Lights Ahead

A compilation

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I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”­1

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. The things we need to know, the Lord tells us, and sometimes the things we want to know, He tells us, but most of the time He throws a veil over the future so it is known only to Him—and that really keeps us close to the Lord.

He’s promised to never leave or forsake us.2 “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”3 He’s also given us the torch of His Word to show us where our path is going. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”4—David Brandt Berg5

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Your time on earth is just a small pinpoint in eternity. It's a tiny train stop of a few years when put into the timeline of infinity. And yet this stop is one of the most important times in your existence. It’s the only place that you will be able to do certain things and learn and grow in certain ways.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy6

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It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.—Edgar Allan Poe

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What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.—James 4:147

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It may be well to make the best of both worlds, but of this poor world, nothing can be made unless it is viewed in the light of another. This is a poor withering life at the best, for we all fade as a leaf. Unless we purposely live with a view to the next world, we cannot make much out of our present existence. Such rags as this poor present world of time and sense can never be made up into an array in which a man would care to robe himself. At the same time, do not be frightened at the unhandsome form in which this life, at times, appears—it is, after all, but a vapor—and who will be alarmed at it?

Is life so short? Does it only appear for a little time and then vanish away? Then let us put all we can into it. If life is short, it is wisdom to have no fallows, but to sow every foot of ground while we can. It will be prudent to pack our little space as full as possible.

Let us put plenty of life into our existence, plenty of work into our life, plenty of heart into our work, and plenty of warmth into our heart. May God [grant] us to live while we live! May we not only live but be all alive.

Is time so short? Then do not let us fret about its troubles and discomforts. A man is on a journey and puts up at an inn. And when he is fairly in the hostelry, he perceives that it is a poor place with scant food and a hard bed. “Well, well,” he says, “I am off the first thing tomorrow morning and so it does not matter.” This world is an inn and if there are certain discomforts in it, let us remember that we are not tenants for years, but only guests for a day! Let us make the best we can of the temporary accommodation which this poor shanty of a world affords. Our life is removed as a shepherd’s tent, which was a hovel in which the shepherds watched their sheep. A shepherd who has to watch the sheep for a short time does not set to work to build a granite palace or a brick house—he is satisfied with a reed hut—and does not complain of its scant space and slender strength.

Do all that you would like to have done if you knew you would die tomorrow. I like Mr. Whitefield’s order, for he could not go to bed comfortably if his gloves were not in his hat ready for the morning! He felt that he could not tell when he would be called away—but he wished to have everything in its place whenever the summons should come. Must this life vanish away? Then remember it is the beginning of another. The present life melts into the life to come!—C. H. Spurgeon8

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Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.—Jesus9

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.—Apostle Paul10

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I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what lies ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand,
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand!
—Ira Stanphill

Published on Anchor December 2012. Read by Simon Peterson.
Music by Daniel Sozzi.


1 Minnie Louise Haskins.

2 Hebrews 13:5.

3 Matthew 28:20 KJV.

4 Psalm 119:105 NKJV.

5 Daily Might. Aurora Production AG, 2004.

6 Originally published 2004.

7 NKJV.

8 From http://www.gospelweb.net/SpurgeonMTP30/spursermon1773.htm.

9 Matthew 6:20–21 NKJV.

10 2 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV.

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Orações e Bênçãos de Natal

Compilação

No seu íntimo, reine a bênção da alegria…
Sobre você, a bênção da paz cada dia…
Por meio de você que flua a bênção do amor…
Para o Natal e novo ano, todas as bênçãos do Senhor.—Anônimo

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Debaixo da árvore eu colocaria presentes,
Não tangíveis, mas que o deixem contente
Nada de coisinhas sem sentido,
Mas um presente em bênçãos contido.
O dom da verdadeira amizade,
É o que lhe daria com sinceridade.
Boa saúde, alegria e felicidade,
Para fazê-lo sorrir em qualquer idade.
O dom da paz que vem de Deus,
Com orações por cada passo seu.
E nos momentos de tristeza,
O dom da esperança para lhe dar firmeza.
Estes são os presentes que eu lhe daria.
—Kay Hoffman, adaptado

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Querido Senhor, este Natal brilha esplendoroso com o Seu maior dom de amor e luz. Que essa luz ilumine nossos corações e seja refletido em nossas palavras e ações. Que a esperança, a paz, a alegria e o amor representados no nascimento em Belém preencham nossas vidas e se tornem parte de tudo o que dizemos e fazemos. Que dividamos com outros a vida que Seu filho nos dá, assim como Ele Se humilhou para partilhar da condição humana.—Richard J. Fairchild, adaptado

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Ensine-nos a valorizar o que é eterno...
Conhecer a felicidade de ser fraterno…
Vivenciar a paz de uma serena gravura...
Saber que ajudar nos traz formosura...
Renovar neste Natal a convicção…
De que só perdura o que se faz de coração.
—M. D. Winsett

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Jesus, a luz do mundo, conforme comemoramos o Seu aniversário… que possamos ver o mundo com a Sua compreensão. Você escolheu dar aos humildes, aos desprezados, e aos pobres as melhores notícias do mundo, que nós então possamos adorá-lO em mansidão de coração. Ajude-nos, nesta época de doação, a nos lembrarmos de nossos irmãos menos privilegiados.—Karen L. Oberst

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Senhor Jesus, mestre da luz e das trevas, envie o Seu Espírito Santo sobre os nossos preparativos para o Natal. Nós, tão atarefados, buscamos lugares sossegados onde possamos ouvir a Sua voz cada dia. Nós, que nos preocupamos com tantas coisas, ficamos na expectativa da Sua presença. Nós, que somos abençoados de tantas formas, ansiamos a alegria plena do Seu reino. Nós, cujos corações estão pesados, buscamos a alegria da Sua companhia. Nós, o Seu povo que anda nas trevas em busca da luz, rogamos, “Venha, Senhor Jesus!”.—Henri J. M. Nouwen

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Que Deus lhe dê a luz do Natal, que é a fé; o calor do Natal, que é o amor; o esplendor do Natal, que é a pureza; a justiça do Natal, que é a equidade; a crença do Natal, que é a verdade; a plenitude do Natal, que é Cristo.—Wilda English

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Que você possa conhecer o Cristo do Natal como…
O Deus que canta para você e com você nos momentos felizes,
O Deus que Se alegra por você e com você quando encontra o amor.
O Deus cujos montes explodem em cantoria diante de você, e cujas árvores nos Seus campos batem palmas.
O Deus que caminha ao seu lado, deleitando-Se com você conforme guia todos os seus passos.

Que você possa conhecer o Senhor do Amor como...
O Deus que, como um Pai compassivo, o consola em todas as suas dificuldades
O Deus que fortalece o seu interior pelo Seu Espírito e está sempre ao seu lado.
O Deus que é a sua força, seu refúgio, e um socorro bem presente.
O Deus que é o seu escudo e proteção quando você é atacado.
O Deus onipresente que é a sua paz eterna.—Anônimo

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A você eu desejo a alegria que o Natal nos traz, que é esperança;
O espírito do Natal, que nos dá paz;
A essência do Natal, que é o amor.—Ada V. Hendricks

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Homens na antiguidade
Viram a estrela-guia
Alegres acompanharam,
O símbolo que reluzia,
Assim também, nós, Senhor
Sigamos sempre na Sua direção

Alegre e apressadamente
Foram até o local do nascimento,
Prostrando-se muito reverentes
Diante de Quem é nosso fundamento;
Assim também nós, com disposição
Busquemos a Tua misericórdia, Senhor.

Presentes raros ofereceram,
Diante da manjedoura tosca
Assim também nós em bem-aventurança
Livres do pecado e da intolerância,
Entreguemos o que nos é precioso
A Cristo, o nosso Rei poderoso.

Jesus querido, durante toda a nossa vida,
Pelo caminho estreito guie a nossa lida;
E quando as coisas terrenas se forem,
Leve nossas almas resgatadas
Aonde não precisam ser guiadas,
Aonde as nuvens não obstruem a Tua glória.
—William Chatterton Dix

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Mais um ano para amar
Aquele que há muito eu sigo;
Mais um ano para agradecer
Em louvor triunfante.

Venha o que vier no futuro
Dores, pesares, sofrimento,
O Seu preciso amor perdura
Ele é o mesmo de sempre.

Mais um ano com Jesus!
Senhor, eu agradeço neste dia
Tua presença constante
Nos caminhos penosos da vida.

Guie-me, bendito Redentor,
Ensine-me a fazer Tua vontade,
E cumprir o Teu desígnio
Cada dia da minha vida.
—Avis Christiansen

Publicado no Âncora em dezembro de 2012.

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Strengthening Thoughts for Times of Testing

By Jesus, speaking in prophecy

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It’s wonderful when you come to Me for My help in time of trial. It’s so beautiful to see you depend on Me. It makes Me want to come through for you like never before, because you are leaning so fully on Me. This is just where I want you to be—dependent on Me for strength, focus, and inspiration for your tasks. Keep looking to Me and I will keep working through you all the more, to make your way clear and the path ahead beautiful and glorious.

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When an attitude of defeat overtakes you and you’re thinking, “That’s it! I’ve fallen so many times, I’ve failed the Lord again and again—there’s no more hope for me. I’ve used up all my chances, even my bonus points. I might as well quit!”—please remember that no matter how many times you fall, if you want to get back up, I will help you to keep going. And if you believe that when you get back up, you can be stronger, then I will make you stronger. What it comes down to is how much you believe in My Word and how much credence you put in the things I have told you. There is no such thing as running out of chances, because I am your chance! Hope and faith are on your side for as long as I live—and that’s for eternity.

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Everything in life that is worth something costs something; but not only that, it usually takes a lot longer to accomplish something than you had planned or thought it would. You face unexpected delays, losses, and setbacks. Sometimes people get sick, or don’t keep their word, or there are emergencies that take your time, attention, and finances. It’s easy to become frustrated with the lack of progress, and you might even be tempted to quit altogether.

When that happens, the key is to remember how far you’ve come—not to be miserable about how far you still have to go. When you take on a big job, of course it’s going to take time, lots of time, probably more time than you planned for or expected. In such a case, be like the farmer who has a thousand hectares to plant. He just gets started. He doesn’t lament that he’s not finished at the end of the first day. He knew full well he wouldn’t be finished, so to be disappointed that he’s not would be unrealistic and silly. Instead, at the end of each day he feasts his eyes on the part of the field thathas been worked, prepared, and planted. And each day that portion of the field grows and grows. Measure by the progress made, the victories won, and how far you’ve come. Look at where you started, and celebrate the distance covered already.

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Battles are often won at the very last second, through one final decision to not give up or give in regardless of what happens! Just like you have to hold on in a race until the last lap, and then give it all you’ve got as you’re coming down the last stretch, so it is with a battle. When you feel like you can’t hold on for one more second, that’s when you must give it all you’ve got and praise Me with your whole heart as you sock it to the Enemy—and you will win! I guarantee it.

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The trials of life will never be able to overtake you; they will never be too much to bear, because I have put a built-in mechanism in your soul, an escape button. I always give a way of escape, I always give a way out, and I always help you to overcome life’s difficulties.1

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Cast your cares upon Me and let Me handle them all. I’m your 24-hour support line. I’m available and right there at the other end of the line, just waiting for your call and ready to assist you. I always have the solutions, too! Furthermore, I never put you on hold. I’m always right there and available to give you the answers you need. You can fully rely on Me.

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Your hopes seem shattered right now and all seems lost. I am here to hold you in My arms, to wipe away your tears, to look lovingly into your tender eyes and to tell you that all will be well in due time. I want you to think back on extremely difficult times in the past and remember that I have always brought you through to an even better place, and I will do the same this time as well. That better place is just around the corner. Come with Me now, My love, and we will find it. Don’t give up the fight, and together we will win the victory!

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My dearest one, come lie with Me and rest a while. You’re tired and spent from your battles; you need rest and reprieve. Come lie down and let Me cradle you in My arms; let Me take you to a place where all is peace and quiet. Let Me renew your spirit as you rest, so that when you go again to face the Enemy, you will be strengthened and fully empowered with My weapons.

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My love, it hurts Me to see you struggle so; it pains Me to see you go through these things. But it’s a joy to My heart when I see you come through victoriously, praising Me in spite of the problems. These trials are tailor-made from My hand to make you into what I need and want you to be, trials for which you will later be glad. I can and will make it easier to bear, though, as you come to Me and let My love, power, and grace flow into you, giving you the strength to continue on. I love you.

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Patience. You need patience for many things in this life, and one very important thing that you need patience for is for resting in Me. Yes, it takes patience to allow yourself to rest fully in Me. It takes patience to let your worries and fears go, to place them in My hands, and then to let Me handle them fully in My time and in My way. I don’t always give you the solutions instantly, so have patience. I don’t always heal you the instant that you ask, so have patience. I don’t always pour down My full blessing from heaven the very first time you ask, so have patience. Your patience in Me is a sign of your faith that you know I am in control.

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Sometimes things go haywire and just don’t work out, and there’s not much you can do about it. When that happens, it’s natural to get very discouraged. When you have worked so hard, put so much into a project or person, and then things don’t turn out as you had hoped, it’s hard to feel motivated to keep trying, keep pressing ahead, and not feel like giving up.

In times like that, you just need to slow down, relax, and let Me put things into perspective for you. Rest in the comfy chair of My arms, and soak your feet in the warm water of My promises. Just stop, lay your head back, close your eyes, and make a conscious effort to release all the cares, pressure, stress and tension.

As you rest in Me, placing your time, schedule, deadlines, and foiled plans in My hands, I’ll take care of everything that concerns you. As you are motionless, doing nothing in your own strength, I’ll gently work out the tension and stress, infuse you with renewed energy, and whisper to you words of guidance, insight, and revelation that will show you the next step to take.

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Imagine walking through a large jewelry store and marveling at the many delicate-looking and exquisitely jeweled pieces before you. Within each glass case is displayed a dazzling array of precious stones and metals, designed, cut, and set to perfection: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more. You name it, this store has it all.

In your hand you hold several of what to you look like dirty old coins. Your eyes then widen as the clerk opens a glass case and selects a very beautiful, very costly necklace that you’ve been admiring. He boxes it, puts it in your hand with a smile, and tells you that it’s yours in exchange for one of these dirty little coins. What’s more, he tells you to come back again tomorrow and he’ll trade another treasure for one of these coins.

Too good to be true?

My love, that “dazzling array of precious stones” that you see before you are the priceless life lessons and experience that those seemingly dirty and almost repulsive coins—the many battles, tests, and trials you are facing right now—are able to purchase. I am that clerk and owner of this storehouse of wealth, and I want to enrich your life. I want to shower you with the jewels of My Spirit! I want your coffers and safes bursting and barely able to contain the spiritual wealth and life experience that I have for you. But this is how you get them: through these trying times of trials, affliction, and hardships. These are the currency that buy the jewels that beautify your life.

Originally published September 2008. Updated and republished December 2012.
Read by Bethany Kelly.


1 1 Corinthians 10:13.

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Christmas Prayers and Blessings

A compilation

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May the blessing of joy abide WITHIN you…
May the blessing of peace rest UPON you…
May the blessing of love flow out THROUGH you…
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at Christmas and in the new year.
—Unknown

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The gifts I’d leave beneath your tree,
Aren’t those that you can touch or see,
No toys meant just for pointless play,
But gifts to bless you every day.
The gift of friendship warm and true,
Is one that I would leave for you.
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year.
The gift of peace that comes from God,
With prayer to guide each path you trod.
And when your heart has lost its song
The gift of hope to cheer you on.
These are the gifts I’d leave for you.
—Kay Hoffman, adapted

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Dear Lord, this Christmastime is radiant with the brilliance of Your greatest gift of love and light. May that light illuminate our hearts and shine in our words and deeds. May the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love represented by the birth in Bethlehem fill our lives and become part of all that we say and do. May we share the divine life of Your Son Jesus Christ, even as He humbled himself to share our humanity.—Richard J. Fairchild, adapted

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Teach us to value most eternal things…
To find the happiness that giving brings...
To know the peace of misty, distant hills…
To know the joy that giving self fulfils…
To realize anew this Christmas Day…
The things we keep are those we give away.
—M. D. Winsett

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Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth ... may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving.—Karen L. Oberst

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Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”—Henri J. M. Nouwen

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God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.—Wilda English

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May you know the Christ of Christmas as…
The God who sings over you and with you in joy
The God who rejoices over you and with you in love.
The God whose mountains and hills break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of His fields clap their hands
The God who walks beside you, delighting with you as He directs your every step.

May you know this Lord of Love as…
The God who compassionately comforts you as a Father in all your troubles
The God who strengthens your inner man by His Spirit that is always with you.
The God who is your strength, your refuge, and a very evident and present help.
The God who is your shield and protection when you are under attack.
The ever-present God who is eternally your peace.
—Unknown

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May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
—Ada V. Hendricks

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As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led by Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare,
At that manger rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
—William Chatterton Dix

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Another year to love Him
Whom I have loved so long;
Another year to praise Him
In glad, triumphant song.

Whate’er the future holdeth
Of sorrow, toil, or pain
His precious Love endureth
Forevermore the same.

Another year with Jesus!
I thank Thee, Lord, today
For Thy unfailing presence
Along life’s rugged way.

Guide me, O blest Redeemer,
Teach me to do Thy will,
And Thine own perfect purpose
In me each day fulfill.
—Avis Christiansen




Published on Anchor December 2012. Read by Simon Gregg. Music taken from theChristmas Moments album. Used by permission.

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Unlikely Hero

By M. Fountaine

We often find ourselves in situations where we don’t feel like we’re on some great spiritual mission. We want to do something meaningful for the Lord, but the circumstances just don’t seem to facilitate that in the ways we might have hoped or expected. But sometimes an unlikely situation you find yourself in can unexpectedly turn into one of God’s setups, designed to change or better the lives of those around you. The results of those setups may make you into someone’s “unlikely hero” who they’ll never forget for your role in helping them to walk closer to Jesus.

Here is one such story:

Have you ever come across someone who seems like an enigma? It’s as if, depending on how you look at them, you see two different people. That was Gregg. Since he’d moved into our neighborhood two years ago, I’d been fascinated by this quality. On the one hand, he was your average guy, working the swing shift at a telecommunications company, but you always got the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

Several of my friends sensed the same thing. When you get down to physical details, there’s nothing really outstanding that you see to attract you in the usual way, yet you feel that attraction. There’s a sense of feeling almost safe when he’s around, or maybe it’s more a sense of feeling like something that surrounds him can engulf you in its protective orb when you’re around him.

At first there was a bit of suspicion when Gregg, as a newcomer to our small town, had gone around and introduced himself to most everyone in the neighborhood. Now Texas is known for its friendliness, but this guy wasn’t from Texas. He’d done a lot of traveling for someone his age, according to his story. His accent was odd and the way he would come right out and offer to help people just seemed a little too good.

Some local gossips’ tongues started wagging and a few started keeping a close eye on him, wondering if this stranger might have ulterior motives. He said he was a Christian, but didn’t seem too eager to head to one of the local churches. Still, he didn’t seem to care much what people thought. He just went ahead and helped people with whatever he could.

My girlfriends and I, being about his age, decided it was only decent to get to know him. Besides, I was still trying to figure out that other side of Gregg. With most people I could often feel them judging me by my clothes and my makeup and the way I walked and just about everything. But Gregg just seemed to accept people as they were and related to young and old alike.

The more I got to know him, the more intrigued I became. He wasn’t like the rest of us. Even though he enjoyed a lot of the same interests and we had fun together, there was something about him, a side to him that till that Christmas Eve seemed mysterious.

In all my years growing up in north Texas I’d only rarely heard of winter tornados, but the weather had been freakish that year: drought when it was supposed to be raining, fires when crops were supposed to be thriving. The usual storms hadn’t come, but here it was Christmas Eve, and instead of a clear, blue sky that promised a star-filled night ahead, the skies were filled with churning clouds.

The heat had never really broken from summer, and there was a tenseness in the air that you could almost touch. Everyone was on edge. The old folks in the neighborhood were looking more worried than most. Some of them could remember that long-ago winter when tornados had ripped through this area, leveling towns in a melee of horror and devastation.

Our little town was especially vulnerable, some said, and since there were a number of old folks living on their own and families with kids trying to get by in mobile homes, worry was running high. Everyone knew that their houses didn’t stand a chance of facing the brute force of a major tornado, and no one had basements or underground shelters where they could go at a moment’s notice.

What had started as a small discussion between several people in Gregg’s front yard had grown into a virtual outdoor neighborhood meeting as fearful mothers with their children in tow and worried husbands returning from work were drawn into tense conversations about reports that the national weather service was warning people that major tornados were likely in our area, especially through the night.

It started with Gregg trying to encourage a small group of people, but it soon evolved, much to Gregg’s amazement, into a gathering of several hundred. As the crowd grew, people kept asking him to speak louder, and someone grabbed a karaoke machine and brought it to him. At first Gregg seemed awkward and embarrassed at the way everyone was focusing on him, but they couldn’t help it. He was saying things that just seemed to still the crowd and lift the threatening gloom of the turbulent skies.

Then he started talking about experiences he’d been through while growing up when he’d faced dangers of different kinds, and how God had always kept him through them when he’d prayed. That other person that had been lurking on the fringes of Gregg’s day-to-day life was getting clearer by the moment.

“You know,” he said with a quality that hadn’t been there before in his usual quiet nature, “I know that if we unite in prayer, Jesus is going to keep us. I know we’re going to see a Christmas tomorrow morning that will be one of the best we’ve ever had, because we’ll realize how important He is. He’s going to help make this Christmas one that we’ll all be counting our blessings for and thanking Him that we've been under the shadow of His wings.”

The tension in the crowd began to drain away, and someone asked him to do the praying. The words he said were so simple. They weren’t eloquent like some preacher or charismatic like some evangelist. But something about them and just the fact that he was there, like a lightning rod that was drawing in God’s power, helped to soothe folks’ hearts, at least for the moment.

When the prayer ended, Gregg found himself surrounded by a crowd of tough cowboys, humbly waiting for him to tell them what to do. “I got four kids and we ain’t got a place in our house, not even a closet where we can hunker down. What are we going to do?” one of the biggest guys questioned desperately as he towered over Gregg.

“Yeah, my family’s in a trailer. It won’t last two seconds if one of them tornados comes near it. There’s no shelter close enough to run to once we see one of them things come our way,” said another as several others echoed his concerns.

This unlikely hero was momentarily quiet, but then his face lit up, “Hey, everyone!” he shouted. “We need to do what we can do, and I know God’s going to do the rest. Who’s got a place where they can put up some of these folks who don’t have anywhere that’s safe? And we need to assign some teams to pray through the night! Jesus will keep us, but we have to do our part to help one another!”

People began volunteering spaces in their homes, sleeping bags, cots, and everything else they had, and as the evening settled in, though they didn’t know what the night would bring or if they’d still be there in the morning, no one in our neighborhood was left alone to face the unknown.

Around midnight, the winds began to rise and then suddenly dropped into deadly silence. A hush settled in each home as the wail of the warning sirens heralded a string of tornados. One huge one was bearing down on our small town. It looked like the end of life as we had known it, as the deafening roar, like some monstrous freight train, swept across the plain. The tornado was on its way, with the force of a massive hurricane concentrated into an area about two miles wide, bringing a fury that we all knew would leave nothing but shattered buildings and lives in its wake.

But then something happened.

One of the mysteries and wonders of God’s power is that what seems inevitable doesn’t have to be. For reasons that are still baffling to many, the tornado lifted off the ground as it reached the edge of our town, its curling, twisting tongue in all its fury was drawn back up into the sky as if there was a huge, impenetrable bubble covering us. The thunderous roar was still echoing in our ears as this minion of death and destruction flew overhead, leaving our little town unscathed. It settled back to earth only a half mile east of us to carry on in its path of havoc.

It was like standing in front of imminent death and for a moment wondering if that was it. Are we dead? The silence that engulfed us was almost deafening. It took a few minutes for people to get up and with almost wondrous awe begin to touch one another to make sure they were still real. Joyful hugs followed, and cautious peering from windows, half expecting to see little or nothing left. Then came cheers and shouts as people ran from their houses into the last vestiges of rain as the tornado seemed to even suck the clouds away in its wake.

Our Christmas began early that year. No one felt like sleeping. Some were on their knees thanking God for deliverance, and others were silently looking around them at all that they had barely noticed or valued until a few hours before, when it was about to be wrenched from their lives.

The old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone [or nearly gone],” came true in more ways than one that Christmas.

And what about Gregg? He was still Gregg. No flaming evangelist, but a life changer in his own quiet way, ready to be the reminder that we have a Rescuer, not out there somewhere far away, but a friend close at our side, whose hands are more than big enough to cover and shield those who look to Him.

Sometimes I shudder to think of where I would be if that ordinary guy with such a deep faith hadn’t come to our little neighborhood to live, to just be one of us and to convince others of what he obviously knew from experience: that with God, nothing shall be impossible.[1]



[1] Story by Pat Wallace.

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Three Christmas Stories

A compilation

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The Reason for the Season

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas—oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it—overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma, the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended, and shortly before Christmas there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. As each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.”

Mike loved kids—all kids—and he knew them, having coached Little League football, baseball, and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done, and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.

For each Christmas, I followed the tradition—one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure.

The story doesn’t end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown, and some day will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season.—Marilyn Jensen


Angels in Indiana

In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone.

The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway, they would scramble to hide under their beds. He did manage to leave 15 dollars a week to buy groceries. Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either. If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it.

I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand-new and then put on my best homemade dress. I loaded them into the rusty old ’51 Chevy and drove off to find a job. The seven of us went to every factory, store, and restaurant in our small town. No luck. The kids stayed, crammed into the car, and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince whoever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck.

The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel.

An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning. She paid 65 cents an hour and I could start that night.

I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.

That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel. When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money—fully half of what I averaged every night.

As the weeks went by, heating bills added another strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand-new tires.

“Had angels taken up residence in Indiana?” I wondered.

I made a deal with the owner of the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.

I was now working six nights instead of five, and it still wasn’t enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys.

Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys’ pants, and soon they would be too far gone to repair.

On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. These were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up. When it was time for me to go home at seven o’clock on Christmas morning, I hurried to the car.

I was hoping the kids wouldn’t wake up before I managed to get home and get the presents from the basement and place them under the tree. (We had cut down a small cedar tree by the side of the road down by the dump.)

It was still dark and I couldn’t see much, but there appeared to be some dark shadows in the car—or was that just a trick of the night? Something certainly looked different, but it was hard to tell what. When I reached the car I peered warily into one of the side windows. Then my jaw dropped in amazement. My old battered Chevy was full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes.

I quickly opened the driver’s side door, scrambled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was a whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2–10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes: There were candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was a whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.—Barb Irwin


Christmas Is for Love

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and for sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and old friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly it is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide, innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11-year-old orphan who lived with his aunt—a bitter middle-aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s small son. She never failed to remind young Mark that, but for her generosity, he would be a vagrant homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the classroom. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude for that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly about his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas grew nearer, however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when, as the days passed, he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room.

“I miss being with you, Mark. Is something wrong at home?”

Those large gray eyes eagerly lit up. “Did you really miss me?”

“Yes, of course. You’re my best helper.”

“I was making you a surprise for Christmas,” he whispered confidentially.

With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn’t stay after school anymore after that.

Finally came the last day of school before the holidays. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back.

“I have your present,” He said timidly when I looked up. “I hope you like it.”

He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palm was a tiny wooden chest.

“It’s beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked, opening the top and looking in.

“Oh, you can’t see what’s in it,” he replied, “and you can’t touch it or taste it, but Mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, and warm on cold nights, and safe when you’re all alone.”

I gazed into the empty box. “What is it, Mark?” I asked gently. “What will make me feel so good?”

“It’s love,” he whispered softly,” and Mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small toy chest, crudely made of scraps of wood, on the piano in my living room, and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety and mirth and song, for rich food and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.—Laurie

Published on Anchor December 2012. Read by Bethany Kelly.

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A Christmas Story: The Handmaiden of the Lord

By David Brandt Berg

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“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.”1 What does this mean, “espoused”? Let’s not use that word “engaged.” It doesn’t necessarily mean much in today’s world. Betrothed,promised. They hadn’t actually lived together yet.

“But the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.” Certainly she was surprised. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.”2

I’m trying to bring it down to earth and show you how human it was, how literal it was, how real it was. It happened to a woman, who was a woman just like you. And it happened literally! She literally conceived and bore a child without any human agency. How it happened, we don’t know. We have God’s Word, and that’s all we know. Howthe Holy Ghost did it, we don’t know.

“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. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”—which shows obviously she hadn’t yet married her husband. “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”3

“And behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”4 Where was Mary? What was her hometown? Nazareth. That was way up north near the Sea of Galilee, quite a ways north of Jerusalem—a long journey. I think it was about three days’ journey. They figured about 25 miles a day in those days; it was quite a distance north. Elisabeth and Zacharias must have lived fairly close to Jerusalem, because he was a Levite and a priest and a regular minister there. So later when Mary came to visit her cousin Elisabeth, she had to make quite a trip.

So God is appearing, His angel is appearing to these two different women in two different places, and also to the husband Zacharias.

Mary was so yielded to God, so dedicated, so consecrated, and loved the Lord so much, that though she was already betrothed to another man, she was willing to answer: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word. And the angel departed from her.”5 “Here am I, Lord. Take me. Whatever You want to do, Lord.” Are you willing to say, “Lord, here am I. Behold, I’m Your handmaiden, I’m Your servant”?

We gloss these things over sometimes with such beautiful little Sunday school pictures and we don’t really know the agony and the torment of soul and the battle that some of these people may have had. Mary was just as human as you are. Joseph was just as human as you are. All these characters were.

Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; Be it unto me according to Thyword.” Not according to her betrothal, not according to her love for her loved one, notaccording to her family, not according to the society of her day, but “be it unto me according to Thy word.” She must have had a lot of faith in the Word of God.

“And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.”6He was filled with the Holy Ghost, even in his mother’s womb, and the Holy Spirit within him, even though he was not yet born, caused him to leap at the sound of Mary, his Lord’s mother’s voice—as you’ll see by what she said.

“And Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” You mean people got filled with the Holy Ghost even before the Day of Pentecost? Certain special people. And she spoke out with a loud voice and said one of the most beautiful of all prophecies. What was she doing? Prophesying! This is commonly known in the liturgy of the church as “The Magnificat,” this and Mary’s prophecies together. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”7 In the Rosary they say this seven times to every time they mention the Lord; they praise Mary. “Hail Mary full of grace, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.” Very good saying, but it’s not to be used out of proportion, above praising the Lord.

“And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my wombfor joy! And blessed is she that believed.” Now who’s she talking about? The Spirit is speaking through Elisabeth about Mary.

“Blessed is she that believed” because she believed the Word of the Lord. It took faith for Mary to accept what Gabriel said. “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.”8

“For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.” Did she think she was somebody? She felt she was very small and insignificant, a humble young woman around 16 years old.

“For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”9 The whole Catholic church calls her blessed, hundreds, thousands, no doubt millions of times every day, and have for centuries, generations. “All generations shall call me blessed.”

“For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.”10 Did God pick for the mother of His Son the wife of the high priest? The wife of the Roman governor? The wife of the king? No. But the Lord regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.

“He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.”11 Who are the hungry? Those willing to receive him. “He hath filled the hungrywith good things.” Has He satisfied your hearts? But those rich He hath sent emptyaway. What can you give the man who has everything? He sent the rich empty away. They think they’re full, but they’re empty.

“He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.” Now that has great significance. Through sending Jesus, how did He help Israel? Who were Israel at that time? The Jews, His church of that day. “In remembrance of His mercy.” He remembered what He had promised, and in mercy He gave them the Messiah. “As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”12 In other words, He’s fulfilling His word to Israel.

“And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.”13How do you think Mary looked by this time? She was about three months pregnant. When do you think it was that Joseph discovered that she was with child? Probably after this visit with her cousin Elisabeth. Do you think it was easy for her to go home? To face Joseph? Gone from home for three months, she comes home pregnant. If you were Joseph, what would you think? “My wife was gone to visit her cousin for three months and comes home pregnant.”

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.”14 Apparently Mary hadn’t had the courage to tell him what the Lord had said, or if she had, he didn’t believe it. Would you believe it if your wife came home from a visit with her cousin and told you, “The Spirit of God came and did this to me.” I doubt if you’d believe it! He probably thought, “Well, my poor wife got in trouble and this is the story she cooked up.” So what did God have to do?

“But while he thought on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.”15 Some of us God has to put to sleep before He can get us in the spirit. Sometimes God can talk to some people easier in a dream or asleep than while they’re awake.16

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”17 So then what did Joseph do? “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn Son: and he called His name Jesus.”18

Here we’ve got somebody else exercising faith! He was willing to not live together as husband and wife for nine months, at least six months after he probably discovered she was pregnant, until the baby was born. Here’s another man who was obedient and hadfaith. He was a little confused at first and it wasn’t easy, but he obeyed.

“Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called his name Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.”19 Why? The angel of the Lord told him to call him John.

Again, obedience to the Lord. Obedience is so important! You see, disobediencestruck him dumb, but when he finally exercised faith and obeyed the Lord: “His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. Andfear came upon all them that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.”20 Just like the newspapers.

“And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, what manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied.”21 Now how many prophets have we got? Elisabeth prophesied, Mary prophesied, and now Zacharias is going to prophesy. It sounds like Old Testament poetry, doesn’t it? “Saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”22 How long had this event been predicted?—Since God talked with Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Her seed shall crush thy head.”23

“That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.”24 The Devil tries to make you afraid sometimes, but that’s one thing they marveled at: their boldness, that they weren’t afraid. Who gives you that kind of courage? God has to.

“And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways: to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”25

Can you take that to heart? Does that sound like your ministry, “To give light to those that sit in darkness”? Isn’t that a beautiful ministry? “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”

(Prophecy:) Make known, proclaim the good news of the Gospel, Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus Christ! So therefore go and preach the Word, preach the Gospel; be instant in season and out of season. Proclaim the good news through all the land, in the highways and the streets and the hedges. Go therefore, My children. Go forth and tell them of My love, My wondrous love, My great love and My mercy that endureth forever. Teach and preach the love of Jesus.

From a talk originally given on Christmas Eve 1968. Updated and republished
December 2012. Read by Simon Peterson.


1 Luke 1:26–27.

2 Luke 1:28–30.

3 Luke 1:31–35.

4 Luke 1:36–37.

5 Luke 1:38.

6 Luke 1:39–40.

7 Luke 1:41–42.

8 Luke 1:43–47.

9 Luke 1:48.

10 Luke 1:49–52.

11 Luke 1:53.

12 Luke 1:54–55.

13 Luke 1:56.

14 Matthew 1:18–19.

15 Matthew 1:20–21.

16 See Job 33:14–17.

17 Matthew 1:22–23.

18 Matthew 1:24–25.

19 Luke 1:57–63.

20 Luke 1:64–65.

21 Luke 1:66–67.

22 Luke 1:68–70.

23 Genesis 3:15.

24 Luke 1:71–75.

25 Luke 1:76–79.

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Let There Be Christmas!

A compilation

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My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?—Bob Hope

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Peace on earth will come to stay,
When we live Christmas every day.
—Helen Steiner Rice

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Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind.—Mary Ellen Chase

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Christ was born in the first century, yet He belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries.—George W. Truett

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I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.—Charles Dickens

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Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
—John Greenleaf Whittier

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Jesus was God’s gift to the world, not just for Christmas, but for every single day—your whole life through—and even beyond for all eternity, and for every need that you will ever have.—Maria Fontaine

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When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives.—Rich Miller

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Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.—Charlotte Carpenter

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So remember while December
Brings the only Christmas day,
In the year let there be Christmas
In the things you do and say.
—Anonymous

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Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives.—William Parks

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Christmas is the time for looking ahead courageously through the gates of the swiftly approaching new year ... of resolving that the coming months will reflect a kinder, more forgiving and more selfless person than mirrored in the past.—Ellen V. Morgan

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There's more, much more, to Christmas than candlelight and cheer;
It's the spirit of sweet friendship that brightens all the year.
It's thoughtfulness and kindness, it's hope reborn again
For peace, for understanding, and for goodwill to men!
—Unknown

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Struggling with the letdown after Christmas? Look under the Tree of Life. You'll find an inexhaustible supply of gifts from the Prince of Peace waiting there for you to open the year round.—Katherine Walden

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Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be compassionate and kind, to follow the example that Jesus set for us, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.—Calvin Coolidge, adapted

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Christmas is the day that holds all time together.—Alexander Smith

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Whatever else we may lose over the years, the innocence, the fearlessness, the sense of invincibility, let us hold tight to the joy of Christmas. Whatever doubts assail us, whatever fears accompany the passing years, hold close the unquenchable light, the indomitable truth and unswerving love, that filled the hearts of men from that blessed morn. Let it ever restore in you your childlike faith again.—Grace Noll Crowell; adapted

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When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flock,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoners,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among people,
to make music in the heart…
And to radiate the light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
—Howard Thurman, adapted

*

Where can we find the Holy One?
Where can we see His Only Son?
The Wise Men asked, and we're asking still,
Where can we find this Man of good will?

Is He far away in some distant place,
Ruling unseen from His throne of grace?
Is there nothing on earth that man can see
To give him proof of Eternity?

It's true we have never looked on His face,
But His likeness shines forth from every place,
For the Hand of God is everywhere
Along life's busy thoroughfare...

And His presence can be felt and seen
Right in the midst of our daily routine,
The things we touch and see and feel
Are what make God so very real...

The silent stars in timeless skies,
The wonderment in children's eyes,
The gossamer wings of a hummingbird,
The joy that comes from a kindly word...

The autumn haze, the breath of spring,
The chirping song the crickets sing,
A rosebud in a slender vase,
A smile upon a friendly face...

In everything both great and small
We see the hand of God in all,
And every day, somewhere, someplace,
We see the likeness of His face...

For who can watch a new day's birth
Or touch the warm, life-giving earth,
Or feel the softness of the breeze
Or look at skies through lacy trees
And say they've never seen His face
Or looked upon His throne of grace!
—Helen Steiner Rice

*

This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.—Taylor Caldwell

Published on Anchor December 2012. Read by Bryan Clark. Music taken from theChristmas Moments album. Used by permission.

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Mary and Joseph- a Bible study

By Peter Amsterdam

December 4, 2012



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In the previous podcast we looked at the four Old Testament women mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in the book of Matthew who had some anomalies in their relationships. Mary, Jesus’ mother, the fifth woman in the Lord’s genealogy, also falls into the out-of-the-norm category.

The world in which Mary grew up was substantially different from our world today. Women married much younger, usually between 12 and 16 years old. Men were expected to marry at about 16. Marriages in that day necessitated financial negotiations between the husband-to-be and the father of the bride. The first step toward marriage was the betrothal. A couple became betrothed when the man gave the woman either a letter or a piece of money, no matter how small, directly or through a messenger. It was also required that he expressly state, before witnesses, that he intended to make the woman his wife.

At the time of the betrothal the marriage contract was written and agreed upon. This was mainly a contract regarding finances and goods that the bride’s father would give the groom. These funds and items would remain the property of the wife, but the husband had exclusive rights to use them and any increase that came from them. However, if he divorced his wife, these things reverted to her possession. The dowry would also be agreed upon at this time. The dowry would become the husband’s property, but if he divorced his wife, he would have to repay it to her. The contract also covered the amount that would be given to the wife if her husband died or divorced her. Getting betrothed was a major commitment and was legally binding. Once the woman was betrothed, she was legally considered the man’s wife. However, she remained living in her father’s house for up to a year, and there were no sexual relations during this time. Breaking a betrothal required a divorce. If the husband died, the woman would be considered a widow. If a betrothed woman slept with another man, it was considered adultery, and according to the Mosaic law both of them could be stoned to death.[1] The actual marriage ceremony happened later, and it was at that time that the bride moved in with her husband.

It was within Mary’s betrothal period, after the contract had been made with Joseph, that she was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told her she had found favor with God and would conceive a son who would be the Son of the Most High. She asked how she could conceive, since she was a virgin. Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. Gabriel was revealing to her that her pregnancy would be from God and would have nothing to do with a man.[2] That the Holy Spirit, which is the power of the Most High, would cause her to become pregnant in a manner that was only possible by a creative work of God.

Mary clearly had a decision to make. If she agreed to allow what the angel was saying, she knew there would be trouble ahead. She was going to be pregnant during her betrothal period, before she was living with her husband. Joseph’s natural assumption would be that she had cheated on him with another man and he would be hurt, angry, embarrassed, and would divorce her. She would also run the risk of being stoned to death.

Even if the discovery of her pregnancy didn’t lead to her stoning, everyone in town would know she was pregnant, she would be disgraced, and would be considered an adulteress. If she consented to what the angel was saying, she was, at the very least, going to devastate her husband, seriously damage her reputation, bring shame to her parents and family, and harm her relationship with her village community.

Mary had a choice to make, a choice with serious repercussions. Like the four Old Testament women before her, there would be something anomalous or scandalous about her union. But like them, she would play a role in bringing the Messiah into the world. Mary chose to accept the consequences when she said, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.[3] This was a huge leap of faith on her part.

And it did have repercussions. Joseph was devastated when he found out she was pregnant. Scripture says that he considered these things, he thought on them, he mulled them over. The Greek word used for consideredhas its root in the word thymos (thoo mas), which means “passion, angry, anger boiling up.”

On finding out that Mary was pregnant, his natural response would be one of anger, of feeling betrayed, of wondering who she had slept with, why she had done so, and what he should do. He had no reason to think anything other than that she had been unfaithful to him. He knew he hadn’t gotten her pregnant. In his mind she had clearly broken her marriage vows and had committed adultery. Joseph was a normal guy, so of course he’d be angry and hurt.

But Scripture says he was a just man. He didn’t want to make a public example of her or disgrace her, and therefore made the decision to divorce her quietly. He was angry, yet he was able to turn his anger into mercy and grace.

It was after he made the decision to divorce but not to expose Mary that he had the dream in which an angel told him that the child was from the Holy Spirit and that he shouldn’t fear to take Mary as his wife. Joseph had to make a decision at that point: should he believe the dream? If he did, people would still suspect that the child wasn’t his, as it would be born early, and he’d have to live with people making comments behind his back.

Like Mary, Joseph had to take a step of faith. God showed him what to do and he had to make a choice to believe and trust God or not. Thankfully he had the faith and courage to believe and act upon what God had showed him.

Joseph knew that he wasn’t the biological father of the child, but in those times when a father stated a child was his, and when the father named the child, the child was legally his offspring. Because Joseph was a direct descendant of King David, his marriage to Mary put Jesus in the ancestral line of King David, just as the Old Testament prophecies said He would be.

These two young people both made difficult decisions for God. They were each faced with a huge personal dilemma. Mary chose to do what God asked of her at great risk to her life and reputation, and knowing that it was going to hurt the one she loved. Joseph was hit full force with the fact that his wife-to-be was pregnant and the child wasn’t his, experiencing the feelings of betrayal, anger, and confusion. He first decided to protect her life by divorcing her quietly, and then after the dream, decided to go forward with the marriage. Both of them showed great faith and courage. Both chose to follow God in spite of the risks. By doing so, they made it possible for God to use them to fulfill His promise that through Abraham’s and King David’s offspring, He would bless the world.

And how did that happen? By God the Son entering the world through a miraculous conception. And how did that happen? The angel Gabriel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her; therefore her child would be the Son of God.[4]

Of course, no one knows exactly how this happened any more than anyone knows exactly how God created the universe. What we do know is that God created a human being with two natures, divine and human, who was fully God and fully man. It had never happened before nor has it since. Mary became pregnant without the agency of a man. Luke simply says that the Holy Spirit, the power of God, came upon Mary and overshadowed her. He used the same word, overshadowed, when writing about the transfiguration of Christ when he said that a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My chosen One; listen to Him.”[5] The Spirit of God overshadowed Mary and through a creative act brought forth the chosen one, the God-man, Jesus Christ.

It was through Joseph’s willingness to follow what God showed him that Mary’s child was born the son of David. It was through Mary’s willingness to yield to what God asked of her that she bore the Son of God. And Jesus, the Son of God, yielded to what His Father asked of Him, and made it possible for humanity to be redeemed.

Christmas is a time of joy as we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. It’s a celebration of God’s greatest gift to humanity. Please do what you can this Christmas to bring Jesus into the lives of others, through your words or deeds, through acts of kindness and mercy. Be open to however God may lead you and to whomever He may lead you. You might find yourself in a situation where it might be risky, difficult, or embarrassing to express the meaning behind Christmas; you might be shy or unsure how it will be received. You might feel that you’ll do a lousy job of presenting the amazing gift of Jesus to someone else. If you find yourself feeling that way, or somehow struggling to act on a nudge from God, remember Mary and Joseph. God sometimes calls us to step out by faith, to follow how His Spirit is leading, and to take a risk in order to bring Jesus’ love to others.

Bibliography

Bailey, Kenneth E. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008.

Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah. New York: Doubleday, 1993.

Edersheim, Alfred. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1993.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1997.

Green, Joel B., McKnight, Scot. Editors. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1992.

Jeremias, Joachim. Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1992.

Pentecost, Dwight J. The Words & Works of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Sheen, Fulton J. Life of Christ. New York: Doubleday, 1958.

Stein, Robert H. Jesus the Messiah. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1996.



[1] Jeremias, Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, 367–68.


[2] Luke 1:35 ESV.


[3] Luke 1:38 ESV.


[4] Luke 1:34–35.


[5] Luke 9:34–35.



Copyright © 2012 The Family International.

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Give What You´ve Got

A compilation

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Agnes W. Thomas tells the story of what happened when her next-door neighbor died and left a fourteen-year-old daughter named Amy who was often alone when her father was at work:

“Amy spent much of her after-school time in my apartment, so I decided to teach her how to crochet. Over the years we spent many happy hours together as we worked.

“One Christmas we called a local nursing home and asked if they had any residents who would not be receiving gifts at Christmas. Amy and I took our crocheted lap robes to these people on Christmas Eve.

“The following year Amy married and moved away, and later when she came back to our area with her beautiful, red-haired baby girl, she called and asked if I planned to visit the nursing home on Christmas Eve. ‘I want to be with you,’ she said, ‘but I haven’t had any time to crochet since Jennifer was born, so I don’t have any gifts to take them.’ ‘That’s all right,’ I said, ‘you can help me take mine.’ ‘No, I have a better idea,’ she said, ‘I’ll take my greatest treasure—my baby.’

“Great merriment appeared on the faces of the elderly people when we walked into the room with that beautiful baby. ‘Oh, she looks just like my daughter did when she was a baby,’ exclaimed one of the residents. ‘May I hold her?’ asked another. Jennifer was passed around like a doll.

“That baby brought more joy and laughter than all of my crocheted lap robes. Amy was happy too. ‘They really liked my baby, didn’t they?’ she asked as we left the building. ‘To make people happy, I guess you just give what you have.’”

How true. The human spirit is encouraged by the love and concern of another person. That’s a real gift any time of year.—Zig Ziglar

*

I’ve never written and only rarely tell of my first banker experience.

It happened in 1936. I was nine years old and the Depression was still in full force. We came from Alabama and settled in Lancaster County in a little row home, which my father managed to rent. It was getting near Christmas and my dear dad had nothing to spend for Christmas for his five children ages 1 to 9. In desperation, he went to the bank to try to persuade them that he was a safe risk for a small loan. He explained his predicament: no job, no collateral, and five small children with Christmas approaching.

As he should have known, the banker would have to decline his request, but he had an alternative offer for my dad to consider. He explained that if my dad could postpone celebrating Christmas a day or two, the children wouldn’t know it and everything would be reduced in the stores, and he would only need half the amount he was requesting. He said if this was agreeable, he would approve the loan for a smaller amount. Of course my dad gratefully accepted his offer.

I have experienced many Christmases, but this was the one I remember the best. Christmas Eve after we were all tucked in bed, the downstairs front door slammed open. There was a lot of noise and footsteps, and my father rushed down the stairs to see what was happening.

I followed a few minutes later, and saw him sitting on the bottom step with his head in his hands. I couldn’t understand why he was weeping. When I reached the bottom step, I could see no one in the hallway, but the hall was lined with boxes. There were boxes of food, clothing, and candy. There was a riding fire engine and a four-foot folding white paneled dollhouse. We never had a Christmas like that and we never knew who or why they did it. We didn’t belong to a church, and the friends we had were as poor as we were. My dad returned to the bank to repay the loan. The banker surprised my dad by telling him that there was no record of his loan.

I only understood that Christmas experience years later when Jesus became my Lord and Savior. How blessed some of us are to see God’s love working in and through His children. John 3:16 is where it begins, but those unknown servants were practicing 1 John 3:16. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, how He laid down his life for us: so we ought to lay down our lives for others.”–Charlie “T” Jones1

*

Nicholas was born of wealthy parents in A.D. 280 in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek, and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. He lost his parents early to an epidemic, but not before they had instilled in him the gift of faith. Then Nicholas went to Myra and lived a life full of sacrifice and love and the spirit of Jesus. Nicholas became so Christlike that when the town needed a bishop, he was elected. He was imprisoned for his faith by Emperor Diocletian and released later by Emperor Constantine.

There have been many stories of his generosity and compassion: how he begged for food for the poor, and how he would give girls money so that they would have a dowry to get a husband. The story most often repeated was about how he would don a disguise and go out and give gifts to poor children. He gave away everything he had, and he died around 345. His body was later moved to Bari, Italy, where his remains are to this day.

But the story of Nicholas has spread around the world. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. There are more churches in the world named after St. Nicholas than any other person in the history of the church.

People have also done strange things to him. Poet Clement Moore gave him a red nose and eight tiny reindeer. And Thomas Nast, the illustrator, made him big and fat and gave him a red suit trimmed by fur. And others have given him names, like Santa Claus. But what's important about St. Nicholas is that he had the mind of Christ. Because of his gentle, selfless love, he touched the whole world. And this same mind of Christ can be in us.—James Hewett

Published on Anchor December 2012. Read by Simon Gregg.


1 A Story Told to The Annual Pennsylvania Community Bankers Association.

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A Fé É Indispensável!

Jesus falando em profecia

A fé é a pedra angular na sua vida, é a sua declaração para Mim e outros de que sou Deus e você confia plenamente em Mim.

Às vezes pode achar que a sua fé é garantida, ou que a melhor maneira de compensar a falta de fé é se esforçando mais no braço da carne. Mas se quer vivenciar o poder pleno da fé na sua vida, precisa dedicar um tempo para fortalecê-la por meio da Minha Palavra. Esse é o segredo.

Nada substitui a fé. Eu determinei que seja a fé a fazer a conexão entre nós dois, o meio pelo qual você se apega firmemente a Mim em toda e qualquer situação.

*

A fé é tanto um lastro na sua vida como o sopro do Meu Espírito que o faz avançar. A fé transmite confiança ao seu espírito e é a maneira de você expressar confiança em Mim.

Em termos simples: A fé é indispensável. Ela não pode ser substituída por seu esforço ou o esforço de outros, porque é a certeza tranquila de que existem fatores que, em última análise, estão sob o Meu controle, muito além do seu conhecimento e do que pode fazer.

A fé acredita que Eu estou no controle do resultado de todas as coisas, e quando você deposita a sua fé e confiança em Mim, abre a sua vida para as bênçãos que ela gera, como, por exemplo, a Minha presença e milagres.

*

Existem experiências incontáveis na vida que precisam ser enfrentadas apenas por fé. Não existe explicação lógica para alguns desafios que vai enfrentar. O melhor recurso sempre será apegar-se à fé, fé em Mim, o seu Pai e Protetor.

Existe um conflito entre a natureza humana e a fé incondicional em Mim. Ação é importante, mas não substitui a fé, precisa trabalhar com ela, caso contrário você vai ficar patinando no mesmo lugar, ou então se movendo bem devagar. O que o faz avançar é uma combinação de fé e esforço.

Portanto, se deseja ver progresso e sucesso, use o dom da fé juntamente com a ação. Não negligencie nenhum desses dois elementos. Quando conseguir integrar a sua fé ao esforço, alcançará grande sucesso, porque seremos dois trabalhando juntos, você e Eu, formando uma equipe poderosa.

*

A minha capacidade de suprir e cuidar de você continua tão efetiva e poderosa como sempre. Novos desafios são apenas meios para Eu agir, realizar e criar.

Eu sou o mesmo ontem, hoje e eternamente. Em outras palavras, se podia contar Comigo antes em termos de milagres, provisão, cuidados, cura ou seja o que for, saiba que continuo disponível e posso fazer mais! O Meu poder não esmaeceu.

O Meu poder continua vivo e ativo como sempre. E esse grande poder é ativado pela sua fé, a qual pode usar para invocar o Meu poder pela fé. Coloque-Me contra a parede. Conte com grandes coisas e não se decepcionará!

O Meu poder persiste, e desejo usá-lo em seu benefício para o êxito da missão. Se esforçar-se demais na sua própria força vai limitar aquilo a que pode ter acesso.

*

A fé é a sua declaração de amor para Mim, porque ela é fruto do nosso amor. Se limitar o uso da sua fé vai limitar o amor entre nós. Declare aos quatro ventos. Exercite a sua fé em Mim. Manifeste abertamente a sua confiança em Mim, que acredita em Mim. Deixe evidente que você sabe que Eu sou o Deus do seu coração.

Deixe a sua fé brilhar esplendorosamente neste dia e nesta era. Novas circunstâncias não deveriam diminuir a sua fé. Na verdade, oferecem a oportunidade perfeita para ela reluzir ainda mais. As novas oportunidades proporcionam novos meios de Eu agir e gerar coisas boas na sua vida.

Todo novo empreendimento é um passo no desconhecido. É quando se faz necessário o uso da fé com determinação. Não tente fazer sozinho; inclua-Me na aventura, deixe-Me lhe provar como tudo vai bem melhor se trabalharmos em equipe, juntos, compartilhando nosso amor e paixão um pelo outro. O nosso amor não tem limites, e é ele que não deixará a sua fé afundar quando nos lançarmos em mares nunca dantes navegados.

*

Existe algo importante a se lembrar em todas as mudanças: Eu sou o Senhor; Eu não mudo.[1] Estarei sempre disponível, bem ao seu lado para atender ao seu chamado, apoiá-lo, suprir quando precisar, curar quando estiver afligido, e suprir soluções quando estiver atribulado.

*

De uma coisa pode ter certeza, Eu amo você, quero cuidar e suprir o que precisa, e usá-lo para ser uma testemunha de Mim. Mantenha o pensamento firme nisso sempre que sentir-se tentado a vacilar ou ficar com medo do future. Nada nem ninguém jamais mudará o Meu amor por você.

*

Quando se sentir inseguro quanto ao seu futuro, apegue-se ainda mais forte a Mim. Eu lhe darei a paz e a certeza de que tudo está bem e sob o Meu controle. Sei o que estou fazendo, e mesmo que as coisas pareçam um pouco instáveis ou confusas para você, para Mim elas fazem totalmente sentido.

Eu vejo o resultado final, o quadro geral. Estou criando uma obra-prima da qual você é uma parte importante. Então submeta-se a Mim e encontrará grande felicidade e sentimento de realização desempenhando o seu papel para completar a obra-prima da Minha vontade.

*

Você Me honra com os seus pedidos, e amo honrá-lo atendendo a todos eles.

*

Se há algo que desejo confirmar na sua mente e coração é que Eu estou no controle. Pode ter fé e confiar plenamente em Mim, porque sei o que estou fazendo.

Você pode agir como a menininha que não tinha medo do escuro porque o pai estava segurando a sua mão. Ela confiava no amor do pai e que ele cuidaria dela. Você é o Meu filhinho, e não precisa ter medo, mesmo que tudo pareça escuro no momento e não consiga ver o caminho adiante, porque estou segurando a sua mão e não o deixarei tropeçar.

Eu o estou guiando no caminho certo. Basta ficar pertinho de Mim e seguir aonde guio. Depois de um tempo o caminho ficará claro novamente, e conseguirá ver que fui fiel à Minha Palavra e o mantive no caminho certo o tempo todo.

*

Desejo ajudá-lo e ser incluído em tudo o que você faz, porque ajudarei tudo a transcorrer mais tranquilamente na sua vida, e de acordo com o Meu plano.

Não precisa achar que deve se virar sozinho, porque estou aqui e quero muito fazer parte da sua vida, das suas decisões e escolhas, para lhe dar felicidade, ajudá-lo a se sentir realizado, ter paz e ficar satisfeito.

*

Mesmo que a maioria dos seus problemas não se resolva imediatamente, um dia eles vão se resolver, e mais rápido se continuar recorrendo à Minha ajuda.

Prometi lhe dar forças para cada dia, graça para as batalhas, luz para o seu caminho, descanso do trabalho, ajuda do alto, compaixão permanente e amor eterno.

Publicado originalmente em fevereiro de 2010. Atualizado e republicado em novembro de 2012. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli. copyright@thefamilyinternational

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