Witnessing
Risen Savior
Salvation’s eternal light
Sharing heavenly Good News
Discipleship
Bending
Another knee
Toward Calvary’s light
Heaven descends upon earth
Humility
Cascading
From heavens
Glory’s blessed light
Filled with Spirit’s grace
Peace
God takes us through struggles and difficulties so that we might become increasingly more committed to Him.
From 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
Young Lydia awakens on this December’s early morning of peace. Her imagination embraces new hope to be found in the season.
She understands that Christmas means much more than a decorated tree, wrapped presents, and fresh baked cookies. As her intuitive eyes peer outside of her bedroom window, the dawn sky offers a view of a brilliant star.
Inside her quiet thoughts, she whispers, “I need to see more.”
Throwing a long winter coat over her pajamas and remembering to wear her snow boots (just as her Mom always insists), Lydia ventures outside. Standing on the front porch, she feels surrounded by the tranquility of the winter scene.
The snow-covered yard appears perfectly groomed, and the nearby pine trees are all powdered in white. To her wandering eyes, the heavens’ star appears even closer. She feels a tug at her coat to step down from the porch.
Her steps quicken as she edges into the nearby woods. The cold air actually brings warmth to her heart. Suddenly, she stops with eager eyes looking forward.
Again Lydia’s imagination begins to wonder, “What will I find if I walk some more?”
An undistinguished pine tree, holding candles of light, invites her to enter a clearing. Right in front of her waits an unbelievable scene.
A tiny feed trough filled with hay stands alone.
From the shadow’s fringes come a man, a woman, and a newborn baby. The woman carefully places the baby in the feedbox, because there is no room for them at the inn.
Lydia’s pulse quickens as she realizes what is happening. A “real life” nativity landscape . . . or is it the story predicted through prophecy’s promises? Her young mind just isn’t sure.
She looks back up into the heavens and fixes her eyes upon the morning’s star. Suddenly she feels joy surrounding her heart. Indeed, she believes in the love found in her Savior.
Kneeling in the soft snow, Lydia offers a short prayer:
Sweet Baby Jesus
Your love warms my heart.
Your birth will lead many to worship you.
I will always walk with you.
I love you so much.
Amen.
I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope.
From Lamentations 3:25-26: “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
George Matheson (1842-1906) was Scottish pastor, Christian author, and hymn writer. His faith in God matured after becoming blind as a young man.
From Isaiah 9:6: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders, and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Ultimate grace appears
Sharing Father’s every love
Savior’s purity shall breathe
Holy Spirit waits above
Virgin mother gives birth
Revealing destiny’s sign
Emmanuel will walk with us
Glory forever divine
Out of darkness stirs light
Echoing heavenly choir
Witness Messiah’s first breath
Peace honors Father’s desires
Come all to Bethlehem
Embracing hope born this night
Answer to prayers arrives
Shepherds praise this newborn Knight
Brilliant star fills with joy
Hearing each mountaintop sing
Timeless pledges beam with truth
Salvation this Prince shall bring
As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of their eternal Savior, you are invited to listen to one of the season’s most stirring hymns, “All Come, All Ye Faithful.”
Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present.
From Galatians 2:19-20: “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) was an Scottish-born pastor and Christian writer.
From Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
River of life, unceasing in its travels
Mysteries of life, shall ever unravel
From heavenly source, cascades living water
Shaping clay, molded by Creation’s potter
When ultimate challenges travel too high
Overcoming all odds, courage one’s ally
Life’s purpose, taking self far from safety’s home
Discovering meaning, hidden catacombs
Fate knocking, invisible hand clearly seen
Traveling waters, transparent with routine
Years continue to advance, filled with Lord’s grace
Breathing enduring joy, from life’s timeless chase
Life’s sunset glimmers, over cloudless skyline
Looking back, years richer than any gold mine
Mysteries of life, eternally fulfilled
River of life, journey which only God builds
From the words of American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “Our bodies may age, but we get old only if we choose to do so–attitude is what makes the difference.”
Originally published January, 2021.
In the total expanse of human life, there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, “That is Mine!”
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was a Dutch pastor, journalist, statesman, and Christian theologian. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901-1905.
From Psalm 80:3: “Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”
From highest heavens
Father’s love descends
Destiny of hope
Bringing light, darkness bends
Witnessed from above
Father’s love restores
Salvation’s light waits
Rising tides come ashore
Aligned with David
Father’s love defines
Gospel breathes through One
Restoring light divine
Filled with angel’s joy
Father’s love unfolds
Prophecy fulfilled
Embracing light so bold
Virgin carries child
Father’s love reframes
Emmanuel’s light
Bearing peace in His name
From Isaiah 7:13-14: “Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.'”
One of the most stirring of hymns during Advent is “What Child is This.” The lyrics were composed by English hymn writer, William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. The melody follows the familiar tune of “Greensleeves.” Here is American singer, Vikki Carr, sharing her interpretation of this beloved song.
Resilience is not about achieving big, extraordinary things for God; it’s about living an ordinary life in a beautiful way, loving others as Christ has loved us.
From Ephesians 5:19-21: “As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Brian Keepers is an American pastor who has served in the ministry for over 20 years.
Big Sky Buckeye 