“Christmas Spoken Here.”  I cannot imagine a better slogan for the church, at this season or any time of year, than that one. What could say better why we are here?  God has entered human history to change its course forever.  He has come as a Word, as something said, articulated, put in a message: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).  We remember the event each year in song and pageant and decoration. “Christmas spoken here.”  It has to be spoken here, for it is the basis of all we do.

“Christmas Spoken Here.”  It is an appropriate motto for us.  The church ought always to speak Christmas.  We ought always to be reminded of the Word God has spoken: the intelligible, important, and loving Word of His concern for us.  And Christmas is the best time of all the year for remembering it.  “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth.”  That is Christmas, and Christmas is spoken here.  It will always be spoken here.

Lord, You have spoken to us in the birth and life and death of Jesus, and Your Word is plain.  Help us to hear it and respond with  all our hearts. For there is no other word as intelligible, or important, or loving as this one.  ~Amen.

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ. ~ Wilda English

Hope you’re all doing well!  We had lots planned for this weekend, one of which was an antique/craft show that we were to do Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but plans have changed, drastically!  My husband has to go out of town, to Illinois to help on a huge flooring job, and I’m asking that you pray for his safe travels!  He’s headed out at with the man who normally works with him at 6:00AM, and it’s about a 2 hour drive.  I’m more concerned with the drive home Saturday night! The weatherman is telling us we have some predicted snowfall headed this way … to arrive on Saturday, and into Sunday!  I’m praying it moves a bit to the south of us, then he’ll be fine, but that may not be the case! You never can tell about the weather, can you … he said if it was too bad, he would stay another night! They are paying for his hotel room, and food!  That’s such a blessing!

I do look forward to some snow though!  It makes everything so pretty … and especially around Christmas!  We did some grocery shopping so I’d have a few extras while he’s gone … I made a pot of Chili Soup that will keep me warm!  I’ll do some cleaning, and baking, then work at purging some closets.  I certainly have lots to keep me busy … and I just may decide to go out and build myself a snowman!  I’m also working on pictures to post, so I’ll be doing that too, this weekend!  We have a Christmas play this Sunday at church that I’m anxious to see!  I remember Ian doing plays when he was younger … the first part he played, when he was under a year, was ‘Baby Jesus’ … Lew and I were ‘Mary(with glasses) & Joseph’ … he was so quiet through the whole play … I’ll have to scan some old pictures and show you!  Other plays … he was ‘The Little Drummer Boy’, and a ‘shepherd’!  I miss those days!  One year, we all went to the shopping mall and put on the Christmas play there … these days, that is no longer allowed!  The world has changed so much, it’s so very sad!  Do you have any special memories of Christmas plays from your past?  Please share!  Well, I think that’s about all for now … but I do so appreciate your prayers for Lewis as he travels today!  Bless you all, and have a fantastic Friday!  

*Christmas Spoken Here!
                  Hugs,
                      ~ Deborah <>< 

EDIT:  A very kind Xangan friend pointed out that the title of this devotion had a typo in it!  It should have been ‘HERE’ … and not ‘HEAR’!!  Thank you so much for letting me know!  It was quite early in the morning when I posted this!  But, ‘hear’, does seem to fit when you think about it, though!  Christ has spoken … do we hear?!!
 
O LORD, help us to open our ears and HEAR what You are saying to our hearts! ~Amen!
  
Well, I’ve got to get back to those dustbunnies … time’s a wastin’!!  Thank you for all of your prayers for my husband’s safe travels!  He made it there just fine this morning … and realized they were an hour earlier … a surprise for him!  They are saying this storm coming in could be rough, with ice added to it … so the drive home is what concerns me!  You all have a blessed evening, stay warm, and I’ll be around to see you all later tonight! )