Good morning precious Christ's Church Family and Friends, Today's Bible reading is: Matt. 9:1, 3-8; Luke 5:18-20, 27-32; Isaiah 35:5-6; Luke 6:1-4; Mark 2:27-28; Mark 3:1-6 Isaiah 35:10 says "They shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Consider the night of Jesus' birth for a moment. The black sky was clear and studded with sparkling stars that have shined their light on our planet since the day Jesus spoke them into being. Shepherds were sitting by their flocks keeping a sharp eye out for anything or anyone that might want to harm the sheep that were entrusted to them. In the distance the lights from the town could be seen and the noise of the people coming and going in the town that was overflowing with more people than it normally could hold, probably could be heard. On a clear night, sound travels easily. But there was a very precious sound that rang out that night in the middle of all that noise; The sound of a Baby crying. I wonder how many heard the simple sound of the Baby born that night crying, as air entered His earthly form for the first time, rang…

Good morning precious Christ's Church Family and Friends, Today's Bible reading is: Luke 4:16-30; Mark 1:16-20; Matt. 8:14-17 From time to time I have someone comment to me about how they dread the Christmas holiday season. The issue usually comes from how busy life gets during this time of year, or how much money they end up having to spend. I was reflecting on the wise men who journeyed hundreds of miles across who knows what kind of land, to seek out the infant Jesus... How did they respond to the coming of Christ? Matthew 2:10 says "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy." Even after a trip that probably took months, on the backs of pack animals (more than likely camels) and even after the great expense in the gifts they brought of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby, the bible shows them as joy filled! And not just joy filled...it says they rejoiced as they neared the end of the journey with exceedingly great joy!!! What made the difference? I believe their joy was great because their focus remained on Jesus, the One who would be called Immanuel, God with us! Don't let…