Thankfulness

I'm not even going to call it "Thankful Thursday" this time.  But surely I do have so many things to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for extra time spent with my family this week and that includes the new boy, the canine member of this family, Murphy, who has brought so much joy in the wake of some tough times.

I'm thankful for His righteous right arm that upholds us in those tough times.  I'm thankful for His refining in trials too.

And I'm thankful for God's more than adequate provision for us, His provision materially on this earth, yes, but more importantly, His provision spiritually, now and forever, through that glorious Savior Jesus Christ whose birth we just celebrated.

I am thankful.

Sunday's Hymn: Angels, From the Realms of Glory

Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth;

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen his natal star:

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In his temple shall appear;

All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son;
Evermore your voices raising
To th'eternal Three in One:


James Montgomery, 1816
Doxology added
Tune: Regent Square, Henry Smart, 1867

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that my Christmas preparations are just about complete and I can relax in anticipation of the glorious event of the anniversary of our Savior's birth.

I'm thankful as well that Andy can enjoy these next couple of days of anticipation with us at home.

And finally, I am thankful that Murphy will be part of the joy of Christmas with us this year too!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Sunday's Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he—for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind—
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

"To you in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And this shall be the sign.

"The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease!"

Nahum Tate, 1700

Tune: Christmas, George Frederick Handel, 1728

Thankful Thursday

Oops, its Friday again. I was so busy enjoying the reason for my thankfulness...a day off for Andy that we got to spend together...that I didn't remember to post about it! We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Emily at a local restaurant called, appropriately enough, Andy's before doing some browsing and light shopping. We then returned home to take Murphy for a walk and catch up a few things we wanted to do around here...nothing high pressure though. After a supper of chicken and rice soup and salad, we broke into the cookies that one of the ladies in my group at Bible study gave me for Christmas. Mmm, mmm!

So I'm thanking God for some time to relax and regroup together and be reminded of what really matters in this hectic time leading up to the celebration of Christmas. It was a lovely day!

Sunday's Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Who to thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell thy people save,
And give them victory o'er the grave.

O come, thou Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.

O come, thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Latin antiphone, 12th century. Latin hymn, 1710

Tr. by John Mason Neale, 1851

Tune: Veni Emmanuel, Ancient plain song, 13th century

Adapted by Thomas Helmore, 1856

Thankful Thursday

At the top of my list of things to be thankful for today is these four verses from chapter 10 of the book of Hebrews:

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Further down the list but in full recognition that they are gifts from our most gracious God are my family, including the new little canine member, Murphy.

And may I say that I am enjoying the Christmas hymns even more than usual this year?! I'm not sure of why but its true.

How's that for a random list of thankful thoughts on this second Thursday of December?

Sunday's Hymn: How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"E'en down to old age all my people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

"K" in Rippon's Selection, 1787

Tune: Adeste Fideles, Unkown: probably 18th century

Thankful Thursday

How could I not continue to thank our gracious God for this lovable little bundle of joy? He's settling in well and wrapping himself around all of our hearts.

I am also very thankful for the new tenants in the other rental house. They are a particular blessing, coming as they have, just at the start of winter weather.

And I'm thankful for a detour into Hebrews in the study of Acts that I am privileged to participate in this year. I do love the book of Hebrews!