Stamping 411 - The Song of Christmas

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Hello stamping friends! Merry, Merry Christmas to you!
As I reflect on this season and all that it means to so many, I often turn to the music of Christmas. The beauty and truth of this wonderful time of year is easily found in not only the beautiful carols of years past, but in the new music that we often hear on the radio today.
My card reflects a bit of old and new today - a much loved Christmas Carol - one of my favorites from childhood, combined with a new, fresh design from the Stamping 411 blog.
We are sharing from our hearts this week on the 411 and each of us is offering up some special Christmas Blog Candy for our readers. I'll be sharing more about my gift in a post on Sunday, but for those of you reading here now, please leave a comment and share your favorite music of the Christmas season.

The idea for this project was conceived when we were driving home the other night and we were listening to Christmas music on the radio. I was just sitting quietly with my eyes closed and thinking about how much the beautiful lyrics about the birth of Jesus blessed my heart and brought me peace. It was odd to have the sketch design pop into my head then, but I clearly pictured all the elements of this finished project as I sat and let the music wash over me. Sometimes it's just meant to be I suppose.

Music is a huge part of my life as both Mark and I sing in choir and on the praise team at our church, but more than that, music brings me to worship more than any other medium.
At this time of year especially, it's easy to let the commercialism and political correctness of our world overtake the truth surrounding the birth of our Lord. The music of the season brings me back to this truth time and time again, reminding me to worship the King of Kings, not the stuff of the world. It is amazing to me that the King of the universe would CHOOSE to "make his dwelling among us", but He did and in doing so, gave up his throne only to be "despised and rejected by men", eventually giving His very life that we and all that came after us could know the hope of Heaven.

Let me share a bit of my devotion from today - it speaks so well to His great love for us. I hope it will speak to you as it spoke so eloquently to me.
"A woman on earth tells her fiance she's pregnant. The baby isn't his. Now the neighbors are talking about the disgrace. Nine months into the pregnancy they have to leave their home to fulfill a census enforced by the government. The town is packed full of strangers, each one concerned with their own issues. There is not a single room available for the young couple. So they find a stable that would at least provide some shelter.
And there she has her baby.
No family to welcome Him.
No cute outfit to put on Him.
No crib for Him to sleep in, only a manger,
a feeding trough for animals.

Yet, God had come, and they named Him Jesus.

Why would God exchange His throne for a manger? Why would He leave the beauty, perfection and glory of heaven for the messiness, the scandals, and the brokenness of Earth?

He came for us.
He came because we could not reach Him.
He is too high, too holy for us to connect with. We were trapped in a curse, held by a ruthless captor. And because He is so good, He couldn't just leave us that way. When perfect Justice sees oppression, Justice must act. When perfect Love sees His beloved in peril, He must rescue.
So God came down. He left His perfect home and came down to dwell in the mud and the sweat of life on earth. He came down because He loved us.

As you hear Christmas sermons and Christmas songs this season, allow them to affect you.
Your God left His perfect throne, surrendering Himself to the limitations of a human life, surrendering to a plan that would lead to His death and your rescue.
You are deeply loved, child of the King.

May your soul feel its worth this Christmas."

Please enjoy this video by one of my favorite groups - Casting Crowns
It's called "While You Were Sleeping"

Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours this year!
I pray that you will find your heart's desire in the love of family and friends this season, and most of all in the abundant love of Jesus, our Saviour!

Christmas Blessings from my family to yours!
~~Robin