Glory to God in the Highest: Luke 2:13-14

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:11-14 (KJV)

An angel announced to the shepherds watching their sheep by night, the birth of Christ the Lord. Then a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared praising God with glory; He gave His Son to be our Savior. The angels were worshiping the birth of Christ, the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger. God’s goodwill and love gave birth to the Savior, the Prince of Peace, to bring peace for all. Gloria in Excelsis Deo is Latin for “Glory to God in the Highest.” Let us remember to worship our Father in heaven and let our hearts focus on the gift of Jesus, our Savior.

Christmas Carol – Angels We Have Heard On High – Lyrics written by James Chadwick fit to the French tune – Gloria

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Christmas Carol: Angels We Have Heard on High, by BYU Noteworthy

Have a healthy and happy New Year! Blessings! Returning in January 🌺

My Heart

In the Bleak Midwinter
published as a poem by Christina Rossetti in 1872

1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2 Our God, Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

3 Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

4 What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart

In the Bleak Midwinter, composed by Gustav Holst from the poem and performed by Corrinne May

In Your Light We See Light: Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Psalm 36:9 (NIV)

God is the fountain of life, the source of all life. Life flows like a fountain from Him. God is also the source of light; in Him, there is no darkness. God is both the fountain of life; and the source of true light. Light is found in God’s countenance, His love, glowing in the Holy Spirit, and shining in Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Like David, we are to be seekers of the light, the divine light, following our path, moving forward in faith, while seeking the beauty of the truth and light of God. Help us to remember, Lord, in your light, we see (the) light.

When searching for direction, when confused and lost, do you seek the light of the Lord to illuminate your path?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your blessings and love. You are our Creator, our Father, our light, in the darkness, our hope, and our salvation. Let Your light shine on our paths and guide us through the dark valleys. Like the bright open petals on the zinnia, let us shine brightly with Your light, and be open to Your teaching. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the World. Amen.

–

I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page.🌺

Joy to the World

Words by Isaac Watts

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world the savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy (repeat the sounding joy)
Repeat the sounding joy (repeat the sounding joy)
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love (wonders of his love)
And wonders of his love (wonders of his love)

And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of his love

Joy to the world
The wonders of your love
The wonders of your love!

Joy to the World is Isaac Watts interpretation of Psalm 98 and celebrates Christ’s second coming as well as His birth.

The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom
4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98: 4-9

Joy to the World sung by Celtic Women

Peace and Joy! 🌺

Shelter of the Most High: Psalm 91:1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Believers who trust in God, and have a close fellowship with Him, dwell in the shelter of the Most High. For God is the Most High, exalted above all, He reigns over the universe. God is our shelter during storms, our refuge, and our strength. Resting in the shadow of the Almighty is to rest in faith, knowing God is our shield; He keeps us safe under His wings. When we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, we can rest secure knowing that God is with us; He is our strength, hope, and salvation.

When your day is overwhelming, where do you find rest? Where is your safe place? Do you reach out to God to rest and dwell in the shelter of God Almighty, the Most High?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we give thanks for Your protection and grace. Help us to grow in faith and have a closer relationship with you. Teach us to release our worries to you to dwell in the shelter of (You) the Most High, and to rest and find peace in Your shadow. Like the beauty of the begonias and artemisia, growing, closely together, let us grow in faith, drawing closer to You, finding rest in Your shadow. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Need prayer? I believe in the power of prayer and would be glad to pray for you. Leave a comment or message me on the contact page. 🌺

I Will Be With You – Isaiah 43:2

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

What a beautiful promise the Lord has given us, that His protection and help are available to those who have faith and trust in Him. Fire and water are water in the Bible are often used to symbolize trouble and peril. No matter what happens, the Lord has promised to be with us, not to leave us or forsake us. As believers, we are children of God, precious in His sight. When going through deep waters, God states I will be with you.

Are you overwhelmed, floundering in the waters of life? Remember God’s promise, in times of trouble; I will be with you.

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your mercy and grace. Lord, help us to trust You and guide us on our path. Help us to find peace in knowing; that You will be with us always. When life is overwhelming, teach us to trust in You. Like the beautiful azalea flowers, need water and light to grow, let us grow in faith, knowing that You are with us through deep water, Your light safely guides us. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

This is a favorite song of mine, I Am Not Alone, sung by Kari Jobe.