MAY EVERY READER, CONTRIBUTOR and VISITOR to Richard’s Watch HAVE A ‘MEGA-MERRY’ CHRISTMAS,
– that is, a thoroughly blessed holy-day season – as may be inferred from the OT Hebrew word ashar (Strong’s #833, as in Proverbs 31:28 on the virtuous wife), meaning
‘happy, blessed, prosperous, successful, from original root ‘be straight, upright’.’
Better still is New Testament Greek’s makarios (Strong’s #3107), which means
‘from root mak, indicating large, or of long duration…happy, supremely blessed, a condition in which congratulations are in order. It is a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted the person who experiences salvation.’
This ‘Blessed’ is used in The Beatitudes, or the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5. (From NKJV New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Exec ed. Dr Jack Hayford)
May it be an especially blessed night of spiritual silence and insight for everyone.
The Austrian carol Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht by the Vienna Boys’ Choir is one of my old favourites. First played on this day in 1818 near Salzburg (and in Austria reserved for today only), my father heard it during his long stay in Stalag IIIA. (He so much liked the landscape of Austria, seen whilst conveyed en-route as a captive from the Battle for Crete in 1941, that we took holidays in Salzburgerland and the Tyrol in 1950-60s.)
This Celtic version with superb voice and violin is sublime…
As we celebrate our Lord and Saviour’s birthday let’s look not only back in nostalgia two thousand years but also, and just as importantly, look forward fervently to His very much sooner return in glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Richard's Watch 
Richard, and bless you and your wife Nina too. You have certainly blessed us throughout this year with your faithful updates and insights and prophetic messages you give and pass on, thank you so much. The Lord keep you both well and blessed for this coming amazing year, Dave and Ann.
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Richard I echo Dave’s words, thank you so much and every Blessing to you and Nina
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Hi Richard
God bless you and Nina too…
If you haven’t watched it recently watch The Bethlehem Star (see Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzWi0tWKoxo ); looking at the birth of Jesus with the benefit of NASA night sky star pattern software etc… I like the bit about the Magi arriving to worship Jesus on 25th December, even though Jesus was born earlier in the year – cool!
Let us worhip Jesus similarly this 25th!
Love
Mark
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Many thanks Mark, especially for taking time to comment and am setting aside an hour for us to watch later today. May you and all yours have an especially blessed 2017
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Your dedication as a watchkeeper and herald are cherished and appreciated. Have a wonderful Christmas and blessings galore to you and Nina for 2017.
Love,
Neil
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Thank you so much for taking time to comment Neil, especially on Christmas Day – makes it most personal. Love and blessings too to you and Jenny for 2017
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