Dear MAGA: 20231224 Open Topic

This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.

In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.

We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.

Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.

In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.

Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion printed here: 
https://www.theqtree.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

A Visit from Christ
Author: Angie Mosteller

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the earth,
Every creature was stirring, awaiting a birth.
The time for Messiah was certainly near,
The prophets foretold it; the Bible was clear.

From the book of beginnings, the very first sin,
God’s word made it clear how His grace entered in.
Born of a virgin, He’d come as a man.
The Creator among us, the time was at hand.

The stars were arranged to show marvelous things,
Setting Wise Men to journey and find the true King.
Shepherds in Bethlehem gazed on the sky,
Longing to see him, their Lord the Most High.

How could they know that the very next night
An angel of God would speak words of delight?
The Savior was born, it was news of great joy.
In a cloth and a manger they’d find the dear boy.

And a heavenly host would soon join to sing
Of the glory of God and of wonderful things.
He entered creation, set position aside
To show us how deeply His love did abide.

Sin sent us away from our almighty Lord.
He became one of us that we might be restored.
He’s the Prince of our Peace; He’s the one who makes whole.
He is Wisdom Incarnate, a Shepherd of Souls.

He’s the Author of Life; He’s the Ruler of All.
He can offer salvation, on His name we call.
The shepherds and Wise Men would bow to adore
Holy God among men, our greatest reward.

All glory and honor is due to this King.
Let all join in worship; let every tongue sing.
Jesus is Lord, all creation proclaims.
He’s the first and last, He’s always the same.

History turned on the first Christmas day,
When God became man in a humble display.
As we think of the manger in which He was laid,
Let our hearts welcome Him to the world He made!

(more by bc)

Our Messiah arrived, and blest by God’s Dove,
He gave us Himself to show us God’s love.
The deaf now hear and the blind now see,
The burdened unyoked, the slaves are set free.

Mute tongues shout for joy, the lame leap high,
Living waters gush forth. Free. Not to buy.
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Our Messiah has come! So what did men do?
They put Him on trial and scourged Him, too.
They nailed Him to a cruel cross of wood;
This Man of Peace, perfect Love and true Good.

They mocked Him as He hung, struggling for breath,
The only relief would be granted by death.
“Father, forgive them;” now close to death’s knell,
And when He died, God forgave us as well.

A highway appeared, it’s called The Way;
For us who use it, not a one will stray.
Only the redeemed will be walking there,
In robes of pure white, with no sins to bear.

We’ll come to God, all singing His praise,
With everlasting peace for all our days.
Gladness and joy, golden crowns on each head,
Ours forever by the blood that Christ shed.

All glory to God, our Father on High,
Who gifted us faith so we’d never die.
Glory, majesty, dominion and power,
All to our God through eternity’s hours.

And so we rejoice, our Savior was born
To die for our sins, not that we should mourn.
But all, with great joy, celebrate the day
That God gave us Life, and showed us the Way.