Guest Post

I love Christmas! It is always a joyful time of year, and all the once-a -year things we do make it especially fun. Most importantly, though, that is the time of year that we celebrate Jesus' birth. The world, however, seems to have come up with all sorts of ways to celebrate Christmas without actually saying anything about Jesus' birth, which is the real reason to celebrate. They might like it that way too (or think they do), but it's actually quite disappointing. It puts our focus on Santa, reindeer, big red hats, and how many gifts are under the Christmas tree. Or, if they want to make it seem like they do have an honest reason for Christmas, they say that "Christmas is about the giving, not the receiving." It sounds good, and it is a good principle, but they just happen to have skipped the HUGE part about Christ's birth. That's a major mistake when it comes to the fact that the Lord should receive glory in everything we do. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Therefore, it takes extra effort to put the emphasis on Christ each year, but it is much more enjoyable that way. Putting the emphasis on our Saviour is how we get the real love and peace throughout the holiday season that halmark talks about every year. That is the real reason to love Christmas, and it puts the real spark into the party. =)

Emily Selander

There are Drums in my church!

I just want to thank the Lord for the gift of music! Not that I have that gift, but it I really appreciate being around those that do!
Tonight we spent several hours with Karen and the girls practicing for a Christmas song that Kaylin and Audrey are going to be singing in church in a couple of weeks. I love hearing the piano and the voices of the girls as they sing. I am so grateful that Karen learned to play when she was younger and that she has maintained that ability. What a joyful noise!
In fact, I enjoyed it so much that we got out the drums and had a splendid family concert singing about the blood that Jesus gave, and the fact that it will never lose it's power!

For those of you that want to separate emotion from Christianity...

Psalm. 98

1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.