Dec
29
Can You Find Him?
By Julie B Cosgrove | 1 Comment
How often do we search for Jesus in the crowd, yet never see Him? My great nieces were given a hidden object book similar to the Where’s Waldo series. They had to find Jesus in the crowds of people going through everyday first century activities. It wasn’t an easy task. You really had to hunt for Him.
At the time Jesus was born, the prophets had been silent for centuries. Yet, the prayer of a Messiah coming to deliver them from Roman cruelty and occupation was on many Hebrews’ lips. Dreams and visions began to happen. A glimmer of hope flickered, especially after witnessing that unusually bright start gleaming over them and hearing tales from shepherds. All over Jerusalem there must have been a buzz.
Dec
22
A Piece of Peace
By Julie B Cosgrove | 4 Comments
What happened to peace on earth?
Well, since Cain and Abel, perhaps there never really has been any lasting peace on earth or good will to mankind, just small spurts.
Recent headlines read “The War in Iraq is Over”. No, actually we just withdrew from it and sent our soldiers to the next friendly country. This was Babylon. The war in that region has been ranging for thousands of years – it is a war over ideologies, oil, land and watering holes. No peace there.
Dec
15
It was not how it was supposed to be. . .
By Julie B Cosgrove | 3 Comments
I left in tears. It was not how it was supposed to be.
Each year, my church puts on a Christmas dinner for the battered women’s home. The women get a candlelit dinner with all the trimmings in the parlor and the kids romp in the social meeting room with hot dogs, ice cream and crafts. Then, they all regather for a visit from Santa. People in our church donate presents, but we never know until the last moment who is coming or what age and gender of kids will be there.
Dec
11
A Piece of Peace
By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
We see the word PEACE a lot this time of year – Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men. At times, it seems an impossibility. Where do you find peace at Christmas? Not in the toy store as people scramble to be the lucky ones to get the last two of the hottest toy this year. Not in the mall with people lost in their own agendas bumping into each other, pushing into lines, or waiting impatiently to check out, juggling bouncy kids and purchases. Not at office parties where everyone talks loudly over the music, eats too much, and perhaps indulges a bit more than they should. Certainly not in the kitchen a half hour before the family descends for the traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings. Nor behind stage trying to organize squirming tikes into place for the pageant, or the choir for the performance they’ve been rehearsing so long.
Dec
24
Still
By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.
Perhaps this Psalm is chosen to be read on Christmas eve for a reason.
In all the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping, family arriving (or being delayed at airports), cooking Holiday meals, getting ready for services, and putting together the “some assembly required” toys that seem to take forever. . .God calls us to stop, be still and remember.
Remember His love for us.
Remember the babe – innocent, lying in a manger sleeping in the stillness of the night.
Dec
24
Handel’s Messiah
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
One of the most majestic and anointed musical compositions of all times was written by George Frideric Handel in the 1700’s. One writer (1) stated, “As it turns out, The Messiah is either a Bible study with a beautiful concert attached, or a wonderful piece of classical music with a free Bible study included at no extra charge. I can’t decide which. I do remember reading that when Handel was alive, the Messiah was one of the most often performed pieces of music in concert, and that Handel gave away most of the profits obtained from his concerts to support orphaned children.”
Dec
23
Silent Night
By Jan Ross | Comments Off
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
“Silent Night” has become an anchor for Christmas celebrations throughout the world. Its lullaby-like melody and simple message of heavenly peace can be heard from small town street corners in mid-America to magnificent cathedrals in Europe and from outdoor candlelight concerts in Australia to palm thatched huts in northern Peru. “Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!” can easily be called the world’s best-loved Christmas carol. It has been translated into nearly 300 languages and dialects. Its message of heavenly peace sets the theme for Christmas celebrations around the globe.
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