Devotionals for the Heart: Immanuel

Rendering a Response to Immanuel
A devotional by Cyndi Staudt

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 

–Luke 2:19 (NIV)

Waking up the day after Thanksgiving ushers in a host of holiday traditions. One of my favorites has to be the mysterious overnight transition of radio stations to all Christmas music, all the time. While I have many “favorites”, one that moves my heart annually is “Mary Did You Know?” Its soul-stirring lyrics never cease to move my heart to ponder what Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, actually might have known.

It seems most Israelites studied then Torah and had extensive book knowledge and teaching about the Messiah. They had passages memorized about how He would come to the world, how He would leave the world, and highlights of what He would accomplish through His incarnation. Yet it still seems many missed the main messages taught in the temple and written in the scrolls. And when Jesus actually arrived on the scene, many missed Him completely and reacted in ways we can hardly fathom. In fact, in the Bible, we see as many responses to the arrival of Immanuel as there are people engaged in the experience.

As the Gospel of Luke recounts the story, we encounter an angel delivering the sensational news of the arrival of Jesus to shepherds in the fields. Proclaiming His arrival, pacifying the frightened shepherds, and praising God with a host of angels joining in, these messengers expressed adoration, appreciation, and joy at the magnificent news they were entrusted to deliver.

We find the shepherds went through a range of emotions and reactions. Their initial fear turned into curiosity that drove them to “hurry” to Bethlehem. Upon seeing Jesus with his new parents, the shepherds became evangelists, sharing the astonishing news with everyone they could. Finally, they returned to the fields glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

One might miss the short sentence thrown in the middle of this exciting account of Christ’s birth if they weren’t paying attention. Nestled in Luke 2:19 (NIV) we learn that while all of this was happening around her, Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” While the angels made a heavenly and earthly commotion, Mary chose to store the events in the recesses of her heart. When the shepherds visited, and with excitement shared the news about Jesus with everyone they could, Mary quietly contained her thoughts and emotions to process and ponder them internally.

In the Book of Matthew, we learn King Herod’s jealousy of what he heard about Jesus moved him to deceit and plotting murder. Fearing (quite illogically) that Jesus would eventually take over his throne, Herod tried to trick the wise men into revealing where they found Jesus. When they failed to return with the information he desired, Herod ordered the death of every child in Bethlehem under the age of two, hoping he would kill the child everyone was worshipping and claiming to be king of the Jews.

At the same time, wise men traveled approximately 400 miles, estimated to have taken months as they traveled by night, following the star which “filled them with joy”. When they finally made it to Jesus, they offered gifts and bowed down to worship the baby in a manger. In the midst of this we are only told that Mary thought carefully about all these things but seemingly kept her reactions and emotions inside.

Yes, the reactions to Jesus were many and it makes me wonder: What is my reaction to Jesus Christ's arrival into the world? What is yours? Each year we have an opportunity to revisit this and remind ourselves that the Christmas holiday is far more than decked halls and trimmed trees. His miraculous manifestation onto the Earth can’t be ignored and demands a response. What will ours be this year? While it may not go as far as deceit and plotting murder, we might get so caught up in finding the perfect gift, making the perfect holiday menu, or perfectly decorating our house that we lose sight of the perfect baby born in a manger on a rescue mission for us.

I think Mary had the right idea with her pondering and treasuring. This year let’s commit to making time to sit with The Holy Spirit, pondering Christ’s arrival, treasuring His selfless incarnation, and refocusing our hearts on the reason for the season.

Let’s Pray:

Holy Lord, as we enter the Christmas season, we invite You into our hearts and homes with joy and expectancy, celebrating Your selfless arrival into our earthly experience. You could have opted out of the rescue mission that would cost You everything, but You decided we were worth it, choosing to leave Your home in Heaven for a humble manger stall. Pour Your presence into our hearts, prompting peace and gratitude for You while reminding us of the real reason for this special season. We love You, we adore You, and we worship You. Thank You for Your indescribable gift. In Jesus’s precious name we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Jesus Born On This Day” by AVALON. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Cyndi Staudt is a Jesus-loving, adrenaline junkie who is devoted to living her life for Jesus Christ until the day she is living with Him. 

With a passion for cultivating a craving for God’s Word, her devotions and Bible studies are saturated with faith and hope to stir your soul to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways.

Through her writing she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to live your live life “souled out” to the One whose love has no limits.

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Connect with Cyndi on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/souledoutcyndi/

Devotionals for the Heart: Mentors

Mentors Wanted
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” 

–Luke 1:43 (NLT)

Growing up, we often heard a song on the radio, which spoke about the fact that at some point in life we will all need someone to lean on. The words are all true, accurate, and I can almost guarantee we’ve all needed someone to turn to in times of uncertainty. A voice to cheer us on. Someone who has gone before us. Someone we can turn to for advice and support. We call this person a mentor. Mentoring is not something new. Over the years, we have become more aware of how important this is to our personal growth and in all areas of our lives. 

When I was growing up, the older women in our church family were the ones we looked to for wisdom. Most times they gave unsolicited wisdom, but looking back, it was valuable and encouraging. There were moments when one would encourage and pray with me about my gifting. They would speak life into me. I watched many of these women, whom I considered superheroes because of the things I saw them do while working, raising their own families and still reaching out to others in need. They were mothers and grandmothers, women of faith. They had walked through deep struggles and knew what it was to persevere. I watched and naturally mirrored much of their behaviour when I grew up. They loved people through action as much as words. They looked beyond people’s faults and saw their needs.

In Luke 1:39-56, we see two women model what it is to be a mentor. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a mentor as: a trusted counselor or guide. Elizabeth was a mentor to Mary. Though their interaction appears briefly in scripture, the depth of their companionship can teach us lessons today. Elizabeth was older in age. We understand she had passed the age of childbearing, but she had not passed the age of nurturing. The angel told her husband (who served as a faithful priest) that they would become parents. Let’s be honest – if an angel appeared to you in your 50’s or 60’s and told you the thing you had dreamed of all your life was about to come to life, you would have been shocked as well. I know my jaw would have dropped, and I certainly would have asked, “How on earth is this going to be possible?” 

Elizabeth was not present at the time the angel announced the pregnancy to her husband. By the way, he lost the ability to speak until the baby was born because he did not believe. Elizabeth, I think, still secretively held out hope of the possibility of becoming pregnant. Her response was:

“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” (Luke 1:25 NLT)

Fast forward six months, and the same angel makes a visit to Mary and informs her of God’s favor on her life. He tells her not to be afraid. Mary’s response was one of shock but also one of submission to receive and accept the promise told her. In fact, she rejoiced!

Mary went to visit Elizabeth (her relative) who gave her the encouragement she needed. This, my friend, is what we call mentoring. When someone has gone before us in life and can extend a hand, and offer them hope. This, I believe, is the heart of God for us to not only lead but lift those coming behind us. Jesus prayed a heart-wrenching prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane that we would be one. He prayed we would be united as He and the Father were one. We would be ‘one’ when we can talk with each other, encourage and empower each other to live and walk in the purposes that God has set before us.

This is what I see in these two women and this is what I pray for you. God’s desire is for us to be conformed to His image. We need each other for this to happen. Have you ever considered mentoring someone? It’s an opportunity to empower someone else and bless you also.

Let’s Pray: Father God, thank you for the people you have brought into my life to help me become what you have purposed for me. Help me to be open to being a source of encouragement and uplift to others so they too can become like you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Patricia Russell is a speaker, worship leader, author, certified life coach and songwriter.

Her gifts have been shared internationally with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through words and songs. She has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers. Over her 30 years in ministry, she has been a featured artist in musical cantatas locally and the United States of America.

Patricia had the honour of leading worship at the kick-off event for the 2006 the “Just Give Me Jesus” Toronto Revival with Anne Graham Lotz who is the eldest daughter of Billy Graham, a well-known American evangelist.

Patricia serves in ministry along with her husband Rev. Wayne Russell. Together, they have served as guest hosts on a local early morning call in program called “Nite Lite Live” that formerly aired on the CTS Television Network. They have two adult children: Raquel and Benjamin.

Patricia has recorded two CD’s: “Lord I Trust You” and a live recording “Draw Me Nearer.” She is also an author. Her first book is titled Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement. It is meant to further encourage and share life lessons as a result of her cancer journey. She is a co-author of a #1 bestseller book titled Crushed Diamonds Still Sparkle, and she has compiled the recent #1 bestseller book titled Stronger Resilience.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrussellonline/
Email: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Treasures

Treasures of the Heart
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 

–Luke 2:17-19 (NIV)

Every December is the joyous season of giving and receiving. Both actions show our remembrance of and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

So significant was His birth that a bright star illuminated the stable where he was born, and an angelic host proclaimed His glorious arrival to some humble shepherds. The news was so great that they went in search of the child and, once they had seen him, they told everyone they could find.

When something amazing happens to a person the first thing most want to do is go tell someone about it. When your heart is bursting with such joy it is hard to hold the excitement inside. But sometimes a gift and our reaction to its true meaning are meant for God alone.

In Luke 2:19 after Mary, who had just given birth to Jesus then heard the glorious retelling of the shepherds’ angelic encounter that finally proclaimed what she already knew, there is the word but. Mary took a pause. Instead of joining in the excitement and perhaps invite all of Bethlehem to come and see her amazing child, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "ponder" means to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply. So why did Mary take such a deep appraisal of things?

Experience. She’d already had an angelic visit of her own and was miraculously with child though a virgin, making what she heard easy to believe, but it also weighed on her heart as a new mother who had proven faithful to wait and listen to God before acting on impulse.

How often, after we open all the gifts from under the Christmas tree, do we take pause to give thanks to God? Or even personally reflect on what it means that He sent His Son Jesus to be the Hope and Light of the world? 

Mary understood the significance of her actions as well as her reactions to the events of Jesus’s life. Few others in The Holy Bible are a better example of patience and endurance considering Mary found out early on about her and her son’s fate through a blessing in Luke 2:34-35 (NIV):

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Whoa. Wait. What? “A sword will pierce through your own soul also so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” What does that mean? 

Simeon’s blessing was referring to what Mary was already doing – waiting and storing up God’s treasures in her heart. All the thoughts she had pondered and not acted upon. Promises. Hopes. Dreams. For what mother could so gracefully endure knowing a sword would one day pierce her own soul because of what her son was meant to do?

Mary’s example of such endurance paved the way for us to learn to have patience and show humility in every season. As the mother of the proclaimed Messiah, she had every right to be proud and tell everyone about it, but she didn’t. Instead, her faithful act of storing up the treasures of God in her heart throughout Jesus’s life ultimately provided the opportunity for us to follow her example and store up our treasures there too. Like Mary, God promises to honor and reveal all the treasures we ponder in our hearts, as the book of Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) reminds us:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Let’s pray: Dear God, We thank you for the gifts and blessings in every season and rejoice that as we ponder these things and store them up in our heart, You are also storing up treasures for us in Heaven. Give us the strength each day to take captive every thought and reaction and give us wisdom to know when to act or to ponder events in our hearts in accordance with your will. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater.

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: A Miracle

The Birth of a Miracle
A devotional by Heather Martin

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

Then the angel left her.” – Luke 1:38 (NIV)

Her name was Mary. 

She was young, a virgin, who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph.

As was customary in her culture, engagement was about a year long, and a time of celibacy, and just as binding as marriage.

I can imagine that Mary and Joseph were busy like most couples are when they are planning to be married soon. Maybe they had already asked friends and family to be groomsmen and bridesmaids. Perhaps they were getting a guest list together, and reserving a venue for the reception. And Mary, like most brides, had probably already picked out a gorgeous dress or some special clothes to wear. Maybe she had already gotten fitted for her gown or had at least starting thinking about what she would look like on that special day.

All of this planning was likely happening, until God's angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth. The Bible says in Luke 1:28 (NIV) that Gabriel appeared to her and said “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Well of course Mary was afraid and wondered what this greeting meant, but the angel told her not to be afraid because the news that he was about to give her was good news! Let’s read about what he said in Luke 1:30-33 (NIV):

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Wow! That was a loaded greeting! Naturally, Mary questioned how this could be since she wasn’t married and was a virgin.

The angel told her some news that would’ve caused the average person to be terrified and in awe same time! He explained that the Holy Spirit would perform a miracle in Mary and she would be become pregnant with the Son of God! He even told her that her cousin Elizabeth, who was older and had been unable to have children, would also have a child (John the Baptist)!

Now I can think of a million ways that I might have responded to all this crazy news! I would have been in disbelief, like wait a minute Mr. Gabriel, this can’t happen right now. I’ve got other plans, I’m about to be married! No thank you, I need to fit into my dress. My fiancé will never believe me! Why me? Why now? The timing is just so wrong!

But the Bible records Mary’s reply in Luke 1:38 (NIV): “I am the Lord’s servant, ... May your word to me be fulfilled.”

What a totally amazing response! Mary completely trusted God. She did not question His sovereignty. Without hesitation, she called herself a servant. A servant is someone who places the needs of others before their own. In fact, her humble response is probably the reason why God had chosen her to do the job in the first place. Her complete trust and willingness to be used by God is nothing short of a miracle itself.

How much do we really trust God?

Mary’s ability to trust God so completely and unselfishly was not born overnight. You cannot trust someone who you don’t know or spend time with, becoming acquainted with their character and ways.

I pray that we will know God and unselfishly trust the plans that He has for our lives, no matter how crazy they may seem.

Let’s Pray: Help us, God, to be willing and ready to be used by You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Heather Martin was born the last of six siblings in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised by an amazing single mother (Rebecca Trotter) and was taught at an early age to love God and how to sing! 

She graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts Education and later received a Master’s Degree in Education from Kaplan University. 

Shortly after graduating she followed God’s call to minister. She joined the Stellar, Dove, and Grammy-nominated gospel group Virtue, which was founded by her two older sisters Ebony Holland and Karima Kibble several years prior. Virtue has used their talents to spread the love of God across the world! They have recorded 7 studio albums and have been the recipients of numerous awards.

God has not only blessed Heather professionally, but personally. She met her husband, Dr. Colin Martin, and they have been married for 14 years. They have four children: Colin Jr. 11, Harper 10, Clark, 7, and Charleston 5.

In 2016, Heather started an online blog and vegan and allergen-friendly cooking channel called “Chef Mommy.” Heather (Chef Mommy) has cooked with numerous celebrities and top chefs to spread the news of healthy cooking and lifestyle.

In addition to this busy schedule, Heather enjoys, running, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

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Connect with Heather:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherTMartin
Instagram for Heather: https://www.instagram.com/thechefmommy/
Instagram for Virtue (Heather’s singing group): https://www.instagram.com/virtuegirls
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chefmommyhm

Devotionals for the Heart: Jesus Christ

He’s here!
A devotional by Carrie Del Pizzo

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” 

– Luke 2:9-14 (NCV)

It was a quiet night, just like any other. There were a lot of people in town for the census, but folks who already lived in Bethlehem were going about their usual business, while those just arriving were trying to hustle a place to stay. Joseph and Mary couldn’t even get a room. 

Everyone had traveled a long way, and no one was going to give up their nice warm bed to a couple of late-arriving strangers. The fact that Mary was hugely pregnant was probably the only reason they even got the stable.

Biggest shock of all, when that brand-new baby started yowling, no one even noticed. Israel had plenty of Pharisees, Sadducees, temple leaders, rabbis and students poring over the prophesies who should have known the Messiah was due any day. Surely Mary had a light about her that was beyond the average bun-in-the-oven glow. But the arrival of the Son of God was missed by the entire world.

Well, the angels just couldn’t stand by and let that happen. The entrance of the King couldn’t be ignored. In fact, they couldn’t be quiet about it.

Have you ever seen a period movie where they have a big ball and there’s a servant standing at the door shouting everyone’s name as they walk in? A long time ago, important people wanted to be sure everyone knew when they made their grand entrance. Well, God and the angels felt the same way about the baby Jesus.

First God sent the herald angel (the shouter at the door) to give the good word to the shepherds. Then the band came in. Angels filled the sky, singing, dancing — it was quite a hootenanny.

When something really important happens, like the savior of the world arriving to save mankind, people need to know about it. Similarly, when something really important happens, like Jesus cleaning our hearts and giving us new life, people need to know about that too.

Now let's bring this back to the present day with some questions for you: Has Jesus cleaned your heart? Have you told anyone about it recently? 

Ask Jesus for the courage to tell others about His birth, His death, His resurrection, and the new life you’ve found in Him.

If you haven’t found that new life yet, ask Him for it. After all, Jesus Christ came to Earth just to deliver a free gift to you: the free gift of salvation! What a reason to rejoice!

~*~
Author Bio:

In this world of texts, memes, and emojis, slowing down to truly communicate can feel like straining a muscle you haven’t exercised in far too long.

Seventeen years of business experience across a variety of industries has taught Carrie Del Pizzo the fine art of professional communications.

Partnering with corporate executives and entry-level employees alike, she has written and edited major project proposals, direct marketing pieces, sensitive client communications, employee handbooks, and user manuals.

Carrie’s love of literature and story has led her to develop and exercise her fiction writing skills as well. Aside from her personal creative efforts, she also edits for self- and traditionally-published authors and enjoys writing short dramas for church presentation.

Carrie is a wife, mom of three Americans and host-mom to numerous exchange students. Italian-by-marriage means she loves to cook and eat. She lives in Spokane, Wash., with her hilarious family who keep her in stitches and provides piles of material for great stories.

Devotionals for the Heart: A Savior

A Savior is Born
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” –Luke 2:11-12 (KJV)

Christmas is such a wonderful and magical season.

It’s the time of year when people tend to be generous and kind toward each other, even if in the other eleven months of the year they are not. Children are in awe anticipating Santa’s arrival, decorations are going up, trees are lit, and the air is filled with Christmas music. Retail merchants are vying for the Christmas club dollars and there is a mad dash to accomplish what one deems important for their family’s Christmas. Everything is bright and glittery. This is what Christmas has become in the 21st century. But two thousand years ago, the first Christmas was quite different.

I always think of Mary (the mother of Jesus) and I can’t imagine being nine months pregnant, riding a donkey ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That trip would have taken four to seven days over some rough terrain. We know Mary’s origin was Nazareth and Joseph was from Bethlehem. They both were in Nazareth when Caesar Augustus degreed that the whole world should be taxed and Joseph needed to return to his city of origin.

Think how Mary must have felt, tired, uncomfortable in early labor and needing a place to bring her child into the world. One could assume Joseph was poor and they did not have the money to procure a room in a private home, which was made available for the well-to-do. Mary and Joseph might have been turned away from several places before they came to the inn.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
– Luke 2:7 (KJV)

They were offered a stable, an out building similar to a barn and many commentaries dispute whether it was a stable or in a house. Some believe they stated in a family members home. This is not a doctrinal point as to whether he was born in a stable or in a house. What does matter is that He was born.

Why the chosen date of December 25 as the birthdate of Jesus Christ? That is another debate among scholars. Many say it couldn’t have been in winter because the shepherds were outside with their flocks, so some have assumed Jesus was born in the spring. Others say winter because there is a special breed of sheep that can tolerate the colder weather. Winter or spring, He came. God sent His only begotten son as the greatest gift of all (John 3:16)! Jesus came to redeem sinful mankind. The blood of cattle and goats could no longer be atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:12).

So, when we gather on Christmas Day with our families, break bread together and enjoy the fellowship of the season, let us reflect upon Jesus, our Savior, who left the splendor of a Heavenly Kingdom to come down to our level and sacrifice Himself for sinful mankind.

There was a song many years ago that had a line that said, “He would have come, even if you’d been the only one.” That is a humbling thought, Jesus would have come just for YOU. He loves you that much.

Let us thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful gift of Jesus, and share with those around you the love of God. Let’s not be too busy to be kind to one another and say, “Merry Christmas.”

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry. 

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Juliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni who is a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys. It is an Amish romance that she has placed in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God.

Devotionals for the Heart: Servants

A Servant Spirit
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” — Luke 1:38 (ESV)

As a woman and as a mother, I am in awe of young Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Mary was favored by God. This translated to a life of responsibility and hardship rather than ease from suffering. Yet the Bible shows her as accepting of hardship! I say I want God’s favor, but I tend to seek life’s pleasantries. How did this teenager respond in surrender to the news of forthcoming life hijacking?

The Gospel of Luke gives detail to Mary’s story. She’s legally pledged to a man named Joseph, perhaps carrying out her daily duties to her family whilst excitedly gathering goods for her dowry. I imagine she’s daydreaming about her future when there is a knock at her door ... an interruption. God sends His angel Gabriel to Mary. Surprise quickly shifts to confusion as he addresses her.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 ESV)

Mary is greatly troubled with what the angel is saying. The word used for “greetings” in Greek is chairo, which means, “rejoice.” Gabriel isn’t just showing up with a “Hi!” He brings excitement to the scene! It’s as if Gabriel is arriving for a surprise party.

The Greek word for “favored one” is kecharitōmenē, meaning, “to make graceful.” Effectively, Gabriel told Mary, “Rejoice, God is making you great!” That would be shocking and confusing to hear, yet exciting too! However, God’s plan for Mary doesn’t look like the world’s definition of greatness nor standard married life.

Gabriel goes on to reassure this young girl of God’s love and presence with her as he lays out God’s plan for a miraculous pregnancy. She listens to the details of what it means to be blessed. Privilege means responsibility.

My worldly-trained mind has deceived me into believing that if I am a good person, God’s favor will make my life easier. That’s not what God’s messenger told Mary. Mary was chosen to sacrifice her body, marriage and personal plans for the King of the Most High. I struggle with giving up my wants.

Yet Mary’s question is “How will this happen?” The “how” is in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Luke 1:35 (ESV): And the Angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

The Holy Spirit will come over you ... overshadow you. Mary was to be enveloped by the Holy Spirit ... God’s Spirit overshadowing Mary’s.

“Overshadow” is the key to my locked heart. By that one word, I’m moved to ask myself this question: Who’s Spirit is most important, my spirit or God’s Holy Spirit?

It occurs to me that I have been looking at events of both Mary’s life and my own as difficult without giving much attention to God’s overshadowing of the situation. I have overrated each challenge and underplayed God’s role in them, staring so long at the hurt that I miss the Love.

My spirit has been overshadowing.

Mary responds, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV). She knows her place. This teenage girl knows that she is a servant. She wants a Lord. She chooses to be overshadowed! That’s how and why she surrendered!

Who better to raise Jesus than a mother accepting her role as a servant? Jesus was raised a servant by a servant! Mary parented by example. Mary chose God’s will over her own saying “Yes, Father.”

Mary’s willingness to serve her Lord and be obedient to His will still applies to us today. I think of the time when one child needed medicine and another financial help, a friend asked for prayer or a neighbor sought work. And to all of those needs, I thought nothing of responding, “Let me help.” Caring for these needs became the priority, my desires overshadowed by serving others.

Maybe God is making me great too, with each opportunity to serve!

This Christmas season, light is shed on a fully surrendered Mother (Mary) and Child (Jesus Christ as a baby). Awe is appropriate! This story of Jesus encourages our hearts. It’s as if Gabriel has come to each of us saying, “Rejoice! God is making you great!”

We, too, can choose to accept our role as servant and trust the Holy Spirit’s power to overshadow ours. Please join me in the surrender to God by praying that His will be done according to His Word. Let’s ask God that we may have the spirit of a servant too!

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior.

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for your heart and the holiday season

Hope Beyond the Holidays: Celebrating the REAL reason for this season
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 (ESV)

As the leaves fall from the trees and the cold ushers us into the winter season, let us also welcome in a season of hope as we close in on the end of another year.

In this time of holidays, family gatherings, and giving of gifts let us be reminded and of the greatest gift, the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace that came at an unexpected time and in the most unique of ways.

In Luke 1 (read it in The Holy Bible), Elizabeth, wife of the priest Zechariah, was barren. The Lord looked on both Zechariah and Elizabeth as righteous in His sight (Luke 1:6) and because of this He chose to bless them with a son, John, who would usher in the coming of Jesus. But Zechariah did not believe such a blessing was possible because he was old, and his wife was advanced in years (Luke 1:18). So, God caused Zechariah to be mute until His promise was fulfilled in the birth of John. A time of silence was needed to still Zechariah’s spirit. He had to die to self-doubt, as a tree dies in winter.

Though Elizabeth’s husband could not tell her what transpired, she had to believe. For five months, she kept herself hidden, knowing God would take away the doubt and disbelief of people who would not think Zechariah’s visitation was possible (Luke 1:24-25). Though she couldn’t see what was going to happen, she chose to believe. Elizabeth was like the life force of a tree that lives dormant and hidden beneath the ground until the time of new birth.

Six months later, an angel appeared to Mary, a virgin, who was engaged to be married. He proclaimed that she would give birth to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Though Mary didn’t completely understand how this was possible (Luke 1:34), she accepted the angel’s decree and welcomed it as God’s humble servant. The angel also told Mary of her cousin Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy and proclaimed, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Mary welcomed the gift of God and the unknown. Like a strong tree in winter, Mary would stand firm and weather the storms because her roots were firmly planted in the promise of God.

When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth’s unborn child leapt in her womb upon hearing Mary’s voice (Luke 1:41) and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She received the news of the coming of God’s Son and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42) She was humbled that the mother of the Lord would come to visit her and knew Mary would be blessed because of her belief in God’s plan (Luke 1:45). Like a tree that raises its branches in praise toward the sun in all seasons, these women gave thanks and praise to God for His great mercy.

The time then came when Elizabeth gave birth to her son and her relatives saw what God had done for her and rejoice (Luke 1:58). At the child’s naming ceremony where he would have inherited his father’s name, Elizabeth instead called him John as the angel had decreed, which confused the people. As soon as Zechariah confirmed the name in writing to the people, his voice was restored, and he blessed God (Luke 1:65). The story of John’s birth went out among the people because the hand of God was on him. John was the evidence of God’s faithfulness, like the new shoots that appear on a tree, signaling the closing of winter and paving the way to renewal of life.

Finally, a few months after John’s birth, Jesus the Savior and bringer of all new, and renewal, of life was born in a stable. He was laid in a manger cut from a tree that was sacrificed and molded into something new in order to hold the world’s most precious gift.

Jesus is the essence of all life!

Remember to celebrate Him as we go into this Christmas season.

~*~

Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia. She teaches television production at C.D. Hylton Senior High School.

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is a member of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program, American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), ACFW Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

Mirachelle is passionate about awakening creativity and the gifts of God in everyone. She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII, inspired by her time studying theatre education in London, England.

In her spare time, she also writes and directs Christmas and Easter passion plays at Christ Chapel Assembly of God in Woodbridge, Va.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mirachelle77/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: A Closer Look at the birth of Jesus Christ

Where Jesus Was Born?
A devotional by Allison M. Wilson

Key Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Genesis 35:19-21, Micah 4:8-5:2, John 1:29,
1 Peter 1:18-19, 

1 Corinthians 5:7, Revelation 5:6-14 (NASB)

I’m about to challenge you to dig into the Word of God to search for an amazing treasure that has been there all along. A pastor friend of mine taught on, “Where Was Jesus Born?” The entire teaching is linked here. There’s not enough space to do more than whet your curiosity. This made me sit back in awe, again, at Who our God is.

We’re told in Luke that an angel appeared to shepherds. Why these shepherds? They were very special. They were likely the ones who tended the Passover lambs and flock. 1 Corinthians calls Jesus Christ our Passover Lamb. Genesis talks about a “tower of Eder.” In the original Hebrew, that means “migdal eder,” or “tower of the flock.” Micah 4:8 tells us, “To you it will come—Even the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” This tower is something special, but why?

We have “certain” shepherds, as one of the carols calls them. We have John and others referring to Jesus as the Lamb of God. We know Christ to be our Passover Lamb taking away the sins of the world. How did the shepherds know where to find Mary, Joseph, and the Christ? It wasn’t the star which led the magi. That didn’t happen until later. 

They knew where to find a “Passover lamb” because they were shepherds of that very flock! Where else would a place be prepared to accept the birth of “perfect” sheep, destined to die on an altar? What other lambs were wrapped up to keep them from harming themselves and making a blemish? Where else would perfectly cleansed swaddling be available which had to be done according to the Law for the lambs of sacrifice? They had to be kept separate from less worthy sheep. They had to be protected. They were sacred.

If you read on in the Bible book of Micah, it talks about a woman in childbirth … giving birth to the Savior! I hope you believe that there is no coincidence in the Word of God. Every word is intentional and necessary for His perfect will to be made known. This is no coincidence that a description of childbirth is given in this passage about Migdal Eder. We are given crumbs, here and there, to show us the way through the Scriptures to find truths we never saw before. It reminds us that His thoughts are so much bigger than our thoughts, and His ways immensely different than our ways.

Yes, Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inn, but there is no recorded place in Scripture that says they went to a stable. Where else would the Holy Spirit lead the Lamb of God to be born, but to the very same place that the lambs, which had fulfilled the promise as far as they were able, were born? God leaves nothing to chance. Everything in the Old Testament is a shadow of what was to come in Christ.

I think the part which hit my heart the hardest in all of this study was when I read, again, that Mary wrapped her Babe in swaddling clothing, and treasured all these things in her heart. As a mother, Mary wrapped up her sacrificial Lamb when He was born, in the place where death was assured as soon as life began for those lambs. She had no idea she would be wrapping her Son just 30 some years later, in grave cloths. A different swaddling with tears staining the material, I have no doubt.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the birth of Christ is significant enough for God to have written about it, hidden nuggets of priceless truth within the Scriptures, and rejoices when we seek them out.

Let’s Pray: Jesus, You amaze me at every turn. You hide nothing from us, but we must want to seek out these gems. Give us the desire to find more “hidden” things in Your Word that we may learn more of You. In the Name of Christ we pray, Amen. 

~*~
Author Bio:

A very early reader and lover of the written word, Allison M. Wilson has been writing since the age of eight with the heart to impart stories and God's truth. 

She has judged countless contests for the last 25 years, reviewed for several online publications, professionally edited, and written articles and devotionals.

Wife, mother, writer, editor, teacher, mentor, and mompreneur, God keeps her busy while living in east central Florida with her family.

~*~
Connect with Allison:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonmwilson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amwilson

Devotionals for the Heart: The Power and Legacy of A Good Name

What Is His Name?
A devotional by Quantrilla Ard

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

I remember having grand ideas of what my children’s names would be when I became a parent. I would spend hours searching through websites and books, trying to put together the right combination of first and middle names although I wasn’t sure of what their last names would be (this began long before I was married). The sound of the name was important as I waded through names both traditional and non-traditional, and it had to have just the right ring to it. What I didn’t always take into account was the meaning of the names, and I am glad that I had a few more years yet to ultimately make that decision.

A saying that I hear quite often in my writing and professional circles is “Words mean things,” and names aren’t excluded in this overarching message of the worth and value of words. There is the belief that what you name a child will shape and/or define who they become – that they will live up to what you call them. Although it may or may not have some credibility, this belief was very influential in the naming of our children. So every time someone asks us what our children's names are, I feel a sense of pride knowing that their names were carefully and lovingly considered and chosen.

In this Advent season, I often think of how Mary truly felt. She had to have grappled with the weight of such a responsibility – being the mother of the One for whom all the world had been waiting. There was one burden she didn’t have to carry, naming him. Although it was typical for the naming of the children to be the duty of the mother, this time the baby that was to be born was named by His Father, not by Mary or Joseph.

Matthew 1:20-21 (BSB) says: “But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

This name meant something, something special. This name wasn’t just thought up on a whim or conjured from the imaginations of well-meaning family and friends. This name was different. The salvation of the world depended on it. Acts 4:12 (KJV) tells us, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Can you imagine if Joseph and Mary had gotten that one thing wrong? I can’t. Mary and Joseph’s obedience in this matter was of the utmost importance, it literally was the difference between life and death.

While the naming of our children is not typically done in the fashion of Mary and Joseph, I still believe that God wants to be a part of how and what we name our children. I have met many mothers who like Hannah named their children based on God’s response to a specific prayer or circumstance. There are also family names that are passed down through generations, representing years of tradition. What I know to be true is that every time I say the name “Jesus” something shifts in my spirit. There is power in the name of Jesus and rightly so.

The next time you hear the question, “What’s his/her name?” take a moment and think about the name above all names, Jesus, and what a profound impact His name truly has in your life.

~*~
Author Bio:

Quantrilla (Quanny) Ard is a faith-based personal and spiritual development writer who lives in the D.C. Metro area with her husband and three littles. 

In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she is an entrepreneur, doctoral student, and curator of all things lovely.

As a woman on her own quest of shining a light on the shadowy, hidden places in her life, she writes as the PhDMamma about things she knows to be true in hopes to encourage others to do the same.

Her spiritual goals and her love for Christ propels her quest to share the journey with other women: to walk alongside them and encourage them with words, deeds, and wisdom. Quanny believes in the power that is within collective strength, community, and fellowship.

You will find her wherever people are sharing stories of triumph.

~*~
Connect with Quanny:
Website - https://www.thephdmamma.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thephdmamma
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/qyard08
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/quannyboo/

Devotionals for the Heart: Miracles

The Season of Miracles
A devotional by Nanci Rubin

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name, Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." 

~Luke 1:31, 32 (KJV)

"And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her." ~Luke 1:38 (KJV)

I am ALWAYS awed by Mary’s statement in Luke 1:38 speaking to an angel of the Lord. “Be it unto me.”

Putting Mary into present day, as a young teen, probably between 12-14 years old when she was betrothed to Joseph. Some commentaries have Joseph much older than Mary, but most agree he was probably between 30-40 years of age. I can’t imagine a teenager of today conversing with Gabriel, an arch angel, and saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” Especially after him telling her she was going to become pregnant when the Holy Ghost came upon her. Mary was a virgin, she was engaged, and she was the first surrogate.

She was so willing to listen to Gabriel, and her faith in God allowed her to accept the miraculous, and say, “be it unto me.” There would be few, if any, present day youth who would accept such an arrangement, but there are still some. I am reminded of Columbine High School where the horrible massacre of nineteen-ninety-nine took place. It was reported that eighteen-year-old Cassie Bernall stood for her faith and refused to deny Jesus Christ, her savior and Mary’s son.

Then I’m reminded of this young Jewish girl who became the mother of Jesus, our Savior, and the beautiful song, Mary, Did you Know? I get cold chills when I hear the verse, “Mary did you know the child you delivered would one day deliver you?” And, “did you know that when you kissed your baby you kissed the face of God?” 

These phrases bring me to tears when I think of my own child as a baby and realizing Mary’s plight in loving this child. Although Jesus was deity, he was a baby and Mary loved him as a mother would.

Did she know? Yes, Gabriel had witnessed about Jesus, but did she really know? I’m not so sure. His death and crucifixion I don’t believe was something she dwelled upon or even knew as he grew into manhood.

But only imagine, if you can, the horrific moment in time when she was forced to witness the inhumane treatment of her first born and the agony, she felt watching him agonize. I am convinced she could taste the salt of his tears. 

But as miraculous as his birth so was his resurrection. Everything about Jesus is miraculous. This is the season of giving and God sent His son as the greatest gift of all. Share Him with those who do not know him. Give the gift of love. 

May this season bring peace and joy to each household and what a privilege it is for me to be allowed to share this wonderful savior, Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.

Merry Christmas!

~*~
Author Bio:

Nanci is a poet and short story writer published in Cypress News, Family Times E-Zine, Free Verse and the Commonwealth of Poetry.

She belongs to RWA, ACFW, and Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she’s enrolled in his novel writing program.

Nanci lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cats, Romeo and Julliette, along with their newest member of the family, Roni, a seven-month-old Goldendoodle.

Recently, Nanci completed her debut novel, A Betrayal in Cross Keys, an Amish romance. She has placed it in her agent's capable hands. The rest is up to God. 

Love is in the Air: Star Song by Katheryn Haddad

Welcome Christian author Katheryn Haddad to my blog today! 

She contributed a devotional last Christmas (2014) but today she's here to share an excerpt and review of her book, Star Song.

Katheryn's book is her creative telling of the inner thoughts of Mary the Mother of Jesus and Joseph who was engaged to Mary before God revealed to her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, you know the Savior of the World?

Ah yes, and the plot thickens...

~*~

"I'm awed by the author’s writing skill. It is evident that she is a seasoned writer with great talent. Katheryn Haddad delves into the inner thoughts of Mary and Joseph on a personal level. By including modern concepts with authentic details of New Testament times, she demonstrates the relevance of the events of Christ’s birth. The author tells the story of Jesus in such a way that those who may not know the details of the scripture will be lead to read the gospels and those who are Bible scholars will hunger and thirst for the insights found in Star Song." 

~Review written by Mary Cheatham, author of Secret Promise, Courtship of Miss Loretta Larson, Dream Bucket and Abi of Cyrene 

~*~

A note for God is Love blog readers from Katheryn Haddad: Okay, here is the excerpt from Book 1, Star Song, Chapter 1, "Joseph: Two Fathers, One Son." The first part is where he discovers she is pregnant, the second is after his vision and God telling him to marry her. I think you can tell that when you read it. 

Star Song Book 1 excerpt written by Katheryn:

“Joseph, I love you with my whole heart. I have always loved you. You are the only man I have ever loved.” Mary then lets her cloak slip down to her feet. “Joseph, I am pregnant.”

Joseph stares in disbelief. Confusion takes over his eyes, his lips and his demeanor. Deep breathing builds up as if getting ready to fight an unknown, unseen enemy.

His fists clinch.

He puts a hand up to his forehead. He turns and looks away and then back again, hoping he only imagined what he was seeing and what he has just heard. But the love of his life is still pregnant.

Mary does not say anything. She just stands there. Tears. Waiting for him to say something.

“Mary! How could you do this to me?”

Joseph turns, jumps down the stairs four at a time, and bounds out of the house, leaving the gate open behind him. He throws the gift he’d brought her at the wall of her house.

He stumbles down some street in some town somewhere. Somehow, eventually, in a time where there is no time, a familiar gate appears. He staggers toward it, not completely aware that he is doing it.

Joseph puts his head down on his still-closed front gate. With his fist he pounds it relentlessly. “Mary! Mary! Not you! Why? Why?” he cries out to an unseeing and uncaring world. And though he is talking to Mary, he is glad she is not around to hear him. He is now aware that he never wants to see her again.

He sobs uncontrollably. Betrayed by innocence. But not innocence after all. The ultimate betrayal.

His voice, his sobs, swirl through his head and rush to the ears of Satan who laughs in sadistic excitement.

God wants to reach down and comfort him, but Joseph is not yet ready.

Somehow Joseph manages the lock and stumbles through the gateway to his courtyard, and toward his little living quarters, the living quarters he had thought he and Mary would be making into a home. But he cannot go inside.

“Oh, Jehovah God, why? Why, God? Why did it have to happen? Oh, God, not this,” He bellows at the sky.

Stumbling around the his hand lands on a bowl of water where he’d washed less than an hour earlier. He pushes it over and down onto the ground in retaliation. Retaliation on Mary. He works his way from object to object, throwing everything he can see with young, strong arms. The arms that once held Mary protectively.

He turns and, tramping over the mud and broken pottery on the ground, he finally makes his way into his quarters.

The man! Who’s the other guy? Who did this to her? He kicks the stool in the middle of the room.

Did Mary consent? Was she raped? He takes hold of the stool and throws it across the room.

He picks up a piece of fine clay on which he had sketched a picture of her and throws it at the wall. He drops to his knees and remains there a few moments as though begging providence to back up and start all over again with this morning.

He sits now in the floor with her picture. All broken. Crushed. Cut to the heart. Unhealable. Inconsolable. Betrayed with the ultimate betrayal.

Sprawling completely prostrate now, he hits his fist against the floor. He is bleeding. Bleeding from the broken pottery. Bleeding from the broken promise. The broken heart. The broken life. “Oh, Mary... Oh, God...” he groans.

Joseph opens his eyes and it is dark. No sounds on the street. It must be very late. Too late. Too late to do any work. Too late for Mary. Too late for him. Too late for happiness. 

...

He struggles to comprehend all the angel has just explained to him.

His hair in shambles, sawdust still permeating his clothes, tear stains crisscrossing his rugged face, he runs out the gate without locking it.

“I must get to Mary. She needs me.”

Bolting down the street, he races toward the home of his bride. Seemingly the homes and shops he passes jump out of his way. Seemingly the wind picks up his feet and delivers him to the familiar gate. He pounds on it and rattles the latch. Deliriously, he pounds on it.

“Mary! Open up. Forgive me, Mary. Please, you’ve got to come to the gate.”

The gate is opened. Joseph once more takes the stairs three at a time, spots Mary, and kneels in front of his beloved, his bride, the mother of God’s baby.

He puts his head in her lap and sobs. Mary sobs. Their tears mingle and rise higher and higher through the universe. At last they reach the throne of God and swirl restlessly at his feet.

God reaches down and touches those tears. Now, somehow, the young couple way down on earth, feels peace like a river.

~*~

Author bio:

Katheryn Maddox Haddad was born in the north, but moved to Arizona where there is no snow. She lives with her palm trees, cacti, and computer with the key names worn off. 

With a B.A. degree in English and Bible, she earned part of an M.A. in Bible, including Greek studies. She spends half her day writing and the other half teaching English using the Bible as a text book to Muslims around the world. 

She has converts to Christianity in hiding in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Uzbekistan, and Palestine. “They are my heroes,” she says.

~*~

Buy Katheryn's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1SB15JN

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1Rm64MX

~*~

Connect with Katheryn:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/katheryn.haddad.author

Goodreads, http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8422071.Katheryn_Maddox_Haddad

Twitter - @KatherynHaddad

Holiday devotional: Mary Pondered

Christmas is coming! Only three days away! Yet over 2,000 years ago, the first Christmas was celebrated on a starry, starry night in Bethlehem where the virgin Mary laid her sweet baby Jesus in a manger filled with hay. Yes, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ was born through a virgin named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. 

Mary and Joseph were poor in finances but rich in their relationship with God. They had faith more valuable than gold. It was their faith that kept them together when the angel of God told Mary that she would give birth to the Savior of the World and no this was not her fiance Joseph's biological child. However the process was pure and beyond our imagination. The Bible does not go into detail about how God sent His Son to Earth in the form of a baby carried in Mary's womb and delivered on that starry night in a stable filled with hay. But the Bible is clear on this, with God all things are possible (Philippians 4:13) and as the song by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir on their Christmas CD says, it was the "birthday of a King!" 

What better reason to celebrate this Christmas season than to remember when this holiday was first created? And to hold on to the hope that no matter how crazy life in this world gets, God is still in control. If God can send His Son to be born, raised, minister to the sick and lost, then die and be resurrected to encourage His faithful followers and be humankind's High Priest and Mediator before God in Heaven (all of which completed the work of salvation) and then in turn He offers salvation to us as a free gift then of course God can keep you, bless you and deliver you from any trial and tribulation you may be facing!

But back to Mary as the Mother of Jesus. Mary was a very special woman. Despite her elevation of being the most favored woman of God and her willingness to be used by Him in His great plan to save the world, Mary was humble. She did not go around boasting and bragging that she was going to carry the Creator of all humankind in her womb and give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. And I'm sure she didn't try to one-up other mothers that she knew when talking about her child Jesus Christ. I mean seriously there's no greater title than your boy child being the Son of the Eternal King, right? Sure, doctor or lawyer, King of a Middle Eastern country or the President of the United States of America may be impressive titles but clearly God created all of those people who hold those titles yet He chose to collaborate with Mary to create His Son in human form. Yeah, Mary had plenty to boast about but she didn't. Mary did not boast. She stayed humble and faithful to God and she pondered this special mission God had given her in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Tonight, I'd like to share a different take on the Christmas story with you through the eyes of a mother. No, not Mary but Jaime Wright who is a woman with a love for words and Jesus Christ. Take it away Jaime...

~*~
Mary Pondered
A Christmas devotional written by Jaime Wright

There’s a popular Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?” I’ve always wondered what she knew, when she held Jesus in her arms, his dark eyes squinting in new birth and his tiny voice straining to make sure the world He had arrived. Did she know? All Scripture tells us is that she pondered it all in her heart.

I never understood that. Until Christmas 2009. My daughter was early. Too early. Although in many experiences, three weeks isn’t that unusual. In my daughter’s, she just wasn’t ready. To be born. To breathe. To cry.

How can a mother forget the croaking whimpers of a newborn with not enough air? The croons of Daddy coaxing, “breathe, Baby Girl, breathe”. Labor. Pains. Vomiting. Exhaustion. And now … impending death.

Mary looked at her boy. Newborn. His velvety hair, olive skin, wrinkled and innocent. A purity he would never lose. And eyes that were sharp, knowing. Mary pondered … impending death.

The room was a bustle of activity. My daughter was whisked away and then brought back to my room to be held on my chest for thirty seconds so she could bond with her mother’s scent. Then they wheeled her away to an ambulance. And I screamed.

The night was filled with the screams of mothers who had their babies stricken by the heinous King Herod. His jealous slaughter heralded the coming of the Messiah, sheltered and whisked away by angel’s warning. The violence. The murder. The blood. Always blood. And Mary pondered …

I limped into the NICU. The incubator was warm, soft light glowed. Her Daddy had been there four hours before I arrived. The nurse told me he had not moved. And in the warm glow, I saw it. My daughter’s finger, squeezing her Daddy’s finger, white-knuckled grip with no intention to let go. Daddy was her salvation.

And Mary squeezed His finger, with no intention of letting go. But she would have to let go. He was her Abba, her daddy, her Father. For He was her Savior. It was a dichotomy.

And Mary pondered … A Savior. A King. Her Son. Her baby would save the world.

Of course she didn’t know. She didn’t want to know. But she had this moment. A mother’s arms, full, in love, and a deep breath that her son, was God’s son. A gift she had been given that she would never regret. Jesus.

~*~

Author bio:

Professional coffee drinker Jaime Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited and gritty turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Her day job finds her a Director of Associate Sales, Development & Relations. She’s wife to a rock climbing, bow-hunting youth pastor, mom to a coffee-drinking little girl and a Sippy cup-drinking baby boy, and completes her persona by being an admitted Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Blogspot junkie.

Jaime is a member of ACFW, enjoys mentorship from a best-selling author, and has the best critique partners EVER! (Yes, that's an exclamation point.) She was a semifinalist in ACFW’s 2013 Genesis contest and that alone encouraged excessive celebration over extra espresso with hazelnut syrup.

In her "down time", Jaime reads voraciously, socializes incessantly, drinks coffee addictively, and overuses "-ly" words excessively.

Social media links: 

http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com

http://coffeecupsandcamisoles.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/jaimewrightbooks

Twitter: @Jaime_wright

Pinterest: jaimewright01