Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.

(Definite author unknown)

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Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/vintage-nativity-scene-gm898768948-248009305

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:18 -- CSB)

My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are.  They follow me, ²⁸ and I give them eternal life.  They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me.
(John 10:27-28 -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/baby-jesus-and-sheep-gm898771916-248009729

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.

(Luke 19:10 -- CSB)

Gentle Mary laid her Child
Lowly in a manger
There He lay, the undefiled
To the world a Stranger.
Such a Babe in such a place
Can he be the Saviour?
Ask the saved of all the race
Who have found His favor.

Angels sang about His birth,
Wise men sought and found Him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth
Glory all around Him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight,
Heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night,
All the hills were ringing.

Gentle Mary laid her Child
Lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled,
But no more a Stranger.
Son of God of humble birth,
Beautiful the story;
Praise His Name in all the earth,
Hail! the King of Glory!

(By Joseph Simpson Cook)

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
(Galatians 4:4-5 -- NIV)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/baby-jesus-and-lamb-gm898393032-247893753

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.  Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
(John 8:12 -- CSB)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/nativity-scene-figurines-gm898771708-248009635

1. Little children, can you tell?
Do you know the story well,
Ev'ry girl and ev'ry boy,
Why the angels sing for joy
On the Christmas morning.

2. Yes, we know the story well;
Listen now, and hear us tell,
Ev'ry girl and ev'ry boy,
Why the angels sing for joy,
On the Christmas morning.

3. Shepherds sat upon the ground,
Fleecy flocks were scatter'd round,
When the brightness fill'd the sky,
And a song  was heard on high,
On the Christmas morning!

4. "Joy and peace," the angels sang,
Far the pleasant echoes rang,
"Peace on earth, to men good will!"
Hark! the angels sing it still
On the Christmas morning.

5. For a little Babe that day,
Christ, the Lord of angels, lay,
Born on earth our Lord to be,
This the wond'ring angels see
On the Christmas morning.

6. Let us sing the angels' song.
And the pleasant sounds prolong:
This fair babe of Bethlehem
Children loves, and blesses them
On the Christmas morning.

7. "Peace" our little hearts shall fill,
"Peace on earth, to men good-will!"
Hear us sing the angels' song,
And the pleasant notes prolong,
On the Christmas morning.

(By John R. Sweney and John J. Hood)

1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing.

2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love.

(by Isaac Watts)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/ceramic-nativity-gm890167234-246679882

Long time ago in bethlehem
So the holy bible say
Mary's boy child jesus christ
Was born on christmas day
Hark now hear the angels sing
A new king born today
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day
(By Jester Hairston)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/curves-in-the-clouds-gm895535332-247421027

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

(Luke 2:15 -- CSB)

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

(by Felicia Mollohan)

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Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/candy-canes-on-barn-gm890208146-246687813

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:8-14 -- KJV)

Jesus told them, “I can guarantee this truth: Before Abraham was ever born, I am.”

(John 8:58 -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/wreath-on-pole-gm885735626-246058661

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come
Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

(Michael Card)

Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

(Matthew 4:10 -- CSB, + see Deuteronomy 6:13) 

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
(traditional English carol)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/nativity-scene-gm888851738-246505344

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.
³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:2-3 -- KJV)

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
(Acts 1:11 -- NIV)

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

(French Processional translated by John Neal)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/nativity-figurines-gm890135906-246674043

Through Jesus we should always bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, words that acknowledge him.

(Hebrews 13:15 -- GW)

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
^14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2:13-14 -- KJV)

I passed on to you the most important points of doctrine that I had received:
Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted.
⁴ He was placed in a tomb.  He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 -- GW)

But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy.
(Psalm 68:3 -- CSB)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/red-bells-gm885744734-246059145
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/red-bells-gm885726034-246056871

The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

(Matthew 4:16 -- CSB)

They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:16 -- GW)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/focus-on-the-baby-gm888852400-246505718

It's not the bells and it's not the snow
And it's not the gifts we get
But He was born so long ago
It's easy to forget

(by Pete McCann)

"He’s not here. He has been brought back to life as he said.  Come, see the place where he was lying."

(Matthew 28:6 -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/inflated-snowman-gm885726322-246057025

Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan!  Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

(Matthew 4:10 -- GW)

Gabriel came up beside me, and when he came, I was terrified and immediately knelt down.
(Daniel 8:17 -- GW)

The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel!  I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news.  But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens.  Everything will come true at the right time.”
(Luke 1:19-20 -- GW)


Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee.  The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.  When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”
(Luke 1:26-28 -- GW)

 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

(Galatians 3:13 -- CSB)








Shepherds hear the angels' song
Glory to God for all He has done
A Savior for a fallen race Messiah's finally come

A star shines from the eastern sky
To light this heavenly choir on high
Peace will come between God and men
Messiah's finally come

Nestled in a crib of hay
Now He's sleeping
The angels' song begins to fade
Now they're weeping

For even though He brings us life
This Child was born to die

Good tidings for the holidays
The world lifts up its voice to praise
The kindness of the Holy One
Messiah, He has come

For though we see Him small and frail
A newborn crying
The years will yield a Lamb of God
For our sins dying

For even though He brings us life
This Child was born to die

(By Michael Aguilar & Bob Bennett)

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
(Proverbs 25:28 -- NIV)

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus.  He turned to them and said, ^26 "If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, as well as their own lives, they cannot be my disciples."

(Luke 14:25-26 -- GW)

Come, let’s worship and bow down.  Let’s kneel in front of the Lord, our maker, because he is our God and we are the people in his care, the flock that he leads.
(Psalm 95:6-7 -- GW)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/kneeling-together-gm870609200-145361703

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
let those who love your salvation continually say, “God is great!”

(Psalm 70:4 -- CSB)

Some men had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard.  As they sat together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶ A female servant saw him as he sat facing the glow of the fire.  She stared at him and said, “This man was with Jesus.”
⁵⁷ But Peter denied it by saying, “I don’t know him, woman.”
⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw Peter and said, “You are one of them.”  But Peter said, “Not me!”
⁵⁹ About an hour later another person insisted, “It’s obvious that this man was with him.  He’s a Galilean!”
⁶⁰ But Peter said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”  Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ Then the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter.  Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before a rooster crows today, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” ⁶² Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.
(Luke 22:55-62 -- GW)

Come back to the right point of view, and stop sinning.  Some people don’t know anything about God.  You should be ashamed of yourselves.
(1 Corinthians 15:34 -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/brake-pedal-gm880921184-245327473

The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

(Matthew 6:22 -- NIV)

Make your ways known to me, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
(Psalm 25:4 -- GW)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/winter-road-sign-gm865552860-143738585

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

(Psalm 107:1 -- KJV)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 -- KJV)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/pumpkins-on-straw-gm842086006-137406805

Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 -- GW)

 
 
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
(Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/inflated-turkey-gm879130774-245095513

We don’t have a permanent city here on earth, but we are looking for the city that we will have in the future.

(Hebrews 13:14 -- GW)

All of us make a lot of mistakes.  If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect.  He would be able to control everything he does.
(James 3:2 -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/gray-taped-window-gm825409966-133874053

I said, "If only I had wings like a dove—I would fly away and find rest."
(Psalm 55:6 -- GW)

"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28 -- GW)

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
(John 8:7 -- ESV)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/stone-retaining-wall-gm869882698-145187915

When I look at your heavens, the creation of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place—⁴ what is a mortal that you remember him or the Son of Man that you take care of him?
(Psalm 8:3-4 -- GW)

You alone created my inner being.  You knitted me together inside my mother.  ¹⁴ I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.  Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.  ¹⁵ My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop.
(Psalm 139:13-15 -- GW)

"God doesn't drive parked cars."

(A quote attributed to many)

------------

You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way.  Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.”

(Isaiah 30:21 -- GW)




Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/abandoned-car-gm875237564-244350466

Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

(Luke 4:8 -- GW)

He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3 -- CSB)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/country-road-to-mountains-gm869524990-145073949