When the shopping is over And gifts stashed away When the food has been eaten And the children off to play,May one thing remain In your heart and your home May the Christ in Christmas Stay all year long Author Unknown … [Read more...]
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Hymn Story – The Voice of God
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old familiar carols play...” The words linger and the melody sticks in your mind. I sang these words this morning celebrating Christmas with my family. I woke up with Christmas joy, thanking God for sending us His son. This song has been loitering in my spirit for several weeks. I know of others who woke up this morning, not to joy, but deep sorrow. Christmas can be a cruel stabbing season following the loss of a loved one, a life threatening illness or the wrong choices made by others. I hummed this tune of" I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" a few weeks ago grieving with the rest of the nation for innocent lost lives. I remembered one melancholy verse: And in despair I bowed my head 'There is no peace on earth,' I said, 'For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.' Sounds like this song could have been written during this frightening time of terrorism, but Henry … [Read more...]
Mary’s Focus Only on God – Lectio Divina
And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lordand my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be mercifulto Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”Luke 1: 46-55I am so ashamed, Lord. Please forgive me.The majority of my prayers begin with “I.”The focus is me - what I want, what I think I need, what I demand. Often giving You orders instead of humbly reporting to duty.Even the prayers for others drip with ego.In this prayer … [Read more...]
First Coming – Quote of the Week by Madeleine L’Engle
First Coming - Quote of the Weekby Madeleine L’EngleHe did not wait till the world was ready,till men and nations were at peace.He came when the Heavens were unsteady,and prisoners cried out for release.He did not wait for the perfect time.He came when the need was deep and great.He dined with sinners in all their grime,turned water into wine. He did not waittill hearts were pure. In joy he cameto a tarnished world of sin and doubt.To a world like ours, of anguished shamehe came, and his Light would not go out.He came to a world which did not mesh,to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.In the mystery of the Word made Fleshthe Maker of the stars was born.We cannot wait till the world is saneto raise our songs with joyful voice,for to share our grief, to touch our pain,He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice! … [Read more...]
I Wonder as I Wander
Wonder and wander are two of my favorite words. Wonder - to marvel, astonishment, awe, to ponder with curiosity To live each day with a vision of wonder opens up grand possibilities. Wander - to meander, stroll, to take one direction without intention or control I wandered the world, paying attention to the beauty God alone created. I have wondered and wandered through Advent this year. Wondered at its varied dimensions, like studying the facets of a priceless diamond. Wandered open to the lessons God chose for me or invited me to explore. No wonder I wandered into remembering the Christmas song, I Wonder as I Wander. I wondered about its story. (Ok I over did it with that sentence but it was just too tempting....sorry) I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Savior did come for to die. For poor on'ry people like you and like I... I wonder as I wander out under the sky. When Mary birthed … [Read more...]
Advent: Wait, Watch, Hope – Lessons from the Meteors
Advent: Wait, Watch, Hope. Stargazer. Star-crossed. Star-strucked. Call me what you want to: I love the shimmering twilights in the nighttime sky. If the evening news tells us there will be an eclipse - I am there. If they predict meteors - even better. I am obsessed when the moon performs wonders and shooting stars dance. I used to drag our kids out in the middle of night to join in my fun. Well, fun for me; I am not sure for them. One time I woke them up at 3 AM, dressed them warmly and drove to an airport where telescopes were set up to watch the once in a lifetime view of Haley’s Comet - once in a lifetime for me, but a possible twice in a lifetime event for my kids. Priceless! Last Tuesday the Geminids’s meteor shower presented a marvelous showing in the clear dark skies. The kids are grown now and safely away from their obsessive mother. But being the diligent mother I am, I texted them that heaven planned to show off that night and reminded them to look … [Read more...]
Healing Comfort Prayer – Lectio Divina
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah!Father of all mercy!God of all healing counsel!He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 (The Message)Healing ComfortI stumbled into your arms tonight, Lord.My heart plunges even further shattered in disbelief; in pieces that can’t be put back together.Lord, this evil that pervades the world overwhelms us at times.Wickedness darkens our life by snuffing out too many candles, much too soon.I am weary of senseless violence, Lord.Eradicate evil and grant us Your Goodness.Today I hold my kids a little longer.Tomorrow I will snuggle my precious grandkids.But some have empty arms … [Read more...]
Advent Truth: God with Us – Quote of the Week
If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us.” We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!John F. MacArthur, Jr. … [Read more...]