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This Advent I have been inspired by the Carols of Christmas. Each week a new song seemed to capture my imagination. Before moving into the new year I have one more to share with you. It is my favorite - What Child is This .* It is actually hard to find a good version of it to add to your Christmas playlist. It is not as popular as Joy to the World or Hark the Herald Angels Sing yet the haunting melody versed with a question always grabs me. This child, Jesus, comes while w

“Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Lk 2:10 The announcement of the good news of the birth of Jesus came to some shepherds at work in the field. The shepherds were the salt of the earth people. They were not respected by the highly righteous Orthodox believers. They always fell short of their standards. The nature of being a shepherd did not go along with the life-style of the most ‘righteous’. Yet, the angels appeared t

“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessing of his heaven.” O Little Town of Bethlehem , Phillip Brooks How can this be is the question Mary asked when the angel Gabriel told her that she was going to have a baby. How can this be is the question Elizabeth asked when she realized Her Lord was with her, in Mary’s womb. And perhaps it was the question Zechariah lived out, mute and suddenly a father. Perhaps it was the ques

There is something that I sometimes forget. There is something that I wish everyone knew. There is something that is so simple and yet so profound that I have a sense that if I really believed it and lived like I did, everything would be different. What is it? A little phrase in a Christmas Carol captures it: God is pleased with us in flesh to dwell.* We all need to be told and to know that God loves us but do you know that God is also pleased with you? God likes you. Love is

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us…by the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us…to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Zechariah’s song, Luke 1:68.78-79 When you turn to the gospel of Luke, the story of Christmas begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth. We learn that Zechariah is a priest and that Elizabeth also comes from a family of priests in th

"...til he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” O Holy Night , Placide Cappeau, 1847 A child may have a thrill of hope on Christmas morning upon opening a gift they longed for. You feel it when you fall in love and realize your love is returned, You feel it when the long awaiting pregnancy comes or you feel your baby kick for the first time. You feel it when you get the call confirming that