Dear HealingStrong Family,
What a wonderful time of the year to celebrate God’s goodness. Earlier this year, we were blessed with the arrival of our precious granddaughter, born prematurely at just 26 weeks and weighing 1.3 lbs. Her remarkable journey through the NICU for almost 4 months was uncertain, but she is so strong. She is our cherished miracle. We certainly didn’t expect her life to begin like this.
As I reflect on the birth of Jesus this season, I cannot help but envision the expectations that Mary and Joseph may have had about Jesus’ birth. I find myself wondering if Mary had unfulfilled ideals? She was delivering the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I ponder on her labor pains and Joseph’s frantic search for a safe and secure place for their baby to be born, only to hear, “No room in the Inn…..but, you can birth your baby (the Son of God) where the animals stay.”
On the first Christmas night, God stepped down out of Heaven and entered the world that He created as a baby. No-one else has ever done that. His throne was a trough, and His triumphal entry was the long route on a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The accompanying midwife was her husband, a carpenter, whom she had never had an intimate relationship with, and the attendants were the animals sounding off in the background.
That was His humble beginnings as a son of man.
He lived a perfect and sinless life that anyone who believes on Him would have eternal life. He did so in a way that was the lowest of low.
I think of my own heart and how much space I give Jesus to reside? Am I the Inn Keeper, holding back, not wanting to be inconvenienced or interrupted, making little to no room for Him?
No matter our circumstances today – whether you are reading this in a hospital bed, or alone in a quiet house, or surrounded by friends or family, God loves you beyond comprehension. His grace and glory gives us hope. While we are living on this side of eternity, let’s pause for this wonderful celebration of Christmas and let’s open our hearts and minds to the grandeur of what it really means to live for and share the greatest gift and hope of all time – Jesus.
With so much gratitude to each of you,
Suzy
HealingStrong
Enjoy This Christmas Song:
More Than A Baby, written by one of our Group Leaders,
Lisa Simmons.
Spotify Link
How can we pray for you?
prayerrequest@healingstrong.org
