Christmas Day: A Day Of Joy and Good News for Everyone!

25 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 2:10.        And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Merry Christmas To One And All!

At long last, it’s the Big Day friends…Yes Christmas Day is finally here after all the hustle and bustle. Let’s hope that we all can enjoy a joyful and peaceful Christmas with friends and families, as we remember that Jesus was born on this day some two thousand years ago to bring light and eternal life to this dark and evil world. And today we wish all our Scrip-Bits friends and families a joyful Christmas Day, and let’s remember to spend some time pondering and meditating on the reason for the Christmas Season…Jesus Christ! (smile) 

And we all know the story of Christ’s birth, where the Emperor Caesar Augustus sent out a decree for a census to be taken, which meant that people had to go to their original homes to be registered. Thus it was that Joseph and Mary, pregnant with Jesus, found themselves on the road to Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, for he was of the lineage of Bruh David. And it so happened that on this particular night when Mary was ready to give birth, they could find no decent place to stay and ended up in a smelly barn with all sorts of animals, and there she gave birth to baby Jesus. (Luke 2:1-7) 

Now, while some of us may be wondering why God caused His Son to be born in a smelly old barn, with a manger (feed trough) for His cradle, when He was omnipotent and could do anything. I guess because God wanted to show that Jesus was not born to be a ruler, at this time, but more  a servant and thus a barn suited His purpose. Plus the fact that the Lord likes to take fools to confound the wise, and the weak to confound the mighty, and things that are not to confound those that are. (smile) (1 Cor. 1:27) 

Anyhow, on that starry, starry night when Christ was born, an angel from on high came to earth to break the good news to the people. And who were the first ones he shared it with? A group of unimportant, sidelined people, shepherds who were in the fields watching their flocks. There again, the Lord was showing the importance of the lowly man in His estimation, by first telling the shepherds of Christ’s birth. 

And the Bible tells us: ‘And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon (stood before) them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them: and they were sore (greatly) 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 (cloths), lying in a manger (feed trough). 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.’ (Luke 2:8-14) 

Yes mih bredrin the heavenly host came to earth to celebrate the birth of Jesus, serenading the earth with beautiful heavenly music. And if the heavens could come and sing on Jesus’ birthday, why can’t we too eh? (smile) No reason whatsoever. So let’s offer up sweet sacrifices of praise on this Christmas day singing that old but always marvellous hymn from the pen  of that wonderful hymnist, Charles Wesley, one which reminds us of that amazing night two thousand years ago, and aptly titled, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing.’ 

So, with heartfelt, sincere voices, let’s offer an up-tempo version that heaven will find worthy. Singing: ‘Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” (Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King”) Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the ‘incarnate Deity, pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain] 

 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. [Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King”, Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King”.’ 

And yes my fellow believers, this is indeed a day when we need to give much glory to Christ, our Lord and Saviour, born, as the song says, ‘that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.’ And is that ever the gospel truth! For those were the express purposes that the Father sent Him to earth; to be a light to a world living in darkness, while providing salvation and eternal life to all of us who were lost. 

And we pray that on this Christmas Day of 2025, that Jesus has found us and has brought us home to His flock, where we shall remain forever, feeding on green pastures, by peaceful waters, wanting nothing in His awesome LOVE, PEACE, and JOY! 

Now that would certainly bring a trill of joy and warmth to the cockles of the Father’s heart, and a bright smile to His face, because that was His intention from the very beginning! So let’s enjoy the day, the season, and do our best to live sincerely for Christ! Much LOVE!

…Christmas…a time of joy and peace…but also a time of pondering the purpose of our lives…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 December 2017 1 Samuel 16:7.

17 Dec 2017 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Samuel 16:7.   Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Eight days friends, eight long days to Christmas Day! And can you imagine the loud voices raised in glorious  song, in praise and worship all over the world as that day draws nigh, and we gather in the Lord’s house this and next Sunday to fellowship with joy and gladness! And when you add heaven’s rejoicing with their own songs of praise and worship, what a joyful cacophony of harmonious singing there will be in the universe! (smile) 

So let’s not waste any time in joining that awesome choir of celebration, let’s declare our own joy by offering up our rendition of the old but much beloved hymn, ‘Hark the herald angels sing,’ written by Charles Wesley in the early 18th century. With much pomp and pride and heartfelt sincerity, let’s open up our mouths, and with sacrificial praise let the world know how glad and grateful we are for Jesus’ birth.  

In perfect harmony now: ‘Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” (Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”) Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. (Refrain) 

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. (Refrain) Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display Thy saving pow’r, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. (Refrain) 

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy LOVE. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart. (Refrain).’

Ah friends, how beautiful it is to give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father! Nothing moves our heart like that. And it also moves the Father’s heart when He sees the outpouring of real LOVE from the very depths of our hearts towards Him, not just us spouting inane platitudes to try and win His attention. That’s why it’s ever so important to have right motives in our hearts at all times my brethren. 

Remember what the Lord said to Samuel in our Bit when He sent him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king of Israel. ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused (rejected) him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.’ 

Yes my fellow believers, we can carry on with all sorts of righteousness and holiness in public, like the Pharisees did, but if our heart isn’t right, then the Lord will simply ignore us. And unfortunately, in this current version of our society, outward appearance is a very big factor in how we react to and treat each other. That’s why there are so many outwardly good-looking ungodly, incompetent, simple-minded and evil people in our world today. Oh we can certainly put on a good outward show, be kind and generous and all that, but when the Lord checks us out and realizes that we’re only doing it just for our personal benefit, He’s simply going to cut us off at the knees. 

And a very good example of that is Jesus’ position on the offering of a poor widow and that of the rich folks. ‘And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites (small copper coins), which make a farthing.  And he (Jesus) called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance (surplus); but she of her want (out of her poverty) did cast in all that she had, even all her living (her whole livelihood).’ (Mark 12:42-44) 

Yeh friends, in the Lord’s eyes, it’s not always about how much you give, but more often what sacrifice you make to give whatever it is. If we have plenty, we can always give plenty. But it’s when we don’t have plenty, then we see the true nature of our hearts. As the scholars say: ‘12:43-44. God does not measure giving by conventional human standards.’ And that’s gospel truth! 

Thus friends, it’s ever so important for us have the kind of heart that the Lord approves of, and the best way to get that is by going to Him in sincere prayer and asking for His help, like Bruh David did at the end of Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. He humbly pleads: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try (test) me, and know my (anxious) thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ (Ps.139:23-24)

Yes my people, that’s the best way to acquire a right heart…go directly to the Father! Much LOVE!

…a man whose heart is not right…will not find favour with the Lord…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 December 2015 Luke 1:38

24 Dec 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 1:38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s Christmas Eve; just one more day to that wonderful occasion, the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Glory to God! So in celebration let’s begin with some soulful singing of this famous carol, ‘Hark! The Herald angels sing.’ 

With all the gusto and enthusiasm we can muster now. ‘Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. 

Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord. Late in time behold He’ll come. Offspring of a Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see. Hail the incarnate deity,.Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. 

Hail, the heaven born Prince of Peace, Hail, the Son of Righteousness. Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.’ 

Yes my brethren, our Jesus, our Lord and Saviour is all those things: our Emmanuel, God with us; the Prince of Peace, the Son of Righteousness; Light and Life to all; Our Redeemer, so that we won’t face or fear death anymore; the One who causes us to be spiritually born again, plus several more like King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

Oh what a blessed privilege it is to serve such a mighty, but gracious and merciful King! 

And all God’s children triumphantly shouted: ‘Blessed is His Name, Jesus! The Name above all names! To whom every knee shall bow and declare that He is Lord indeed, all to the glory of God!’ 

Mama Mia! The most superlative blessing ever bestowed on man; the birth and subsequent death and rising up again of Jesus Christ! Glory Hallelujah! 

That brings us hope…and joy…and faith for all eternity! No other supposed God can offer those things, ONLY the ONE, TRUE and LIVING GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! 

So why do we not appreciate them as we should eh? Why are we allowing the evil minions of Lucifer to deprive us, to take away our Christian heritage? 

Just sit for a moment and imagine what this Christmas season means to us all nuh; a bright and bold and confident future, filled with the faith of all God’s promises. 

So please let’s stop giving in so easily to the evil nature of our society, and instead stand up strong for our beliefs nuh, because that’s why Jesus sacrificed His sinless life; so that we won’t be kicked around like footballs anymore. 

And if we don’t stand up strong, we’ll just be making a mockery of His selfless sacrifice and show that our faith is mere thought and talk, but severely lacking in action. 

And talking about faith, faith in action, our Bit describes, to my mind, the greatest faith, beside that of Jesus shown in the bible; that of His mother, Mary. ‘And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’  

Oh my people, just imagine yourselves a most likely uneducated teenaged girl in the backwater town of Nazareth, in the backwater province of Galilee, just betrothed, engaged to be married, and suddenly one day, out of the blue an angel, a supernatural being, suddenly appears and says to you. ‘Hail (rejoice), thou art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ (Luke 1:28) 

Obviously, like Mary, we would have been surprised, taken aback by such an unusual exalted greeting. ‘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 1:30-31) 

Most of us would have stopped the angel right there. ‘Whoa, brother whoa! What yuh talking about eh? How am I going to bear a child when I’ve just been engaged, and won’t know my husband for a while yet?’ 

But Mary kept silent and allowed the angel to continue. ‘He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest (Most High): And the Lord 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.’ (Luke 1:32-33) 

Only then did Mary question the angel. ‘How shall this be seeing I know not a man (am a virgin)? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest (Most High) shall over-shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing (one) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.’ (Luke 1:34-35) 

Even today Friends, knowing what we know, most of us would certainly be afraid and shaking in our figurative boots. First of all, just talking to an angel would have frightened us. Then the seemingly impossible things he said would just make our fear worst, or we might just burst out laughing figuring that he must be joking. 

But Mary, who most likely had some biblical knowledge about the Messiah, did none of these things. And after that, the angel also told her that her cousin Elisabeth, previously considered barren, was pregnant (with John the Baptist), ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) 

Then having heard it all, Mary calmly made her decision and spoke the immortal words of our Bit. ‘Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word.’ 

And the whole history of the world was changed by her calm acceptance of the angel’s words. Oh my fellow believers, would we be able to calmly accept those words from a spiritual being so easily. I very much doubt it. But Mary did! And that’s what I consider faith in true action! 

Oh, how I wish that we could be so faithful in this evil day and age! Oh I know too friends that that kind of faith is not easy to come by, but please, beginning right now, on this Christmas Eve day, let’s work on improving ours nuh, growing daily in the trust and promises of our great and wonderful God. For that is indeed the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!

…according to your faith…be it unto you…(Matt.9:29) 

P.S. More late night, or rather early morning celebrations friends, simply lead to late Bits. (smile) Much LOVE!