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

Don't Dance with Demons in the Twilight: Paradise Awaits, but the Choice is Yours

The embers of temptation glow, hissing a seductive melody in the twilight. It draws you in, this Devil's Playground, painted with promises of forbidden nectar and midnight revelry. But a low growl echoes in the shadows, a warning from deep within. Don't play footsie with shadows, whispers your soul, for their dance leads not to ecstasy, but to the ash-strewn alleyways of regret. Proverbs whispers in the wind, "The path of the wicked is paved with thorns and briers, a tangled skein leading only to sorrow" (24:21). This playground, adorned with tempting trinkets, is a mirage crafted by whispers of the fallen. Isaiah, like a desert sunrise, beckons you back to your true essence, "Remember the Rock from which you were hewn, the quarry of your creation" (50:11). Paradise, your birthright, lies not in the smoldering embers of sin, but in the sun-kissed fields of righteousness. John the Baptist, a beacon in the gloom, illuminates the path: "I am th

Beyond the Ashes: God's Offer of Grace

Mercy in the Midst of the Inferno the Gift that Quenches the Flames The embers smolder, painting the desolate landscape with hues of grief. Once thriving structures lie reduced to dust, testaments to the inferno's wrath. Smoke hangs heavy, obscuring the horizon, choking hope with its acrid scent. Yet, in the midst of this desolate scene, a whisper stirs, a melody challenging the dirge of despair. For even in the furnace of affliction, God's grace ignites, offering a lifeline amidst the ashes. Peter, seasoned by trials himself, paints a stark picture in his second letter: "The heavens will disappear in flames, the elements will be dissolved by the heat, and the earth and everything on it will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10). The flames lick at the edges of our comfort, threatening to consume all we hold dear. But wait, dear friend, for the verse does not end there. It continues, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You

Escape the Burning Building

Repent, Don't Regret/Choose Your Master, Not Your Misery Verse 1: Proverbs 1:29-31 "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices." Verse 2: Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Devotional Thought: In our daily lives, we often face choices that can lead us either towards a life aligned with God's will or towards a path that leads to destruction. Just like someone trapped inside a burning building, we must make a decision to escape before it's too late. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we must choose to repent rather than regret our choices. The book of Proverbs reminds us that those who reject knowled

The Masculine Christian: Empowering Fathers and Husbands

Search This Blog