I remember one of the Christmas episodes of Monk, Monk quoted Trudy saying, "Christmas makes the world seem softer." It really does.

Every year I have a different favorite carol. It's like it changes depending on circumstances. A different one seems to move me each year. This year is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". The words written by Henry Longfellow on Christmas Day, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. Hearing all the chaotic news of our country's current destructive path and international strife, this song struck a chord. But what is most moving is the true line near the end, "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill toward men.'" I really like the version David Phelps sings. Also the "Hallelujah Chorus" has become fresh for me as well.

It seems Christmas, the further the years from my childhood grow, the more joyful each one becomes. Christmas is wonderful for a kid, but the real wonder of Christmas is never really understood until you have a full realization of what really transpired that first Christmas and what it is really all about. Also, the appreciation of God stepping down and wrapping His majesty in human flesh, for us who did not deserve it.

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8

God loves us so much that he sent his Son--God the Son--Himself essentially to become a human, so we could see him and be closer than we had ever been to him since the before the Fall of Man. Jesus was born. Born to die young, as the final sacrifice. No more oxen, sheep, goats or turtledoves as temporary cleansing of sin. Final, paid in full on the cross. Then he rose from the dead after three days, so that we may rise again in the Last Day. God gave us a gift that first Christmas, the gift of a promise, that whosoever believes (to trust, to rely on, to cling to) in Him will have eternal life in Heaven with God and be apart of the New Kingdom.

Thank you dear Father for sending your Son, God in human flesh, to die for us, to save us. Us! How tender is your love for us, O God!


Merry Christmas to you all!

"Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.

'Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!'

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God:


'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.'


When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "\'Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'" -- Luke 2:9-15 (New Living Translation)

P.S. A praise report: The check I received for the last bit of freelancing I did for Atlantic video came up to a whole lot more than I expected! That means I can pay my bills! Yay!