Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

Wow Girls...we did it! We saw something we liked, said we wanted to do the same and it's in our front yard this Christmas. I loved working with you all and your Daddy. Next year we'll do Linus since he did have the most important lines in the script!

" Sing Mary Sing" by Jennifer Knapp

Mary Had a Baby Born in a Manger
Mary What To Do, Mary What To Do?
Before the Vow Was Made,
In Her Belly Laid The King

Chorus:

Sing Mary, Sing
Lullabye The King
Born To Be Our Pardon
No Longer Shall We Weep
Come Soften What Was Hardened
Sing Mary, Sing

Herod With a Vision Out With a Vengeance
Mary What To Do, Mary What To Do?
Flee to Galilee
Raise a Baby King of Peace

Chorus

Mary In Your Mourning
Turn Now As You Weep
Look to See a Savior
O, Sing Mary, Sing!
Sing Mary, Sing!

"Happiness Communicated Doubles Itself"

Back in Luke this morning. Mary and Elizabeth have a great visit. When was the last time I visited a friend and they were filled with the Holy Spirit? Can you see Elizabeth reach for her round belly as she feels her baby "jump" inside her. Someday girls, you'll know what that feels like. This was no ordinary greeting, but it sure made me want to think about it more. How sweet fellowship is with a sister or close relative. Mr. Ryles had something great to say about that too.

"We should always regard communion with other believers as an eminent means of grace. It is a refreshing break in our journey along the narrow way to exchange experience with our fellow travellers. It helps us insensibly and it helps them, and so is a mutual gain."

"There are many who fear the Lord and think upon His name, and yet forget to speak often to one another. First let us seek the face of God. Then let us seek the face of God's friends."

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened

and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name." Malachi 3:16

So, the Lord carefully listens and records our conversations with one another so that we remember. Help me Lord to be that refreshment that Mary and Elizabeth were to each other. Let our exchanges with each other have the same effect that these two friends had on each other. The Holy Spirt filling us up and praise and thanksgiving being the overflow of our hearts! (Oh, and note that there was quite an age difference between the two!)

Mary...Was She Merry?

My quiet times have been in the book of Luke this week. I'm trying to keep my thoughts on the mystery of the incarnation. So many things clamor for my attention , but oh , how settling it is to pick up my bible and read...

"Then Mary said unto the angel, how shall this be..." Luke 1:34.

I love that girl! She was curious about the way it would happen but did not doubt that it would happen. No further questions or objections. Simply a "behold, the handmaiden of the Lord, let it be unto me according to thy word."

I want to live like that. That's meekness and readiness to do whatever the Lord desires. I found this commentary of the passage.

"Let us seek in our daily practical Christianity to exercise the same blessed spirit of faith which we see here in the Virgin Mary. Let us be willing to go anywhere and do anything, and be anything, whatever be the present and immediate inconvenience, so long as God's will is clear and the path of duty is plain. The words of good Bishop Hall on this passage are worth remembering. "All disputations with God after His will is known, arise from infidelity. There is not a more noble proof of faith than to captivate all the powers of our understanding and will to our Creator, and without all questionings to go blindfold whither He will lead us."
J. C. Ryles, Expository Thoughts on Luke

I think Mary was merry. I can't imagine a resignation in her voice, "well, if it has to be me you've called to this place of favor, I guess I'll do it." I marvel that the Lord shared the scoop on Elizabeth " ...behold, your cousin has also conceived." I think that would have been very comforting to Mary. I see the Lord's grace helping her along the way. Someone else, a relative no less, to share the load. Here's someone else who will really understand her situation. I've had "Elizabeths" in my life. What a gift from God to have a friend who doesn't need an explanation. Thank God for the friends in your life girls.

Can't wait to read tomorrow. The drama continues.