I praise you, Lord Jesus, for surrendering all the glorious perfections of heaven, to live among us with all our un-glorious imperfections [1].
Also astounding is your arrival as an infant, born to peasants, in a stable-cave. How ignoble for the King of kings, the Alpha and Omega who always was and always will be.
As Mary and Joseph tried to rest on scratchy straw, did they wonder, “How could this be part of your plan, Lord Jehovah? How could the Messiah fulfill his grand destiny from such lowly beginnings?”
Little did the couple know:
- their helpless baby who could not stand “would one day walk on water” [2]
- his little hands that could not grasp would one day break five rolls and two fish into pieces and feed five thousand people
- their Child who could not speak would one day make the hearts of men burn within them as he spoke words of supernatural wisdom and insight
- his flailing arms would one day spread wide on a cross, to save his people from their sins [3]
The depth of your humility and the magnitude of your sacrifice, Lord Jesus, overwhelm me.
I praise you for all the ways you demonstrated God’s character to us during your earthly ministry—his love, compassion, goodness, and more.
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your power on display in the miracles you performed and those you continue to perform to this day, confirming who you are—not just a wise teacher or mystic but the Son of God.
I praise you for the glimpses of heaven we experience from time to time of what it will be like when all creation is “brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God,”–because of what you accomplished [4].
Such glimpses include:
- The exquisite beauty of nature, causing us to gasp in wonder
- The profound heart-to-heart connections we experience with other believers
- The songs that move our spirits and cause tears of blissful joy
- The sense of your presence—your encompassing and perfect shalom [5]
All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul
have been but hints of [heaven]—
tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled,
echoes that died away just as they caught your ear. . . .
–C. S. Lewis (The Problem of Pain, 150-151)
I praise you, Lord God, that before time began, you’d already established the plan for your Son’s birth, ministry, death, and resurrection [6].
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for withstanding horrific suffering in our place, paying the penalty for our sins [7].
I praise you Heavenly Father, for your power over death, proven by the resurrection of your Son. He received a grand welcome back to heaven and now sits on his throne, receiving the honor, glory, and power he deserves [8].
I praise you for the promise—repeated many times through scripture—that upon our physical deaths, those of us who believe in Christ will live forever with you, surrounded by the wonders of heaven [9].
I praise you, Lord Jesus, we’ll even sit with you on your throne [10]!
Such an honor seems downright absurd, and yet there it is—promised and guaranteed in your infallible Word—promises we can trust, a guarantee we can believe in.
I pray that many will see:
And may many embrace you, O Christ, as their Prince of Peace and King of kings, to experience your shalom and joy. May they accept your gift of gifts: eternal life!
[1] Philippians 2:5-7
[2] From Mark Lowry’s carol, “Mary Did You Know”; see also Matthew 14:22-33 for one example
[3] Matthew 14:13-33; Luke 24:13-24; Luke 23:33; Matthew 1:21
[4] Romans 8:21
[5] Shalom includes not only peace, but complete well-being and wholeness
[6] Titus 1:2
[7] Romans 5:8
[8] Revelation 3:21
[9] John 3:16
[10] Revelation 3:21
[11] From a sermon, “The Great Birthday of Our Coming Age,” December 21, 1884.
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From the Inside Out 
AMEN HALLELUJAH! The LORD bless you woG(woman of GOD)
Thank you, Tilly. God blesses me richly every day! And from your enthusiastic AMEN and HALLELUJAH, I’m guessing you find many blessings in each day as well! May your Christmas be merry and bright–with joyful praise for our Savior!
All praise and glory to our King of King and Lord of Lords! Blessings always, Nancy, and Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Martha. I pray Christmas blessings for you and your family, too!
Blessings Nancy for sharing this testament to what Christians see behind the night sky surrounding a humble manger. The Messiah’s birth jump starts His Father’s promised plan of redemption.
Through God’s plan of redemption, from Genesis to Revelation, we see the amazing “wonders of his love!”
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His mercy, grace and all that you so kindly laid out for us to celebrate and give gratitude for. Thank you, Nancy. God bless you and Merry Christmas! 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. I pray God’s blessing upon you also and your family as you celebrate our Savior’s birth. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Nancy!
Wishing you blessings at Christmas! Thank you for sharing this inspiring post!!!!
Thank you, Linda. May Christmas praise fill our hearts even as we press on through the to-do list!
Nancy, you have such an incredible way of making the Christmas Story come alive right before me. I always enjoy reading your insights & wonderfully reconnecting me with a renew awe of our Savior.
Anita
God bless you Anita for being such a sweet-spirited encourager! Praise God you find these posts meaningful and uplifting. May you, Gator, and family members who can gather enjoy a very blessed Christmas, with joy, laughter, and shalom! Our Emmanuel is come!
The one who spoke the world into existence had to learn to speak. The one who walked on water had to learn to walk. The one who created man and woman had to rely on them to protect, feed and meet his basic needs. Amazing how much he humbled himself.
Indeed, Barbara. The more I think on his humble beginnings the more humbled I am! He endured SO much, in order that we could be in relationship with him and enjoy the abundant life he offers. “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 25).
Love your post little sister. Could not stand would one day walk on water. Amazing to think about it.
Thank you, Matt. Totally agree with you! (See my comment to Barbara above.) On the one hand, we wonder at the King of kings’ ordinary life, growing up in a carpenter’s home; on the other hand we also marvel at his power, wisdom, and perfections! Amazing to think about indeed.
AMEN sister!!!! Indeed. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Tilly. Praise God for his inspiration!
All of this post is wonderful, and it points the way to the second coming of Jesus and the time when He will establish His kingdom on earth. What impacted me most, however, was the very first part discussing what Mary and Joseph most likely didn’t realize on that first Christmas Day–those things that would eventually happen, the miraculous things Jesus would do. It is a great reminder that when things are not wonderful in our lives in human terms, we have NO idea what God has planned and how He can use those circumstances. Thank you for a post that is a Christmas blessing.
Thank you, Linda, for pointing out another application of the Christmas story. You are absolutely right: God brings good out of ALL circumstances (Romans 8:28). It’s a truth we sometimes forget when we’re in the thick of hardship.
love the focus on praise. Wishing you a very Merry and peace filled Christmas, Nancy. I am blessed to have connected with you!!
love the focus on praise. Wishing you a very Merry and peace filled Christmas, Nancy. I am blessed to have connected with you!!
And a Merry Christmas to you also, Jean. I’m so thankful God brought me to your blog all those years ago while we still lived in Florida. Little did we know that he’d bring us together in person years later!! I’ve SO enjoyed and benefited from your blog posts, your books, and getting to know you!
This blog is a work of art! “May the Lord bless you and keep you…” HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU yesterday!
Thank you so much, Diane, for your encouragement and for somehow remembering my birthday! Indeed, the Lord does bless me every single day and keeps me close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11). I pray you sense the same in your life!
Nancy,
The image of the young Mary and baby really sets the stage. He uses those ready to serve. Jesus had an earthly upbringing with eternal love at every stop Merry Christmas,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Indeed he did, Gary. Parental love is much more important for a child than worldly goods. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Gary!
Amen! Amen! Merry Christmas, my friend!
TT
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Join me at Living Our Days https://michelemorin.net “The way we live our days is, of course, the way we live our lives.” (Annie Dillard)https://linktr.ee/MicheleDMorin
Praise God, Michele, and a Merry Christmas to you as well!
“I praise you, Lord Jesus, for withstanding horrific suffering in our place, paying the penalty for our sins.”
I’ve been thinking about this a lot the past few days. The physical pain alone that He endured is unimaginable. But to consider that He took on the sins of the entire world…the ugly and evil behavior committed by people past, present, and future…such that not even his own Father could not look at Him.
My Mom told me this week that after I accepted the Lord as my Savior when I was five…that at the next Gottfried gathering I ran around telling everyone about Jesus.
I pray that I’ve been successful in keeping some of that childlike wonder in my journey through this life and, hopefully, have been successful in sharing the Word with others. After all, that is why He tarries.
I can just see you as a five-year-old, Cheri, telling your relatives about Jesus, those big blue eyes of yours glistening with joy! Yes, to foster child-lie wonder in our hearts is a healthy thing to do–mentally and spiritually. Probably has physical benefits too as one aspect of our being frequently impacts the others. With you I pray that I would be salt and light wherever I go! I pray you enjoy a blessed Christmas with your family, Cheri!
I gladly join you in this prayer, Nancy. Have a blessed Christmas. ❤
Thank you for joining me, Anna, and a merry, shalom Christmas to you also!
Wow! So beautifully written and packed so full of promises! This was like a gigantic hug from God! Merry Christmas to you all! We treasure so many memories from Christmases past!❤️ Lots and lots of love to the entire Ruegg clan! ❤️
Thank you, dear Lisa. Praise God he turned these words into a hug for you! We certainly did enjoy a number of stellar Christmas celebrations during the years we served together. In fact, as I included a snippet from “Mary Did You Know” in this post, Michael’s voice singing those inspired lyrics played in my mind! Merry Christmas and lots of love back to you, precious friend, and all the Wycuffs!
It saddens me that I got so far behind on emails that I’m just now getting to this–but the truth of our Savior never wanes, never ends, always thrives in the hearts of His people. You brought so many beautiful reminders of how much we have to be grateful for. I marvel at what Mary and Joseph must have felt while they gazed at the newborn Savior, trying hard to make sense of the Savior of the world born in a dark, damp place, with His first visitors being lowly shepherds. Thanks for the focus on the beauty of Jesus in all ways.
I’m behind on my emails too, Dayle. Slowly but surely we’ll catch up! I’m glad you found beauty here to celebrate with gratitude. And together we’ll continue to focus on the beauty of our Jesus–into 2025 and beyond!