Do you remember when you knew?
Christmas ‘Altar Call’
Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Holy salvation
God’s kingdom
Hark the herald angels sing
When bells of Christmas past did ring
Do you hear, can you feel
Christmas joy, tangible, surreal
As a Babe in Bethlehem did come
God incarnate Gifted Son
Came to save and seek the lost
What great gain, What great cost
While you think of what to gift
I have a question, perhaps like this;
Do you know, have you seen
Heavens herald, when angels sing
At Migdal Edar, temple Shepherds saw
Heavens first ‘Altar call.’
Oh Come and see what God has done
One and only perfect Son
Joy to the world sent to all
Christmas season’s ‘Altar call’
Bring your hearts on bended knee,
God In Heaven has called to thee
This perfect GIFT, not available in any mall
Don’t mistake Christmas-it’s heaven’s Altar call.’
Life eternal, joy Divine
Where it’s CHRIST mas all the time
© laurette laster 2017
Luke 2:11-14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and in earth peace to those on whom His favor rest.”
When the time has come for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to present Him to The Lord.
Simeon was given special insight from the Spirit that he would recognize the Messiah.
Simeon’s revelation by The Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen The Lord’s Messiah
Luke 2:30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
I first saw this picture Christmas Eve 2013, it was the cover page of The Upper Room pamphlet. With great excitement I said to Greg, “oh look it is Simeon with Jesus.” Later after leaving the candlelight service, Greg ask how I ‘immediately’ knew that was Simeon when seeing the picture, asking had I seen this photo before? I said I’m not sure, I just knew.
I’ve not met Simeon or ever seen a picture to my knowledge, how did I know? I felt the power of the a painter’s captioning because the same Spirit that lives in us still gives insight.
I was ecstatic Christmas 2014 after (finally) receiving this painting, from my husband Greg for Christmas. A few wrong deliveries, to Greg’s chagrin as he sat proudly with me. (His perfect plan for Christmas Eve delivery destroyed as I sat awaiting in great expectation my gift, him receiving the email notice; your package has been delivered. His face flushed when finally finding out it had mistakenly been dropped off at a distribution center, now closed until after Christmas) the painting finally made its way home to me.
It is one of the first things I see each day as I awaken.
Do you remember when you received the gift of your Salvation?
Merry Christmas-
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 