Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Daily Devotions - Wednesday, December 24

Keeping Things in Perspective

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High!”
--A song of God’s people (Psalm 92: 1)

This week’s theme is “Keeping Things in Perspective” and so I invite you to take some time today and read a wonderful story from the Gospel of Luke. The story is part of the Christian tradition, a religion that recognizes the next 48 hours as a very holy time. Today’s story is a story about feelings Mary had during her pregnancy. The story is found in Luke 1, verses 39 to 56.

Along with the story from Scripture, I want to share a tale from a Chaplaincy Department. The Childbirth Center Chaplain in my hospital of employment was asked by a “soon-to-be” mom to accompany her to the delivery room. The mom was not going to have a support person with her and she felt the need for support. The chaplain accepted. A while later, a newborn baby was crying, exercising new lungs. Mom and “Coach” were beaming.

As I listened to the story of this miraculous birth, joy and excitement began to fill the room. It was an event – a birthing event, a miracle event – that brought new possibilities to this world. The story of Christmas has done, is doing, and will always do the same thing. I trust that you can experience the joy of birthing (at least spiritually) during these holy days.

God be with you. Peace and joy be yours.

Ben Keckler
12.24.08

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