Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

Before the lights stop sparkling, while the carols still ring in our hearts, I’d like to share with you the beautiful hymn, Love Came Down at Christmas.  Words to this lovely poem were written by Christina Rosetti in 1885.  The message is as heart-warming now as it was then. 

Chistina Georgina Rosetti was born in London in 1830 to a family with many literary talents.  She died in London in 1894.  Christina was well known as a writer of romantic, devotional and children’s poems.  Her poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” was set to music by Gustav Holst and is still widely known and loved.  “Love Came Down at Christmas” has been set to music by many composers.

I hope you’ll forgive me for not writing my own message today.  Christina Rossetti has expressed this message more eloquently than I ever could.  So, I’d like to share it with you.  Enjoy.

Judy

My husband is a “never give up” on the team kinda’ guy.  He loves baseball and always watches his favorite Mets’ games. Sometimes they are amazing, but sadly, for years, they have not made it to the playoffs.  Baseball is definitely his game.  Until his shoulder injury, he played senior softball in a league and was a great player, fast runner, good enough to always hit the ball, too. At one particular game, his #1 Fan…me… was in the stands watching.  He was at the plate, in his stance, when he looked over at me and did the famous Babe Ruth gesture.  He pointed out in the field, smiling, saying, “This one is for YOU (me)!” It was truly an awesome, soaring ball, flying far out in the field. Beautiful home run.  I was the one loudly cheering. LOL

On my morning walk today, I was listening to praise music and some oldie hymns. One particular song, I had never heard before. It was a country-type hymn and these words popped out at me: “The Righteous slide into base and the Umpire, God, calls them SAFE in His home.” Isn’t that great? I know some folks are coached by the lies of Satan, but I pray they will see the Light. Our dear Lord, loves us so unconditionally, and His Holy Word coaches and provides us with truth and wisdom. I do think I will carry that visual, of sliding into HOME and hearing my Heavenly Father calling me SAFE, tucked in my heart.

Jill

Another year is over in a few days. This year has gone by faster than any other I have experienced in my life. I wonder if each year will go by faster than the year before? As you begin 2026, I found this message on how to begin the coming year on a positive note. The author is unknown.

– Mend  a quarrel.

– Seek out a forgotten friend.

– Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

– Give a soft answer.

– Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

– Forgo a grudge.

– Examine your demands of others.

– Think first of someone else.

– Express your gratitude.

– Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the Earth.

                                    AND

Give thanks to our Lord everyday for His unconditional love that came to us in the form of a baby born in a lowly place.  We are forgiven and saved through His grace. 

Begin the year with a clean slate and lift those burdens from your shoulders with help from our Heavenly Father. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be open. Ask and it will be given. Matthew 7- 7-8.  Have a blessed new year, and thanks be to God!

Patty

This is the way the church calendar works. Instead of telling us all about the birth of Jesus, letting us in on the laughter and love that surrounded that little manager in Bethlehem, we are brought to the story of Saint Stephen, the first martyr for Christ. 

That’s the way it works, and it is an inspiring story. Chapters 6 and 7 of Acts of the Apostles tell the story of Stephen and his devotion to Jesus and the early church. When you read these chapters, you will see that a large portion of the speech that Stephen gives to the Sanhedrin repeats the stories of Joseph and Moses.  

Stephen had been accused of being disloyal to Moses and his long speech is meant to relay to the council that he is not disloyal, but that they are the ones who have misinterpreted the message of these events and betrayed and murdered the Righteous One -Jesus Christ. It is a strong condemnation of the Sanhedrin and their actions in the killing of Jesus. 

No need to explain that the Sanhedrin did not like nor agree with these comments. In fact, as noted in Acts 7:54, “they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.”  

Here’s another interesting note about Stephen: Saul, a notorious persecutor of the early Christians, who later became Saint Paul and wrote this account, was present at this execution and approved. This is a very worthy read to acquire a sense of what the early church was like and how it functioned. 

Previously, Stephen had been appointed by the church leaders to be the first deacon, with responsibilities to care for the widows and orphans of the congregation. In recognition of this care, Kenneth Haugh named the caring ministry which he started decades ago: The Stephen Ministry. For more information on this meaningful ministry contact: stephenministries.org       

I have witnessed the effects of the unconditional love practiced by Stephen Ministers here in my congregation. It is awe-inspiring. It is our own meager attempt to repeat the unconditional love that our Lord God has for each one of us.  

Happy Day After Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day! 

Terri 

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 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, 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.   

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.

 THERE were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   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.  

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. 

You’ve just read most of Luke 2:1-16, the story that tells you God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

What a glorious Christmas song:  “O Holy Night the stars are brightly shining!”  There we are on the darkened hillside with the shepherds.  Only the stars light up the clear night sky.  The music builds and our voices go higher to that wonderful moment of “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices.”  And as we sing, we share the shepherds’ thrill!

I first experienced “O Holy Night” as a little girl. On Christmas Day, after the turkey had been consumed and the dishes washed, all the aunts and uncles gathered in my grandmother’s cozy living room. The highlight of the afternoon came after the last gift had been unwrapped, when the whole family gathered around the old upright piano to sing. I sat at the piano, bungling many notes but doing my best. My dad and uncles enthusiastically threw in some tenor harmony and my aunt was proud of her good strong alto. On and on we sang. When we had sung most of the familiar carols, it was time for everyone’s favorite, “O Holy Night.”   To my young ear, it could have been the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing heartily behind me.

Well, they’ve all gone on to their eternal reward now, every one of them. Somehow in the parade of years, I’ve become the grandma. But those loved ones and their voices still sing in my heart and memory. When I hear “O Holy Night” again this Christmas, their voices will be joining in.

It is indeed a truly Holy Night. “It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.”  It is the night God’s unconditional love became flesh — for me,  for YOU.

Judy

          “O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
          It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth . . .
          Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
          O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
          O night divine! O night, O night divine!”*

*Text Adolphe Charles Adams (1803-1856); tune Cappeau de Roquemaure

He was an actual, real-life, human, historical person. Even the Roman Empire, mighty as it was, certified his authenticity. Son of David. Son of God. Son of Man. 25,000 ancient manuscripts confirm the truth, and yet some people still don’t buy it. That is, how Jesus can be both divine and human. Born in Judea but announced by a new star so bright that astrologers in Persia had to give it a look-see. Prophecy pronounced centuries before they were fulfilled, and living on in our stories of The Story.

As for an actual birthdate, though? Good luck with that! We only have December 25th because Emperor Constantine made it so 1700 years ago. It is not certain whether Jesus was born in the bleak midwinter, unless we remove shepherds abiding in their fields from the scenario. Further historical digging would take you in the direction of trying to determine when the census would have been taken. News, even royal decrees, traveled slow. For documenting purposes, it is probably sufficient enough to assert that Joseph was the “caregiver”, the one responsible according to law and Jewish heritage. Trace back forty-two generations, and you get to King David.

This greatest of all seasons, holiest of all births, is for all the analysts, star-gazers, scientists, and theologians. For you and me, all that is essential is knowing that we are unconditionally loved.
Blessed Christmas indeed.

Pastor Art

Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night,
though dark the winter and cheerless,
the rising sun shall crown you with light,
be strong and loving and fearless.

Love be our song and love our prayer
and love our endless story;
may God fill ev’ry day we share
and bring us at last into glory.*

Marty Haugen’s Advent Hymn, Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn, concludes with this, the fourth stanza.  Now the theme is love.  “Let love be our song, and love our prayer, and love our endless story.”  The babe of Bethlehem is coming, the nativity draws near, and it is a scene of pure love.  We picture the love in Mary’s eyes as she gazes at her newborn.  We see the love of the shepherds as they kneel at the manger. 

In 1885 Christina Rossetti wrote the poem, which we know as “Love Came Down at Christmas,” although it was originally published without a title.  It has since been set to music by many composers, often titled “Christmas Carol.”  The message of her poem is simple and sincere.  Love came down. Love was born.  Love shall be yours.  Love shall be mine.

May love fill your heart this Christmas season.  And may we share that love generously with all those around us. 

Judy

*Stanza 4, Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn, Text & Music Marty Haugen

Hm? What does comfort look like to you? What does it feel like? For some, it is coming home from work and putting on your favorite slippers.  When your feet are relaxed and cradled in warm fuzzies, all is well.  For others, comfort is a hug. A shoulder to lay your head on as a loved one holds you. Your favorite pjs and a comforter, nestling you into your couch or lounger. A fireplace with logs crackling and a sip of brandy or hot chocolate as you let the dancing flames comfort you. A mountain top view. An ocean rolling its waves to shore. The list of comfort is quite long.

You can achieve that same wonderful “comfort” from His Holy Word.  Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 1 Peter 5: 7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Nothing is wrong with getting comfy, be it slippers or snuggling on a couch, or resting your feet up on a lounger, but remember The Comforter is Jesus and He loves you unconditionally.  He is available 24/7, no matter where or when, He will comfort you and me.  I’m ready and in my ratty old bathrobe.  He’s waiting for you!

Jill   

Here is another acrostic poem for the coming Christmas week. It is the greatest message the world has ever heard.

Christ is Born

Celebration fills the air as we remember His arrival,

Hope shines brightly in a world longing for light.

Redeemer of all, He steps into our story,

Illuminating hearts with unfailing love.

Shepherd of souls, guiding us gently,

Truth wrapped in humility, lying in a manger.

In Him we find peace that the world can’t give,

Salvation offered through grace alone.

Born to bring life, joy, and, restoration,

Overflowing mercy from heaven and earth.

Radiant is the gift we celebrate…

Name above all names, Jesus, our Savior and King!

May the knowledge of Jesus’ birth and His purpose for us remain in your heart this Christmas season and always and never forget that God loves you unconditionally. Thanks be to God!

Patty