You Have Found Favor With God

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” — Luke 1:30-33 

The angel told Mary not to be afraid.

She had found favor with God.

And as a result, she would be the mother of the Son of God, Jesus.

He was part of the lineage of King David.

And He will reign forever.

His kingdom will have no end.

And we can live with Him forever.

Happy New Year!

A Savior Has Been Born to You

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  — Luke 2:11-12 

It's now Christmas Eve.

Today we attend two services to celebrate our Savior's birth.

The Messiah, our Lord.

Born as a baby, lying in a manger.

The King of love, my Shepherd and Lord.

A Savior Has Been Born to You

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11 

The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid.

The good news he proclaimed was joyful.

And it would bring joy to all people.

Our Savior was born in the town of David.

And He is the Messiah, the Lord, the anointed one.

Born for me!

To pay the price for my sin.

With His ultimate sacrifice.

Praise Be to the Lord

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), — Luke 1:67-68 

God has come to us as a baby.

Praise be to our Lord!

He has redeemed us with the blood of His Son, Jesus.

He had opened the door of salvation to us.

Just as He promised through His prophets long ago.

At that time, people were skeptical, just as they are today.

But God always keeps His promises, and He fulfilled this one in His only Son.

She Will Give Birth to a Son

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” — Matthew. 1:20-21 

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream.

Telling him to take Mary as his wife.

And promising that she would give birth to son, born of the Holy Spirit.

The baby's name would be Jesus.

Because He will save His poeple from their sins.

And we are grateful.

We owe Him our lives.

Jesus Will Reign

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. — Isaiah 9:7 

There will be no end to the greatness of Jesus and His government.

His peace will never end.

He will reign on David's throne.

His kingdom will have no end.

Jesus will establish His kingdom with justice and righteousness.

It will last forever.

The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.

God Has Redeemed His People

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), — Luke 1:68-70

Praise be to the Lord!

He has come to us in the form of His Son, Jesus.

Redeeming us through the blood of Christ's sacrifice.

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us.

He promised this long ago through the prophets.

Out of the house of David, Jesus has come. Our Messiah!

We sing His praises.

A Savior Is Born

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. — Luke 2:11 

Latch-Hook tree skirt by Kirk & Carol 1985

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we focus on the coming of Jesus.

Advent means coming.

And Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Who was born in Bethlehem, the town of David.

He is our Messiah and Lord.

We worship him with our songs of joy.

Jesus, Our Savior

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago). — Luke 1:69-70

God has raised up a horn of salvation.

Jesus was born to save us from sin.

He is our Lord,

Just as God promised through His holy prophets long ago.

Christ. is born.

And we rejoice.

God Has Raised up a Horn of Salvation for Us

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago). — Luke 1:69-70

Today we plan to visit the Hotel Del Coronado to see their Christmas tree.

They also have an ice skating rink where we can watch the skaters on the beach.

Our friends Charlie and Jan had an open house at their home last weekend.

Years ago, they renewed their vows at the Hotel Del.

We were blessed to be able to attend both events.

Here we are at the Hotel Del 3 years ago.

Just a few months later, I would have no hair as I went through chemo.

But it's now back in full!

God has raised up a horn of salvation for us.

Jesus Is Coming Soon

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. — Luke 1:32-33

The angel spoke these words to Mary.

She was probably just a teenager.

And yet she agreed and said that she would obey the Lord.

As a result, the. Son of God was born in a manger.

Shepherds celebrated His birth.

The Virgin's Name Was Mary

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. — Luke 1:26

God sent Gabriel to Nazareth.

To the virgin Mary.

She was pledged to be married to Joseph.

Joseph was a descendant of David.

And so was His Son, Jesus.

Here's a photo of our choir concert from yesterday.

Beautiful.

God Made Heaven and Earth

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who will build a house for the Lord and a royal palace for himself. — 2 Corinthians 1:12

  

The Lord is the God of Israel, and we bless him.

He made heaven and earth.

He has given David a wise son in Solomon.

Solomon in turn was given discretion and understanding.

We have given our kids the Holy Spirit so they can be given wisdom and understanding.

They will also worship the Lord.

A Savior Has Been Born!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” — Luke 2:11-12

Merry Christmas!

Today a Savior has been born.

Jesus, the Messiah,  our Lord.

The shepherds found Him lying in a manger.

Then they rushed off to tell everyone of the miraculous birth.

Christ is born!

Bethlehem, the Town of David

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. — Luke 2:4-5

Joseph trusted God enough to take Mary as his wife, even though she was expecting a child.

He obeyed when God told him to take the child and flee to Egypt.

When God spoke to him, he listened and obeyed.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to him, he listened and obeyed.

Help me, Lord, to listen and obey just as Joseph did.

Thank You for sending the best gift of all - your son, our Savior Jesus.

The Horn of Salvation

 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David — Luke 1:69

God has raised up His son Jesus for us.

He is our salvation.

From the house of David.

Merry Christmas

and happy Winter Solstice.

Our Savior is born!

God Appeared to Joseph

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 1:20

And angel appeared to Joseph.

What a strange dream.

The first thing the angel says is that Joseph should not be afraid.

Then Joseph is told to take Mary as his wife, even though she is already expecting.

What a leap of faith!

Yet he obeys God without question.

Dear Lord, help me to obey without question, too.

A Savior Has Been Born

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:11-12

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

He is Messiah, the Lord.

Jesus is our Savior and came to bring us peace.

Born as a baby in Bethlehem, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

We will sing as the heavenly host did on that first Christmas, "Glory to God in the highest heaven."

On earth, peace to those of good will.

We celebrate His birthday.