GOD'S VAST LOVE AND SUSTAINING HAND

Photo provided by Tara Cook Bruce 

The transgression of the wicked saith

within my heart, that there is no

fear of God before his eyes.  For

he flattereth himself in his own eyes,

until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

The words of his mouth are iniquity and

deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and

to do good. He deviseth mischief upon

his bed; he setteth himself in a way that

is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;

and thy faithfulness reacheth unto

the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the

great mountains; thy judgments are a great

deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and

beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness,

O God! therefore the children of men put

their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the

fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them

drink of the river of thy pleasures.  For with

thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall

we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness

unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness

to the upright in heart.  Let not the foot of

pride come against me, and let not the

hand of the wicked remove me.  There are the

workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down,

and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 36:1-12

THE LORD BLESS THEE AND KEEP THEE

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The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon

thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance

upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

RENEWING YOUR MIND

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present 

your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, 

acceptable unto God, which is your 

reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given
unto me, to every man that is among you, 

not to think of himself more highly than 

he ought to think; but to think soberly, 

according as God hath dealt to every man 

the measure of faith.

Romans 12:1+3

HE HANGS THE EARTH ON NOTHING

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He stretcheth out the north over the 

empty place, and hangeth the earth 

upon nothing.  He bindeth up the 

waters in his thick clouds; and the 

cloud is not rent under them.  He 

holdeth back the face of his throne, 

and spreadeth his cloud upon it.  He 

hath compassed the waters with 

bounds, until the day and night come 

to an end.  The pillars of heaven 

tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

Job 26:7-11

THY RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE THE GREAT MOUNTAINS

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; 

and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the 

clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great 

mountains; thy judgments are a 

great deep: O LORD, thou preservest 

man and beast. How excellent is thy 

lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children 

of men put their trust under the shadow of 

thy wings.

Psalm 36:4-6

BEHOLD, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE

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Behold, what manner of love the Father 

hath bestowed upon us, that we 

should be called the sons of God: 

therefore the world knoweth us not, 

because it knew him not.

Beloved, now are we the sons 

of God, and it doth not yet appear 

what we shall be: but we know that, 

when he shall appear, we 

shall be like him; for we shall see 

him as he is.

I John 3:1-2

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - Z IS FOR ZEAL

Z

IS FOR ZEAL

A Son is given, a child is born,

The increase of his reign and peace; no end.

The zeal of the Lord of host will perform,

The Wonderful Counselor, our God did send.

Of the increase of his government

and peace there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom, to order it,

and to establish it with judgment

and with justice from henceforth

even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.

ISAIAH 9:7

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - Y IS FOR YEARNING

Y

IS FOR YEARNING

Simeon was yearning for the Messiah's proclamation,

He would not see death until it was revealed.

His eyes now fixed upon the Lord's salvation;

The light to the Gentiles, and the glory Israel.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem,

whose name was Simeon;

and the same man was just and devout,

waiting for the consolation of Israel:

and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost,

that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord's Christ

And he came by the Spirit into the temple:

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,

to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms,
and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.

LUKE 2:25-32

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - X IS FOR EXTREMELY

X

IS FOR EXTREMELY

The trip to Bethlehem was eXtremely hard,

As they traveled the rugged land.

With willing hearts, this couple did their part,

To fulfill the Father's plan.

And all went to be taxed,

every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,

unto the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house

and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his

espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that

she should be delivered.

LUKE 2:3-6

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - W IS FOR WISDOM

W

IS FOR WISDOM

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature

And in favor with God and man.

Proclaimed to be the only Mediator,

Redemption through Christ, God's plan.

And he went down with them,

and came to Nazareth,

and was subject unto them:

but his mother kept all these

sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in

wisdom and stature,

and in favour with God and man.

LUKE 2:52

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - V IS FOR VISIBLE

V

IS FOR VISIBLE

The star was visible way up in the sky,

It was seen by the wisemen afar.

“Find him and bring me the news,” Herod cried,

"I will come worship the King where you are."

Then Herod, when he had privily

called the wise men, enquired of them

diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem,

and said, Go and search diligently

for the young child;

and when ye have found him,

bring me word again,

that I may come and worship him also.

And when they were departed,

behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth

to Joseph in a dream, saying,

Arise, and take the young child and his mother,

and flee into Egypt,

and be thou there until I bring thee word:

for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

MATTHEW 2: 7-9 & 13

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - U IS FOR UNAWARE

U

IS FOR UNAWARE

In Judah among the hills was found,

Bethlehem Ephrathah an unaware little town

Emmanuel was born on this holy ground,

The ruler of Israel he has come down.

MICAH 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,

though thou be little among

the thousands of Judah,

yet out of thee shall he come forth

unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;

whose goings forth have been

from of old, from everlasting

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - T IS FOR TRAVELED

T

IS FOR TRAVELED

Joseph and Mary traveled a great way,

Following the decree Caesar proclaimed.

"Return to your homeland to be counted this day”

The Census would mark each person by name.

And it came to pass in those days,

that there went out a decree

from Caesar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when

Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed,

every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,

unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;

(because he was of the house

and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,

being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished

that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room

for them in the inn.

LUKE 2:1-7

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - S IS FOR SALUTATION

S

IS FOR SALUTATION

Mary, astonished, but the moment savored,

“What manner of salutation can this be?”

“Hail thou, that art highly favored,

The Lord will come and dwell within thee.”

And the angel came in unto her, and said,

Hail, thou that art highly favoured,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him,

she was troubled at his saying,

and cast in her mind what manner

of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her,

Fear not, Mary: for thou hast

found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive

 in thy womb, and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

LUKE 1:28-31

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - R IS FOR REJOICE

R

IS FOR REJOICES

Mary knew the child was a boy.

John the Baptist; even leaped for joy.

Rejoicing in the children that were to come,

They praised the Lord for what he had done.

And it came to pass, that,

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,

the babe leaped in her womb;

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

And she spake out with a loud voice,

and said, Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy 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 thy salutation sounded in mine 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 hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

LUKE 1:41-47

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - Q IS FOR QUESTION

Q

IS FOR QUESTION

The women questioned in the days of old,

"Will I give birth to this King foretold?

The prophets said that he would come.

Will I get to be the blessed one?”

Therefore the Lord himself

 shall give you a sign;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive,

and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.

ISAIAH 7:14

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - P IS FOR PROMISE

P

IS FOR PROMISE

The promised King of Israel,

The Lord of righteousness,

He will be called, "Emmanuel,"

And reign in holiness.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his

name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is,

God with us.

Matthew 1:23

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - O IS FOR OBEDIENCE

O

IS FOR OBEDIENCE

He showed obedience in all that was said and done.

He was Mary's child, but God's only Son.

With his voice the universe was put into place,

And obediently he came to the human race.

Then said I, Lo, I come

(in the volume of the book

it is written of me,)

to do thy will, O God.

HEBREWS 10:7

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - N IS FOR NEWS

N

IS FOR NEWS

As the shepherds were watching the sheep lying down,

“Good News! Good News!” was spread all around.

The angels proclaimed it; the birth of the King.

“Let's go to Bethlehem and see this great thing.”

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, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels

were gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste,

and found Mary, and Joseph,

and the babe lying in a manger.

LUKE 2:13-16

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - M IS FOR MOON

M 

IS FOR MOON 

Christ the one, hung the moon in it's place

Tonight he was born to the human race.

Mary looked down, fingers tiny, so small

How could my baby be the Savior of all?

LUKE 1:35

And the angel answered and said unto her,

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,

and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:

 therefore also that holy thing which shall be

 born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - L IS FOR LINEAGE

L

IS FOR LINEAGE

Born of David's lineage, Jesus came forth,

The royal line was now set on course.

The genealogy was in line with the throne,

Our royal priest had come to atone.

So all the generations from

Abraham to David are

fourteen generations;

and from David until the

carrying away into Babylon

 are fourteen generations;

and from the carrying away

into Babylon unto Christ are

fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ

was on this wise:

When as his mother Mary

was espoused to Joseph,

before they came together,

she was found with child

of the Holy Ghost.

MATTHEW 1:17-18

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - K IS FOR KING

K

IS FOR KING

Jesus was born King of the Jews.

The word was spread, "Good News! Good News!"

"A child is born and he will be King"

But he came to die, a world to redeem.

Saying, Where is he that is born

King of the Jews?

for we have seen his

star in the east,

and are come to worship him.

MATTHEW 2:2

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - J IS FOR JOY

J

IS FOR JOY

At his birth the angels burst forth with joy.

They couldn't wait, this news to employ,

“He is come, He has come, born is our King!

He is Christ the Savior!” The angels did sing.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

LUKE 2:11

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - I IS FOR INCARNATE

I

IS FOR INCARNATE

He was sent from the Father to show his love,

God incarnate from heaven above,

Fully God and fully man

He came to fulfill His eternal plan

And, behold, thou shalt

conceive in thy womb,

and bring forth a son, and shalt

call his name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called

the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God

shall give unto him the throne

of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob

for ever; and of his kingdom there

shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel,

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her,

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,

and the power of the Highest

shall overshadow thee:

therefore also that holy thing

which shall be born of thee

shall be called the Son of God.

LUKE 1:31-35

ABC'S OF CHRISTMAS - H IS FOR HEROD

H

IS FOR HEROD

Herod was king in the days of Christ’s birth,

The King of all Kings had threatened his turf.

He said, “I too shall worship this child,”

But deception in his heart was running wild.

And being warned of God in a dream

that they should not return to Herod,

 they departed into their own

country another way.

And when they were departed,

behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth

 to Joseph in a dream, saying,

Arise, and take the young

child and his mother,

and flee into Egypt,

and be thou there until I bring thee

word: for Herod will seek the

young child to destroy him.

MATTHEW 2:12-13