Thanksgiving VI ~

23-29 December:  This week I was thankful to see the sun occasionally peeping through the cloudy skies above; thankful to have a D.G.D. here during the Christmas holiday - a real joy!  I was thankful to know that tho' the angel spoke these words to the shepherds long ago, the words are still true: "'Today - a Saviour has been born for you – the Messiah, the Lord! – in David’s town. This will be the sign for you: you’ll find the baby wrapped up, and lying in a feeding-trough.’ Suddenly, with the angel, there was a crowd of the heavenly armies. They were praising God, saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace upon earth among those in His favour.’" (Luke 2:11-14; NTE); thankful for this season that celebrates the birth of our Savior - we know that it's prob'ly NOT His birthday, but the event rightfully deserves our celebration! I was thankful to join with those shepherds who, in eager anticipation, "... said to each other, ‘Well then; let’s go to Bethlehem and see what it’s all about, all this that the Lord has told us.’ So they hurried off, and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the feeding-trough. When they saw it, they told them what had been said to them about this child. And all the people who heard it were amazed at the things the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured all these things and mused over them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them." (Luke 2:15-20; NTE); thankful for this S.I.L. who has graciously made me a part of his family with no grumbles or complaints; thankful for the GIFT sent to us from our Father out of His great love - Christmas is all about that GIFT; thankful as I read the ancient prophecy written by Isaiah that foretold His birth and eventual reign: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6; KJV); thankful that the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and so prolongs the joy of the season through 6 January, Three Kings Day (the season of gratitude for that greatest of ALL gifts, our Savior!); thankful for the hard-working folks who go out in the dark to pick up our trash or who take care of fallen rocks, plow the snow from highways and byways; thankful as I read this promise from Isaiah 57:19 where it is written: " I will create in them a desire to praise. 'Peace, peace, to those far away. All will be well, wherever you are.' and I will heal them." (VOICE); thankful for a place that shelters from wind and cold; thankful as I repeat these words from Psalm 103:1-2 - "O my soul, come, praise the Eternal with all that is in me—body, emotions, mind, and will—every part of who I am—praise His holy name. O my soul, come, praise the Eternal; sing a song from a grateful heart; sing and never forget all the good He has done." (VOICE); thankful to have my first load of laundry humming away in the Whirlpool (and thanking God for the mechanical wonders that do our laundry with little attention from the user - not at all like the wringer-Maytag I used fifty years ago!); thankful for this time of preparation for the Sabbath - a busy time, but a delight when it is completed; thankful for this invitation from the Master's lips: "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28; VOICE); thankful for the privilege of celebrating another Sabbath, the Sabbath our Creator chose as His own in the beginning of our world's history (Genesis 2:2-3); thankful as I anticipate the message D.S.I.L. will give in the worship service; and thankful as I recall this promise that Jesus gave: “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be." (John 14:1-3; TLV).