Is it just a Monday, for you? It was probably just such a day in the life of the shepherds on that hill near Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Everything was going on as usual for the people who ran an Inn, who watched over flocks of sheep, who were ending their travel in another…
lovely to think
Hope Of The Nations
Today is a scripture portion that holds some of my most favorite words of the Bible. …to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the…
Pending Promises
There is more to the promise that God made in Christ than a baby that was born 2000 years ago. Some parts of the promise are still pending. Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name…
Expectation
Today holds the expectation of the coming week, Advent holds the expectation of Christmas Day, and our lives should hold the expectation of seeing Christ Jesus face to face. For many, expectations mean struggles of “trying hard”, working to make things happen, or making ourselves “will” things into being. And while positive thinking has its…
Frankincense, The Prophetic Offering
Frankincense is an essence which has become popular for its healthful properties, especially recently. It had been used in religious ritual from ancient times, and for healing, as well as its preserving qualities. It had special uses by the Egyptians for burials, by Romans for perfumes and healing oils, by Greeks to signify the greatest…
I Is For Instruments
From the Drummer boy to Salvation Army bands, there is plenty of music at Christmastime. Whether we are thinking of real instruments that provide music or as symbols of praise there are often sights and sounds of musical instruments all through the season. One of the loveliest must be the harp. Angels are often depicted…
The Candle Of Joy
Are you beginning to feel the joy of the season, yet? Or are you feeling more harried than singing “Hallelujah”? Making Joy Take this time to meditate on Joy as the scriptures define it. I think it might change things for you. The elements of the Advent candle in the typical wreath centerpiece are purple…
Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
God seems to have had a special place in his heart for shepherds. Their vocation features strongly in the Messianic thread throughout the Bible. The Israelite people themselves were a flock-keeping people, and even in Genesis it was shepherd Abel, rather than crop-producing Cain, who found favor with God. I think it has something to…
Star Of Light
Stars feature prominently throughout the Christmas season. As symbols they remind us of God’s promise to Abraham, of the star of David symbol of Israel, but most of all, we think of the special star in the sky marking the Savior’s birth. Matthew 2: 9,10 And behold, the star that they had seen when it…
Comfort And Joy
A seasonally appropriate pillow is the element that reminds me of the carol refrain, “O tidings of comfort and joy!”. After buying something like it a couple of years ago for my mother, I went looking, in particular for this very type of cushion. I like a homespun look, and that is exactly what this…
