The Hope of Christmas

Grace Moment by Moment-monthly column
This column is going to be short. I pray all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I'm going on vacation and will not be posting a new column until January, 2009!

The Miracle of Christmas

Lacy snow flakes drifted silently down,
as the travel-weary couple made their way through the darkened streets of a country town.
The lady, heavy with child, her labor pains upon her, begged for a place to rest.
But no room could be found, still, God knew what was best!
One person, stirred with compassion at the woman’s labor,
offered a hay-filled nearby stable and manger.
Grateful, the husband carried his wife in and settled her down, as the sounds of the animals lowing,
mingled with the wind blowing
through the cracks
at their backs.
While up in Heaven, the angels held their breath,
waiting for what came next.
When the order came from God, they raced to sing, “Hope is here! If you search for it, it can be found,
radiating throughout eternity from Bethlehem town.”
To shepherds tending their flocks in the fields,
angels appeared singing, “Peace, be still.
The Son of God, the Savior is born today.”
Excited but fearful of what they would see, the shepherds left their sheep in the fields and made their way
to the place where the baby Jesus laid.
Once there, they worshipped Him, no longer afraid.
Three wise kings traveled far from the East,
seeking the Holy One sent to break the yoke of the Beast.
They too, gathered to worship the miraculous birth of Hope Divine;
a Gift that was given by God to humanity, for all time.
Today, as we face another Christmas season at war
with forces of darkness in our world, the reminder of that miracle is more important than ever before.
For in the midst of the chaos, confusion and fear
we face, the comfort God’s Hope brings is that God’s Presence will always be near.
And like the shepherds and people of old, we too, if we ask His forgiveness by repenting of our sin
can openly approach to worship Him.
For it is in these magical days of Christmas, amid the ugliness of life, that moments of joy and beauty can be found.
So may our praise of His Glory resound,
“Jesus Christ is Immanuel-God with us, as Lord of lords and King of kings,
now and forever He reigns!!”

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie

Written on:
November 17, 2008

Scripture References:
Matthew 1:1-Matthew 2:23;
Luke 1:26-80; Luke 2:1-39
& John 1:1-5

See you all next year!

A Thankful Spirit

Grace Moment by Moment-monthly column
Life has gotten harder for everyone in these last few months. Many people are barely surviving just because the price for vital necessities like food, and medicine has increased, while many of the same people have lost jobs and homes.
Because of these tough economic times, I understand why it it would be rough finding something to be thankful for . But that is why I'm writing this column today. Even though, Thanksgiving Day, November 2008 has come and gone, we can still find comfort in the little things.
You might be asking right now, "What little things?"

Thank God for Little Things that Often Come our Way

Thank you God for little things that often come our way.
The little insignificant things, we take for granted every day.
The morning’s glory as we rise
which meets our tired, worn out eyes.
The music of the birds we hear,
as we face ourselves in the mirror.
The soul-cleansing bath we take,
when we get a good old coffee break.
The deafening, relentless roar
in traffic, as our tempers soar!
The maddening dash for cash,
when the trade points flip and crash.
May we never take these opportunities to draw close to you for granted,
nor the many other blessings we’ve been handed.
Help us always remember when life becomes bleak and our finances get low,
how much You love us so!
For we can never underestimate,
nor should we cease to appreciate
that it is through hard and difficult times we often grow,
to love You even more so!

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie

Written on:
July 6, 1991

God Bless You all!