Fum, Fum, Fum

Nope, that's not a typo --- that really is the name of today's song!  When I was 12, my church did a Christmas play of how people celebrate Christmas around the world.  This song was one of the songs we sang in honor of the countries of France and Spain.  Wikipedia has some fun facts about the song :)  The tune is a fun, upbeat little ditty.  Enjoy!

"Fum, Fum, Fum"

On December twenty-five sing fum, fum, fum.

On December twenty-five sing fum, fum fum.

Born is He for love of us, the Son of God, the Son of God.
Born is He of virgin Mary
On December twenty-five sing fum, fum, fum.

Little stars up the sky sing fum, fum, fum.
Little stars up in the sky sing fum, fum, fum.
See the little Jesus crying.  Don't you cry, don't you cry.
Fill the night with twinkling starlight
Little stars up in the sky sing fum, fum, fum.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 12, 1 Timothy 4

Thankful

Today's song is one that Josh Groban is known for singing; my sister and I also recorded this one on our Christmas CD.  The words are so thought-provoking...and really, are good for any time of the year!

"Thankful"

Somedays we forget to look around us
Somedays we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be.
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change - and even though we all can still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say "I'll cry tomorrow"
Each of us must find our truth, it's so long overdue.

Even with our differences, there is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light...

And even though this world needs so much more,
There's so much to be thankful for.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 11, 1 Timothy 3

What Child Is This

What Child Is This

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 10, 1 Timothy 2

The First Noel

Fun fact: did you know that "noel" is a French-based word meaning "Christmas"?

This Christmas hymn actually tells a story with all its verses.

"The First Noel"

The first noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor sheperds in fields as they lay:
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel-Noel-Noel-Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far:
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from the country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the north-west;
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with His blood mankind has bought.

--- 

Bible Reading: Proverbs 9, 1 Timothy 1

Musical Monday - Mary, Did You Know

Actually, this entire week is going to be "musical" - to change things up a bit, we're going to look at a Christmas song each day that begins with the right letter :)  There are so many fun, special Christmas songs out there...it's hard to pick just 5!

But, having to pick ones that begin with M, T, W, and F helped - so here we go!

"Mary, Did You Know"

Mary, did you know that your baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

The blind will see; the deaf will hear; the dead will live again.
The lame will leap; the dumb will speak the praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great I Am.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 8, Galatians 6

Favorite Friday

Do you have a favorite verse in the Bible?  I know it is hard to pick just one...and you don't have to pick just one!  My life verse is Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."  Psalm 27 was very special to a college friend of mine; she had the entire chapter memorized!  She even had the first verse on a bracelet as a constant reminder of how the LORD used that chapter in her life.

What about you?  Do you have a favorite verse, passage, or even a life verse?

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 5, Galatians 5

Thankful Thursday

Today's challenge is short and to the point:

Have you thanked the LORD for anything yet today?

...told ya!  :) #shortandsweet #thoughtprovoking 

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4, Galatians 4

Wisdom On Wednesday

This verse really jumped out at me the other day when I read Proverbs 26.  I know we just talked about lying yesterday, but as much as it is in the Bible, it bears repeating in our blog, too!

"A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin." ~ Proverbs 26:28

I thought it really interesting that the people being lied to are not the ones hating the liar.  No - it says that the liar hates the ones he is lying to/about.  "Hate" is a pretty strong word...and that's the word the LORD is using to refer to a liar!

So much damage is done with our tongue...damage that would be avoided if we would just think twice before we speak.  If we would just tell the truth on purpose.  If we would just make a habit of embracing "whatsoever things are true" (Philippians 4:8) rather than embracing "every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

A lying tongue just speaks of a messed up heart.  Remember?  The tongue is the tattletale of the heart.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3, Galatians 3

Tongue-Talk Tuesday

"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: 

for we are members one of another." ~ Ephesians 4:25

Lying is acceptable in the world...unfortunately.  Even high-up business people think it is ok to lie if it means making more money or making themselves look better.  Lying, as we know, is a sin; however, the world does not often realize this is a sin and thus it is normal for the world to lie.

What is REALLY unfortunate, however, is when Christians lie.  If you think about it, there is absolutely nothing gained from telling a lie; the Bible is true when It says "be sure your sin will find you out".  I think we could all recall times in our lives where we lied and then later paid the consequences for doing so.  Besides being childish, lying is deceitful, careless, and something the LORD calls an abomination.

Heed the warning, girls - choose to tell the truth!

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 2, Galatians 2

Mindful Monday

It's the month of CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am such a huge Christmas fan.  Even though we live in Florida and don't get to see real snow, there's just something magical about Christmastime.  It's the most wonderful time of the year! :)

Today, I'm speaking to the girls at Landmark Baptist College.  I am going to seek to share with them my heart in this season.  My heart is this: while enjoying Christmas is at the top of my list, blessing other people on purpose is also at the top of my list.  In fact, our own Beautiful Girlhood outing this weekend involves blessing other people!  

You girls know that I love to give gifts.  It is so easy to give gifts to "my girls" because I know what you like, I know what makes you smile, and I know when you might be needing a "just because" gift!  The time that it's hard to give a gift is when you don't really know the person you want to minister to.  Maybe it is the cashier of the gas station you fill up at each week; maybe it's that person who greets you at Wal-Mart every Saturday; maybe it's your English teacher at school.

I don't know who God has placed in your life, but you do.  And, if you're seeking God's face regularly, I am certain that you have others on your heart.

This Christmas, don't wait until you know what that person likes or what he/she might need.  As Nike says, "Just do it!".  Do whatever the LORD lays on your heart to do.  It might not be the purchasing of a gift - it might be an afternoon of raking leaves.  It might not be a $5 Starbucks gift card - it might be a handmade Christmas card.  Each of us don't have to minister to others in the same way.  Indeed, I think much more is accomplished for Christ when we simply minister the way God leads us to.

---

Bible Reading: Proverbs 1, Galatians 1