What is it to You?

My mom collects nativity sets. Because my parents have lived all over the globe she has quite an international array. The grandkids have counted over fifty throughout her house--with sets from every continent. 

I've always loved the idea of Jesus' birth being celebrated by all people the world over because He was sent for people all over the world.

Turn on the radio in this season and we are blessed with songs written from the heart of Mary or with words from the viewpoint of Joseph. The songs move us emotionally and put us right in the moment of Christ's birth. 

We feel the warmth of Jesus' infant body and catch the sweetness of the breath of His new life. We also smell the stable and hear the stamping of animal feet and the night sounds of animals. We take in the wonder of it all and ponder what it means to us--to the world. 

How did Mary feel when she first held Jesus and knew He was God's son, too? Joseph must have felt such pressure to think of raising the offspring of the Most High--the very Author of Wisdom. Jesus' arrival must have changed His earthly parents profoundly.

Just as certain as His coming over 2000 years ago, He is still the savior of the world. His coming still makes a difference for each of us. 

What is it to you?
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He Knows their Names

How many stars are in our universe? With greater discoveries in astronomy come the new discovery of stars--lots of stars. 

A recent ABC News story reports that perhaps the number of stars is actually three times the number previously thought. 

• A study suggests the universe could have triple the number of stars scientists previously calculated. For those of you counting at home, the new estimate is 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That's 300 sextillion.

The number 300 sextillion is mind boggling. To think that God knows their names is also incredible - but true!

He determines the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

His understanding has no limit.

Psalm 147:4,5 NIV

No Room in the Stable?

Kids often understand the truth of the Christmas story better than their parents. Read my latest post on Heart of the Matter {Online} - "No Room in the Stable?"  I share a lesson taught me by my five-year-old son while we put out our family Nativity set. 


Have a Blessed Christmas!