Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Luke 2:14

When songwriter Buck Ram was a homesick 16-year-old college student, he scribbled some words for his mom, a poem called, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” He left a copy with some friends in a bar, but did not speak of it afterward. Imagine his surprise when, shortly afterward, Bing Crosby recorded “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” making it one of the biggest hits of 1943. The whole affair ended up in court, but the song’s popularity was undiminished because, after all, we all want to be home for Christmas.

But sometimes that just isn’t possible; and that’s when we start singing another song–“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.”

When it comes to Christmas, the why is more important than the where. When we’re worshipping Jesus, anywhere will do and everywhere is Christmas. His presence is within us. His eternity is before us. His arms are beneath us. His love is around us. When we focus on Jesus rather than ourselves, we forget about the secular songs and sing instead Gloria in excelsis Deo!–Glory to God in the Highest!

If you can’t be home for Christmas, be at home with Christmas wherever you are!

Jesus’ coming is the final and unanswerable proof that God cares.–Copied

– – -yea, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend- – –” Song of Songs 5:16

His love wins us.
His glory charms us.
His beauty attracts us.
His sympathy soothes us.
His gentleness subdues us.
His faithfulness inspires us.

He is the “altogether lovely One!”

Jesus is all that is tender in love.
Jesus is all that is wise in counsel.
Jesus is all that is patient and kind.
Jesus is all that is faithful in friendship.
Jesus is all that is balmy, soothing, and healing.

The heart of Jesus is ever loving towards His children.
The disposition of Jesus is ever kind towards His children.
The nature of Jesus is ever sympathizing towards His children.

Jesus is your Brother, your Friend, your Redeemer.
As your Brother — He knows the need of His brethren in adversity.
As your Friend — He shows Himself friendly.
As your Redeemer — He has redeemed your soul from sin and hell.

Jesus has ascended up on high to take possession of
heaven on your behalf, and to prepare a place for you!

Upon His heart He wears your name as a
precious pearl in the priestly breastplate.

There is . . .
not a moment of your time,
nor an event of your life,
nor a circumstance of your daily history,
nor a mental or spiritual emotion of yours —
in which you are not borne upon the love, and
remembered in the ceaseless intercession of Christ
–Octavius Winslow

“—he went on his way rejoicing!” Acts 8:39
Reading the stories of those converted to Christ is always entertaining and educational. They teach us much about the Lord, human nature and ourselves. Here we read of the Ethiopian Eunuch who came to know Christ through the ministry of Phillip. Living in this sin saddened world we need to take note that his redemption led to his rejoicing –it always does. J. R. Miller wrote:

“He did not give up his journey and decide to go back among the other Christians, because he was now a believer. He went on his way to his own country and to his own business; but he had a new secret of joy in his heart. Part of the duty of this new convert was to carry the knowledge of Christ back to the people among whom he had been living. He had found something which they needed, and which would bless them as it had blessed him.

We learn that a new-born Christian is not to give up his work. Of course, if he is engaged in any sinful occupation he must give it up. But if his occupation is right, he is usually to stick to it, and carry Christ with him into it. A carpenter when converted, is to continue a carpenter—with Christ.

To be a Christian, makes one happy. This man went on his way rejoicing. His heart was full of song. The Christian goes on in his work day by day; but while he works his heart sings, and the songs make the way shorter and the burdens lighter for him, while at the same time they give cheer to others on whose ears they fall.“

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus–Rev. 14:12
Although not a common subject of discussion, patient endurance is a constant challenge to God’s people, and a continual theme in the New Testament. It is needed because we live in a corrupt world, amid powerful enemies, and the flesh is weak— oh so weak!

Every Christian faces tremendous challenges and is told to remain “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord–“( 1 Cor. 15:58). Our difficulties and danger do not relieve us of our duties. The work must be carried on even under the most adverse conditions. The question is,”How?”

One of the great helps in this challenge is the example of others who have endured great hardships for Christ’ sake. Time and time again I have been motivated to greater heights by observing and reading of those who stayed steadfast in spite of great obstacles that would have halted the progress of the average person. Those dear saints are worth their weight in gold. And they are what we all ought to be.

However, nothing gives us more confidence and courage than the constant consideration of Christ Himself (Heb. 12:1-3). In Him we find the example we all should emulate. But, by looking to Him we find more than an excellent example, we receive inspiration that strengthens us beyond what anything else can do. Focus on Him infuses us with power unknown to the natural man. It is for that reason that we must not be distracted from looking to the One who is “Altogether lovely” ( S. S. 5:16), “Faithful and True”( Rev. 19:11), “called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”(Isa. 9:6). We are to be “faithful unto death”(Rev. 2:10) and this alone makes it possible.