Are You Listening? by Valerie Ronald

 

There is an expectancy of hope resonating throughout time. Can you hear it?

A whisper, a murmur, a hum of anticipation beginning in a garden, rippling in a flood, rustling across a desert, then gaining volume in the voices of prophets. Someone is coming!

History thrums with portends of a coming king. In the fullness of time, God brings together nations, languages, people, and the alignment of stars. Like musical notes blending to create a singular symphony, God ordains precise circumstances for the birth of His royal Son.

Listen. Hear the stories beneath the Story. Be attentive to the fathomless mystery of God becoming man on that night long ago. Let this epiphany swell your spirit with the sounds of salvation.

Give mind to the messages from God spoken from the lips of an angel ˗˗

˗˗ telling Zechariah a son would be born to he and Elizabeth in their old age, destined to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Imagine the inner dialogue between speechless Zechariah and his God while waiting for the birth of John the Baptist; unspoken words rising like incense for a coming king.

˗˗ announcing to a young woman the news she has been chosen by God to give birth to His Son, the Messiah. Hear Mary’s sharp intake of breath, her trembling voice when she questions how this can be be, since she is a virgin. Take note of the bravery with which she declares, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Can you overhear the murmuring among Joseph and Mary’s neighbors as the pair leave for Bethlehem? ˗˗ catch the whisper of Joseph’s hand brushing Mary’s sleeve in reassurance? Their eyes speak truth to each other, for they know their purpose, no matter what judging lips may say.

With each footstep on the rugged path, the young couple draw closer to their destiny. Amid the noisy streets of Bethlehem, bend near to catch the moans of Mary’s labor, the frantic queries of Joseph seeking a place to stay. Finally they end up in a lowly stable, innocent creatures the only ones to welcome the Innocent One. The air is thick with the odor of oxen and donkeys, a flickering lamp barely holding darkness at bay. Mingling with brays and bleats, Mary’s cries grow more intense as her pains increase. Heaven holds its breath, bending near to catch the first cry of a newborn baby. With that cry, almost lost in the cacophony of bellowing beasts and bedlam of crowds, God speaks His Word into time.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV)

Jesus Christ came as a spoken Word, sent to be heard by all who seek peace with God. He who made our ears to hear, speaks His message of love and salvation clearly in His coming. No one is denied its life-changing truth. Few open the ears of their heart to hear it; most disregard it. Many are openly hostile to it. Yet His spoken Word continues to ring down through the ages. It won’t always be so. Someday He will call those who truly hear and believe to come home to Him. Home to the place in which ~

“~ eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Cor. 2:9 NKJV)

Are you listening? 

 

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.

The Cradle and the Cross by Lynn Dove

One of my most favorite hymns is “Christmas Has Its Cradle, Easter Has Its Cross” by Rae E. Whitney.  Although probably sung most often at Christmas than at Easter, I think it is a hymn that is equally appropriate for both celebrations.  The two most important celebrations in Christian history are inseparably linked together, all part of God’s perfect plan to redeem the world.

Christmas has its cradle, where a Baby cried; did the lantern’s shadow show him crucified?

Did he foresee darkly His life’s willing loss?

Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its cross.

Christmas has its cradle; shepherds came to see, Little Son of Mary, Lamb of God to be 

Had His Father warned Him, none would grant Him room, save in the Christmas cradle and in the Easter tomb?

Christmas has its cradle, wise men came to bring, myrrh and gold and incense, offering for a King;

Myrrh alone stayed with Him, death’s balm for this Boy, from the Christmas cradle and to His Easter joy.

Christmas has its cradle, where that Baby cried; in the Easter garden, Christ lay, crucified;

When death’s power was conquered, God’s life through Him poured;

Christmas has its cradle and Easter has its Lord!

My sister-in-law gave us a beautiful nativity scene over forty years ago.  Every Christmas, I display the little scene prominently, so that it is the centre of attention amongst all the other decorations of the Christmas season.  When my daughter was only two years old, she watched with wide-eyed fascination as I carefully set out the little figures and I asked her to name each one. 

"Who are these three men with gifts in their hands?"  I asked her.

"Oh, those are the three wise men!"  She proudly stated.

"Who is this man?"  I pointed to another figure.

"That's Joseph!"

"Who is the Baby?"

"Baby Jesus!" she proudly shouted.

"And who is the lady beside Baby Jesus?"

Without hesitation she exclaimed, "That's Mary Christmas!"

I still can't help but giggle whenever I recall that precious memory.

My aunt gave me a ceramic depiction of The Last Supper many, many years ago.  It is one of my most cherished possessions for a couple of reasons.  Every time I look at it, I think of my sweet, little aunt, Eja, and how excited she was to give this to me as a gift.  She was my Godmother, and she was affectionally called "Gudmor", Danish for godmother.  She had a simple, honest, uncomplicated faith and I loved her like my own mother.  She passed away in 2003, and I miss her every day.  The depiction of The Last Supper is displayed all year round on a window ledge in my living room, and when I look at it, the Words of Christ come to me immediately, "Do this in remembrance of me." 

Jesus was with His closest friends the night before He was crucified, and He was trying to explain to them through the breaking of bread together during the Passover, that He would become the once and for all Sacrifice for the entire world.  They didn't understand the symbolism of the bread and wine until Jesus had ascended to His Father, but the act of taking Communion or The Lord's Supper has become one of the sacred ordinances within the Christian church. 

At Christmas, I display the Nativity Scene close to The Lord's Supper scene.  My kids didn't take note of this "tradition" and why I insisted the two displays be in such close proximity to one another until my daughter learned to play "Christmas Has Its Cradle, Easter Has Its Cross" on the piano.  As she played the song, she got the connection right away.  The Cradle and the Cross are inseparable.  The Birth and Death of Jesus ordained by God the Father to redeem the world.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Merry Christmas, Fellow InScribers, and many happy returns in the New Year!

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com   

Christmas Amid Renovations by Carol Harrison

It's past time to put up the small Christmas tree that usually adorns our living room. The ornaments that grace its branches reflect the nativity story but they are still packed in their storage containers waiting to be freed from captivity for a few weeks. The nativity set, well multiple ones, also remain hidden away but I wish they could find a place to sit and remind us of the reason we celebrate the season. The various pieces of everyday decor still sits out instead of switching places with the
Christmas season pieces because there is no room to make those transitions.

Instead my living room, dining area and even bedroom and deck have an assortment of boxes, bags and tubs full of kitchen gadgets, dishes and utensils waiting for their new home in new cupboards. Things we still might need to make a few meals during kitchen renovations grace my dining room table. I can't imagine bringing more tubs of Christmas decorations into this chaos and so they stay hidden away.

How can I host Christmas even if the renovations get completed just in time? After all I won't have my home decorated for the season. The reorganizing all the cupboards and rooms might not be finished so how can we prepare the meal and serve the family? These questions run through my mind and I have a hard time focusing on what I can do instead of what might be difficult.

As I prepared to write this blog, I began to think about that first Christmas in Bethlehem. Mary gave birth to Jesus, our Saviour, in a stable. With Joseph and maybe animals to attend the birth, she wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in the manger. Their visitors were shepherds who came running in from the fields dressed in their sweaty work clothes. But they fell down and worshiped this new-born king because they believed what the angel told them.

Mary had no time to prepare for company. She had no pretty decorations, not even her own home that night. She had no family and friends no fancy wrapped presents and no gourmet meal. Yet it was a night like no other, filled with wonder and angel's songs. God's gift to us arrived that night in humble circumstances and the shepherds, whose testimony was not accepted in a court,  heard the good news first. They responded at once as they rushed to worship Jesus and then told everyone what they had seen and heard.

Can I celebrate amid the chaos of renovation? Can we celebrate Jesus as our Saviour when life hurts and tough things mount up or we suffer a loss? Can we celebrate without all the trappings which I do enjoy? The answer in my heart is a resounding yes even when my head wants to decorate, plan and remain in my comfort zone of tradition.

What will I do to have my heart's yes translate to daily life during this season of my life? I must begin with remembering the reason for the celebration called Christmas and I find that in the pages of Scripture. " But the angel said to them, 'Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" Luke 2:10-14 Reading the Bible can happen even in the middle of renovation and lack of decorations.

I love Christmas carols especially the old ones that remind me of the birth of Jesus and why he came. There are other, newer songs that also encourage me, help me remember and are part of Christmas traditions I can still enjoy for songs can fill the house with beauty in spite of the mess.

While I wait for new cabinets and a functioning kitchen, I can still visit friends and family even if it is at their place. One of my children can host the meal if it will not work here and we can enjoy food, fellowship and even a present or two. I just need to take it one day at a time while I praise God for the gift of His Son. 

I pray that God might renovate my heart so I can respond like the shepherds on that first Christmas night and rush to be with Jesus and then be excited to tell others of the reason we have to celebrate.

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.. . . . the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen , which were just as they had been told." Luke 2-16-18, 20 NIV


Yes the chaos of renovation happens to change a few plans. For some a loss, financial problems, broken relationships or illness hamper the glimpses of joy and dampen the feelings of celebration. But may we rush to Jesus just as we are, broken, tired, happy, or sad and give him our hearts and lives. May our worship cause others to be amazed as we glorify God for all he still does today.

Carol lives in Saskatoon. She loves to tell stories and even writes some of them down. She has published two books and has stories published in sixteen anthologies. Carol also loves to help others in their journey as they discover glimpses of hope and glimmers of joy.

Christmas Gifts by Carol Harrison

                                       

                                                    

 I have always loved to give gifts. Even as a young child I loved to make little crafts to give to my grandparents who loved me so much they proudly displayed my handiwork long past Christmas. I never lost my delight in gift giving, especially during the holidays. Earlier and earlier each year I am bombarded with ads offering the ideal gift for someone in my circle of friends and family, or at least what the business world considers the ideal gift. I often wish for a much larger budget,for all too often my funds run out long before my plans for gift giving are complete. Limited funds call for an increase in creativity to stretch the dollars as far as possible. 

This year my husband encouraged me to write stories for the grandchildren's Christmas gifts. This would be something they could not just go to the store and purchase for themselves. An interesting idea for writers to consider and I have worked all year on writing and choosing family stories they might enjoy.

Several years ago I received an email with the title, "Gifts That Don't Cost a Cent" by anonymous. Needless to say this captured my attention immediately. I could not wait to open it and read this wonderful bit of wisdom on gift giving, hoping for practical information to put into practice for that season. I found a simple list of gifts that are perfect to give to anyone on any occasion. They don't cause an overload on my plastic or a depletion of my meager bank account. They did not even need wrapping and no one had to wait to open them, nor do they need to be confined to the Christmas season. They also appeal to people whose love language, like my husbands, is not gift giving. 

           

 I read that list and thought about it, adding a few ideas of my own as well as some explanations of what those gift ideas meant to me. I'd love to share them with you. 

First came the gift of listening, really listening to someone else without interrupting them or losing myself in my own thoughts. Then there comes the gift of touch. A pat on the back for a job well done or a hug shows how much I care. I thought about how important it is to hold hands with my spouse, my children and my grandchildren to let them know I am there for them. More gifts followed in the list like the gift of encouragement. Too often all we hear or remember are the negative comments flowing around us like flood waters. I looked at ways to offer encouragement and came up with a note, an email, a phone call or kind words given spontaneously to let others know we care. A genuine compliment goes along way to encouraging the recipient.

Laughter is good medicine. Do we laugh with someone each day? It not only is a gift to give to others but offers us a more cheerful disposition and brighter outlook on our day. Add to this the gift of solitude for sometimes others need the time alone to reflect or to have some space to heal. I can be there when my friends and family need me but I can also guard their time alone.

The next one made me stop and think about my attitude. How thankful am I? Do I remember to thank others for the kind things they have done for me or gifts they have bestowed? Do I have a grateful spirit, looking for the blessings in my life? A grateful heart has a way of spreading cheer to those it comes in contact with. 

The greatest Christmas gift of all is not one I can ever give but I can tell others about it. It didn't come with fancy wrapping, only cloths and a manger bed of hay. This Christmas season with all the plans of celebration I choose to remember the reason for the season and celebrate Jesus who came as a baby, announced by angels to shepherds on the hillside and by a star leading wise men to worship him. Jesus came to offer the free gift of salvation - the greatest gift of all.

I love Christmas and gift giving. I am so glad that these gifts can be given at any time and are worth more than anything my money can buy. They are gifts of my time to show how much I value those I give them to. 

Now to finish the gift of stories for my grandchildren this Christmas.  

Merry Christmas to everyone. 

As a speaker, published author and storyteller, Carol Harrison is passionate about mentoring people of all ages and abilities to help them find their voice and reach their fullest potential. She shares from her heart, telling stories from real life experiences and God’s Word to encourage people and help them find a glimmer of hope no matter what the circumstances. She believes we need to continuously grow in our walk with God and lives out her storytelling passion by speaking at women’s events and retreats, Bible Camps as well as school assemblies and church events. Carol is a wife, mother of four adult children and grandmother to twelve. She makes her home is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Christ + Mass = Christmas by Nina Faye Morey

I remember how amazed I was when I was making cards and my teacher told me how to spell Christmas. Until I was eight years old, I had no idea that the first five letters spelled the title of the King of Kings. ~ Bruce Atchison

While Bruce had no idea as a youngster that the “Christ” in Christmas referred to the King of Kings, I was a young adult before I realized that the “mas” referred to the word, “Mass.” Having grown up in a family that was nominally Protestant, I wasn’t familiar with either the word “Mass” or “Eucharist” until I married into a devout Roman Catholic family.

I still remember how stunned I felt when I heard my husband explaining to our little ones what the word “Christmas” meant. It was one of those “slap the forehead” moments for me. I had never given any thought to the meaning of the “mas” part of the word. Now that it had been pointed out, it seemed so obvious it referred to “Christ’s Mass.” Of course, I knew that it was a commemoration of Christ’s birth, but my family’s holiday celebrations focused more on the secular aspects. I decided to look up the meaning of some of the other words associated with this celebration. I discovered that “Nativity” was derived from the Latin word, nātīvitās, meaning “birth.” Another familiar seasonal word, “Noel,” from the Old French word, noël, is also derived from this Latin word.

As a youngster, I never attended any Christmas religious services with my family. However, I do recall attending regular church services a couple of times with my dad. I fondly remember enjoying stories and colouring pictures in Sunday School on those occasions. In my early teens, I sometimes attended a church service while visiting a devout aunt. A classmate invited me to summer Bible camp one year and, occasionally, to some of her church’s youth activities. But Christmas mainly consisted of Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, Christmas presents, Christmas stories, and, of course, Christmas dinner with family when I was young.

After I was married, Christmas came to mean so much more. A major part of the celebrations was attending Midnight Mass with my husband and his family. Then my mother-in-law would have all the family members present over to her house for a late-night snack. To her, a “snack” was no meager amount of food, even at this late hour. I enjoyed this whole Christmas Eve tradition immensely. It carried on for many years, despite the increase in her family’s size through marriage and grandchildren, until she no longer felt able to continue. I cherish those memories and still miss her contribution to our Christmas celebrations.

As a young mom, I wanted to provide a different Christmas experience for my children. Sure, we had the usual festivities associated with Christmas: Christmas baking, decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping Christmas presents, watching Christmas movies, and reading children’s stories like “The Night before Christmas.” But a miniature Nativity scene was added to our holiday decorations, and I enjoyed reading them the biblical story of Jesus’s birth. And, of course, we always attended Christmas Mass—just not the midnight one until they were old enough.

Having discovered both the “Christ” and the “Mass” in Christmas, I now enjoy the full meaning, spirit, and blessings of the season. All those precious Christmas gifts and colourful Christmas lights pale in comparison to the One who is the true gift and light of Christmas:

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

~ James 1:17 (NIV)

Merry Christmas, everyone! May you experience the peace and joy of Christ in your hearts and souls this Christmas.

Photo Credit: © 2017 Nina Faye Morey

'Twas the Day Before Christmas by Steph Beth Nickel

’Twas the day before Christmas and all through the land,

The people were traveling; some hand in hand,

No stockings were hung, no chimneys in sight,

Just walking—keep walking—until it is night.

Some people were nestled all snug in their beds,

While others had nowhere to lay down their heads,

And Mary was slowly plodding along,

Not knowing the angels were prepping a song.

Then up ahead, they saw the bright lights,

The small town of Bethlehem came into sight,

“Ah, now at last, a place we can rest,”

“Perhaps they have room at the inn for a guest.”

But, no, the inn’s full; the owner is sad,

He knows Mary’s tired; he feels really bad,

But he offers a stable and freshly strewn hay,

“I hope it’s enough” is all he could say.

The smiles on their faces touched the man’s heart,

Surely he wanted to do a small part

To make the babe welcome whose coming was near,

The baby whose coming would drive away fear.

Now Mary and Joseph, their Sweet Baby Boy

Whose coming would bring oh so much joy,

A tiny young fam’ly on top of the world,

Their joy and excitement around them was curled.

And out in the pasture, where shepherds kept sheep,

Talking and working, not falling asleep,

A strange thing did happen; they trembled in fear,

A voice from the heavens boomed very near.

It was an angel sent from above,

To speak of God’s glory, to speak of His love,

To send them to town, away from their lambs,

“Leave behind ewes and leave behind rams.”

“For something most wondrous has happened this night,”

“Go now to Bethlehem; do what is right,”

“The Promise of Ages has come now to you,”

“The Saviour, Messiah, is born; it is true.”

“He’s dressed not in splendour or a king’s royal cloth,”

“He’s just wrapped in swaddling, and that is enough,”

“But go now and worship your Lamb and your King,”

“And as you will journey, all heaven will sing.”

Their eyes how they twinkled and glistened with tears,

For the One that they spoke of was promised for years,

And now they would see Him and give Him their praise,

This surely would prove the most joyous of days.

Their staffs they would carry, gripped firm in their hand,

The best gift of all had come to their land,

They went then to see Him, just shepherds no less,

They saw the new Saviour; they were so blessed.

Maybe chubby and plump, snuggled in hay,

Wonder of wonders, what a great day!

The shepherds were awestruck, the babe’s family too,

The Promise of Heaven had that night come true.

He spoke not a word but went straight to their hearts,

His work lay before Him; this was the start,

He’d come down from heaven, left angels behind,

Entrusted to shepherds, this message we find.

They sprang from their knees, went out from that place,

Sharing the news of God’s goodness and grace,

We hear them exclaim still to this day,

“The Saviour has come; now walk in the Way.”