Wishing to dine out
Reservations all filled up—
Home’s dinner for two
Morning’s coffee spot
No longer waiting in line—
Brewing cup at home
Gift-wrapped retirement
Immersed in new adventures—
Life’s blessed pairing
Daughter plays all day
Riding Dad’s motorcycle—
Up for excitement
Mall’s escalator
Roller-coaster up, then down—
Child’s favorite ride
One more dollar, please?
Loving Dad empties wallet—
Grinch on vacation
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.
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.”
Night wakens sweet tooth
Harvesting freezer’s ice cream—
Sundae anyone?
Backyard football game
Unleashing perfect spiral—
Kitchen window scores
Snowball fight pauses
Hot chocolate with cookies—
Mother born to lead
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.
When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer.
Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.
John Lennon (1940-1980) was a English musician and activist. He was the founder of one of the most acclaimed groups ever, the Beatles.
From Romans 15:12-13: “And again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Longing for inner peace
Patience fills every heart
Shepherds wonder this night
Spirit’s goodness imparts
Viewing Bethlehem’s peace
Mercy nestled with love
Deliverance of light
Precious to God above
Raising harmony’s peace
Root of Jesse shall bring
Spring of living waters
Hope abounds, joy will sing
Hearing God’s voice of peace
Salvation’s breath of light
Messiah’s truth to come
Angels now taking flight
Shining beacon of peace
Heaven’s intent descends
Hope wakens in stable
Love invites joy, God sends
From Psalm 72:12-13: “For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.”
From Song of Solomon 2:8: “The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
Sitting here, another morning’s darkness
Thinking of today’s most beautiful view
Your kindness and love arrives with a smile
Transforming this heart to radiant new
Traveling life’s lonely, meaningless road
Dreaming of unlocking a better life
Your cherished spirit bestows precious light
Joining together as husband and wife
Making beloved home for two love birds
Nurturing passion with each priceless day
Your tender, caring thoughts lead us forward
Navigating with God’s love, shows His way
Affirming love through joyful affection
Walking in Jesus’ perfect reflection
From Song of Solomon 4:1: “How beautiful you are, my love, how very beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.”
Originally published January, 2021.
From the words of American Christian author, James Dobson: “It is important to know that you have to work to keep love alive, you have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower.”
Encouraged to trust Father’s Word
Hope sown with Christ’s patient love
Precious seeds of kindness
Heaven harvests from above
Cultivated with Father’s grace
Eternal light never ends
Rejoice with Spirit’s peace
Fragile love strengthens to mend
Answered with Father’s faithfulness
Calvary pays debits of man
Love rises with new life
According to divine plan
Called by Father, who always cares
Love each delicate flower
Maintain, always protect
Backed up with mercy’s power
Commanded by Father above
Always love one another
Just as faith’s Savior loved
Every sister and brother
From 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”
