Christmas Miracles

They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. – (Luke 2:16-19, HCSB)

So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them. – (Luke 2:16-19, ERV)

So they hurried off and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough. Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told. But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant. – (Luke 2:16-19, TPT)

Christmas miracles are an actual reality. This morning, my own miracle was sleeping in until 6:00am. We have dear friends who waited for years for the miracle of a child of their own. On Christmas Eve one year ago, they had their own son, born as an incredible gift to them on the mother’s own birthday. As I have watched the beauty of this blessing in their lives and recall the joy and wonder in the arrival of my own babies, I cannot help but understand all that Mary must have pondered as she was a part of this miracle that had been foretold and had now arrived. There are miracles all around us, if only we take the time to look and see. The wonder of a newborn baby, the stars placed intentionally in the sky… So many things that point to the power of the loving Savior that became God with us. May we pause and ponder the miracles all around us, and give thanks for the greatest miracle ever given. Merry Christmas and may we all come to adore Him today and forever.

This blessed season,

Created with joy;

As God, the Father,

Sent us His own boy.

Born in a manger,

Angels did proclaim;

The Lord’s arrival,

On that very day.

Miraculous birth,

God’s very own Son;

Sent to save us all,

The Most Holy One.

O what a wonder,

For Mary to see;

What had been promised,

Had now come to be.

Let’s look in wonder,

And give the Lord praise;

All that He has done,

Throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible miracle of Christmas. Thank You for the miracles You continue to do in and around us. Forgive us for neglecting to notice the work of Your hand, for all that exists is because of Your great love. Teach us to pause and ponder all that You have done and the unending love that You lavish upon us. Show us how to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Christmas miracles, and for the miraculous You continue to do every day that we draw breath. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. – Luke 2:14

Worth More

Despite how we feel, or how we are received by others, we are highly valued by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. – (Luke 12:7)

Jesus was speaking to His disciples to beware of the Pharisees, but not to fear. He pointed out that even the sparrows that were sold for mere coins, were not forgotten by God. God intimately knows each of us. He knit us and formed us in our mother’s womb. For each of us, the Lord has plans to prosper and not to harm us – a hope and a future. Though people can cause bodily harm, they cannot steal our soul. When we commit our hearts to Christ, we have the security and assurance of His presence now, and all of eternity in heaven. May we rest assured in the security of being intimately known by our loving Savior, who values each one of us, individually.

 

Intimately known,

and loved just the same;

by the Lord of all,

give praise to His Name.

Let’s not be afraid,

to Him we have worth;

He knew us before,

the day of our birth.

The number of hairs,

on our heads are known;

for Christ truly loves,

and calls us His own.

Let each heart rise up,

and give God all praise;

each day unto Him,

for all of our days.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are intimately known by You, and loved anyway. Thank You that in You, we have nothing to fear, as You do not forget any of Your created. Thank You that You value each one of us, not for what we have accomplished, but because we are Yours. Forgive us for our fearfulness and for our feelings that we are somehow forgotten or not covered and cared for. Teach us to trust You more, so that we might slow down and be still, giving our hearts opportunity to hear and acknowledge all that You are, and just how much You love us. Lead us to love others, as You so generously love each of us. May many come into a saving relationship with You. Be glorified Lord God, as we rise up in recognition of who You are, and the wonder of Your love for all. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Shout aloud and sing for joy. – Isaiah 12:6

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Christmas is the Kindness of the King

“But when the kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:4-7

But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, He saved us from all our sinfulness.  It was all His doing; we had nothing to do with it.  He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.  Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.  God’s gift has restored our relationship with Him and given back our lives.” – (The Message)

image by Progressive Christianity.org

When kindness and mercy

were mixed up, combined,

the Savior soon sent,

granted grace to refine.

Sent as an infant,

vulnerable and meek,

to model a heart path,

for us to follow, to seek.

Baby Jesus did come,

but what matters most,

is how He taught, lived and died,

rose and sent us His Heavenly Host.

By the Spirit He sent,

He washes all our sin,

removes every stain,

allows us new start, again.

The present He poured out,

all those years ago,

made heaven our hope,

so our hearts might come to know.

Through the cleansing, the washing,

His redemption received,

found is grace and forgiveness,

to all who believe.

Open your hearts,

in this most wonderful season,

extend Him your hands,

let His love be the reason.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and mercy that give us opportunity for new life in You.  Thank You for the precious gift of Your Son, Jesus, who came as an infant, grew, lived and led a blameless life, was crucified on the cross, rose from the grave, and returned to His rightful throne beside You.  Thank You that upon His return, Your Spirit was sent to dwell in us, so that we would have a counselor and covering, to lead and guide us in Your goodness and grace.  Forgive us for not emphatically embracing this most marvelous gift that You have freely given.  Teach us to trust You, and lead us to allow Your love to overwhelm us, so that it turn, it overflows from us.  Use us as Your instruments to carry Your sweet scent to all who are ready to surrender and submit their hearts and lives to You, our Savior.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Worthy of Worship

photo by Free Republic

“In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” – Revelation 5:12

All of heaven rejoices in recognition of the remarkable redemption that has been given to all who believe, through the sacrifice of our Savior on the hill called “the Skull”.  The Son was slain in our place, and then presented with all power, wealth, wisdom, honor, glory, praise and strength, supplied by God alone.

Just as is done in heaven, we ought to “sing out” strong our powerful praise for He who grants us great grace and gives the undeserved gift of eternity with Him.  Our song ought to be audible not only by our words, but by how we live our lives in love.

Does my life sing praise?

Is His light lifted high by my behavior?

Some days, it seems that my song is merely a minute hum, rather than a song that soars as it is sung in strength.  There are other days, however, where I feel as though I cannot stay silent and must allow the hope in my heart to be heard.  Thankfully, He is not dependant on our fickle feelings, and fuels the faithful to forge forward as we grow in trust in Him.  Each new day with Him, allows the song to be sung a little louder.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are our reason to sing.  Thank You that our acts of worship and songs of praise are always audible to Your ever-hearing heart.  Forgive us for not always allowing Your heart to be heard through our actions or attitudes.  Teach us to sing songs of praise to You, through everything that we say and do.  May our life song supply others with the strength to seek You, our loving Savior.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present