{{The Christmas Gospel}}

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

unto YOU.

to you, personally.

 even if you were the only soul on earth.

regardless of your sin, your selfishness and your pride.

to save you from all the disaster, peril and devastation that you were born into.

HE came as a baby so that you could live forever.

GOD loved you enough to send HIS perfect, holy Child to die in your place.

 today marks a big stage of the Lord's rescue mission.

how amazing is that?

JESUS,

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

 

Jesus, welcome to our World...

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long awaited Holy Stranger
Make yourself at home
Please make yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

"Welcome to our World" by Michael W. Smith

How often is it that we stop to think of the whole picture of the Christmas story? I like to let my imagination wander through the story, waiting with the the shepherds on the hill-side to see their reaction to the angels, peeping through the kitchen window as Gabriel tells Mary she is carrying the Christ-child, following behind the young couple as they walk the weary miles to Bethleham...and then on from there. To the stable, to the temple when Jesus is twelve, to the many many incidents where He spoke to the multitudes of people and performed miracles...to Calvary. And to victory. To His ascent into Heaven, and to the hope He has given us.
It's a triumphant tale that never can grow old if we pull it out of the dusty pages of antiquated Bible-picture-books and see it as it is: A story that has not ended. A story we are living. A story that is full of adventure and intrigue, emotion, war, famine, peril, and then sweet victory at the end.
That's the Christmas story I like to think about, and then retract my imagination as quickly as I let it run away and focus in on the stable. On Mary, holding her sweet baby in her arms for the first time. Of the angels singing for pure joy and exultation on the Bethlehem hillside. It's just such a beautiful, timeless truth, and it gives me chills every time I think on it in this fashion.
I can't understand it. I can't understand God's perfect love for me, that He'd send His one and only son, Jesus, to live a life here on earth, become my sin, die for me (personally!)....just because He loves me. And then He rose again, more triumphant and powerful and splendidly beautiful then before...and He calls me to Him.

 "Come, my child. I love you. I want you. I gave my life for you. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Come to me, love."

This is what I'm celebrating this Christmas. Thank you, sweet Jesus! ~Rachel

A Poem by Ruth Graham

Alright all you girls! Here is something I found that voices my thoughts on my future husband perfectly! I only wish I could take the credit for writing it! :) It is a poem I found in a biography about Billy Graham that his wife, Ruth Graham, wrote as a young lady even before she met him! :) Here it is:

"A Poem By Ruth Graham"

"Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid

(As we're inclined to do)

I do not need a handsome man

But let him be like You;

I do not need one big and strong

Nor yet so very tall,

Nor need he be some genius,

Or wealthy, Lord, at all;

But let his head be high, Dear God,

And let his eye be clear,

His shoulders straight,

Whate'er his state,

Whate'er his earthly sphere;

And let his face have character,

A ruggedness of soul,

And let his whole life show, Dear God,

A singleness of goal;

Then when he comes, (as he will come)

With quiet eyes aglow,

I'll understand that he's the man

I prayed for long ago."

Isn't that just about the sweetest thing you have read for a long while? I love praying for my future husband, and this poem just captured the hope and preciousness of being assured the Lord is listening. Hope you liked it! :) -Rachel

p.s. Just so you know, that's NOT Ruth and Billy Graham in the picture.:)

Death Defying!

Hallelujah!
Praise His Name forever!!!!!!
Shout from the mountain tops!!!
The Lord Jesus is Raised from the dead!!!
Amen! The best "Happily Ever After" anyone could ever imagine!

My Lover

I have a lover. He is the most amazing man in the universe! My lover is ten times more of a gentleman than Mr. Knightley. He sends me gifts every day. He has written me dozens of loveletters. My lover's voice could cause mountains to shake with it's awesomeness. He is famous- most everyone has heard His name in some way or another, though some speak it lightly and try to degrade it. My lover is an artist, a farmer, a fisherman, a Prince. My lover is wiser than any man has ever been. And He is crazy about me- He has had His eye on my heart since before I was even born. He constantly seeks to win my heart, and He has. He writes me songs, and stories, and wishes to be with me whenever and wherever. He is never too busy to talk with me. In fact, He is delighted when I converse with Him about the simplest thing. He is rich, owning everything He lays eyes on. He is building me a mansion on a street paved of gold. His eyes gaze on me with perfect joy. He is the ultimate hero, gentleman, knight... you name it, He's better than anyone! He is more talented than any Olympian, He is more humble than any person on the face of the earth. He loves to hear me speak of Him to others. He has claim to more glory than any person on the earth. He loves me to death. Literally. I have ignored Him unintentionally sometimes, and yet, when I come back around to looking for my lover, I find He has been at my elbow the entire time. He would love me if I never spoke to Him. He sends me flowers, He paints me pictures, He sings me songs. There is no man greater than my lover. He could comman respect from President Obama, and any man throughout history if He had wanted. But no. My lover is tender-hearted, merciful. He will not force anyone to seek Him. He calls them, always, but never commands them to acknowledge His greatness. At least, not yet.
He is interested in every single detail of my life. He carries the lightest burdens for me, so that I need not be pained, or heavy-laden. He is my Prince! More lion-hearted than King Richard, wiser than Solomon, richer than Bill Gates, and He has chosen me! Can you imagine that? And to make sure that I could always live with him, forever, He gave His glorious life, for me.
I don't think I need to explain who my lover is, but I'll tell you anyway: JESUS CHRIST!!!
And even when my earthly husband appears, I don't think I could have a better lover than the One who has chosen me for all time! -Rachel