Welcome to 2026

A NewYear is upon us. 1-1-26. January 1, 2026. Any way we write it we have a clean slate ahead of us ready to be filled with good things. Will the year go as quickly as 2025 did? What is ahead? Only God knows what is for us in 2026. God knows the path we will walk in 2026. There will be joys and sorrows, wellness and sickness, successes and challenges. Only God knows.

My usual activity for January 1 is to fill out my paper calendar with birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, days I want to remember. I enjoy this little task of looking ahead. I don't usually make a New Years resolution, though there are many things I need to work on to make me a better Christian wife, mother, sister, and friend. I pray that God helps me make some real changes that I haven't been successful at in the past year. Change is hard.

My prayer for 2026 is that God will be first in my life, every day. That His Word will live in my heart and be reflected in all that I say and do. If only that would be my resolution to keep in 2026.

Back to the story in Bethlehem:

"When he (Herod) had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, " they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 

"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him," (Matthew 2:4-8 NIV).

This scripture ends with Herod's lie. He didn't want to worship Jesus. He planned to kill him. The prophecy given was from Micah 5:2, written seven centuries before. The Word came alive when Jesus was born.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son as a baby born in Bethlehem. Hope came alive in the birth of Your Son. We still hope for the return of Your Son on that Great Day when You return to judge all people. We confess our sins before You and trust in You for redemption. We long for the day when we will see you face-to-face. We pray in the great Name of Jesus, Amen.

A Poor Family Raises Jesus

My thoughts are still in the manger with baby Jesus as we close out 2025. We aren't told how long Mary and Joseph stayed in the manger before they moved into a house. We know the crowds in Bethlehem would subside as people completed their registration and returned home. 

According to my NIV commentary for Luke 2:21-24, Jewish babies went through several ceremonies soon after they were born. Circumcision and naming the baby boy happened on the eighth day. Jesus would have been taken to the temple for this. Then also, "A firstborn son was presented to God one month after birth. The ceremony represented buying back--"redeeming" --the child from God through an offering. Thus the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God, who alone has the power to give life."

"The parents would bring a burnt offering to the temple and the priest would sacrifice a lamb and a dove or pigeon for a sin offering. If a lamb was too expensive, the parents could bring a second dove or pigeon instead. This is what Mary and Joseph did. Jesus was God's Son, but his family carried out these ceremonies according to God's law. Jesus was not born above the law, instead, he fulfilled it perfectly."  (footnotes for Luke 2:21-24 NIV Life Application Bible).

Knowing the history of Jewish law helps us understand the life of Jesus as it began as a human baby who grew up just like us, but became the Savior of the world, as God intended.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich," (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV). 

Father God, we thank You for sending Your Son as a baby of poor parents to show us just how much You love us! We consider how much Jesus gave up, as part of the Trinity, to come to live on earth as a man. Jesus, we thank You for giving so much to us in Your living Sacrifice to mankind. We praise You and thank You and pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Remembering More Than Bethlehem

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7 NIV).

Christmas can be difficult when you live with depression. It is supposed to be all merry and joyful and instead it reminds me of sad things. My parents have been gone more than 20 years, still I grieve their absence at Christmastime. Mother spent the month of December baking cookies and making candy. Then close to Christmas she would bring out all the containers of goodies and begin to fill trays that she would make Daddy deliver to friends, neighbors and others who were in need of a plate of cheer. She was amazing.

Daddy was known for his Christmas surprises. The day before Christmas he would go shopping. Sometimes he would bring home a surprise for mother: a new stove for instance. Here was mother up to her ears in dinner preparations and Daddy would be putting in a new stove for her. 

Christmas at Mom and Dad's house meant gathering all the daughters and their families together for a big meal. Once the food was put away (taking much too long for the kids) everyone would circle around the living room. There were presents to open but my favorite part was singing Christmas carols with Mama at the piano. There was time to look at each face that I loved, and hear the story of Jesus' birth in the songs that we sang. That memory still brings tears to my eyes.

Christmas is more than Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. It is filled with emotions and memories of all the past celebrations, the desire for a perfect gathering of all my family together, the many midnight Christmas Eve candlelight services around my home church, the many Christmas pageants performed through the years, and yes, the precious gift of baby Jesus coming to earth as a human: to grow up as a Bible scholar who lived the perfect life for us to be like. This baby became the Man who gave His life for us on the cross. We remember so much!

Lord, be with us this Christmas. Fill us with the Love of that came down that Christmas morning. Heal our broken places and help us live a life for You as You planned for us. In the Holy Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Are You Ready?

Winter arrived yesterday with warm sunshine and a false comfort of the months to come. Are you ready for the arrival of our King? The stars shine brightly this time of year against a slate of darkness. A baby is about to be born in Bethlehem, under the star as placed by God.

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and strength, not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40:26 NIV).

Just as the shepherds paused to see the bright light to lead them to the Christ Child, we must look up and see where God will lead us this Christmas. Even when we are tired or weary, God promises to walk with us.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,"  (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV). 

God is with us. He walks with us. He lifts us up when we just want to quit. There is a path before us.

"So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

Do not be afraid. God has a plan that has been in place for generations. He knows the future of our great grandchildren as well as He knew the path of our great grandfathers!

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you," (Isaiah 41:13 NIV).

The Savior is coming. Are you ready? He will come whether the packages are wrapped; the cookies are baked; or the baby Jesus is in the creche.

O God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to walk with us through the plan You have for us. Quiet our hearts of fear and show us Your right hand that invites us to be with You. Help us keep Jesus, the reason for the season, as You intended. We praise You, Lord, as we pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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Christmas is a Time To Treasure

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart,” (Luke 2:15-19 NIV).

Most of all, Christmas is a time to treasure. Christmas is a time to reflect on our blessings and to give thanks to God; a time to celebrate quiet family time, perhaps by reading the Christmas story in the light of your tree. It is the feeling you have when you tuck your trusting little ones into bed at night. It is remembering wonderful times together and the loved ones who are no longer with us. Christmas is a time to give selflessly and loving completely.

Christmas is a time to treasure all these things and ponder them in your heart. Christmas is a time to take all the good things in life and locking them in your heart, never to be forgotten.

The time of anticipation is nearly over. Christmas is one week away. It is time to be ready. Ready to feel the joy. Ready to hear the music. Ready to treasure the moments of Christmas’ past.

Father God, thank You for this season of remembering and treasuring all these things in our hearts. Thank You for sending Your Son to earth as a baby that everyone could love. We treasure the Christmas story as the beginning of His life with us. Show us what we need to do this season to be ready to hold the Christ Child in our hearts. Praying in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Joy of Christmas Music

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14 NIV). 

Wouldn't you love to experience that? Or as The Message puts it:

"At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him." (Luke 2:13-14 The Message)

It gives me goose bumps to imagine how beautiful that would be. I have been enjoying Life 107.1 as they have been playing all Christmas music since December 1st. My car ia always on that station and I have Alexa turn it on in my kitchen. It fills my heart with joy!

One of my favorite Christmas memories is hearing my Dad sing "O Holy Night" at our church Christmas Eve candlelight service. For many years it was a tradition at Bethel Grove Church. "O Holy Night" was written by French poet Placide Cappeau in 1847 and set to music by French composer Adolphe Adam (1847) with the most famous English translation by American critic John Sullivan Dwight in 1855. The carol first debuted at a Christmas Eve Mass in France.

O Holy Night

The stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth  Long lay the world in sin and error pining  "Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices. O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night, O night, O Holy night, O night divine!  Truly He taught us to love one another;  His law is love and His Gospel is Peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in His name, all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we. Let all within us Praise His Holy name. Christ is the Lore' O praise His name forever! His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Music touches hearts with its beauty. Whatever your favorite Christmas song is, turn up the volume and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the season.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating music that fills the air around us. Perhaps music was first sung by Your angels. How I would love to hear Your angels sing! Thank You for sending Your Son to earth as an infant who saved us all. Help us prepare our hearts to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in the days ahead. We praise You and love You, praying in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

Good News of Great Joy

 There is nothing quite like the look on the face of a child who opens a gift he has been longing for. One favorite family story that is retold nearly every Christmas happened when my brother-in-law was just a tike. After opening a special present this little boy shouted out, "Just what me always wanted!"

The eyes of children seem to hold special magic at Christmas. The excitement they feel can't be contained. It spills over into bouncing and jumping and hugging. There is true joy. Though there is joy in getting something you love, there is even greater joy in finding that perfect gift that you know is just right. 

Christmas joy is the cooing and smiles of a baby resting in your arms. Christmas joy flows on the face of a grandparent when the family gathers together. There is Christmas joy when that independent college-aged son or daughter comes home for holiday break. It is receiving a card from a friend you haven't heard from in a few years.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger," (Luke 2:10-12 NIV).

This Christmas, the words of the song, "Mary Did You Know" have really touched my heart. The song as performed by Pentatonix is especially beautiful.

"Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm the storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm the storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb (Lamb) Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am?"

Oh, God, thank You for creating the beautiful Christmas story that we share again and again, generation to generation. Thank You for sending Your Son to earth as a baby that changed the trajectory of the sinful world. Heavenly Father, the joy of the birth of Your Son fills our hearts this Christmas and every Christmas. Your gift to us shows Your Great Love for us all. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.