First Christmas in Heaven

Several of my friends are grieving the death of loved ones this past year. Friends and readers, I pray that this poem will bring you some peace and joy, knowing that your father, mother, son, daughter, friend and/or loved one has just celebrated his or her first Christmas in Heaven.

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Christmas in Heaven

I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven,
A glorious, wonderful day.
I stood with the saints of the ages
Who found Christ, the Truth and the Way.

I sang with the heavenly choir,
Just think, I joined in to sing
And, oh, what celestial music
We brought to our Savior and King!

We sang the glad songs of redemption,
How Jesus to Bethlehem came.
And how they called His name -- Jesus --
That all might be saved through His Name.

We sang once again with the angels
The message they sang that blest morn,
When shepherds first heard the glad story,
That Jesus, the Savior, was born.

0 dear ones, I wish you had been there.
No Christmas on earth could compare
With all of the rapture and glory
We witnessed in Heaven so fair.

You know how I always loved Christmas.
It seemed such a wonderful day,
With all of my loved ones around me
The children so happy that day.

Yes, now I can see why I love it,
And, oh, what a joy it will be
When you and my loved ones are with me
To share in the glories I see.

So, dear ones on earth, here’s my greeting.
Look up till the day dawn appears.
Oh, what a Christmas awaits us
Beyond our parting tears!!

Author Unknown

May we be Light in this Dark World

by Shelly Burke, Editor

May God bless and comfort the victims of the shooting in Connecticut. It's almost more heartbreaking than I can bear, thousands of miles away and knowing no one involved...when I think of my kids, their friends and parents, and teachers I know and love, I cannot imagine the heartbreak of those in Connecticut. 

Here's what I've been studying this week: Jesus said, "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others..." Matt. 5:14, 16. May we let our lights shine God's love to help the hurting and grieving whether in different states or right next door. And as my brother-in-law says, "God bless us all. It's our only chance."

Christmas Quiz

How much do you know about the birth of Jesus? Take this quiz and find out. Hint: all of the answers are found in Matthew chapters 1 and 2 and/or Luke chapters 1 and 2.

1. Who told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus?

A.      Joseph

B.      A multitude of angels

C.      The angel Michael

D.      The angel Gabriel

2. What did Joseph do after he found out Mary was pregnant?

A. Had her stoned

B. Married her

C. Took her to Bethlehem so no one would know she was pregnant

D. Sent her to live with Elizabeth

3. Who was the Roman emperor when Jesus was born?

                A. John the Baptist

                B. Joseph

                C. Caesar Augustus

                D. Pontus Pilate

4. Who did the multitude of angels, praising God, appear to?

                A. Shepherds

                B. Wise men

                C. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus

                D. Inn keepers

5. What city did the wise men first go to, asking “Where is He who is born King of the Jews?”

                A. Capernaum

                B. Syria

                C. Bethlehem

                D. Jerusalem

6. God promised this man that he would not die until he saw Christ.

                A. John the Baptist

                B. Zechariah

                C. Simeon

                D. Paul

7. In which two Gospels does is the Nativity narrative recorded?

                A. Matthew and Luke

                B. Matthew and John

                C. Mark and Luke

                D. Luke and John

8. According to the Bible, how many wise men visited Jesus?

                A. 3

                B. 4

                C. too many to count

                D. no number of wise men is mentioned in the Gospels

9. Shortly after Jesus was born, and angel told Joseph to escape with Mary and Jesus to:

                A. Jerusalem

                B. The Red Sea

                C. Egypt

                D. Nazareth

10. What did John the Baptist do?

                A. Baptize Jesus

                B. Prepare the way for the Lord

                C. Protect Jesus as He grew up

                D. Guide the wise men to Jesus

ANSWERS: 1. D, 2. B, 3. C, 4.  A, 5. D, 6. C, 7. A, 8. D, 9. C, 10. B 

Click over to Home is Where the Mom Is to get the links to my very favorite Christmas music! 

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Medical Mission Team Returning to Nicaragua; Spaghetti Feed Sunday!

Mark your calendars for the Columbus Medical Mission Team Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser this Sunday, Dec. 9th, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, from 12:00-2:00 PM, and silent auction and Christmas Bake Sale.

The Medical Mission Team will be returning to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua in February for their fourth trip. Read about the team and a previous trip at Medical Mission Team Traveling to Nicaragua.