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!

Celebrate Christmas!

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 2:13-14 

Today is Christmas!

We'll gather with family.

And celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

On earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds. 

They were praising God.

Saying, "GLory to God in the highest."

"And on earth peace to those on whom Go'ds favor rests.

Glory to God in the Highest

 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 2:13-14

As the angel announced Jesus' birth, many more angels joined in.

Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest.

Here's Abby and friends as bad angels before taking part in our Church Christmas live nativity.

I think this may have been the year they had Abby up in the balcony, looking down over Mary, Joseph and baby.

You can tell they really got into the part.

God's angels are messengers, sent to tell us news from Him.

This was the best news of all - Jesus was born.

Glory to God.

And on earth peace to those on whom God's favor rests.

You Have Found Favor With God

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God." — Luke 1:30

God sent His Son Jesus to earth.

Mary obeyed God and agreed to follow His plan for her life.

Last night was our company party at Punch Bowl Social.

We bowled, ate great food, chatted with my coworkers, and had a fun time.

Kirk got to meet the people I work with.

During this Advent season, we are thankful for the people God used when Jesus was born.

We are thankful for the people He uses today to do His will.

Proclaim Good News

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” — Luke 4: 17-19

Isaiah wrote long ago that the Spirit of the Lord would be on Jesus.

God's Son was sent to proclaim good news to the poor and the poor in heart.

To proclaim freedom of the prisoners and for those of us living in darkness.

To give sight to the blind.

To proclaim the year of the Lord God's favor.

We know that God will guide us through the new year.

Glory to God

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 2:13-14

Last weekend we celebrated with family and friends.

On Christmas eve we had Kel, Liz, Cameron and Carly over for potato soup. 

And they brought the soup!

Our friend James proposed to his girlfriend and they came by on Christmas day to join us for steaks and to show us the ring.

Bob brought the steaks and cooked them for us.

Delicious!

We are blessed with wonderful family and friends.

Sing God's Praises

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime. — Psalm 30:4-5

I love singing God's praises.

Our choir is now meeting to rehearse on Zoom.

It's fun to be able to stay in touch with everyone around the county and the state.

What a blessing to be able to sing the praises of the Lord, even while sheltering in place.

His anger lasts only a moment.

But His blessings last a lifetime.

I am grateful.

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.