Merry
Christmas!
It’s
been a great few weeks together. I’ve heard a number of you share how much you’ve
enjoyed it and how the bonds of brotherhood are strengthening. But it’s a
little late to go out to shop and send Christmas cards to each other. (Don’t
you just love Christmas shopping anyway:) So I thought it would fitting if we sent
Christmas messages to each other via the blog. No need to become poetic though. Some
very inspirational words have already been written down in the Scriptures and
in the lyrics of great Christmas carols. The following link- http://christmas-carols.net/ has at the top of its list, some beautiful
Christmas carols that exalt our Savior (the ones farther down are duds).
Consider copying a portion of the lyrics of one of them that you especially
like and share it with us and anything else that you may wish to share. Or if
you have a favorite Christmas song on Youtube that you want to share, etc.,
please feel free to do so. Or you might like to share an excellent quote
regarding Christmas. You’ll find some very good ones, including quotes from Scripture at the following site http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/21-inspirational-christian-christmas-quotes/
Finally, here's a site showing Christian Christmas cards-
You can click on one and then scroll below and read and copy the poetic words.
Finally, here's a site showing Christian Christmas cards-
You can click on one and then scroll below and read and copy the poetic words.
Merry
Christmas from my heart and home to yours!
PS- Speaking
of my heart and home, we sure hope you can stop by our home this Sunday anytime
between 2-5 PM. (9541 S. Oakley Ave. Chicago). We’ll have desserts and great
fellowship if you and your loved ones can make it.
With lots of family festivities and travel going on tomorrow, we will rest from the blog on Christmas. Looking forward to being back together with you Friday.
What a great group!
| G=God's Word | R | E | A | T=Team members recruited | |||
| For Mon.12.22.14 | |||||||
| Alpha Force | 100% | ||||||
| Fire Team 1 | |||||||
| 1 | Jack Rogers | Y | 2 | Daniel & Roger | |||
| 2 | Daniel Contreras | Y | 1 | Vince | |||
| 3 | Vince Diaz | Welcome! | |||||
| 4 | Roger Vinlasaca | Y | |||||
| Fire Team 2 | |||||||
| 5 | Israel Fuentes | Y | |||||
| 6 | John Pallozzi | Y | |||||
| 7 | Sam Vargas | Y | |||||
| Delta Force | 100% | ||||||
| Fire Team 3 | |||||||
| 1 | Alvin James | Y | |||||
| 2 | Dave Heidekruger | Y | |||||
| 3 | Mike Pagan | Y | |||||
| Fire Team 4 | |||||||
| 4 | Eddie Morales | Y | 2 | Gary & Ismael | |||
| 5 | Gary Remson | Y | |||||
| 6 | Ismael Andrade | Y |
Do you hear what I hear? Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
ReplyDelete"Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the the sea,
With a voice as big as the the sea."
Wow this just bring memories to when I was a little boy going to catholic school. Every Christmas all grades will practice Christmas songs/carols and give out a performance. This song would get to me and I would ask myself.. " Wow, just how big are you God"?
Now just beginning to know just how "big" you are God, how "deep", how "vast" you are, how "long" you are. I love you Lord..
May you brothers have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Have a wonderful and a jolly time with your loved ones! :)
Thanks Ismael. Your boyhood memory of a song reminds me of one of my own.
DeleteI don't think he is a "Christian" but a voice I think is nice.
ReplyDeleteWatch "10 Michael Bublé Silent Night" on YouTube
10 Michael Bublé Silent Night: http://youtu.be/yRi0IW5p7dY
Ismael Andrade
Ismael, thanks for your memories and dedication to the Lord.
DeleteMichael Buble's Silent night is great.
Re. Silent Night "Did it" :) Thanks. Hey, by the way, you got the early bird award for being the first to comment this morning. Yet you've often been the one to close out the night. When do you sleep? Hope you and Vanessa can come over Sunday.
DeleteMerry Christmas to my Dear Brothers in Christ
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for his love for us as he came from the crib to the cross to the crown!
Brothers your insight , dedication, and love of the word has touched my heart and I am forever grateful
to Dave and each and every one of you, as you all continue to open my eyes and my heart to his beautiful love we share.
Have a blessed Jesus Christ celebration as God did all this for each of us and the whole world--past present and future generations.
" You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift."
John R Rice
We Love you Lord and thank you for your gift and will follow your command to multiply MANLY men for your Kingdom!
We await your return Lord!
"Wow!" is what I said out loud after reading your excellent words Jack. Love you my brother.
DeleteSilent night, holy night,
ReplyDeleteAll is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavely hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Christ the Saviour, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
This song to me tell how that night might have been. I wish I could have seen my savior as a baby or in flesh. I thank GOD he sent his son into this world to redeem mankind. That's the greatest gift ever. My brothers in M3 MERRY CHRISTMAS enjoy the family time. Be the light in the family.
GOD BLESS
Vince, I agree. This song's lyrics are beautiful- great choice. I hope you have a Merry Christmas! I am looking forward to meeting you in person very soon :)
DeleteVince, even though Silent Night is a familiar Christmas carol, just reading the words brought tears. Thank you and thank You Lord!
DeleteThe Christmas story; a beautiful display of God's love for humanity, and His remedy for their condition. Many recognized the significance of this unique child and called him Son of the Most High, the Son of God, and Savior, even before he was born. His birth was the beginning of life for the one who would ultimately become the sacrifice for the sins of humanity. In his birth we have hope, in his death we have life! ~Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteI hope all of you M3 brothers enjoy this special time of the year! It is truly the best time of the year, at least for me, it is :) Merry Christmas!
Thanks Israel for sharing such profound words- "In his birth we have hope, in his death we have life!"
DeleteAnd thanks for the card and calendar. Udabest!
It's funny that you decided to have us do this assignment today because I receive messages from Max Lucado Monday through Friday. He had two powerful statements today and I was wondering who I was going to be able to share them with. Now I know. "Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. On this special day, can I share words from my favorite Christmas cards?
ReplyDelete“He became like us, so we could become like Him.”
“Angels still sing and the star still beckons.”
“God has given a Son to us. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6)
And my favorite…
“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.”
Merry Christmas everybody!
Oh Mike, what wonderful words! I too really like your favorite Christmas card message.
DeleteWow. Love that last quote. Thanks so much for sharing.
DeleteThe Blessings of our Savior
ReplyDelete"The world was blessed at Christmas with a miracle of love,
a guiding star and angel choir rejoicing from above.
They pointed to a tiny babe within a cattle stall-
a Savior bringing peace on earth-the greatest gift of all."
Thank you dear Lord for your son Jesus and saving us from our sins.
Have a Merry Christmas everyone. Blessings to all.
Thank you Roger and Merry Christmas to you. Sure hope you can stop by our home Sunday.
DeleteO come, all ye faithful,
ReplyDeleteJoyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O Come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
This song as been stuck in my head for the last week. Especially, where it says o come let us adore Him. I have been asking God that I would experience Christ in this season. With all the hustle and bustle it is easy to lose sight of Him. Equally I believe, at least for me, I have lost some of the excitement that I used to have around this time. Looking forward to all the gifts and opening presents...but as an adult, it's not the same. However, I have been praying that I can experience Christ. It hit me that although I don't have many physical gifts to look forward to I have the gift of friends, love ones, family, brothers and sisters in Christ, life, and that excited me to experience that this week. But what also hit me is that we celebrate Jesus birth, unto to us a Savior and King was born. That same King died for us and saved us, and is coming back to judge the living and the dead and His Kingdom will have no end. The Return of the King excites me, adorning the King excites me, how he has so richly blessed me excites me. And knowing that He is such a good Father, He knows what things we need.
Merry Christmas Men to you and yours. Glad to link arms, wrestle for you, stand in the gap with you, and come to be chiseled with all of you.
"O come let us adore him!" This has been a much loved and often sung chorus in our home. Thanks Eddie. Great words from a great brother.
DeleteMerry Christmas brother and may God bless each of you and your families.
ReplyDeleteOh Holy Night
"Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name."
The standing ideal from this song that I always remember is that God teaches us to Love on another and be at Peace. SO my prayer for every on this team is that we not only love each other but continue to demonstrate the way that Jesus loves to all people we meet and encounter.
Thank you Gary! My son picked this sung out yesterday as I was driving him to wrestling practice and we sang it together. The family and I just got back from Moraine Valley Church's Christmas Eve service and they sang it as well. It is such a beautiful carol. We've been talking about having you and Jacinda over, so I sure hope you can make it this Sunday.
DeleteGod bless you brothers. May you and your families have a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Mary did you by Buddy Greene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQbDk6lp2pg&feature=player_detailpage
Also enjoy this one. I dare you to sing it with yours kids, If you don't have any borrow someone else's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49LAPkV9xJg&feature=player_detailpage
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Mary did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know.. Mary did you know
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.
I love that song Sam and love you as well my brother. Sure hope you and your family can come by this Sunday.
DeleteLittle Drummer Boy: Lyrics
ReplyDeleteCome they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.
I love the message of giving your best to God no matter what
Hey John, my dear friend and worship leader! You had me going there. If you hadn't added the last line, I would have been scratching my head.:) But very good point! Hope you and Vanessa can stop over Sunday.
Delete12/24/14
ReplyDeleteO holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
We were surprised to hear that some dear Christian relatives on my wife's side in Mexico decided not to celebrate Christmas this year but instead they celebrated Hanukkah. They began attending a Messianic Church that they said focuses on Biblical lessons in the Torah. “Christmas” they said is not mentioned as one of the the Biblical Feasts to be celebrated. ( Actually, neither is Hanukkah). I suppose that with all the extra non-biblical traditions that dominate the season, then not celebrating “Christmas” may not be such a bad idea. My family is not quite ready to give all that up yet. But by God's grace we did this evening and will again tomorrow celebrate one of the most spectacular, historical events that has taken place in our world – the Nativity. The carol I picked, is like so many of the other carols in that it expresses both rejoicing and worship for what God did.
We rejoice in the gentle, peaceful, humble way in which the Almighty, Holy God stepped into time and into His creation as a new born baby. We rejoice in this holy child's reason and purpose for coming into our world was to bring us salvation and new spiritual birth.
We also worship God – “Fall on our knees” in adoration because God gave of Himself in sending us His Son. His Son stepped out of the beauty, perfection and glory of heaven, and into our dark, ruined, sin-sick, wicked world to join with us. He arrived as a helpless child for our benefit. We worship and adore because that was only the beginning of God's giving of Himself. Later Jesus, the Son of God would live an exemplary life while, preaching, teaching, performing miracles and doing healings. Finally Jesus the Son of God would lay down His life as a sacrifice, to pay for our own deserved punishment for our sin and disobedience.
Lord Jesus, as much as possible – grant that we and our families will rejoice and worship you this Dec. 25th, 2014.
What a great carol Dave and great words you shared as well. Merry Christmas! Sure hope you all can stop over Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI was busy being peace at 2 family Christmas gatherings, on Wednesday for Christmas Eve in Milwaukee and on Thursday for Christmas Day in Chicago. What a blessed holiday!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the carols and insights above!
GLOR...
ReplyDeleteO...O...O..O...ORRRR...
O...O...O..O...ORRRR...
O...O...O...O...ORRRR...EEEE...AAA
IN-EX-CEL-SES...DEA...AAA...OOO!!!!