"The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,

The Light of the world is Jesus.

Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,

The Light of the world is Jesus."

Our Christmas Eve service is a candlelight service and is always beautiful and touching. We sing "Silent Night" a cappella while the candles are lit and it give me goose bumps every time.

This year, Pastor Bernard and Lynette Farquar sang "One Day" (to a different arrangement and tune) while tableaus were performed. One, the nativity, two the cross, three the tomb, four, His ascension and five His coming. Each time they sang the chorus "Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified, freely forever, someday He's coming, O glorious day!" the people in the tableau changed a little. It was really awesome and I admit I had tears realizing all my Savior had done for me. Plus, thinking ahead to His coming, as of course, at Christmas time I always think of our Christmas 22 years ago and how sad it was. But, I know there will be a glorious reunion when we all get to heaven! Like my nephew said on facebook - "...if this earth thing would hurry up and get over with".

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and will post again on Monday to let you know how our celebrations went.

Emmanuel - His title; Jesus - His name

God With Us

Who are we --- that You should be mindful of us?

What do You see --- that's worth looking our way?

We are free --- in ways that we never should be.

Sweet release --- from the grips of these chains.

Like hinges straining from the weight

My heart no longer can keep from singing,

All that is within me cries,

For You alone be glorified,

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song,

the debt is paid, these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us.

Lord, You know --- our hearts don't deserve Your glory

Still You show --- a love we cannot afford

Like hinges straining from the weight

My heart no longer can keep from singing

All that is within me cries

For You alone be glorified

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song

The debt is paid, these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us

Such a tiny offering

Compared to Calvary

Nevertheless, we lay this at Your feet

All that is within me cries, for You alone be glorified

Emmanuel God with us

My heart sings a brand new song

The debt is paid these chains are gone

Emmanuel God with us

Picture a congregation singing this chorus with a band backup and about 40+adults, 10 teen and 25 or so younger boys and girls. I truly believe heaven will be this glorious! This was the picture Sunday morning (December 20) in our church. It was the 3rd service and we choir people had been at all three (since 7:45 I might add!) and I, with my staunch Baptist upbringing, could almost not contain myself! It was truly a beauty to behold! You could tell the people in the congregation were moved as well.

I love singing Christmas carols and this one is pretty much not a carol, but, boy does it ever relay the Christmas message!!! Why should He have ever been mindful of us or find us with any worth whatsoever. And yet He sent His only Son down to the earth to suffer and die for us, so that by taking Him as our Savior, "The debt is paid, these chains are gone!" Praise God! That's what we are living for!

God bless you all as we come to Christmas day. I pray that we will all put this truly wonderful Gift of God in the forefront of our lives that day. I am planning on making the "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake for our grandkids - with a few variations. I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16