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It was indeed a Silent and Holy night.

There was little left to do but watch. The animals had long since fallen asleep. The small town activities had for the most part ceased, and those who still escaped the realm of dreams were oblivious to the occasion to which they were not witness. Most were merely puzzled by the Star never seen before even though it seemed to hover right over this little town of Bethlehem, a town whose very existence was based on the industry of providing sacrificial lambs for the temple in Jerusalem.

The only sounds were the moans of a young, soon-to-be mother in the final hours of a labor that had begun in the Garden so long ago. The will of her body was overcome by the need of the moment as contraction after contraction contorted her features with pain. But she had known this was out of her control from the moment she became aware of His presence.

The only other person aware of the import of this moment is the man at her side. The one on whose shoulders fall the responsibility of helping to bring into this world He who will be the Flesh of God.

All the questions that race through their minds are pushed aside as the symphony of the birthing process reaches its crescendo, and suddenly the Life of Man is Present in this world.

I find myself envious of their perspective. They were there at the beginning, and all they knew of the child at that moment was the name of His Father and His role as Savior of the world. They could take joy in the grasping hands and the baby’s laughter.

I, on the other hand, have the historical perspective as well.

I can look back at His birth, and look back at His death as well.

And there lies the difference..

I cannot see the newborn babe without the grown man on the cross.

I cannot see the grasping hands without the nails piercing His flesh.

I cannot see the smooth brow without the thorns.

What I can see is the mercy of our maker.

Some would say we deserve only His pity for what we’ve done with what He’s given us, but pity is merely mercy without action, and God can never be described as complacent.

He has always been active in His love for us, even undeserving as we are. And because of all this I will always see the whole life of Christ as the Great Substitution. Completely undeserved.

Undeserved by Christ for suffering penalties not meant for Him.

Undeserved by me for being unable to make the necessary sacrifice.

It took so long for me to discover that I truly needed a Savior.

And so I sit as the world goes by around me; almost everyone once again oblivious to the occasion to which they are not witness.

So, into this Silent and Holy Night I have these three things to say:

God have mercy.

Joy to the world when you recognize your Lord.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

————————

Copyright 2002 Dan Bode ( http://www.thoughts-of-dan.blogspot.com ).

It was the gift we needed most: a Savior, the Holy Son of God.
In a stable the light of The Glory of God surrounded the child.
The promised Messiah, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

In a stable the star that brought the magi, the gifts laid before him.
Gold for The king the bitter perfumes of myrrh, and frankincense.
Baby Jesus Gifted at birth with the perfume that would anoint him in death.
I often think of the power that must have been present that day, the joy.

The power Of God manifested in this child born of flesh,
conceived of the Spirit, Born of a virgin.
A gift freely offered.
A gift we celebrate at Christmas, the Grace of God given so that
man born in sin, has the chance to be redeemed.

In the stable was peace. The star over Bethlehem shone brightly.

Merry Christmas!

Please be sure to visit the Carnival of Christmas Kat has worked very diligently on.
Also stop by The Random Yak has the Christmas Alliance.

For more Easy like Sunday Morning greatness visit The Cat Blogosphere!

SonnyBob and SirWoody enjoy the warmth and comfort of a good bed snuggle.

If you havent stepped aboard The Ark you still have time to. The Modulator

You can
submit your post here.

WCB is hosted by Katie and Puddy at A Byootaful Life This weekends suggested theme: Christmas!

The Festival Of Chaos is visiting Astrid & Kashim and Othello at The Catboys Realm
This weeks Optional Theme – Friends Or Family
You can use this link to submit your chaotic entry

Be sure to drop off your Merry Christmas Wishes to Megan and all TheBadKitties As well as the rest of her family.

The Carnival of the Cats will be hosted by Missy & KC Sunday Evening,

Be sure you dont miss out on a special edition of the Carnival Of The Cats

I was so sad not to be able to participate.

This week’s hero was suggested by Cindy & Kathi

Arlington Christmas Wreaths

Each year, around this time, since 1992, the Arlington National Cemetery has something happen to it. It gets covered in vibrant green Christmas wreaths. The wreaths are donated by a man named Merrill Worcester who is the owner of the Worcester Wreath Co. in Maine. From the Worcester Wreath Co.’s website:

Each year Worcester Wreath donates Maine wreaths to adorn the headstones of those who serve and those who sacrificed to preserve our freedoms. In 2007, over 10,000 wreaths are destined for the annual wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington. In addition, 2,500 wreaths will be sent to Togus National Cemetery in Augusta, Maine. Worcester Wreath also donates ceremonial wreaths that will be used as part of the Wreaths Across America events at over 230 State and National veterans cemeteries all across the Country.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. To find out more about Wednesday Hero, you can go here.

Not that I’m on Christmas strike mind you, I just haven’t found the energy to haul out all the Christmas Décor, or anything else.

It may or may not happen with festive wintry decorations.
It may or may not happen with piles of gifts neatly wrapped awaiting happy and expectant faces.
It may or not happen with dozens of Christmas cookies.
But it will happen in our hearts.

Christmas Eve will find us gathered at church to sing carols and with the haunting strains of “Silent Night” echoing in our ears we will quietly drive home, and sleep.

Knowing, that with or without our active participation the celebration
Of Jesus Christ’s birth will follow with the rising sun.

It does and has happened that this year we witnessed again firsthand how abundant and encompassing is the gift of God’s love, and grace, how complete God’s forgiveness.

The Christmas alliance is stationed on the mountain where the Yaks reside,
so for more great Christmas posts, visit TheRandomYak.

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Purrs and Loves from The Bengal Brats and the Bad Kitty Cats and Megan