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Praise Ye The Lord-CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 12/24/23
Matthew 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
“They presented unto Him GIFTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Today is Christmas Eve. It is a balmy day here in McDonough, GA. As the many, many Churches prepare to present their GIFT of the CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE.
How well do I remember doing my Christmas Cantatas during this season. My Christmas began in August with a CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST symposium held annually in Pine Mt.. GA. where there was held a presentation of all the latest Christmas music and plays.
Then a mad rush began that consumed the next four months of fevered rehearsals!!!
I awakened (Praise the Lord for AWAKENING again!) this morning with a memory of what have should have been my worst ever Christmas.
The year was 2013 and it was a frightening. MAD time in our personal lives. My grandson Devin was suffering through his (unknown to me) his final days on this earth and my oldest daughter Wendy was in deep trouble and incarcerated in a local jail. My other son Bubba was undergoing personal trial also and Amanda was Amanda.
There were eight family members living in my three bedroom house and life was beyond hectic.
I had already spent Thanksgiving sleeping in an ICU waiting room with Devin and now Christmas was upon us.
Then my oldest daughter suddenly passed away December 7.
We were beyond devastated.
But the misery marched on as Devin continued to worsen and I spent most of the month of December in and out of ICU rooms and sleepless nights in cold, hard waiting room chairs.
Thus I slept Christmas Eve in such a state and returned home Christmas day, exhausted and defeated.
But unknown to me and Wanda, a local family had heard our story and gathered the local community to PRESENT unto US GIFTS from afar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew 2:11 (KJV)
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
As I entered my weary house FULL of weary and defeated family there sat a woman of God on my sofa surrounded by colorful wrapped PRESENTS of UNEXPECTED treasures-gift cards, clothing, toys, and many forgotten now items-the main gift I remember were colorful blankets individually chosen for each and every grieving family member! It was a Christmas I will never forget and that woman, MS BECK, hopefully will not either.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TODAY!!!!
On this Christmas Eve I PRAY God will bless your season of life and that all will cherish the GIFT of GIVING-THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
My Christmas Eve day began with a GRATEFUL call from a prisoner who was just PRAISING THE LORD for being FREE of “the hole” for Christmas. No gifts or holiday meal for him-just a prison cell relatively free of solitary confinement!!!
Psalm 150:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
“LET EVERYTHING THA HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!!!
PRAISE YE THE LORD!!!”
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!!!
Pastor Doug
Please feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected], or by phone:
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
Your tithes and offerings are greatly appreciated and much needed and can be sent to the above CHURCH ADDRESS or by accessing our website:
WWW.GOSPELOUTREACHCHURCH.COM
and/or via pay pal or cash app.
Thank You and God Bless You!!!
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