Christmas

Christmas Devotional

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The  devotions and memories shared here are intimate personal lessons I have gleaned from nearly seven decades of Christmases.  For my followers who have enjoyed my daily inspirational readings all year here are stories celebrating our Savior’s birth in simpler times. I pray they may stir in you as they did in me greatness of God’s gift and the humility of the manger. This year’s devotional is just 30 days of readings and is available in  in both large print and standard as well as in e-book format on Amazon.

 

Small Part Big Plan

Small Part? – Big Plan!

Small Part? – Big Plan! Large Print

Angels Watch

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See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 ESV

When a wolf watches a flock of sheep they see a desirable target and a good opportunity to exploit. But to the shepherd  those sheep are precious and worth defending and worth being cared for. The Bible tells us that God sends his angels to watch especially over the small and weak because He is the Good Shepherd.    KIMG0874

Our Father sees behind nursing home walls,  He aches for children who are abandoned and He longs to shelter the tiniest babies as He knits them together in their mothers’ wombs. To our consumer culture,  these seem to be of little use, beyond whatever economic advantage that could be gained from them. But to God they are of infinite value.

So why not make plans to make a difference right where you are? The holidays are on the horizon; and I know at the nursing home where I serve there are lots of opportunities to serve. Or in your community you may be able to donate gifts that are given to foster children at Christmas. (We know this is special because our son has four). Or you could seek out your local maternity center. God has blessed all of us with so many different ways to allow the light of the love of Jesus to shine. The small things that we do for God’s little ones may not seem like a lot; but they matter more than we know. It is never too late to  start. Remember angels are watching; and they are sending back new reports to God every day!

Lentil Soup and a Wise Man’s Gift

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And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV

“What’s for dinner honey?” I said with a laugh knowing that it would be lentil soup for its fourth and final performance. Those first years of our marriage any shopping was a low cost adventure. Though Christmas was coming a tree and decorations were things we didn’t even dare imagine.

Christmas Eve came and since it was pay day, I waited line for my check (about a hundred dollars). “Merry Christmas” My boss said winking as he handed me my envelope. “And a little something extra for you tonight.”

I peeked inside and drew a quick breath in amazement. “Wow thanks Joe! Merry Christmas to you too” I said amazed at seeing the fifty dollar bill he had tucked inside!

I drove home through the heavy traffic getting there just before five. “Come on Nancy! Let’s go buy a tree!” I shouted as I ran up the stairs to show her my bonus. Five minutes later we bundled up and drove around the corner just in time where the owner was delighted to sell us a tree for five dollars, just before he closed.

p1010357.jpg Then we raced over to the Woolworth store a few blocks away, where for 10 cents each we bought some colored glass bulbs and a string of lights with tinsel. God hadn’t needed to send the wise men to Bethlehem with gifts to make it Christmas; but He did. That Christmas our wise man was named Joe and he left us a treasure that we still open every year.