IS 9:1-6
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
GospelLK 2:1-14
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
This is a Christmas post. Absolutely no tolerance will be given to any off topic comments. Please respect the intent and nature of this post, keeping it open for Christmas greetings and comments.
When you have been surrounded by darkness and then found the light provided by Our Lord’s love of us, you can experience something beyond rational explanation. Our Lord’s love of us is transformational. And when he touches us, the experience is so affirming of our belief. To think, He’s there. Touching us. Touching me!
These events have happened to me several times in my life. I can’t begin to explain them. Touching me in that way was our Lord’s Decision and not mine. But I can attest that the feeling of calm in the midst of chaos, the inarguable feeling that everything-will-be-ok was so intensely recognizable to me because I’d felt it before. When Our Lord speaks to us, it’s important to know how to listen. He’s there for us. Always. Honest.
Yes. Touched, calmed, a near transformation from struggling against despair to utter peace, the darkness and chaos remains, yet it no longer inhibits or limits or frightens, the path forward may not even yet be illumined, but one knows with absolute certitude that it is there, that ones steps will be guided, perhaps haltingly, not at the pace or rhythm we might prefer, but there is a path, and a promise, and peace, and, following faithfully without fear, in time, a terror of unimaginable force is past and powerless, and we are free.
I’ve been led out of more than one dark lion’s den, and His power and grace are real.
Joyeux Noel a tous!
I can confirm this… I’ve lived it!
Same here. I’ve had several points in my life where the impossible has happened. This only happens with the love, light and grace of God.
Well said…..my experience as well…..In His Presence is Fullness of Joy…..Ps 16:11
I’ve experienced the very same thing.
Yes, me too! Amen!!
Oh so many have experienced the blessings of God (even the Godless only they don’ know it). My life is so full of miracles don’t know where to start other than “Thank you God”. I often ponder on Mary, who kept things in her heart…what she knew and how she managed in the ways of a mere mortal yet had found favor with God and was protected by an army of angels, being the mother of our Savior…
Sometimes God has to bless the non believer in order to bless those that love and worship him.
My preacher discussed that last week, quite thought provoking when the scripture is actually listened to and discussed as opposed to just read as an annual story.
Transformation is the only word that can describe my life since Jesus came into it.
Let us all rejoice today in the goodness and love of Christ Jesus and the Father who first loved us!
The greatest gift we can give today is to share that love and truth with everyone around us.
Thank you for reminding me of the Glorious Awe of Christmas and the beautiful story of His Blessings.
Merry Christmas
There is nothing like walking outside into the dark of night carrying a lit candle, having everyone gather round in a circle singing Silent Night. Jesus is the Light that will see us through.
Merry Christmas Treepers, Tidings of Good Joy to You All.
I miss the carolers walking through neighborhoods on Christmas Eve so much…
Me too! It still happens. Last week I was getting my haircut and the hairdresser’s father came into the shop. Just a sweet, lively older gentleman, he was fussing how the home schoolers would be coming to his house at 11:00 am the next day to sing carols. They were supposed to do it at night! Not lunch time. It was pretty funny, we got him calmed down and got him psyched to go find some Christmas treats to give out. He said it wasn’t Halloween!
As a kid our church would go through the neighborhood to sing carols, we didn’t do it on Christmas Eve, usually the Sunday before Christmas. There was an elderly couple that looked forward to it so much, they were the last house on the block and would invite us in for cookies and punch. First year, they didn’t have anything because the caroling was a new event, the following year they had candy canes to give to everyone, then the next year it was full on come inside and have hot chocolate, cookies, punch. They loved us coming to sing, they said it was a highlight of the season for them.
One year our youth fellowship director started a tradition of bringing each house an ornament for their tree. Rarely would someone move out in the neighborhood, but occasionally we would have new people to sing for, they were informed by other neighbors to stay home on that Sunday evening. LOL!
We moved away and then the thing became to go into the nursing homes to sing, too much work to go out caroling and danger etc. So it was said. Really sad. I enjoyed going into the nursing homes, and they sure appreciated us being there, but I missed our old neighborhood, best years of childhood living there. I can still see the street and houses clear as bell.
Anyway, just one of the cherished childhood memories. Several years ago my brother said he had driven by the church and it was no longer a church, it had been converted into some sort of offices. It really broke my heart, as a kid it was a great church to be part of. We have got to start preserving our churches so they can survive.
A Blessed Christmas to all my fellow Treepers. May the Lord give you all peace, comfort, & joy in these troubled times & the wisdom & discernment to navigate them.
On Christmas Eve, I watched my favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. On Christmas night, I will watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, and I always enjoy Linus’ reading of the passage in Luke. Thank you to our Savior for being born. There’s a lot in our world that needs saving right now. May God bless all of you, my fellow Treepers.
Merry Christmas my friends.
The darkness is a distraction, that can often test our faith. So we need to find that star, shining brightly on that manger, a reminder of the birth of Jesus our savior and the darkness is no more. Merry Christmas Menagerie and to all my fellow treepers.
🎄Merry Christmas everyone, Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful Christmas.
✝️
Merry Christ mass to all, and to all a good night.
As Tiny Tim said, “God bless us every one!”
Very pretty graphic, Menagerie. In noticing the yard decorations in our neighborhood, one has consistently caught my eye.
It is metal formations, sort of meant to be seen in silhouette….a very simple manger scene, and then at one side, a tall, sweeping angel figure. Both pieces are physically tall, but so simple. I really appreciate seeing it in its quietness and elegance. Your visual here reminds me of that.
God Bless Us..Everyone………….
I’ve just returned from a beautiful midnight Mass to read the glorious words I just recently heard proclaimed.
The Midnight Mass touches my soul like no other and I feel a great peace.
Thank you Menagerie for this beautiful posting.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and to all fellow treepers.
“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown” – A Charlie Brown Christmas – True Meaning
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2021/12/thats-what-christmas-is-all-about_25.html
“a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord…”
And so it began.
He was born so that he might die for us. God bless you all this Christmas.
Can you imagine the fea and wonderment those Shepherds felt? The glory of the star that lit the way for all to see. Our Father sent us a savior, in a lowly manger to save the world. What a magnificent gift.
Merry Christmas, dear Menagerie, and all of my beautiful Treepers. God bless Sundance on this glorious day. Thank you all for all you do daily. May we allow Christ to enter our hearts now and every day of the New Year. Thank you, baby Jesus. Amen.
To Sundance, Menagerie, AdRem and my dear friends at the Tree House,
Thanks to all of you for sharing your experience, strength and hope with me for this past year.
I feel closer to you all in many ways than I do to my own family and I find peace and solace here that I used to find in church.
Merry Christmas to all and may the Good Lord bless and keep you in His grace.
Same here! God Bless!
Ditto.
We are the two or three gathered together, Seneca…only so many more. And yes. I have found since my return to this country that the peace and solitude needed to in order for me to contemplate being in God’s presence in churches has been replaced by not peace and not solitude. I prefer here. I agree. Merry Christmas, and may all abundant blessings flow to you.
To all of my fellow CTH brethren, Merry Christmas. I count my blessings that I am allowed to be a part of this group.
Peace and Joy to my fellow Treepers.. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, all! We had a sparse Midnight Mass locally, but so beautiful. Peace and joy to you and yours!
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Blessings to you all on this Christmas day.
Merry Christmas Treeper family. It is a blessing to be a part of this group.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Sundance and CTH, Thank you for being there, and your shining light of truth.
Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas day.
Because of a young girl with faith, love and trust in our God: Let it be done to me…Treepers, we know what it’s all about! Glory to God in the highest and Peace to His people on earth. Pray for the souls in Purgatory as more souls are released on Christmas. Pray without ceasing!
Merry Christmas Treehouse family! May God’s loving kindness fill this day!
False gods are mentioned in the lyrics – maybe not the best choice for Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all. We are so blessed!
Merry Christmas to Ya’ll, May the good Lord guide and keep you all of your lives.
A very, very heart felt thank you for that…I really needed it. You deeply touched a stranger today.
Happy Birth Day, Mary!!!!!!
Amen, Leenie. I was thinking about her yesterday very strongly. Imagine being chosen by God to be the Mother of our Saviour!! The thought of it overwhelms me. All blessings to you this Christmas Day🤗💓
I was the first born of five kids. It wasn’t until after I had my first child, that on my birthday, I would call to wish my Mom “Happy Birth day!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Betsy!!!!
In Byzantine tradition she is the General; any time she leads troops into battle, she wins.
Such a great song. Very nice version, thanks! A man in church sang it the other week, it was powerful. I had no clue the man was a singer, kinda blew us all away. More than a few us had a tear in our eye.
Merry Christmas to all!
Shouting from the rooftops this most loving and powerful message:
A Blessed Savior is born!
Glory to God in the Highest;
Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men!
Merry Christmas!
Lord keep and bless all the folks of CTH.
Christmas has been a dark time in my life on more than one occasion; but what a difference it made in knowing the One who is Christmas in weathering that darkness!
God is so Good; the Christ has Come.
We are about to walk in the greatest darkness of human history but the greatest light of God’s glory will shine forth to dispel that darkness when Jesus returns with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25-28
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
NKJV
Merry Christmas everyone and Glory to God in the highest and (finally) peace on earth.
I just recently learned about the significance of swaddling clothes. In the Old Testament, there were certain shepherds that tended the flocks of sheep that were to be used as sacrificial lambs in the temple. The shepherds had to check for a lamb “without spot or blemish.” There was a whole procedure to examining the lamb, which included swaddling clothes, provided by the priests, and a manager in which to examine the lamb. So the sign to the shepherds included both the swaddling clothes and the manager. They knew immediately that Jesus was the THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB that would take away the sins of the whole world, so thus they praised God in the highest.
https://ingrace.us/what-are-swaddling-clothes-dr-james-a-scudder/
Thank you.
I read the article to family this morning.
Amongst the other noise and business of the days…the shepherds received the signal.
Merry Christmas… : )
The light of God shines on us today.
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/98/08/08240F3F-1138-4A6F-BDF0-0C19AA4DBA87/IMG_5591.jpeg
And yet so many are trying to extinguish that light.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Those who are trying have no idea that all their efforts are futile. Many churches are now going underground…so history repeats. God will not abandon us. He has promised and that is a great source of knowledge which gives us hope. That ember will never die.
Merry Christmas everyone! The Light shines so brightly!
Paul Harvey tells an old story as a reminder of why Jesus was born.
I loved listening to Paul Harvey……..I miss it……
“And now, the rest of the story”
Merry, Merry Christmas to every one here, to all who have become friends, companions in conversation, and hearts after my own heart.
Where the rest of the world has been taken captive by malign forces this place is the home where we all shelter and join in bless-ed assurance that our love and respect for one another is inviolate. And I believe we are all joined by Him whose glorious and redeeming birth we give joyous voice to today, this day. Jesus Christ is Lord and He is our Greatest Gift. I am as certain of this as I am that when I wake, the sun will rise.
To Sundance, Menagerie, Stella, Ad Rem, Weeweed, and all within your loving ranks who keep us aware and whose efforts are matched by no other…there are no words to describe my appreciation for the house you have built and into which you welcome us all. I am so grateful. May He bless each one of you eternally.💓
So in the language of my beloved Wales, I say to each friend here Nadolig Llawen!!🌟 The Lord of Life has been born…and it is a new day. Blessings to all.
amen
Amen.
Merry Christmas to one and all! God Bless Us Every One.
Merry Christmas, Treeple! I took my retirement and made it to Florida for Christmas, now all I want is God’s Grace and my country back.
Peace on Earth, goodwill to men and women!
Thank you, Jesus, that our Father’s favor rests upon us so that we do find Your peace. Merry Christmas to my fellow Treepers who are also my brothers and sisters in Christ. We may never meet but we gather here in this place and where two or more are gathered…..
Merry Christmas to all..
For non-believers, I ask them to contemplate the man Jesus Christ. I ask who in history has had as much positive behavior on humanity? Gandhi? MLK? Lincoln? If the world followed Christ’s teachings, how many police officers and armies would we need? Jesus taught a doctrine of peace, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and respect for ourselves, each other and the Almighty. It is right that this man be Celebrated with the enthusiasm of the season. It is good to keep Christ in the season.
For the believers, I simply say Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all at the Last Refuge!
God Bless the USA and those who love freedom and all things good
Merry Christmas to all my friends at the Treehouse!
Merry Christmas to all my friends in the treehouse.
Merry Christmas, my wife and 2 of our three kids have been locked down with corona since last Sunday and between our parents and friends our kids were able to get everything they hoped for and our youngest said it was the best Christmas ever. Many blessings despite challenges thanks for the Christmas message and blessings to all.
Merry Christmas to all my ‘Treeper Family’ may the Lord bless all of you with His peace.
This site has indeed become a community – a family. Would share a phrase that I have come to use with frequency.
We walk together in the “Cathedral of God’s Creation.” Have a blessed and grace full Christmas.