Thanks #27 (Christmas Season)

I am thankful for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Christmas season. I enjoy the moments that allow for time when I can sneak mentally away to a slower time and pace of Christmas memories past. I’m sure I had more down time then than I do now, and I’m sure I probably complained to my parents at the time that I was bored. I certainly wish I had that time now, and I know I wouldn’t be bored for sure. Time to reflect, time to teach, time to share, time to wish Merry Christmas to others and to make new Christmas memories. I know there are people out there that cringe at the thought of the Christmas season. I say that we, people, are the reason why. We need to have everything bigger, better, and faster than it was before. I’m not knocking the thought process, there’s just something’s that need not be rushed, like time. Time to know and understand the story of Jesus’ birth, and the first Christmas, as it were. Time to remember all those people, places, moments shared, and things that made our Christmases through life so dear. Yes, I’m thankful for the Christmas season and I could do without Black Friday or Cyber Monday. In writing this, I was reminded of a piece I wrote here last year called Sunday Series – Where’s the line?. You can read that too if you would like. I know it’s early, it’s still November, but it’ll be gone quickly. Merry Christmas.

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Thanks #2 (God)

This should have come first. I am thankful for God who sent his Son to save us from our sins. The daily reminders of His power, grace, love, and patience are evident all around me. Thank you Lord.

Sunday Series – Christmas Edition – Away in a Manger

Away in a manger,

No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus

Laid down His sweet head

 

Maybe you have a baby, or maybe someone else’s baby is the one, isn’t there or wasn’t there a baby you have been around that was just the cutest thing you ever saw. You looked upon this baby and thought what a sweet little baby. Look at those little toes and fingers. Look at that tiny nose and so on it goes. Imagine one night a little baby that fits any of the descriptions above, and more, is born. But this baby wasn’t born in a hospital with a team of doctor’s and nurses waiting to help. This baby was our Lord Jesus, and his parents had no place to stay the night He was born. But He did have a place to rest His sweet head. I can imagine mom and dad glowing over their new-born Son.

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

 

The night sky was the backdrop for this first Christmas. The stars were shining. I am sure that without much light in this little town the sky would have looked like it was just inches from your face as you stared into the depth of the night sky. A sleeping baby, one of the most precious sights I could ever see, and there He was asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

 

The baby Jesus is in a manger, where animals normally feed. The cattle are present. They witness the most memorable birth in history. The cattle, they wake the baby Jesus. Somehow, perhaps, He senses His own place in all this as He wakes, and does not cry.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
‘Til morning is nigh.

 

As I sit here and write these words my mind wanders. My mind remembers all those friends and family members who are looking down from the sky. They are with my Lord Jesus, they are at His side. Somehow, throughout my life He has been at my side when I needed Him. In the dark of night, or in the dark of our lives, please Lord, stay by my side. Stay at least until I see the sun or until I can lean on my own, and not on your Son.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

 

Lord, I ask you into my heart to stay. Stay with me always. I will be the person your will would have me be. Love me as I know you can.

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

 

The dear children. So fitting. Children are dear. Truth be told we can all be God’s children. It’s our free will to choose, to make that conscious decision. One day our Lord, who spent His first hours in a manger will take us Home to live with Him there.

Away in a manger. Meaning: In a different place, possibly far from a place one normally would be, in a trough where animals feed. Talk about an inauspicious start to life. That’s how God planned it. That’s how man arranged it. This Christmas listen to this song, take in the words, and know the reason we celebrate Christmas. Oh, and remember, a holiday was not born that morning, nor was anyone named, X. It was Christ, our Lord, that was born that morning. Merry Christmas.