Good morning and God bless you all! Thank you all for your prayers! I am feeling much better, praise God! The Lord has been strengthening and encouraging my heart, taking away the pain, and helping my appetite, and I am so grateful! Christmas is only a couple weeks away now, and 2021 is just around the corner. I’m sure we are all ready for 2020 to end. My focus is solely on Jesus. He is the true joy, hope, and light of Christmas, and His birth is good news for the whole world!
If Jesus had not been born, there would be no hope in this world. We all need a Savior, and the good news of the Gospel is that God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world! God offers us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus, and that is the greatest gift we could ever receive!
Let’s take a look at the historical account of the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Book of Luke:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom
his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
-Luke 2:1-20
Just like the angel said, the birth of Jesus Christ is good news of great joy for all people! God loves us all so much that He came to earth in human flesh to pay the penalty for our sin for us! The shepherds were so excited that they ran out and told everyone they could. They were the first evangelists that night as they spread the good news that the Savior of the world had been born, and believers in Jesus have been sharing that glorious message ever since!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
-Jesus speaking in John 3:16
The beautiful joy of Christmas is Jesus! Glory to God in the highest for sending His Son to save our souls! That is what we all truly want deep inside our hearts. We want to be at peace with God and know that we are going to Heaven. We can have that full assurance through faith in Jesus! Salvation is a free gift of God’s abundant grace, and it can only be received through faith in Jesus.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
-John 14:6
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
-Romans 10:9
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
-Romans 3:22-24
As Isaiah prophesied around 700 years before the birth of Jesus:
“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.”
-Isaiah 9:6
If you do not have His peace inside your soul yet, please come to Jesus today and receive that most precious gift of eternal life! Through faith in Jesus, you will be reconciled with God and made righteous by the power of His Holy Spirit! Your sins will be forgiven and you will become a child of God! There is no greater gift than the salvation of your soul!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
-Jesus speaking in Matthew 11:28-30
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.”
-Ephesians 1:13-14
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus is the light of the world. Without Jesus, the world would be in darkness. Jesus is the only One who was born to save our souls, and there is no other Savior. Please consider the gracious gift of eternal life that God is offering you! Repent and turn from sin, and be at peace with God. He loves you and He will receive you as His own!
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-John 8:12
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
-John 1:12-13
That is the true glory of Christmas! A beautiful little baby born in a manger who came to save us from sin and death! Jesus is Lord!
Grace and peace to you all, and Merry Christmas!
Glad you are feeling better! Merry Christmas Brother Ryan. 💕
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Thank you, sister! Merry Christmas!
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Purple Rose said exactly what I wanted to say. This is a praise moment for sure. God bless!
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Thank you, Ward! Amen, glory to God! Blessings!
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Glory to our God. Merry Christmas.
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Amen, Bonnie! Merry Christmas!
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:))
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Ryan, you are feeling better I can tell, that is music to my ears!!! Praise God! I am so thankful for His grace and love and blessings he has given you. “The beautiful joy of Christmas is Jesus!”….you wrote a beautiful and uplifting post, Amen! Jesus is our life and light, our Messiah. Merry Christmas to you too, Ryan. I am so happy that you are feeling so much better. Love you.
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Thanks, Mom, amen! Love you!
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So good to hear your feeling better. God is good!!!!!
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Amen! Thanks, Sandy! Blessings!
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I am so glad our prayers are coming to fruition!
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Amen, thank you!! God bless!!
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Praise God
So glad for the goods of your improved health . Hallelujah!
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family brother Ryan .
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Thank you, Crissy, amen! Merry Christmas!
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Prayers answered! Praise be to God!
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Amen! Thank you, Wendi! Blessings!
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you are very welcome.
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A beautiful recount and scriptural reference of the true reason for Christmas! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Jenny! God bless!
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Amazing Grace Lyrics
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
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Amen! Thanks, brother! God bless!
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📖✒💎You can’t imagine how happy I am to know that God is restoring you, oh what a great joy that the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in everything, I thank God for having a brother in faith who loves God with all his heart. .. God bless you my brother and your family …. Oh what great joy ….. what eternal joy …..
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Amen, thanks brother! Thank You, Jesus!!
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Merry Christmas Ryan. So glad you’re feeling better!😄😃🌲
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Thanks, Vivian! God is so good to us! Merry Christmas!
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Great news! God bless you and your family! God bless America! God bless President Donald John Trump! God bless the ekklesia!
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Amen, thank you! God bless you too!
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I’m so glad you’re feeling better!
Thank you for sharing the true meaning of Christmas. With all the decorations and shopping and sales ads, it’s easy for people to get caught up in a commercialized Christmas and forget what it’s really all about. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!!
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Thanks, Michelle, amen! I appreciate all your prayers and encouragement! God is so faithful and good to us! Merry Christmas to you and your family! God bless you all!
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I wrote this several years ago when I was in pretty much the same hopelessness as I read here in your post. My heart goes out to you.
The Wonder of Your Love
The wonder of Your love
The comfort of Your love
The breadth of Your love
I stand in awe and know that You are there.
In the sad times and the bad
In the sorrow of my pain
In the darkness of the night
Oh, how I love the presence of my Lord.
When fear and terror falls
When anger turns to wrath
When evil seems to reign
You are always there to calm me down.
If sorrow fills my heart
If heartless words begin to hurt
If nothing seems quite right
Your name is all I need to lift me up.
So many years have past
So often I have lost my way
So tiring I have found my pain
Oh, Jesus I know that You are always there.
How many times have I cried?
How many times have I prayed?
How could I ever find my strength?
But You have always soothed my aching heart.
Too frequently I complain
Too many are worse off than me
Too few show any heed
Yet He paid the price for you and me.
The wonder of Your love
The comfort of Your love
The fullness of Your Love
I stand in awe and know that You are there.
© Chrissy Siggee
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sorry the stanzas aren’t clear but the words are the what I wanted to share.
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Beautiful! Thank you, Crissy! Amen, the Lord is so faithful to us and never leaves us! God bless you!
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On a practical note and probably sick to death of suggestions but I changed my doctor to treat the huge amount of damaged caused (I’m now anaphylactic to wheat and citrus) Most of my horrible symptoms was triggered by repeated tests and treatment. I cringed when I read that you were eating rice noodles… My allergist specialist said never eat rice in any form.
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I’m sorry to hear about your suffering. Oats caused me to go into anaphylactic shock on 4-28-2012. That is when I stopped breathing and was with Jesus for a moment before He put me back in my body. Thank you for the advice! I had not heard that about rice. I don’t have any trouble with the rice noodles, but I don’t eat much rice. I don’t eat oranges or any acidic fruits. It is crazy what food can do to people. It would be nice to find a doctor who understands Celiac. Not many do.
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Check the sources of the rice. Some are actually mad from wheat.
God bless.
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Whoa, that would be devastating for me! Yeah, we always check the labels very carefully. I eat the Tinkyada brand brown rice noodles. Just brown rice, no wheat. Scary how some places cross contaminate. I only eat foods from certified gluten free facilities. We even call companies who sell chicken to ask what they are fed. I can’t eat any animals who eat soy or grains. Only organic free range. I only eat organic, gluten free, and Non-GMO. Have to be so careful. God bless!
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ditto for me on meats. Organic free range is scarce as hens teeth at times of drought but then I go without meat completely for a time.
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I also eat free range bison from South Dakota. I order it 25 pounds at a time. That is my main source of protein. Their site is:
https://wildideabuffalo.com/
Great family ranch and their bison is delicious. I emailed them about my Celiac and how much the bison has helped me, and they actually invited me and my family to their ranch. Hope to visit someday.
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P.S. Did you mean this post or the one I wrote titled “Have Mercy On Me”? I was definitely feeling hopeless when I wrote that post. Thank you again for your prayers and words of encouragement!
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Yes, I just noticed. I logged out to find the poem. 🙂 I went back in to the wrong post. 🙂
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Oh, okay, thanks! 🙂 I appreciate it!
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You will still be in my prayers.
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Thank you, I need it! Praying for you too!
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Praise God for you Brother Ryan! Truly God has His Mighty Loving Hand upon you! ❤️🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you, sister! Amen! God is so good and faithful to us! Blessings!
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Amen!!! 🙏💕🥰
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Praying you feel better and better, Ryan! What a comfort we have in Jesus! And so thankful for the gift Jesus gave us that night so long ago. A baby born in a manger to save the world!
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Amen, thanks Renee! Merry Christmas!
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One of the best times of year!
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Amen! How are things down under? Job going good?
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For the most part, things are now going well here. My job’s going good. My next shift will be the first in a month – I had taken two weeks off for an early Christmas break to see my girlfriend and my Grandma, then Grandma died the week after I got back and the funeral was held the week after that, so I wound up with 4 weeks off work.
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You have had a lot on your plate recently. I think that’s the first time I’ve heard about your girlfriend. That’s great. How long have you been dating? Glad to hear the job is good too. Praying for your family. I miss my Grandma and she passed many years ago. God bless you all.
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Yeah, it’s been quite a year for us. My girlfriend’s name is Bethany (I call her Beth). We’ve been together for 4 months now.
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That’s awesome, congratulations on your relationship! Praying for you both!
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Thanks! Our relationship is going quite strong.
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Christmas is my favorite time of the year (seriously!) I missed the days when we used to go caroling on the street and just enjoying the season.Though Christmas has become so commercialized your post is a great reminder to all of us, that the reason for the season is Christ Jesus! Blessings to you my brother.
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Amen, me too! I love Christmas! Thank You, Jesus, for all you have done for us! Blessings and Merry Christmas!!
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Amen. Merry Christmas!!
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God Will Make A Way
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He’ll lead me
Rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
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Amen, brother! Merry Christmas!
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We continue to pray brother, we continue in the struggle waiting for the Lord Jesus to take us with him, Merry Christmas beloved brother!
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I am so glad to hear you are feeling better! Praising God with you. Thank you, Jesus! Merry Christmas to your and yours!
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Thank you, amen! Merry Christmas!
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We thank God for His faithfulness and Breaking through for you. May He continue to heal you and make you whole. May you also enjoy this Christmas day. God is with you and for you, and He loves you so much.
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Thank you, sister! Glory to God! Blessings, and Merry Christmas!
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Love this! Glory to God in the highest.
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Thank you, glory to God! Merry Christmas!
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