Merry Christmas!!!

Been reading the Christmas story in Luke lately (Trey wanted to read it every day). It stood out to me that when John the Baptist was born, his dad Zechariah prophesied, saying, "Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79). I personally love the sunrise. I've seen some beauties lately, knowing full well that the devastation of the fire lies to the north, but straight ahead I see hills veiled in fog, with layers of hills below and gorgeous hues of pink, orange, and yellow streaking the sky. The Great Artist is incredibly creative. And scary. When his glory shone around the shepherds, they were terrified. And there it is. Beauty and mercy, holiness and glory. We see glimpses. But in His tender mercy, he sends the sunrise (Jesus) to give light, life, and peace. As my sweetheart preached this morning, "In Jesus, the Savior, our GREATEST need is met. By faith in Him we can stand in the presence of God, know the One who made us, and never be separated from the relationship and love we have in Him. We get to know the only true God and get to live with Him forever." Merry Christmas! Happy Christ Coming!