Apple of God's eye?

12.24.20—The Brotherhood of Christ! – John 1:1-18

My friend, may I ask you a question? Why did we look forward to Christmas so much as a child? Was it because apart from my birthday, it was the only time of the year that "you-ness" ranked so high in my young life?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

Of all the words in the English language there is, perhaps, none sweeter than the word "you." It's Christmas Eve; one of those days when “You” becomes a very important aspect of the day. YOU go to church and worship the Newborn King. YOU put on your best clothes in honor of His birth. This is one of the most personal days of the year, in that not only do we participate in Christmas, it participates in us. On this Eve of Christmas, we celebrate an event that, along with Easter morning, has more to do with YOU than anything else in this life. Christmas is a time when God focuses sharply on YOU, your personal day of salvation.

Without a doubt, Christmas Eve was always the most anticipated and enjoyed day of my young life. It was such a personal day. I remember going to church in the evening and singing in the children’s service. We piled into the '59 Plymouth and made our way over the snowy roads to church. We were abuzz with excitement in the back seat, whisper- ing about the gift opening that would follow the service. Pulling into the parking lot we heard the beautiful church chimes as they rang out Christmas carols across the frosty darkness. Somehow it seemed so personal, as if God were preparing the night just for each of us. We got our own personal bag of candy after the service. Then we piled back into the Plymouth for the trip home soon to crunch up the snowy driveway and scurry quickly into the house. It was Christmas at last! Turn on the tree lights! And then the gifts; not just boxes and bags but gifts labeled with names, our names. I had my very own gift and only I could open it. Yes, Christmas got pretty personal every year. Perhaps that's why we looked forward to it so much. It was a day that made YOU pretty special. Apart from my birthday, it was the only time of the year that "you-ness" ranked so high in my young life.

Martin Luther wrote, "'Unto you a child is born.' The little word 'you' should make us joyful. For unto whom does God speak? He speaks to men. The angels do not need Him. The devils do not want Him. But we need Him, and for our sake was He made man. He speaks to you and me." (Sermons for Christmas Day, 1544.)

I guess YOU and I are pretty important on this most important of YOU days. We are not angels or devils. We are the apple of our God's eye. He is this day focused on YOU because He has something He wants to give YOU, personally, a gift with your own name on it and only YOU can open it. Thank God He is so personal; thank God for the gift of our sal- vation in His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem! Thank God for Christmas!

We pray. Heavenly Father. I guess I am pretty important to You on this most important of days. Truly, because I am not an angel or devil Jesus has always been my gift, the one You gave to me. That would make me the apple of Your eye. You are focused on me because You have something You want to give YOU, personally, a gift with your own name on it and only YOU can open it. Thank God He is so me personally; so thank You God for the gift of my salvation in Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Babe of Bethlehem! Thank You for Christmas! We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Apple of God's eye?

12.24.20—The Brotherhood of Christ! – John 1:1-18

My friend, may I ask you a question? Why did we look forward to Christmas so much as a child? Was it because apart from my birthday, it was the only time of the year that "you-ness" ranked so high in my young life?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I’m M. Clifford Brunner

Of all the words in the English language there is, perhaps, none sweeter than the word "you." It's Christmas Eve; one of those days when “You” becomes a very important aspect of the day. YOU go to church and worship the Newborn King. YOU put on your best clothes in honor of His birth. This is one of the most personal days of the year, in that not only do we participate in Christmas, it participates in us. On this Eve of Christmas, we celebrate an event that, along with Easter morning, has more to do with YOU than anything else in this life. Christmas is a time when God focuses sharply on YOU, your personal day of salvation.

Without a doubt, Christmas Eve was always the most anticipated and enjoyed day of my young life. It was such a personal day. I remember going to church in the evening and singing in the children’s service. We piled into the '59 Plymouth and made our way over the snowy roads to church. We were abuzz with excitement in the back seat, whisper- ing about the gift opening that would follow the service. Pulling into the parking lot we heard the beautiful church chimes as they rang out Christmas carols across the frosty darkness. Somehow it seemed so personal, as if God were preparing the night just for each of us. We got our own personal bag of candy after the service. Then we piled back into the Plymouth for the trip home soon to crunch up the snowy driveway and scurry quickly into the house. It was Christmas at last! Turn on the tree lights! And then the gifts; not just boxes and bags but gifts labeled with names, our names. I had my very own gift and only I could open it. Yes, Christmas got pretty personal every year. Perhaps that's why we looked forward to it so much. It was a day that made YOU pretty special. Apart from my birthday, it was the only time of the year that "you-ness" ranked so high in my young life.

Martin Luther wrote, "'Unto you a child is born.' The little word 'you' should make us joyful. For unto whom does God speak? He speaks to men. The angels do not need Him. The devils do not want Him. But we need Him, and for our sake was He made man. He speaks to you and me." (Sermons for Christmas Day, 1544.)

I guess YOU and I are pretty important on this most important of YOU days. We are not angels or devils. We are the apple of our God's eye. He is this day focused on YOU because He has something He wants to give YOU, personally, a gift with your own name on it and only YOU can open it. Thank God He is so personal; thank God for the gift of our sal- vation in His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem! Thank God for Christmas!

We pray. Heavenly Father. I guess I am pretty important to You on this most important of days. Truly, because I am not an angel or devil Jesus has always been my gift, the one You gave to me. That would make me the apple of Your eye. You are focused on me because You have something You want to give YOU, personally, a gift with your own name on it and only YOU can open it. Thank God He is so me personally; so thank You God for the gift of my salvation in Christ, our Lord and Savior, the Babe of Bethlehem! Thank You for Christmas! We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to "This Passing Day!"

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.