scriptures.

PART I

Comfort ye Isaiah 40:1-3

Every Valley Isaiah 40:4

And the Glory of the Lord Isaiah 40:5

Thus Saith the Lord Haggai 2:6-7

But Who may abide the Day of His coming Malachi 3:2

And He Shall Purify Malachi 3:3

Behold a Virgin shall conceive Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:23)

O Thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Isaiah 40:9

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth Isaiah 60: 2,3

The people that walked in darkness Isaiah 9:2

For unto us a child is born Isaiah 9:6

There were shepherds abiding in the field Luke 2:8

And the Angel said unto them Luke 2:10,11

Suddenly there was with the Angel Luke 2:13

Glory to God Luke 2:14

Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion Zechariah 9:9 (Matthew 21:5)

Then shall the eye of the blind Isaiah 35:5,6

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd Isaiah 40:11 (Matthew 11:28,29)

His yoke is easy Matthew 11:30

PART II

Behold the Lamb of God John 1:29

He was despised Isaiah 53:3

Surely He hath born our griefs Isaiah 53:4,5

And with His stripes we are healed Isaiah 53:5b

All we like sheep have gone astray Isaiah 53:6

All they that see him laugh him to scorn Psalm 22:7

He trusted in God Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43)

Thy rebuke has broken his heart Psalm 69:20

Behold, and see if there be any sorrow Lamentations 1:12

He was cut off out of the land of the living Isaiah 53:8b

But thou didst not leave his soul in hell Psalm 61:10 (Acts 2:27)

Lift up Ye heads, O ye gates Psalm 24:7-10

Unto which of the angels said He at anytime Hebrews 1:5 (Psalm 2:7)

Let all the angels of God worship Him Hebrews 1:6b

Thou art gone up on high Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians4:8)

The Lord gave the word Psalm68:11

How beautiful are the feet Romans 10:15 (Isaiah 52:7)

Their sound is gone out Romans 10:18 (Psalm 19:4)

Why do the nations

so furiously rage together? Psalm 2:1,2 (Acts 4:25-26)

Let us break their bonds asunder Psalm 2:3

He that dwelleth in Heaven Psalm 2:4

Thou shalt break them Psalm 2:9

Hallelujah Revelation 19:6

PART III

I know that my redeemer liveth Job 19:25,26

Since by man came death 1 Corinthian 15:21,22

Behold, I tell you a mystery 1 Corinthian 15:51,52

The trumpet shall sound 1Corinthian 15:52b-53

Then shall be brought to pass 1Corinthian 15: 54b (Isaiah 25:8)

O death where is thy sting? 1Corinthian 15:55-56 (Hosea 13:14)

But thanks be to God 1Corinthian 15:57

If God be for us Romans 8:31, 33, 34

Worthy is the Lamb Revelation 5:12, 13

Amen

Even though "Messiah" was written 268 years ago, it is still prevalent today. To hear the scriptures song was beyond words. My favorite song was "Worthy is the Lamb"

Revelation 5:12, 13 "In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and

wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them singing:

"To him who sits on the throne and to

the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory

and power,

for ever and ever." "

But the best, the one that brought tears to my eyes and a pull on my heart........"AMEN"

Why, you may ask? Because of what Amen means. Amen is Hebrew for "So be it!"

So be it, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever." Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

So be it! So be it! so be it!

During this Christmas season, remember it's about the Messiah. I know He, my Redeemer, lives! Amen!

Reasons to be Thankful

I have many reasons to be thankful this year.

These are just a few.

Eric came home safe from Iraq

in December 2008

Alex became a big brother,

to his sister, Eliana,

in October 2009

We have two other

beautiful grandchildren !!!

My parents are still with us,
sharing memories, wisdom
&
love!!!!



These are only a few of my many blessings.

"Praise God, from whom all blessing flow"

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Give a fun Christmas gift

As a grandparent, I like to give my grandchildren gifts that are not only fun, but educational. At www.leapfrog.com you can find such gifts. Zippity is just one of their many selections.Disney and Leap Frog teamed up to create a fun, interactive, learning system for children ages 3-5. There are 8 games included with the system in 2 different levels of difficulty. The games are lead by characters from favorite Disney shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, and My friends Tigger & Pooh. I like anything that gets kids off the couch , gets them active and lets them have fun!

Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and head over to www.coffeewiththemrs.com and check out her GIVEAWAY on this system. Find out about the Leap Frog offer of free shipping on this system or compatible games if you want to buy it now. Also where you can get a $5 off coupon.

What could be better.

Coffee, one cup at a time!!!

Do you LOVE coffee as much as I do???? Well, check out www.shoffee.com . They're the webs favorite coffee shop and they have the largest selection of Keurig K-Cups.

I really like the B30 Mini Brewer, in white of course to go with my kitchen.

"The Keurig Mini B30 brewer is a great solution for gourmet coffee lovers in locations where a compact size, and minimal features is ideal. It is an excellent companion for vacation homes, cabins, college dorms, boats, RVs, or home office desktops. The Mini is compact, easy to use and brews an 8-ounce cup anywhere you can take it along and plug it in. The mini heats 8 ounces of water in about 3 minutes and then brews just like our regular brewers with no water remaining in the brewer. Now you can enjoy consistently brewed gourmet coffee tea and hot cocoa, virtually anywhere."

Now lets talk about what you can brew! Coffee!! Tea! & Hot Cocoa. They have over 70 varieties of coffee and tea from companies such as Green Mountain, Caribou Coffee & Gloria Jean Coffee.You can even have a Cappuccino, Chococino & Lattee Macchinto.

While you're enjoying your coffee, might I suggest you check out www.coffeewiththemrs.com !

It's a delightful website geared toward those who love to sit and chat and those who have children. Amy has great reviews and fabulous giveaways.

So, grab your cup of coffee and check out both websites!

What do I do?

Letters on a keyboard.
Words on a page
Desires of the heart
Thoughts in the mind
A drive
A need
A wanting
A longing
To write or not to write?
Would anyone read?
Or care for all that matter?
Would I feel accomplished?
Maybe released?

Ideas dance in my head. Notes scribbled on pieces of paper. Hours of research and investigations that drive me even more. For what?
What is better, to write a monologue, story or play and have no one ever see it, or to just think about it and never write it down?
I have a journal of things God has taught me through everyday happenings over the years and thanks to my daughter, it now has a copyright. But for what? Do I dare share with others?
What about the monologues of Hymn writers or the almost finished play "Tug of War" (The Plea of Heaven and the Pull of Hell)?

Am I wasting time writting, or wasting time on other things when I should be writting?

Look who's here!!!!!!

I'd like to introduce you to my 4th grandchild and my 3rd granddaughter.

Eliana Grace Clary made her debut at 10:47 am, today, 10-20-09.

She weighed in at 6 lbs. 7oz and is 20 inches long.

Daughter of Mike & Amy Clarey

Sister of Alex Clary

All are doing well.

Eliana is Hebrew for: God has responded.

1Samuel 1:27 " For this child I prayed and the Lord granted my petition that I made to him."

God has truly responded to our prayers. It is my pray now, that Eliana will respond to the God as she grows. That she will fore fill the call and purpose that the Lord has for her life.

There will be many more pictures to follow, but I just had to share her birth.