12/25/2025
Today, all believers are celebrating the birth of the Messiah, the Christ, our Redeemer, and in our unbridled joy our hearts are leaping within us as we praise Him. So, let’s listen to this age-old story once again as it is told to us in the book of Luke and as we pray that God will be pleased with so that we will personally experience His Peace On Earth!
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!””
Luke 2:8-14 ESV
This Christmas Day
By Rich Forbes
Final breath, “It is done.” He said
Mourners shouted; “Our Lord is Dead!”
Yet from the grave in light adorned
He rises in unearthly form.
Where are the sandals; dust and blood;
The crown of thorns, the hammer’s thud?
Replaced by bells and ancient chants
The Christ ascends to Satan’s rants.
Sing the heavens; sing the rocks,
Sing the Shepherds tending flocks,
Death has fallen with useless shroud
The son of God ascends through clouds.
A host of angels praise his name
A mother’s tears are shed again
In joy she calls his name on high
His tomb stands empty; oceans sigh.
Now the faithful fall as one
On knees of praise to holy son
With eyes of wonder they behold
The prophesy long since foretold.
This Christmas day has come at last
Death’s victory now ancient past
With sweat and blood and soldier’s spear;
No more the price of Adam feared.
So on this day we all rejoice
Raise up our arms and in one voice
Proclaim that Jesus Christ is born
To cymbals, drum, and golden horn.
Lord of Lords, and King of Kings,
Through mother’s labor mercy brings
His sacrifice to cleanse our sins;
God’s grace for us through him begins.
Christmas bells, and Christmas trees,
Displayed so every doubter sees
The faithful lift him up this day;
God’s perfect son from manger’s hay.
Yet in our celebration know
No Yule log can his shadow throw.
He shines more brilliant than the sun;
His mercy, bright, has just begun.
This blessed infant, holy child,
In us bestowed his mercy mild
So as we wait for his return
We sing our hymns while candles burn.
Like travelers we find his star,
Some from near yet others far,
Praising now around each table;
Holy child in Christmas stable.
Prais the Father,
Praise the Child,
Praise the Spirit all the while.
Praise the savior of all men
As we sing out… Amen, Amen, Amen!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the love you have for us that prompted you to send your only begotten Son to be born, live, suffer, die, be raised from the dead, and to ascend into heaven so that we would be redeemed by His blood and that death could be defeated. We thank you for His obedience to your will and lift His name in joyous praise as He sits now at your right hand and intercedes for each of us and the world. On this day we feast and celebrate His life through the exchange of love for one another and the giving of gifts as we imitate the Magi. Help us Holy Father to feel in our hearts and souls the soft and unblemished skin of this blessed infant and smell the sweet scent of His breath as we kiss his feet, His hands, and His face. This is your perfect Lamb, your Dove of Peace, and our savior, of whom you did proclaim that you are well pleased. We pray that one day, as we stand before you in judgement, that you will see us washed clean by His blood and His face in ours as you likewise express this same pleasure in us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and will always be He who loves us. Holy are you who sent your Son to shoulder our sin and defeat our death for us. Holy are you whose mercy and grace abounds and pours forth from your Son today as we call out His name Jesus, and Emmanuel while acknowledging that He is “God with Us!” Praised be your name Holy Father as we love and worship you always and pray these things in the name of Jesus.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 ESV
““Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:23 ESV
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! And may all the world say… Amen!
Rich Forbes