Lights twinkle and snowflakes fly children laugh and gifts we buy. We sing sweet songs and boxes wrap spend time with loved one from all over the map. Trees go up and wreaths are hung into cozy beds excited little ones are snug Dinners are served with all the fixin’s thoughts drift back to those who are missing We share presents and grateful hearts and great Christmas traditions we do impart But in a faraway place during a different time one very silent night, in a manger so

The Christmas story has been told through the centuries and never gets old. Our son, Nate, was a December baby and his first time in church was the Sunday before Christmas. Listening to the scriptures shared in Matthew and Luke about the arrival of Jesus, emotions of awe, thanksgiving and hope moved me in deeper understanding of what was done for me and the whole world. In fulfillment of the prophecy, Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; a

I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs 8:17 Oh, I want to diligently seek the Lord! Just saying the word diligent makes me think of something strong and stable. The online Oxford Dictionary defines diligent as showing care and conscientiousness. That makes sense, if we are diligently seeking God then we are showing that we care by spending time in His Word and His House. We are conscientious about our assignment and what God has

“O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, "There is no deliverance for him in God." Selah. But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Aris

We listen to The Message radio station in our car and many times it is just background noise. I have quickly found it is not just background noise it becomes the songs my children sing. We were shopping, and Corbin began singing “Just Give Me Jesus.” I started to think about the things that I might expose myself to intentionally or unintentionally. Many times I have the television on but not really watching, but my eyes and ears are still exposed to what comes on commercials