Skip to main content

Manger Musings: The Gift of Stillness (December 27)


Verse:  "And Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Amidst the twinkling lights, the festive carols, and the joyful chaos of holiday gatherings, a hush falls over the manger. Mary, cradling the newborn King, doesn't just observe the wonder unfolding around her; she holds it all within, "ponders them in her heart." In that quiet space, amidst the joyous noise, she receives the precious gift of stillness.

For us, too, the season beckons with a similar invitation. Yes, let us celebrate with gusto, raise our voices in song, and share the warmth of togetherness. But amidst the merrymaking, let us not forget Mary's gentle example. Let us carve out moments of quiet, where the tinsel-trimmed world fades away and only the soft glow of the Christ child remains.

In those hushed spaces, bathed in the golden light of contemplation, we discover a treasure more precious than any earthly gift: the gift of stillness. It's in the quiet corners that we truly encounter the newborn King, not in the grandeur of the celebration, but in the whisper of awe within our hearts.

  Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as the echoes of holiday cheer gradually fade, grant us the grace to seek the stillness You offer. Lead us to quiet corners where we can ponder the miracle of Your Son's birth, not with the cacophony of the world, but with the gentle symphony of our own hearts. May we receive the gift of Your presence, the peace that surpasses understanding, and the joy that only You can bring. Amen.

 Challenge:

This week, amidst the busyness of the post-holiday season, challenge yourself to create a space for stillness. Find a quiet corner, dim the lights, light a candle, and simply be present. Breathe deeply, listen to the gentle rhythm of your heart, and allow yourself to ponder the wonder of Christmas. In that quiet space, receive the gift of stillness and rediscover the true meaning of the season – the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

May the peace and wonder of the manger continue to bless you this Christmas season and beyond.

Written by: Shane Lents 

Popular posts from this blog

Starlit Quest: Seeking and Finding the King (December 26)

Verse: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2) Brothers and sisters, the echo of the magi's journey still reverberates through the centuries, a testament to the unwavering faith and relentless pursuit of truth. Guided by a celestial beacon, they embarked on a perilous quest, leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the unknown. Their hearts, ablaze with conviction, refused to be deterred by obstacles or doubt. Their story, etched in the tapestry of Christmas, is not merely a historical account. It is a mirror reflecting our own inner journeys, a call to embark on a starlit quest for the true King within. For the star, dear friends, is not solely an astronomical phenomenon, but the spark of divine light that ignites within each ...
Read more

Echoes of Bethlehem: The Cradle of Hope (December 24)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)  Close your eyes, friends, and let your imagination drift. We're not traveling far, just back in time, to a dusty stable in Bethlehem. The air buzzes with anticipation, as if the universe itself holds its breath. Tonight, in this humble haven, a miracle unfolds.  A child is born, not in gilded palaces or whispered pomp, but nestled in swaddling cloths, cradled in hay. No trumpets herald his arrival, only the lullaby of starlight and hushed whispers of awe. Yet, in this tiny form, divinity meets humanity in a breathtaking embrace. The Son of God, cloaked in the innocence of a babe, whispers hope into the waiting world.  Think of it: this tiny hand that clutches Mary's finger will one day heal wounds and build bridges of love. This little voice that co...
Read more

Starlit Surrender - Trusting the Unfolding Path (December 29)

  Verse: "Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5) As the final days of December unfold, we stand on the precipice of a new year. Before us stretches a vast, starlit expanse, unmarred by the footprints of tomorrow. It can be tempting to succumb to the anxieties that whisper within, clinging to the familiar shores of the past or gripping tightly to imagined visions of the future. Yet, in this liminal space, a different invitation arises – an invitation to surrender. Surrender doesn't mean passivity; it's an active act of trust. It's releasing our need to control, to map every twist and turn of the path ahead. Instead, we turn our gaze skyward, aligning ourselves with the divine orchestration of life's journey. We acknowledge that beneath the twinkling tapestry of stars, a guiding hand weaves a story far grander than our limited minds can conceive.   Prayer: O Divine Mystery, grant us the courag...
Read more