Merry Christmas

LeAnn, the kids, and I are enjoying some time with my folks as well as my brother and his family at my parents place in Pella, IA. We've enjoyed seeing my mom in the church's drama team on Sunday, taken in a candlelight service last night, opened up presents this morning, and eaten lots of butterhorns (a Bird family tradition).  It has been a very Merry Christmas.

Wherever you are, I hope today has been a very Merry  Christmas.  Even if you had to work today, or you weren't with the loved ones you wanted to be with, or something else that would be grounds to complain with, remember that a couple of thousand of years ago, a child was born who grew up for the purpose of dying for the sins of mankind.  And that means that you and I can have a Merry Christmas regardless of our circumstances.

To close, here are the words to one of my favorite Christmas songs written by Andrew Peterson:

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, 
All seated on the ground 
The angel of the Lord came down, 
And glory shone around 

"Fear not!" said he; for mighty dread 
Had seized their troubled minds 
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring 
To you and all mankind 

To you in David's house this day 
Is born of David's line 
The Savior who is Christ the Lord 
And this shall be the sign: 

The heavenly babe you there shall find 
to human view displayed 
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands 
And in a manger laid" 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Christ is born 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah 
Hallelujah, Christ is born 

"All glory be to God on high 
And to the earth be peace 
Good will henceforth from God to man 
Begin and never cease"