Blessed Sunday to you all!

We finally got the tree decorated this afternoon. And yes, we had one of my favorite Christmas movies playing as we decorated: White Christmas. We even had a turkey and dressing casserole for lunch and pumpkin bread with Holiday Peppermint coffee for dessert. It was a great afternoon.

We are so excited about this Christmas as our best friends Carme and Dave Russell will be coming to spend Christmas Day with us. We are all so happy to have them joining us. We have never spent Christmas together. We spent many New Year’s Eves, but never a Christmas. So this Christmas will be extra special.

Luke 2: 9-10 and 14 “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, (10) but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

(13) Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

There are several places where angels appear to those in the nativity story. The angel appears to Mary and tells her she is to bear the Son of God. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him not to divorce Mary, for he is to be the earthly father of Jesus. An angel appears to the shepherds and announces that Jesus has been born and then this one angel is joined by a host of other angels and together they sing praises to God for this miraculous birth.

These people to whom the angels appeared were rather ordinary. They seemed to have uncomplicated lives without a great deal of extraneous busyness. The shepherds, who spent long hours outside with time to watch the night sky and maybe count the stars, were visited by an angel who told them to “fear not.” They were treated to a concert with the voices of heaven. Then they were instructed as to where to find the baby.

Do you see a pattern forming here? The angels appear with a message and then some instructions. They did not announce the coming of Jesus to high government officials or royalty or rock stars. The coming of Jesus was announced to a simple young lady, a carpenter and a bunch of shepherds. These people had time to hear the angels speak and sing, and then they believed.

Do we hear angels? Do we slow down in our lives to listen for the voices of angels? Do we hear the voice of angels when we hear the bell at the red kettles out in front of stores and shops? Do we hear angels when our loved ones call our names?

In the busyness of this season let’s slow down and listen for an angel’s voice. Listen for an announcement, fear not and then follow the instructions given by this messenger from God.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.

Take joy on the journey to Bethlehem. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.