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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Astonishment (02/02/12)
Everyone please stand and turn to page 243 in your hymnals, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Fond memories of the past flooded my mind. It was Christmas time again! As my thoughts drifted back through the years, I could not remember one bad Christmas. My parents had always made a point of doing the best they possibly could to make it special for us.
There was always the searching for just the right tree. I would never forget the year my dad and I trudged through the almost knee deep snow in our quest for the perfect evergreen. We were both half frozen and plum wore out by the time we finally drug it up into the yard. Once it was secure in its’ special place, the decorating began. I always liked throwing the tinsel the best. Some of it even made it on the tree!
Christmas Eve found all us little ones sitting in Dad’s lap or on the floor around his chair waiting for the ever familiar “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…” Then it was off to bed, forcing myself to try to sleep in spite of the anticipation, knowing the quicker I got to sleep the quicker I would be able to tear into the treasures that lay beneath the tree.
The melodious sound of the piano stirred me out of my momentary daze. “Hark the herald angels sing…!” This Christmas season felt somehow very different. It had only been a couple of months ago that I had trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior! What a night that had been! I still had a hard time understanding how God could ever love anyone enough to send His only Son into the world to suffer and die for them, much less for somebody like me!
“Glory to the newborn king….” I suddenly felt an overwhelming joy fill my heart! I was a twenty-one year old young man, but that didn’t stop the tears that flooded my eyes and ran freely down my cheeks. I had heard and sung this song more times than I could remember. It had been just another good Christmas song like “Jingle Bells” or I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” But now “….Christ the everlasting Lord…” But now, I saw Jesus, not as a sweet little baby lying quietly by his mother’s side in the manger, but the eyes of my soul beheld the glory of my risen Savior, the one who had shed His precious blood for my sins!
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This article has been read 680 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/10/12
This is a beautiful testimonial that will touch many hearts.

Double space between paragraphs to give your reader white space. A good proofreader would help you catch little errors like missing a quotation mark and its instead of its'.

You did a great job of drawing me in and keeping my attention to the end. You represented the topic beautifully.
Mildred Sheldon
02/10/12
A beautiful testimony and right on target. You did an outstanding job. Will leave teaching comments to those who know. You held my attention from beginning to end. Thank you and God bless.
C D Swanson 
02/11/12
Oh this was so beautiful! I particularly loved the last line - summed up what is really important in life...And, the only thing that matters.

Thank you for this - beautiful job. God Bless~
Cynthia Carter
02/12/12
This was so good. I enjoyed every well written word of it.
Verna Mull
02/12/12
Oh how I can assosiate with the joy and message of those dear Christmas hymns. (All of the old hymns for that matter) The messages are so deep and food for the soul. Our churches are getting away from the dear old hymns and when we found one which still sings them all, I just sat and wept through the whole song service. They contain messages nearly makes a person who loves Jesus, almost "Fly Away." The desire of the heart to serve him more is very present. Great article. Flowed beautifully, and carried a wonderful message.