“He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clang, hammer, ding, dong, bell; bell, dong, ding, hammer, clang, clash! Oh glorious, glorious!
Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist. Clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold—cold, piping for the blood to dance to—golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells—oh glorious, glorious!
“What’s to day?” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.
“EH?” returned the boy, with all his might of wonder.
“What’s to day, my fine fellow!” said Scrooge.
“Today!” replied the boy. “Why, CHRISTMAS DAY'”
“It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it. The Spirits, have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. Hallo my fine fellow!”
“Hallo!” returned the boy”
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens page 62
I know I know it’s December 27 but my heart is still in Christmas mode. I can’t bring myself to blow out my Christmas candles. I keep lighting my advent white Christ candle. I lit it again just this morning and I am reminded that our prayers rise as incense, as smoke from this flame, to the very throne room of God. I need that reminder. I need to remember God hears my every prayer.
A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite books. And I must admit I love Disney’s “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” “God bless us everyone.” I think of Ebenezer’s reaction as he hears the bells of that Christmas morn. He was joyous as he realized he didn’t sleep through that Christmas celebration.
The morning of Christmas 2024 those were my thoughts. Don’t miss the joy of Christmas. My house was quiet. No young ones to wake us up to open presents. We celebrated with family on December 21. For me I kept thinking, “well Christmas 2024 has come and gone.” Yet I found my self realizing it is just now Christmas Day. Don’t miss it. Don’t miss my invite into the glory of this morning. Over 2000 years ago at some point in the early morning the dark of night was opened up with the brightest light shining with the Glory of Heaven.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”
Luke 2:7-18 ESV
It was God’s invitation to a group of people who aren’t used to receiving invitations. These shepherds were Temple shepherds. They took care of the flocks of sheep to be used for Temple sacrifices in Jerusalem about seven miles from where they were watching over their flocks by night. They followed the ritual laws of preserving a new born lamb keeping it for perfection as commanded by God in the Torah. The lambs were birthed in caves and wrapped in swaddling cloths so it wouldn’t become contaminated. They knew the routine by heart.
The Angel’s words was for them alone. It was their personal invitation. The God of the universe had written this invitation with a narrative only they could understand.
Don’t miss that sacred moment. The shepherds and THIS CHILD were connected. They took care of sacrificial lambs and HE was the final sacrificial Lamb. He was THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY OUR SIN.
God invites each of us personally also. He sent us Immanuel, God with us. He comes to us individually with an invitation only we can understand.
Wake up. Be observant. Don’t miss it. Even Ebenezer Scrooge got it.
I like the animated version! With Mickey and crew!
Good job Kellye! Loved it.
Thank you Nanaw
Love you