Christmas Not Just Any Day

Christmas is not just any day to me. The season is not just any season for me. There is definitely something in the air, I believe somehow God releases His spirit in a special way, or He opens people's hearts in a special way, or both. I went to the Grace Cathedral Christmas service this morning, arrived a few minutes late but not too late. It was being held in a corner of the sanctuary with fold-up chairs, I don't know, maybe 30-50 people, more or less. I was glad I did. They always play "In the Bleak Midwinter," which I never heard in any of the churches I have attended since 1979 when I was miraculously encountered by God and have not regularly attended Episcopal churches since. No offense, I hope, I was confirmed in that denomination when I was around 12, I think. Anyway, it's another foggy morning, but maybe not as bad as last night in the dark, temperature in the 50s, asked Siri to take me. Good thing with all our one way streets, and I thought it was on 8th Street but apparently it's on 10th. Anyway, the building is absolutely spectacular, I love it. I know, I know, the church is not a building. Please, I know. But there is something to be said about God's house being spectacular, and I appreciate Grace Cathedral, though it is not my regular meeting place. I noticed singing some Christmas hymns, that, as usual, I could with much difficulty sing them in the keys in which they were written, and so swung into harmony which is what I have been doing all my life. I remembered trying to sing them as a child, which is probably why I naturally sing harmony. I can get up to some of the notes but it's a lot easier just to find the harmony and stay there. The other hymns were "Good Christian Men, Rejoice," but they changed it to "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice," (which I didn't care for, but they must have done that one before I arrived); The First Nowell," vv. 1,2,4; "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." They did a lot of other ones at the Christmas Eve service which I watched at home last night. I should try to go to one of those, if I survive another year. I am not happy about the secularization of everything nowadays, but there is nothing I can do about it but to continue walking with the Lord. What else can any of us do? Pray and live our lives with the desire to shine our light and be faithful to God. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who came down from his throne on high to walk among us, because he is one Person of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), to take away our sin by dying on the cross, something most people may not understand, I am sure I don't. All I know is I believe that he rose again from the dead, and that his word is true, because he manifested himself to me. He drew me by his spirit and saved me and changed my life, and continues to change my life, day by day. I have been blessed this Christmas. It is a special day. Went to church am going to friends' at 2:00 and my neighbor who does not know the Lord wants to "pay me back" for my kindness to her, which was done in obedience to the urging of the Holy Spirit. I want to tell her what God wants me to tell her, that it is Jesus who wants to be her friend. I don't know why that should be so hard. I'm going to go over there now. If you get this please pray for me for wisdom. I want to let her know it's because of Jesus that I have been sweet to her. God bless you all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Actually, I'll talk to you before New Year's if the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise. Sorry, I just love that expression. If the Lord tarries, I should say. Anyway, I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas day. Hasta Luego.