Twas not the angels’ singing
That gave the Christmas thought
Nor yet the gold and incense
Which the wise men had brought .
Twas not the star that led them
Upon their unknown way
It was the birth of Jesus
That make our Christmas day!
So it is not the presents
That make our Christmas day ;
Tis not what we receive that counts
But what we give away .
The joy of loving service
Makes all the day seem bright ,
The thought of others’ pleasure ,
With self put out of sight .
Oh , Never mourn that Christmas
Comes only once a year
Because it is our giving
That brings the Christmas cheer .
Then keep the Christmas spirit
Within our hearts always ,
And through the year thus make it
A Christmas every day .
Written by Annie Johnson Flint
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Born Of a Virgin
BORN OF A VIRGIN
"The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son."
Matthew 1:23
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, some still can't believe My supernatural birth. How I long for them to mirror Mary's attitude, one not of disbelief, but of wonder: "How can this be?" she asked in awe, yet she surrendered her total heart, mind, and body to My Father: "May it be to me as you have said." I was born of a virgin, not a super-saint, just an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and humility. It's that same spirit I want for all My children, including you, My child. I desire to do extraordinary things through you.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, what a wonder that You were born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and sealed with heaven's kiss. The purest sacrifice, the sweetest gift, God's own child—You are truly a miracle. I celebrate You, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Impossibilities are God's specialties.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
"The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son."
Matthew 1:23
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, some still can't believe My supernatural birth. How I long for them to mirror Mary's attitude, one not of disbelief, but of wonder: "How can this be?" she asked in awe, yet she surrendered her total heart, mind, and body to My Father: "May it be to me as you have said." I was born of a virgin, not a super-saint, just an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith and humility. It's that same spirit I want for all My children, including you, My child. I desire to do extraordinary things through you.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
Lord, what a wonder that You were born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and sealed with heaven's kiss. The purest sacrifice, the sweetest gift, God's own child—You are truly a miracle. I celebrate You, Lord.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Impossibilities are God's specialties.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS
LORD BLESS THIS WONDROUS CHRISTMAS
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Help us suppress our fears
So we can hide our tears
That flow so easily
Have your grace make the earth become
A peaceful globe, filled with joy
So deep in our hearts, we’ll be proud
That You gave the gift of hope
To every man, woman, girl and boy
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Smile on us from up above
Fill the world with love
Let evil quickly flee
Set Your sacred decree
Let humankind clearly see
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Help us suppress our fears
So we can hide our tears
That flow so easily
Have your grace make the earth become
A peaceful globe, filled with joy
So deep in our hearts, we’ll be proud
That You gave the gift of hope
To every man, woman, girl and boy
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Smile on us from up above
Fill the world with love
Let evil quickly flee
Set Your sacred decree
Let humankind clearly see
Lord Bless This Wondrous Christmas
And every Christmas yet to be
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Survivor
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his
few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him.
"How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his
few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" He cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue
him.
"How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad.
But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
Merry Christmas
Monday, December 20, 2010
men as men ; God as God
Men as Men; God as God
"I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and host feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:12-13).
Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger. "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
"I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and host feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:12-13).
Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. There is no need to enlarge upon it. Trembling one, read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man after all; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth. Infinite comfort more than covers a very limited danger. "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature; fury which will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man. We can make an idol of a man by rendering to him excessive fear as well as by paying him inordinate love. Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.
Jan Bagwell
God Bless
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