Select Page

I breathe in your love

by | Dec 18, 2011 | Uncategorized

Breath of Heaven
Light in my darkness
Hold me together
pour over me your Holiness
for you are Holy
Breath of Heaven 
I traveled so long
and became so weary
wondering about you and wondering how
we would experience your birth
breath of Heaven
you are light in my darkness
I kiss you
and I kiss God
your breath is life to me.

This baby

by | Dec 17, 2011 | Uncategorized

The birth of a baby is always so miraculous
then to add the reality that this baby truly was a miracle.
Chosen by God and announced through the angels.

Can you even imagine holding him
touching his hair and
feeling his warm breath sleeping soundly after nursing.
I imagine he was wrapped in the strips of cloth Joseph had ripped
from parts of his own clothing.
Mary swaddling and holding this precious baby as he slept.
Could she keep him safe and warm.
Could she know the life he would live.
Could she love him then let him go.
The long journey was over and
A baby was born
Her baby.
His baby.
God’s baby.
Did Joseph see in his eyes something deep and inviting.
Could he tell this baby
was so very different from others he might have held.
So much of the birth story we are not told.
So much of it we have to wonder about.
When the sky lit up and the host of angels sang to the shepherds
“Glory to God in the highest”
they knew and had been told
this baby would be chosen
just as they had been chosen
to be a part of the birth story.

A precious baby was born in the city called Bethlehem
and the world would never be the same.

The call to go see

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Uncategorized

Isn’t it fascinating that when the shepherds heard the Angels say to them,
“Go find the baby who was born this night.”
They left.
Reminding me so much of the story of Peter and Paul and the other fishermen
who left their boats in the same way later on in Jesus life.
Remember when he walked along the shore and called out to them,
“Come follow me, I will make you fishers of men” and they left.
They literally left.
They dropped everything and left with no hesitation.
No looking back
they wanted to follow the voice of a man who spoke with authority.
They left their boats, their jobs, their families if they had any.
Everything was left so they could go follow in a new direction.

The shepherds did the same thing against the oath of a shepherd.
They were never to leave their herds and never abandon them
to face adversities or enemies alone.
Their job was to protect and serve them at all costs.
Isn’t it interesting that the call to go see
was stronger than the need to stay.

I wonder if we would do the same.
Is the call to go see and know
stronger in our hearts
than the comfort in staying and not knowing?
The call towards a Savior
who came to us in a humble way
to show us love
to give us hope
to provide a 
powerful and life changing reason
 to believe.
If we allow it.

No room

by | Dec 15, 2011 | Uncategorized

The journey to Bethlehem
meant many days and nights of traveling for them and as any expectant mom
I am sure the urgent need to get settled before delivery laid heavy on Mary’s heart.
I wonder if she whispered as they walked along the gravel road
“Joseph I need to rest, I need to lay down.”
Where would she get her rest in the middle of no where.
There was no soft bed or pillows.
Warm comforting blankets or peaceful music.
Perhaps the donkey had a blanket with matted fur mixed with animal sweat she could rest on.
There was no place of comfort or even family to care for her.
She was alone to deliver her first born baby with no experience and no one to help her.
As they entered the city Joseph found an inn and asked the keeper
if they could stay as Mary was soon to deliver and needed to rest. 

The answer was no and they were turned away.
I am sure their spirits were low as the fatigue set in
and desperation was high as they were tired and
weary from the long journey to Bethlehem.
 Joseph wondering what to do next had to find something
for Mary and the baby.
 Walking a bit further they came upon a stable
I wonder if he thought ‘this would be a safe place’.
We have a little children’s book of the nativity story and
 in an effort to make the story simple and easy for a little one to understand
 I have interpreted it this way.
When Joseph asked the innkeeper if there was any room for them
the innkeeper said,
“No there is no room for you in the inn” so they walked away and
as Joseph found a stable filled with animals he asked Mary
 if they could sleep in the barn with them and she said, ‘Yes it is ok ‘
so Joseph took Mary and helped her to lay down in some soft hay and soon it was time for her to have her baby.
He cleaned out a manger which normally was for feeding the animals
 and found fresh hay so 
he could place the new baby in there to sleep.
A baby was born in the city of Bethlehem
and it would change the world forever.  
Secret Link