Christmas Day '09 -

(taken this afternoon by yours truly - Mopsie fell asleep) :)

Merry Christmas from our clan!!!

Ed, Mary Ellen, Kimberly, Jean Marie & Mopsie.

"Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor"

by Frank Houghton.

"1. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,

All for love's sake becamest poor;

Thrones for a manger didst surrender,

Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,

All for love's sake becamest poor.

2. Thou who art God beyond all praising,

All for love's sake becamest man;

Stooping so low, but sinners raising

Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.

Thou who art God beyond all praising,

All for love's sake becamest man.

3. Thou who art love beyond all telling,

Savior and King, we worship thee.

Emmanuel, within us dwelling,

Make us what thou wouldst have us be.

Thou who art love beyond all telling,

Savior and King, we worship thee."

"Our Lord Jesus Christ ... was rich,

yet for your sakes He became poor,

so that you through His poverty might become rich."

~ 2nd Corinthians 8:9

"He is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with Him will be

His called, chosen and faithful followers." ~ Rev. 17:14

For me, and for my family this year,

and for SO many other beloved families,

(S.'s, J.'s, D.'s, Y.'s, N.'s)

this(next hymn) is a precious hymn to read through -

it is grace I flipped to this page and as I read it, tears rose.

What words of comfort, how true of our dear Savior.

We remember His word shall NEVER be broken,

that while we mourn, His glory and grace are revealed,

that beauty rises every moment from our ashes,

He makes lovely our waste places,

and comforts His people with everlasting love,

we praise Thee, this Christmas, our Lord Jesus!

Merry Christmas from this blog, and our family.

~ Jean Marie ~

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem." ~ Isaiah 40:1, 2

"Comfort, comfort Ye my people"

by Johannes Olearius (1671)

"1. Comfort, comfort, ye My people,

Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;

Comfort those who sit in darkness,

Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.

Speak ye to Jerusalem

of the peace that waits for them;

Tell her that her sins I cover

And her warfare now is over.

2. Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day,Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.


3. Hark, the Herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.


4. Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,And all flesh shall see the tokenThat His Word is never broken."
(italics and bold added by me for emphasis)