Category Archives: Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy New Year!!! So, Were You At Jesus’ B-Day Party?!?!

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The Story Of Christmas…

As told by the children of St Paul’s Church, Auckland, New Zealand.

(Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly,

but not change it in any way, publish/broadcast it, nor make money out of it.)

Except for Joe. You can connect with his music here: https://www.facebook.com/EzraVine

Check out our prequel: Good News of Great Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttInl1…

Our new kids’ film: Star News Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBaTUw…

And our Christmas doco: O Little Town of Bethlehem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQDl9…

You can download this film here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ju8ogav90r…

Unless there are too many downloads, then you’ll need to wait a few days.

And you can download the transcript here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rf9q12k92ek…

We all celebrated here!

It was a blast!

And we all agree…

This is the cutest version of the Christmas Story we’ve ever seen!!

Family Christmas Photos!!

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Hey Everyone!

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Merry Christmas!

Welcome to our home!!

We’ll be in Longboat Key at the beach for Christmas to relax…

It’s been a busy “work/school/drama team, etc.” year so far!!

Here are some photos of Casey as Santa in our Christmas drama on Sunday at our church!!

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He’s not in the “Ho!  Ho! Ho!  Jolly Santa” character, yet!
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Oh, that’s better!!  Ha!

 

He had to learn the real meaning of Christmas…

 

Through the song…

“This Is Christmas”

By Kutless

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What is Christmas?!?”

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It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger!!

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What is Christmas??? 

Without Christ??

Also, some photos of our Pre-Christmas Italian Dinner…

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Hubby stirring the huge pot of sauce, meatballs, and boiled eggs I made!!

Yes, boiled eggs!

My Mom put everything in our sauce!!

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Yum!!!

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Dig in!!!

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And…add lots of Parmesan/Romano Cheese!!!

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Come on in and join us!!

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Don’t forget the Crazy Siberian!!!!

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Since we’ll be away on Christmas Day…

We opened presents early!!

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When did sneakers become toys?!?!

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Let’s read the Christmas story!!!

Luke 2

“…For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men…

 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying

and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them….”

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The doggie wants to hear, too!!!

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Praying you and your family have a…

 

 

Very Blessed and Merry Christmas

 

 

And a…

 

 

Healthy and Happy New Year!!

 

 

Love!  Love!  Love!!

 

 

God Bless!!

 

 

From All Of Us!!

 

 

From Our House to Yours!

 

 

Love, Mom, Dad, Son, Dog, and Snake!!!

 

Amen!

Christmas Time! Christmas Bells! Christmas Peace!

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
Telling everyone
Christmas Time is here

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Loved ones close to our hearts
And strangers in lands afar
Together share in the joy
Emmanuel
To tell the world
He has come to dwell
The time is near
With one voice
Let the world rejoice

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Christmas Time is here

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Ring Christmas Bells
Ring them loud with the message bringing
Peace on the earth
Tidings of good cheer
Come carolers
Come and join with the angels singing
Joy to the world
Christmas Time is here again

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Children gather around and listen
You’ll hear the sound
Of angels filling the sky
It’s Christmas Time is here again

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All the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas Time…

Point to one thing…

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That we should…

Rejoice!!

We’re celebrating the birth of our Savior!!

Matthew 1:22-23

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Amen!

The Night Before Christmas…The World Didn’t Know!

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“Redemption so sweet and so strong…

Salvation was writing a song…”

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.
Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.
We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.
In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light
But that was the night before Christmas.
Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.
Praying godspeed the dawn.
She looks to her man, holding her hand. They wonder how long.
And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king.
One star above shining on love, so bright, it lit up the night before Christmas.

And the world didn’t know mercy was meek and so mild.
And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong.
And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.

I wonder if you’ve heard the story
Of little fame and lesser glory
The night the keeper of the inn
In the little town of Bethlehem
Encountered Joseph and his Mary
About to birth the Savior of the world.
His wife said, “Go and see who’s knocking.”
He ran down to the gate, unlocked it
The moment he heard Mary’s cry
He couldn’t look them in the eye
Denied them in, went back to bed
When his wife asked who was there, he said…
“I don’t know… Just a girl
Just a couple of gypsies begging at the door
Told them we don’t have room for anymore
And closed the door
It was just a girl” He tried to sleep, but wasn’t able
He snuck out to the dirty stable
Where two had found the covering
And later in her suffering
The keeper knelt outside the barn
And in the light of that great star, he prayed
“What have I done? He’s just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
I could’ve found a room for them to stay
I’m so ashamed
He’s just a babe.”

There was no robe
There was no crown
The shepherds stood on Royal ground
The keeper wept, for what he’d done
He turned away, God’s own Son

Just a King
Just a million angels crowding in to see
Jesus there among humanity

Just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
Staring at His mother in the face
She’s just a girl

Just a girl
Does she even know that she just changed the world?
Does she even know that He will save the world?
Does Mary know that He will save the world?
She’s just a girl
Just a girl
Just a girl

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If you told me all about your sorrows

I’d tell you about a cure

If you told me you can’t fight the battle

There’s a Baby Boy who won the war

The war was won by a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Oh, before that silent night

No Savior and no Jesus Christ

The world cried out so desperately

And the Baby Boy was the reply,

Yes, Heaven’s reply was a baby boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and endless joy started with a Baby Boy

See, the King is coming down

And He’s here without a crown

The Baby Boy without a bed

Giving life back to the dead

And hear the angels shout it out

As the people are coming down

Unexpected majesty

Alleluia, what a King

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it!

Alleluia, yeah, Heaven’s ringing!

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy!

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He’s knocking…

Make room for Him, now…

In your heart…

Don’t turn away God’s own Son…

This Christmas!

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“Tis The Season!!! Oh, I Need A Silent Night! Badly!!

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Luke 2:4-7

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.”

I’ve made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me ’til I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a Silent night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With Peace on earth, good will toward men?

“There were shepherds out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said, ‘Fear not, for behold
I bring you Good News of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’

…And His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.” 

(Luke 2:8-11, Isaiah 9:6)

I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
To end this crazy day with a Silent Night

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Silent Night” was written by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, pastor in the Austrian Alps in a little town of Oberndorf.

It was Christmas Eve, 1815, when he meditated on the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and wrote the sweet, simple verses of this song.

The next day he took them to the village schoolmaster, an organist, Franz Gruber, who prayerfully put them to music that fits them so quietly and so well.

And that night they had the choir sing it for the first time with only guitar accompaniment, since the organ had broken down .

Through the years this sweet song drifted out to the world and now millions of people rejoice as they sing.

Read the entire post at:

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Books,%20Tracts%20&%20Preaching/Printed%20Sermons/Dr%20John%20Rice/silent_night.htm

Call on Jesus…

To find your Silent Night…

This Christmas!!

Amen!

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Have You Finally Figured Out…What Christmas Is Really All About?!?!

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It’s Christmas time again…

Spread some good cheer…

Volunteer…

Sing!

Grin from ear to ear… 

Christmas time is here!!

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Christmas has nothing to do…

With livin’ for yourself…

Let the Light of Christmas shine through…

Your eyes, your smile…

You know you can…

Shine on…

Through the good you do for the people that don’t have it so good!

Light up…

Show the way…

Don’t wait for Christmas Day!

Light up…

And finally figure out…

What Christmas is all about!!

Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!

Hear the sound?

A thousand angels singing out!

To God Almighty.. .

We’re bowing down…

And that’s what Christmas is all about!!

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Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and will call Him Immanuel.”

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Isaiah 9:6-7

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a Son is given,
    and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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.”

Amen!

You’re Here…Joseph’s Lullaby…This Is Christmas!!

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Luke 2:1-20

“And it came to pass in those days,

that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth,

into Judaea,

unto the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country

shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

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.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,

and saying,

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 And it came to pass,

as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 And they came with haste,

and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it,

they made known abroad the saying which was told them

concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things

which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things,

and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them.”

Amen!

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The Christmas Vultures…And Other Christmas Realities!!

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Here’s an email I sent to my dear cousin in NJ who sent us a lovely “Tour of Italy” basket this Christmas!

“Dearest Cousin!!

Thank you so much!!  We love it!!  Such a wonderful little tour of Italy!!  How lovely!!  So thoughtful of you!!!

I believe it was a beautifully decorated tin with bow, with all boxes filled with goodies, and cellophane intact, but the ‘Christmas Vultures’ in my house…tore open everything while I was at church last night…and by the time I got home, the mixed nuts were devoured by the BIG vulture…and the cheese swirls were gobbled up by the cute little vulture!!

So I had to hide all the chocolates from them…lest I have nothing!  Ha!  And then I dug out the beautiful bow from the discarded box, and place it lovingly back on the gorgeous tin basket around the pasta packages that were miraculously still uneaten!!

I get to open so few gifts…I felt cheated!!

My brother and his wife sent a Texas Yahoo Coffee Cake, and the BIG vulture had a trail of crumbs from the table to his chair…so he couldn’t even deny it was him who tore into it!!  The vultures are instructed to not open any gifts without me ever again!!  Especially those from MY side of the family!  Ha!

Have a Very Merry & Blessed Christmas, Cuzzie!!  Love you so much!  Me”

Her response came quickly!!

“Well, at least you got a little bit of it!!!  Next time I’ll have to have it wrapped in a box with a lock that only you can open!!  (Only kidding, of course.)  There is no way to keep “vultures” out if they want to get in!

Hope you have a Merry Christmas, too!  Love you!  Me”

I laughed so hard I almost couldn’t type back!

“Thanks, Cuzzie…that was my early morning laugh!!!!  I liked your idea of the lock, though!!  The cute little vulture said, ‘I guess I should have taken a photo of it!!!’  Duh…that would have been nice!!  Since his generation takes photos of everything…hence the allure of FB!!  If I make it ’til Christmas, it will be a miracle!  Pray for me!”

Other Christmas Realities!!

I took on too much…

I can’t continue to eat like this…

I stressed too much…

I will never again make all my yearly doctor’s/dentist’s/etc. check-up appointments in December!!

I’m not used to working…

AND doing Christmas!!

It’s been 10 years since I retired!

But Hallelujah…

I did get it all done…

Thank you, Jesus!!

I enjoyed celebrating YOUR Birthday!

And the day after Christmas…

Ahhh…Peace was mine!!

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“Christmas On The Beachside”

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I just heard this song on the radio last week…

I love it!

And if you’re from a beautiful tropical area…

You’re going to love it too!!

It’s by Austin Adamec, and featuring Lindsey Ciresi…

It’s called “Christmas On The Beachside”

I couldn’t find the lyrics…

So I listened to it a thousand times!

  Ha!

  I hope I got them right!!

“Christmas on the Beachside…

Gotta love the Beachside…

It’s wintertime…

And it’s so far from snowin’…

The palms are swaying…

And we’re jumpin’ in the ocean…

The sun shines on the waves in December…

The Birthday of the Savior…

We celebrate together!

Christmas on the Beachside…

Underneath the blue sky…

No need for sleigh rides…

The surf is just right…

Christmas on the Beachside…

It’s the Salt Life…

Because Jesus is the reason…

No matter what the season…

On the Beachside…

Fire from chimneys…

Presents near the fire…

It’s getting hotter…

Soakin’ out the weather…

Snuggies and comfy Christmas sweaters…

Can’t compare when you’re…

Breakin’ in the water…

Though the Holiday may fade away…

We will always find a way…

Red & green may dissipate

We will Always Celebrate

Christmas on the Beachside!!”

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“If you look for Me at Christmas” by Valerie Kingsbury

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Someone sent this to me through e-mail…

Perhaps you’ve seen it, too!

It’s worth sharing!

I love it!

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