The talk of the town!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our first thoughts to the Lord.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, I think. I enjoy the lights and the music and the spirit of Christmas. We should always remember that Jesus is the reason for the season - not Santa, not the music, not the tree, not even the giving and receiving, but JESUS . It is this time of year that we celebrate because Jesus was born.

The story of Christmas continues from the book of Luke where in verse 38 after knowing that she would conceive and bring forth a child, Mary arose and in those days, and went into the hill county with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of you womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

In verse 56 we read that Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

What a wonderful bond between two women - on one hand a young teen-aged girl and the other an older woman - both hand picked by the Lord to fulfill the prophesies of old by bringing forth a new way for all people.

And Elisabeth brought forth her son and when Elisabeth and John agreed that his name was John, Zacharias' mouth was opened and he could speak again. The first thing he did was praise God.

Part of Zacharias' praise is found in the 78 and 79th verse of Luke 1 which says Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts til the day of his shewing unto Israel.

This is the same John that said I must decrease so you can increase to Jesus. This is the same John that Salome danced for his head.

His work was to be the forerunner of Jesus. To preach repentance to the people and introduce baptism. He was the one who baptised Jesus, who said at that time I indeed baptize you with water; but one comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

Remember Mary at this time was going to have a child fathered by God. She was engaged to Joseph, but because she came up pregnant, he wouldn't have anything to do with her. He knew it wasn't his so he was going to put her away.

In those days a 'putting away' involved legal technicalities almost like a divorce.

In Matthew we read But, while, he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Verse 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

The talk of the town back in those days would be Joseph and Mary. Only the two of them knew an inkling of what was happening in their lives. The only thing they went by was faith in God - being lead by God in their life notwithstanding what people said or did.

Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus. Thank you for the faithfulness of the people you chose to bring forth this amazing transformation so that we might be saved. Help us to be faithful so that we might find favor in your sight also. In Jesus Name. Amen (it is done).

Have a good one!

Charlotte