Encouraging.com

Wow! What an amazing meeting between two women whom the Lord was using!

Earlier in Luke, we can read about angels appearing to both women’s families to

announce their pregnancies. Both were susceptible to the temptations of stress, fear,

or worry, especially considering Elizabeth’s age (geriatric pregnancy), yet she is filled

with joy and humbled favor for what God had done and was doing through the birth of

our Lord.

Dec 25

Dec 25 Wonder-filled Wednesday

Nancy Paul

Whew, time for bed. What a Christmas day it had been. Up at 6—grandma, it’s time to see if Santa’s been here—followed by the Christmas story, stockings, breakfast, gifts, lunch, more presents, play, dinner, more play, exhaustion. It’s time to lay down those sleepy heads.

Dec 24

Dec 24 The Reality of Christmas

encouraging.com

Anxiety, God's Character

You probably are in the midst of your Christmas shopping now. I find shopping stressful, do you?The crowds, the decisions, and the costs are overwhelming. Why have we allowed commercialism to take over this special celebration?

Dec 24

Dec 24 Insta-Advent

Taylor Newton

Hope

Christmas is the time of year I look forward to the most. Friends and family coming

together, great food, and—the reason for the season--coming together for worship in

celebrating the birth of Christ. Inspired to write about this wonderful time, yet

simultaneously struggling with creativity, I turned to the most novel solution—scrolling

social media.

Dec 23

Dec 23 The Gift of Encouragement

encouraging.com

Encouragement

Holidays can be sad days for many, especially those who are lonely. Holidays can also be depressing for many reasons. We busy ourselves with so many activities that we become tired, confused, and feel as though we are walking through a maze.

Dec 20

Dec 20 Christmas Delight

Salvation

Our youngest grandson got so excited when he saw the Christmas lights on our house. He could not wait for us to turn them on. Then he came inside and saw our decorated tree with wrapped presents already underneath it.

Dec 19

Dec 19 Christmas Carols

Thankfulness, Salvation

Nothing gives me joy like Christmas carols—the ones about the birth of Jesus, anyway. The other ones are cute, funny, and fun to sing, but they do not touch my spirit. The ones that move me declare Jesus’ deity while coming to earth through the virgin birth. I love to sit in my living room in front of the lit Christmas tree and contemplate the true meaning of those songs, Jesus’ birth, and Christmas.

Dec 18

Dec 18 Chocolate Kiss

Love

God’s Word—how heavenly! When we open the Bible, His scriptures go straight to our hearts and wrap around them. The meaning permeates our whole being.

Dec 17

Dec 17 Mirror Images

God's Character, Peace, Relationships

Picture a body of water on a windless day. The water appears as smooth as glass, reminiscent of a mirror. As you look at the glorious scenery, you also view a perfect reflection of the beauty in the water. Likewise, you will find your reflection if you peer into the water. What a peaceful image to conjure up. It relaxes me to think of it.

Dec 16

Dec 16 Eyebrows! Who Would Have Thought?

God's glory, Wisdom

“Tida! What are these?” I glanced up to see to what my grandson referred. He had the strangest look as he pointed to his face. He then began touching his eyebrows as if he had never noticed them.

Dec 13

Dec 13 A Shepherd’s Prayer for Baby Jesus

Dear Lord,

I do not understand. That night I saw the sky and heard the angel’s song—but I have so far to come in my faith. When I entered the cave and saw You in your mother’s arms, I saw the miracle of new life. It was an amazement to see a newborn child among the barnyard animals.

Dec 12

Dec 12 The Gift that Keeps Giving: Part 3

Grace

Our personal story begins when we receive God’s gift of grace. But who receives a gift without opening it? With the unwrapping come amazing surprises. We begin to experience things we previously could not have dreamed of. Even in the middle of life-as-usual, we see new dimensions and a new purpose. 2+2 now equals 7 or 10 or infinity. The only explanation is that the grace of God is at work in our life.

Dec 11

Dec 11 The Gift that Keeps Giving: Part 2

Grace

In the desert there was enough grace to feed Israel for another day. In the temple sacrifices there was enough grace to procure forgiveness for God’s people for another year. In the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, there was enough grace to forgive our sins, transform our lives and lead us to our eternal home.c

Dec 10

Dec 10 The Gift that Keeps Giving: Part 1

Grace

When we use the word “grace” to describe human interactions, it is often a lovely synonym for letting someone off the hook. When we apply grace to God’s character and actions, something else entirely comes into play. If it were possible to obtain a core sample of the heart of God, the analysis would come back as pure grace.

Dec 9

Dec 9 A Prayer for the Coming Christmas

Dear Lord Jesus,

I turned over the calendar and it was official: countdown to Christmas. Before me whirled visions of shopping for the perfect gift at just the right price, addressing and sending out Christmas cards, shopping, decorating the house, rushing to programs and parties, shopping, baking and cooking special treats and, of course, shopping. Lord, give me the strength to keep up with all my blessings! But more than that: make this year different.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Before the King

God's Character, Spiritual Growth

I’ve been surprised by familiar biblical passages that come from the obscure minor prophet Habakkuk. One of these passages inspired a benediction we often sang at my childhood church. I hear the melody as I read the words. “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him” (Hab. 2:20). Imagine my surprise to find these words following five woes spoken by the LORD in His response to Habakkuk!

Dec 5

Dec 5 Living by Faith

Encouragement, Spiritual Growth

Scholars wonder about the prophet Habakkuk’s name. It’s only used in this Old Testament book, and it’s written in a non-standard Hebraic form. They believe it’s likely related to an extinct eastern language referring to the Habbaququ fruit tree. Imagine his challenge of having such a one-of-a-kind name among his teasing peers. My children can imagine. They carry a Polish last name (containing even more letters) that’s unique to this area of the country. I told them often that their name made them distinctive.

Dec 4

Dec 4 God's Graciousness

Prayer

God instructed Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites through one of the most beautiful benedictions in Scripture. The phrase invoking Yahweh to be gracious to them captures my heart. I’ve asked for help, protection, encouragement, mercy, wisdom, and strength, but I don’t think I’ve ever asked God for His graciousness in my life.

Dec 3

Dec 3 What's in a Name?