Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here is the thread I would have been putting out tonight, so it's early.

TWAS THE NIGHT JESUS CAME
Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house, not a person was praying, not one in the house.
The Bible was left on the shelf without care, for no one thought Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.
And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap, was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
When out of the east there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what's the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
The light of His face made me cover my head, it was Jesus returning just like He'd said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which he held in his hand, was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name, when He said "it is not here" I hung my head in shame.
The peoples whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound, while all the others were left standing around.
I fell to my knees but it was too late, I waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight, Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear, the coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call, we'll find out that the Bible was true after all ...
JUST ANOTHER BABY
Author Unknown


As the shepherds and wise men made their journey to see a baby boy lying in a manger, did they realize who it was they beheld? Certainly the angelic host and the bright shining star impressed upon them the significance of their pilgrimage, but did they recognize the Messiah?

Sadly, there are many people in our world who still do not recognize Jesus as God's Son, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings. Some people take the time to place a nativity scene on a table at Christmastime, and yet they do not understand the significance of the baby Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-16 describes Jesus in this way: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth... all things have been created through Him and for Him." In other words, He is the One who sustains all things. He is the One who is in absolute control of every single thing that happens.

So here He is, lying in a manger, splitting time in half with the most powerful name in all the earth. He was born into a world that He himself created - born to live his life before men.


Laying aside all the glory that was His, He took upon Himself the form of a man - and not just a man, but a bondservant. He did this because the Father sent Him for a purpose.

Is He just another baby? No. He is the magnificent Son of God, the Messiah, the Most Holy One. Give Him your praise.

A Child's Cry

Oh Jesus, what a wonderful Father you are,
You tuck me in my bed at night,
Give me a kiss and say "sleep tight"
Then you close my eyes to sleep,
While you stand above my bed and weep.

You cry for me for all the things I don't take,
Because of the decisions I make when I am awake.
You have so much You want to give,
To help me in this life I live.

But I miss so many blessings you see,
Because there's still too much of "me."
I am my own worst enemy,
Causing roadblocks that hinder me,
From all the joy, the peace and the love,
That You have for me from above.

You show me Your love everyday,
But I don't always follow Your way.
There's too much self that hears Satan's lies,
They swarm around me like buzzing flies.

Oh help me Abba, to be like a child,
To be disciplined and not so wild.
I know what I want, not things of this life,
For they bring not pleasure; only strife.

Teach me Thy love so it fills my heart,
Not leaving empty places for his fiery dart.
I want to be all I can for You,
But I don't always do what I ought to do.

Take me this day, fill my heart and my head,
And show me how to have the "old me" truly be dead.
I am Your child; You called me by my name,
Teach me how to change and not remain the same.

Open my eyes so I can see,
Just what it is You want me to be.

- Author Unknown


The Birthday of Christ

The Lord was resting in a house
When His Birthday came again.
In celebration of His first,
The earth was remembering when
He was born beneath the star,
In a lowly stable then.

The high and mighty of the earth,
In pompous display of wealth,
Showered the Lord with trinkets of gold,
Mostly gained by stealth.
With benign air and ponderous pride
They wished Him the best of health.

The Lord of All regarded them
With eyes of sorrow and shame.
"It would please me mightily, for you
To remember and speak My Name.
To help all those truly in want
And do it for me, not fame.

"What need have I of money and jewels
When I have the whole world," said He'
"Be kind and help the sick and the poor;
When you do it, do it for Me.
When you give in Love your talents and time,
You help to set Me free.

"The lowest slave who helps his brothers
Is truly a Brother to Me.
Those who heal with Love in their hearts
Are really healing Me.
Those who give their life for others
Will live for eternity.

"To all who seek to remember My birth,
Remember My life as well.
Keep My day with Love in your hearts,
And don't forget to tell
All you meet of My Love for them,
Then Love will forever swell."


READY OR NOT
By Sally I. Kennedy
December 24, 2010


Sounds like hide ‘n seek, doesn’t it? While you were still dashing to
find a great hiding spot, the person who was “it” finished counting,
and you heard, “Coming! Ready or not!”

I’m not ready for Christmas. But it’s coming.....ready or not.

Decorations have been up everywhere for weeks. The stores started
earlier than ever, it seems, this year. Not just the mall, but little
shops, offices, and fast food places. Christmas music was playing on
the radio the day after Thanksgiving, even in our local grocery store.

Yes, Christmas is coming, ready or not, and, well...... the baby is
coming - ready or not. The Christ child, the long awaited messiah, the
baby Jesus.

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." (Luke
2:10-11)

Jesus, who cast down His heavenly crown to take up His earthly
mission, is continually being born in our hearts. Today, Christmas,
every day. Embrace Him. Worship Him. Follow Him.

Ready or not - He is coming! And all we have to do is receive him.

That is really good news!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A TRUE SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALISED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,>A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by a soldier stationed overseas. The following is his
request. I think it is reasonable

PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people
as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the
service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's
try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and
think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please,
do your small part to plant this small seed

Closing Prayer

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds and the wisdom of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas Morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

May His Light brighten your way
May His Love warm your Christmas
May His Life inspire yours this coming year.