Thanksgiving VI ~

16-22 December:  This week, I have been thankful to all who were part of the Christmas Brunch planning this year - the decor was festive and warm, the food was delicious, many thanks! I was thankful for another day without the faucet in my face running at full stream; thankful to read Mary's response to the angel's declaration of events that would soon happen - her words are recorded in Luke 1:46-55 and begin this way: "... 'O, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!'" (vss. 46-47; NLT); thankful for the few remaining days that grow ever shorter and shorter - can see why the ancients, especially in northern climates, celebrated winter solstice; thankful for the grace of forgiveness - forgiveness from our Father God, and from others whom we have wronged (AND for the grace of humility to admit when WE have acted in ways that caused hurt!); thankful as I read of Joseph in the Christmas story, of his willing obedience when "... an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 'Joseph, son of David,' the angel said, 'do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'” (Matthew 1:20-21; NLT); thankful for the life and strength that remains in my being; thankful for the "exceeding great and precious promises" that are kept for us in God's Word - tho' given long ago, they remain fresh to be used in our world today; thankful as I read these words from Isaiah 61:10 where they are written: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness...." (AMPC); thankful for the privilege of sharing bits of the the gospel, the "good news" of Jesus as our Savior, with others in these "Thanksgiving ...." posts; thankful to be among those waiting to see Him when He returns - not to deal with the sins of the human race, but to usher all who believe into His kingdom of glory; thankful to share this message from the apostle, Paul, who wrote: "... I can’t wait to get to you ..., preaching this wonderful good news of God. It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: 'The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives.'” (Romans 1:15-17; MSG); thankful for all the mechanical gadgetry in the kitchen that makes food prep easy (and QUICK!) - I remember how to do it the old-fashioned way but the mechanical assist makes things so much faster; thankful to be able to reach out to all of you via my computer keyboard, the i-net brings a much wider world to me; thankful for the record in the Bible that tells us exactly how and when a couple from Nazareth happened to be in Bethlehem when it was time for our Savior to be born: "In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria." (Luke 2:1-2; CEB); thankful for laundry almost finished; thankful for garbanzos soaking and ready for the pressure-cooker; thankful to read this promise from Isaiah 49:8 (and on): "... 'When the time’s ripe, I answer you. When victory’s due, I help you. I form you and use you to reconnect the people with Me, to put the land in order, to resettle families on the ruined properties. I tell prisoners, '‘Come on out. You’re free!’' and those huddled in fear, '‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.'’ There’ll be foodstands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills—nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, for the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs. I’ll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a superhighway....'" (MSG); thankful to have access to Hope Channel and 3 ABN when the usual transport to church services isn't available; thankful to entertain new Sabbath joys as we recall the events around the birth of our Savior and anticipate His return as King of kings; and thankful for this passage describing angels (messengers - these two words are the same in Greek) who announced His birth to the shepherds: "Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light—the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! [The messenger said]: Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority!" (Luke 2:8-11; VOICE). - I love this, because the shepherds, too, became angels/messengers as they shared the good news of the Savior's birth (Luke 8:17). YOU can be an angel today if you become one who shares the "good news"!