From Babe In A Manager To....This

MERRY CHRISTMAS! IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL WEEK HERE IN HOT, HUMID HOUSTON, though I've come down with a cold and am a bit under the weather. Still we've had the best time---ever. Have posted today's Quiet Walk Devotional (via daily email) which contrasts the baby Jesus in the manger with the view of Jesus on his eternal throne as described in Revelation 4....quite a contrast! Will try to post a few pictures soon and hope your Christmas is peaceful and filled with gratitude.  Photo directly below from the children's Christmas eve service at St. Martin's yesterday. 
      

December 25

Revelation 4

John describes an astounding vision of the throne of God in heaven. INSIGHT At Christmas our thoughts are on Jesus' birth, focusing on His humanity. By radical contrast, this Christmas Day we see the throne room of heaven and the surroundings which magnify His deity. In the center is a throne - behind which an emerald-colored rainbow arises. Dignitaries dressed in white robes and gold crowns are seated around the throne. The floor of the massive room is like crystal. Unusual looking creatures constantly give verbal praise to God and the dignitaries form a celestial choir, worshiping and praising God. This is the normal abode of God's Son. Yet we usually think of Jesus as a child in Bethlehem, a teacher on a hillside, or the One who bore our sins alone on a cross. Revelation balances that picture with a glimpse of Jesus' majesty and grandeur.



PRAYER

Praise the Lord that He was willing to become what we are - that we may inherit eternal salvation: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. . . . Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God . . . The Lord shall reign forever – Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 146:1-2, 5, 10).