Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

To take God's Son from heaven, to turn the Lord of all

Into a helpless infant, a baby weak and small;

To give to our Creator a fully human face!

This, this is Christmas grace.

The feet that walked in splendor on streets of purest gold,

Now wrapped in humbled swaddling, now shiver from the cold.

The hand that Mary holds hung the moon and stars in space.

This, this is Christmas grace.

Grace to share our frailty, understand our fragile lot;

Jesus laid aside His power to be helped, trained, and taught.

To know the sting of hunger, feel the pain of grief and loss,

God's son allowed Himself to be born for us!

He traded heaven's majesty, He left His glorious throne

For wood and hay and rubble, a shell of flesh and bone;

The Lord Almighty locked in a single time and place.

This, this is Christmas grace.

Christmas Grace

"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."

(Luke 2:11-14)

What the Christmas Season Means to Us

 By: Erin

A few weeks ago, while setting up Christmas decorations, I began thinking about what this season means to us.  Of course, Jesus's birth is the reason why we celebrate this beautiful time of year, but there are other parts of this beautiful season that make it special to us.

For example, it is a Season of Love.  A special time set aside to celebrate the love that made Jesus come down to earth to be born as a baby in a manger - the lowliest place possible. Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger, but of Christ on the cross.  "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him," 1 John 4:9. 

Lo, within a manger lies

He who built the starry skies;

He who, throned in height sublime,

Sits among the cherubim.

Sacred infant, all divine,

What a tender love was Thine,

Thus to come from highest bliss

Down to such a world as this.

Verses 2 & 5 - See Amid the Winter's Snow

It is a Season of Joy - joy because Jesus came to take away our sins and set us free from bondage.  "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," Luke 1:46-47.  "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy," Matthew 2:10.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart

Prepare Him room

And saints and angels sing.

Joy to the World

A Season of Peace.  A time to reflect on the Prince of Peace coming to earth so that we might always have peace in our hearts.  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," Isaiah 9:6.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Christmas is a Season of Hope, since we can only have hope in life through what Christ has done for us - the purpose of Christmas.  "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins," Matthew 1 :21.

In manger bed He lies,

The glorious King of light,

And all is calm as angles sing

On this still and silent night.

Salvation's joy has come,

God's glory, our delight.

And now new hope to us is given

On this still and silent night.

On This Still and Silent Night 

A Season of Light.  As we were hanging up lights, I was reminded that the lights we decorate with at Christmas symbolize Christ coming as the Light of the World.  "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," John 8:12.

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child!

Holy infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

Silent Night

-----------------------------

May we remember the “…good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10) this Christmas season and rejoice in knowing that Emmanuel has come!

In Bethlehem the Son of God

Is born amid the ox and sheep,

And yet the world unknowing goes

With thoughtless pace and careless sleep.

The King of all has come to earth

Without a crown or majesty;

In manger bed the Baby lies-

A humble birth of low degree.

So calm he lies in Mary's arms,

So meek and mild, so warm and still;

The Word of God in flesh has come

To do His Father's precious will.

Emmanuel Has Come

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."

(Luke 1:32)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We pray that this day brings you joy as you lift your voices in praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior - the Giver of all good things!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Come, ye thankful people, come, 

Raise the song of harvest home; 

All is safely gathered in, 

Ere the winter storms begin. 

God our Maker doth provide 

For our wants to be supplied; 

Come to God's own temple, come, 

Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field, 

Fruit as praise to God we yield; 

Wheat and tares together sown 

Are to joy or sorrow grown; 

First the blade and then the ear, 

Then the full corn shall appear; 

Lord of harvest, grant that we 

Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,

And shall take the harvest home; 

From the field shall in that day 

All offenses purge away, 

Giving angels charge at last 

In the fire the tares to cast; 

But the fruitful ears to store 

In the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,

Bring thy final harvest home; 

Gather thou thy people in, 

Free from sorrow, free from sin, 

There, forever purified, 

In thy presence to abide; 

Come, with all thine angels, come, 

Raise the glorious harvest home.

Henry Alford

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: 

come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he is God: 

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; 

and his truth endureth to all generations."

(Psalm 100)

Family Fellowship Evening

By: Luke

Several weeks ago, we had our annual Family Fellowship Evening.  Before COVID, it was so easy to take for granted the privilege of being with other like minded believers.  Now we are reminded to thank God whenever we are able to fellowship!  It is so refreshing to be with other people, in addition to being encouraged in the Lord.  We began the evening by singing a hymn together, having a devotion, and then Morgan, Isaac, Erin, and I, sang a song that has been a blessing to us - "In Faith I Follow".  It has taken faith and trust to get through this year, so after praying about it, we felt it was the Lord's leading to have this year's theme for the evening be, "Faith".
  
Something I strive for is a faith-filled life, so this year has been a good challenge to me.  It is always encouraging to hear other people's lives of faith.  One man’s life of faith that has been a blessing to me, is Matt Herbster.  Mr. Herbster went through a very difficult time in his life when his beloved wife, Julie, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2012.  Throughout the ten long months that they fought this terrible disease, he had questions that were not easy to answer.  Why did this happen to us?  How am I going to take care of the children and homeschool them if the Lord takes Julie home?  These were some of the questions that ran through his mind.  Matt Herbster couldn’t see any good in what was happening; however, he knew that God is good and he was going to trust in Him no matter what happened.  Sadly, on March 25, 2013, his wife, Julie Herbster, went to be with the Lord.  Mr. Herbster could have lived the rest of his life in grief and bitterness toward God.  He could have left the Lord, and the ministry he served, but, praise the Lord, he didn’t.  Even though he didn’t understand why this happened, he knew God had a plan, and he chose to continue serving and trusting the Lord, and taught his children to do the same.  He wrote a beautiful song, "In Faith I Follow", to share his faith in God with others and as a dedication to his wife.

Even though we may go through difficult times and the path ahead of us may seem sad and lonely, I pray that each of us chooses to live the life of faith that Matt Herbster chose to live, and then share it with others.  May we keep our gaze fixed only on Christ!

Setting up for dinner.

Singing...

Game time!

This is not musical chairs.  It is one of my favorite games called "I Never"!

In Faith I Follow

In faith I follow on the path though the way is hid from view.

My soul is trusting in your will, I gladly lean on You.

Lead me on, loving Shepherd, I rest in all You are.

Keep my gaze on only You, Lord; strengthen now my fainting heart.

In faith I follow on the path though I'm worn by fear and care.

Refresh me with unending joy to lift me from despair.

Lead me on, loving Shepherd, my refuge and my shield.

Keep my gaze on only You, Lord; to Your will my soul doth yield.

In faith I follow on the path 'neath the shadow of the cross.

You freely gave so I could live, I count all gain as loss.

Lead me on, loving Shepherd, I kneel before Your throne.

Keep my gaze on only You, Lord, my life is not my own.

In faith I follow on the path, soon I'll see You face to face.

In times of pain, I need Your strength to finish strong the race.

Lead me on, loving Shepherd, affliction I will bear.

Keep my gaze on only You, Lord, glory comes beyond compare.

"For we walk by faith not by sight...  For He is faithful that promised,"
2Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 10:23.

The Earth is the Lord's

 

Random Pictures from Summer!

 By: Erin

One of Luke's Sebright Roosters enjoying Summer!

We were so glad to have the rest of the trees around our house removed before hurricane season!

Isaac and Luke installed a window unit in the office.

For Independence Day, we had dinner together and enjoyed a fireworks show and sparklers.

We had a blast celebrating Isaac's birthday!

Continued work on the barn...

It is a blessing to be a volunteer photographer for Faith Equestrian!

The ways cats sleep...:)

Isaac did a great job tilling our garden for planting!

The welcoming committee!

Jiggers, our outdoor cat.

Benjamin and Joseph put a drawer together with Mom!

Isaac and Luke grilled (pre-cooked) pizza for Mom and Dad's anniversary.

Tending to the plants.

Joseph's birthday...

Benjamin and Luke played a piano and violin duet for church one Sunday.

Taking care of the bees!

We had another "exciting" project come up on a Saturday!

Our newest goat, Bell!

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Psalm 27:14

August Trip to Virginia

 By: Erin

At the end of August, we took our family vacation to Roanoke, VA, to kayak, hike, and visit our family and friends there.  Due to our longer trip in June and the difficulties the virus has brought, Dad wasn't able to come with us, so we made the trip shorter.  Nevertheless, we had a ton of fun!  We always enjoy being in God's creation and are so thankful for the beautiful places in the world He has given us!

On our way to NC to spend the night with some wonderful friends!

Before having dinner (a Mexican casserole Luke prepared), we sang some songs we'd been working on.

All of us with our wonderful Aunt Emma!

The next day, we drove up to VA and spent the evening with the family we stayed with.  After dinner, we got to play with their recent litter of very friendly Labradoodle Puppies!

The next day, we embarked on our yearly kayak trip in the morning and spent the whole day on the James River.

Passing through the legendary rapid!

Enjoying the water!

Isaac brought his drone and took some pictures of the landscape above our level.

The leaves had already begun falling...

After a fun time on the river, we visited our wonderful Aunt Elizabeth and she threw a mini birthday party for everyone!

The next morning, we had breakfast with a friend we have known for several years.

Then, we went horseback riding!

Joseph and Benjamin did a great job with their horses!

Our whole crew!  It was a beautiful day!

The mini donkey babies were so adorable!

We enjoyed more visits with friends, and delicious pizza!

On the beginning of our drive home on Saturday, there were some interesting cloud formations over the mountains.

We enjoyed going to a church in North Carolina before heading home on Sunday.

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: 

the earth is full of thy riches." (Psalm 104:24)