New and Old

This year, Christmas was different for us.  I had to spend Christmas Eve working late.  I am not complaining though, I have a job.  When I lost mine a few months ago, it didn’t make things easier, that’s for sure.  But I am going on faith and praising God that we are still here, still working an still able to provide.  It isn’t easy and we have had help along the way.  But God never lets us go through anything alone.  He may not blow you away with his presence, but he places special people in your life that you may or may not realize are working for him.  For those people we are so thankful.   Our family loves each of you for all you have done for us.

As the 2012 approaches, things are still tight, but looking up!  We all have our health, we have a loving family and Christian family, and we are still praising God.  Yes, it’s hard and sometimes sad for the kids, and it breaks my heart, but God is providing for us every day.  2012 will be a challenge for us to downsize more.  I may be working more hours (which is good).  We are trying to get by one less.  But we are spending more time together as a family and for me that’s more important.  So thank you to all who are apart of our lives, we love you.  Thank you for concerns, gifts, and especially prayers.  I keep praying for each of you and I hope you will keep praying for us.  May God bless each of you in new and exciting ways this year.  May we all praise him together starting January 1^st at our churches around the world and may we get back on track for what he wants in our lives.

2 Peter 3:13

¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Listen To the Memories

Listen!  Can you hear them?  That sound, that glorious sound filling the air with beautiful melodies reminds us that the holidays are on the way.  That sound reminds us that we can rejoice with family and friends, that we can be thankful for all our blessings, and that feeling we get can carry us toward a season filled with love, a renewed remembrance of God’s gift to mankind, and sustain us through the New Year with hope.

In my childhood household, we knew it was Christmastime when the sleigh bells jangled on the doors of our home.  Mom would put bells on the front and back doors.  Every time you would turn the knobs, the bells would announce the comings and goings of family members and visitors.  They were a welcomed cheer that, as kids, we come to expect.  It was a special touch that Mom always gave.

Sleigh bells bring such memories as falling snow, horses pulling sleighs, Kris Kringle and many songs.  Some of you remember gliding over the cold, frozen snow in a sleigh, pulled by a horse, bells jingling with each trot.  I always feel excitement at each Christmas concert when the orchestra started playing Sleigh Ride.  The cracking of the whip, the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves, and the bells being shook to keep the time transported me back to another place.  It still takes me back to a scene that is quiet, dark, cold and very special.

Just as the Herald Angel made the first announcement of Christ’s birth to the lowly shepherds, sleigh bells noisily announce the holidays.  We anticipate the traditions, the wide-eyed wonder of the children, and of course the busyness of the holiday. 

Today, take a moment to hear the sleigh bells.  Hear them in the songs, in the crafts, and in the messages. I hope you will let the cherished memories that you have stored away jingle into the front of your mind, wrapping you in warmth.  I also hope today will bring a happiness and great anticipation for what is yet to come as we wind down 2011.

One King

Merry Christmas from all of us here in the Fox household.  May your holiday be full of family, love and Christ.

Matthew 2:3-12

 ³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 ⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
   who will shepherd my people Israel.’^[b]”

 ⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

 ⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The wisemen had been following the star.  They weren't sure exactly where the new King was, but they were in the right area.  They stopped to ask King Herod because of course, a King would know of other kings in the area.  But they were wrong.  So they searched.  We do not know for how long or how they found the family, but they found him.  They must have been in awe of the sight.  I know I would be.  My favorite verse is  "...Then they opened their treasured and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh..."  How thoughtful, how nice, how kingly!  In our cantata this year we sang a song that said, "One king held the frankincense, on king held the myrrh, one king held the purest gold, on king held the hope of the world."  How fitting for us to remember on this eve of Christmas Eve that there is still hope for the world.  I hope you give some of it today.

One King

Written by Jeff Borders, Gayla Borders, Lowell Alexander

Kings of earth on a course unknown
Bearing gifts from afar
Hoping praying
Following yonder star

Silhouette of a caravan
Painted against the sky
Wise men searching
For the Holy Child

(Chorus)
One king held the frankincense
One king held the myrrh
One king held the purest gold
One King held the hope of the world

A star hangs over Bethlehem
A journey ends in the night
Three kings trembling
Behold the glorious sight

Heaven's treasure Emmanuel
Drawing men to bow down
Tiny baby born to wear a crown 

(Repeat Chorus) 

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from satans power
When we were gone astray

Oh tiny baby born to wear a crown

(Repeat Chorus 3 x's)

One king held the purest gold
One King held the hope of the world

Seeking Him

Matthew 2:1-2
¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ²and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”


Wise men still seek him.  We have all heard this saying.  It is a wonderful saying that says that when we seek him we are wise.  Sometimes it takes us a long time to become wise.  Even after I was baptized at 10 years old, understanding some of the teachings of God is not clear, and it's been 33 years!  As a child I understood what it meant to accept Jesus as my Savior and to follow him in baptism and eternity...to an extent.  But only by staying in church, Sunday school, Bible Study, devoting my family to Christ, have I learned so much more.  Sometimes I feel I am not doing enough to teach my kids about God.  It scares me how quickly Satan can grab someone.  I pray every day for my kids to make the right choices, stay in God's will and to not fall to the peer pressure around them every day.


It's not just kids, though.  Adults can fall away from God.  Truly those we touch with our spiritual lives can be changed, just as the birth of Jesus touched   the wise men, the shepherds, and the inn keeper.  Just live your life God's way and be yourself.  The truly wise will seek Him.


Wisemen Still Seek Him
Lyrics:  Paul Overstreet


Lyrics to Wise Men Still Seek Him :

For years they must have watched the heavens day and night,
How else would they know that a new star was in sight,
Wasn't in the paper, wasn't in the TV guide,
Not really sure how they did but somehow they got wise,

They rode their camels 'cross the deserts burning sand,
They couldn't fly you know there were no planes back then,
Then they met old Herod who was out to steal their joy,
But they brushed old Herod off and found God's baby boy,

CHORUS:
Wise men still seek Him, those on earth who realise how much they need Him,
following Jesus where ever He may lead them, wise men still seek Him.

Well today they travel different, but they're wise men just the same,
Still talking about the old days and that blessed night he came,
I hear old Herod's out there still trying to deceive,
But a whole world full of Herod's can't stop those who believe,

CHORUS:
Wise men still seek Him, those on earth who realise how much they need Him,
following Jesus where ever He may lead them, wise men still seek Him,
Wise men still seek Him.

A Baby's First

Luke 2:19
 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.


As a young mother, I remember lots of little things about my children.  I remember the first time I held them.  I remember that I never felt alone.  I remember that first time Allie walked or Timm actually told his first joke.  I remember the kindness of family and friends and even the exhaustion I felt.  There are things that I never talk about with anyone.  The things that are private to me.  The little things that I love about my kids, that maybe others would not understand.  How precious those moments are to me!  Mary must of have been the same way.  
Each child comes with his/her own little "firsts".  Those moments that happen for the first time and if you aren't there, you miss them forever.  Most of Jesus' firsts were normal every day things.  His first fist, his first cry, his first smile.  But then the shepherds showed up.  Then the wiseman.  The escape to Egypt. Most of us didn't have those experiences.  Because he was the Messiah, some of his unique firsts are shared with us as examples of how special he is.  Not just as a baby, God's Son, but how it shaped him to become the man he grows into.  


The First Noel
Words:  Traditional English Carol
Lyrics:  W. Sandys' CHRISTMAS CAROLS


The first Noel, the angel did say, 
Was to certain poor shepherds 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.


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


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


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


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


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

Hurrying to Meet God

Luke 2:16-20
 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


During this time of year, everyone is hurrying.  We are hurrying to finish our shopping, baking, wrapping.  Kids are wishing that time would hurry up and Christmas Day would get here.  When the shepherds heard that Jesus was in Bethlehem, they hurried to see Him.  When was the last time you hurried to go to church, not because you were late, but because you were anxious to meet God there?


Sometimes when we hurry, we miss things.  Are you missing Christmas this year?  Have you missed the message of the child in the manager or the love of this time of year?  Take some time to sit and relax.  Watch a Christmas show with your children.  Take some time and look at the Christmas lights.  Don't let Christmas pass you by.


Where Are You Christmas?
Songwriters:  Mariah Carey, James Horner, Will Jennings


Where are you Christmas? Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away?
Where is the laughter you used to bring me?
Why can't I hear music play?

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too?

Where are you Christmas? Do you remember
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one, see what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go?

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you, Christmas, I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas stays here in silence
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas?
Fills your heart with love

Peace On Earth

Luke 2:13-14

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When we recite verses, or do a responded reading, how monotone is it.  When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, is it fun?  I always imagine that the angels are singing, or at least their voices are in sing-song voices.  I bet they are booming as the say "Glory to God..."  Especially since there was a bunch of them joining their voices together.  They were praising our Lord and Savior.  They  also were letting us know that if God loves you, you will have peace.  I'm sure Mary and Joseph, after traveling from Nazareth, finding a place to stay and giving birth needed the rest and peace.  May you find peace this week, as we close in on our celebration of Jesus' Birthday!

Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing

Words:  Charles Wesley

Music:  Mendelssohn

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful all ye nations rise;  Join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Mild, He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth;

Veiled in flesh the God-head see;  Hail th'incarnate Deity;

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel!

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel!

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!  Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings,

Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord;

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Luke 2:8-12
 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”


Imagine that it's pitch black.  Maybe there is no moonlight tonight, so all you see is shadows, and here the sheep grazing, rustling the grass, or even sleeping.  You are just sitting there, trying not to be cold, trying not to go to sleep, when BAM!  A light as bright as the sun rains down on you.  You are alert, but you see a messenger from God.  An angel is right in front of you.  You wonder, did I go to sleep?  Am I going crazy?  You look at your friends that are with you and realize that they see the same thing.  
Then the angel tells you to not be afraid.  Is he kidding?  He pops up right in front of you and you are suppose to be happy and not worry?  Then he tells you that the Messiah has finally come.  You may not be the greenest leaf on the tree, but you do understand what this means.  You've heard the stories of a king that will come and save The People.  
What a story these shepherds had to tell their families for the rest of their lives.


While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks
Words:  Nathan Tate
Music:  G. F. Handel

1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, 
 all seated on the ground; 
 the angel of the Lord came down, 
 and glory shone around, 
 and glory shone around. 

2. "Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread 
 had seized their troubled mind. 
 "Glad tidings of great joy I bring 
 to all of humankind, 
 to all of humankind." 

3. "To you, in David's town, this day 
 is born of David's line 
 a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, 
 and this shall be the sign,
 and this shall be the sign:" 

4. "The heavenly babe you there shall find 
 to human view displayed, 
 all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, 
 and in a manger laid, 
 and in a manger laid." 

5. Thus spake the seraph and forthwith 
 appeared a shining throng 
 of angels praising God on high, 
 who thus addressed their song, 
 who thus addressed their song: 

6. "All glory be to God on high, 
 and to the earth be peace; 
 good will henceforth from heaven to earth 
 begin and never cease, 
 begin and never cease!" 

Child of Promise

Luke 2:6-7
 ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.


What a message in just these two verses.  It is God's promise come true..."she gave birth to her firstborn, a son."  This is the most important verse in the whole Christmas story, for without this part of the verse, how would we know that Jesus was born?  Do you have room in you for Him?  Is there no room in your life for Christ' promises to take root?  Don't shut Him out.  Don't send Him away.  Wrap him in your heart and keep him close.


Read the chorus of this song.  It's a little different than we normally sing at church.


What Child is This?
Words:  William Chatterton Dix
Music:  Sir John Stainer

1. 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.

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

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

The Hard Trip

Luke 2:1-5


¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

In high school, my English teacher made us memorize Luke 2:1 -20.  It's amazing how I have never forgotten most of it.  I love saying this in my mind with whoever is reading it, where ever and whenever I hear it.  I especially love Linus, from A Charlie Brown Christmas reciting the words every year on national television.  

Counting has never been one of my strong points.  We have to take inventory of our stores, factories, to get at least a close count of what we have.  It amazes me every time the government takes a census.  It's easy now.  The government sends us a form in the mail, we fill out the form, and send it back.  If we fail or forget to do that, then they send someone to your door to ask you those questions!  But back in Mary and Joseph's day, you had to travel to your family's hometown and register.  Joseph was a long way from his hometown.  Nazareth is 80 miles from Bethlehem.  There was no cars or trains or planes then.  All Joseph could afford was a donkey for Mary.  She was his responsibility so she had to go with him.  I'm sure the road was not paved and it took them quite a while to get there.  

Being really pregnant, it probably wasn't a good idea for her to ride a donkey to much.  But she probably couldn't walk much either.  How tired she must have been.  How much longer the travel must have felt for both of them.  When I was eight months pregnant with my son, we moved, in January.  We luckily had a lot of help and we appreciated that.  I couldn't have helped much if we didn't.  But it was a very tiring experience.  I'm sure it was nothing compared to what Mary went through. 

Breath of Heaven

by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton

I have traveled
Many moonless night
Cold and Weary
With a babe inside
And I wonder
What I've done
Holy Father
You have come
Chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting
in a silent prayer
I am frightened
by the load i bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

A Loving Father

Matthew 1:18-24

 ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

 ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”

 ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[g] (which means “God with us”).

 ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Let's talk of Joseph.  Here's a man who is excited to be marrying a nice young girl.  Or so he thought.  Then he found out she was pregnant.  How could she do that?  How could she be like that?  How betrayed he must have felt.  How stupid.  How angry.  

Then, God sent an angel to talk to him.  He told him not to doubt Mary's story.  How he was picked to take care of Mary and the child she was carrying.  This child was to be the Savior of the world.  The Bible doesn't tell us if he questioned anything God said to him.  He just did what God asked of him.  I'm sure he and Mary had long talks and felt they were sharing a secret.  In society's eyes, he was a fool.  But to God and us, he is a quiet hero.  We don't know much or hear a lot from him, but he was obedient, he cared for them in every way a father should and he loved Mary.  That is very important in this story.

A Strange Way To Save The World
by Fred Hammond
Written by Dave Clark, Mark Harris and Don Koch
Album: Christmas... Just Remember

I'm sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel
Come to life, and Joseph said

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers of the world
Why here, inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But, this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth

But, Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers of the world
Why here, inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But, this is such a strange way to save the world

Now I'm not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But, this is such a strange way

This is such a strange way
This is such a strange way
I don't claim to really know
Why You gave this King
But I really thank You, thank You

Mary's Song

Luke 1: 46-56
 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”

 ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

I love these verses.  Mary shows her heart and why God chose her.  She is the humblest person.  She doesn't take any credit for anything.  She states that generations will call her blessed, because of what God has done great things for her.  He noticed her, he lifted her up, he has done good things for all people.  

In one cantata, these verses were made into a song.  It is a song I will always remember when I think of Mary.  it  shows that she praised God because he picked her, even though she didn't know what was going to happen.  She just new that God needed her and she would do her best for him and the baby she was carrying.

A Baby Changes Everything

Luke 1:39 - 45
 ³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”


I love these verses.  Mary goes to see her cousin, Elizabeth, and God reveals to Elizabeth that Mary is the mother of our Messiah.  It must have been a relief to Mary to have someone to talk to.  Someone that understood what she was feeling.  The physical aspects of being pregnant as well as the looks and whispers.  For Elizabeth was pregnant with John, but she was very old.  How odd that must have been to her friends and neighbors.  
Both women had a lot to talk about, but when Mary first greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb.  Leaped!  We aren't sure how far along Elizabeth was, but even at 6 months, and could have been around a pound in weight and twelve inches long.  Doesn't sound like much, but that probably surprised her.  Timm was so big that if I stretched out, I would need help getting up.  I'm sure Elizabeth had to sit down after that.  But then the verses tell us that she was filled with the Holy Spirit.  She knew exactly what was going on.  What a comfort to Mary that must have been, because as we all know, this baby changed everything.


A Baby Changes Everything
Songwriters: Nichols, James Timothy; Wiseman, Craig Michael; Wiseman, Kim;

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she keep his trust?
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries!
Ooh, she cries
Ooh, oh

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries!
And she cries!
Oh, she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round
Up above the star shines down
A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
Everything, everything, everything

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around
I was lost but now I'm found
A baby changes everything, yeah
A baby changes everything


[| From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/f/faith-hill-lyrics/a-baby-changes-everything-lyrics.html |]