Thursday’s Devotion: Praying for Babies

Thursday’s Devotion: Praying for Babies

Luke 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The manger under the Chrisman tree at Hapeville First is empty.  I must remember to ask about a baby to put into it for Christmas day!  We do want to see the baby, after all.  I’ve been thinking about babies a lot recently.  Infants are cute and innocent.  What could be more beautiful than a sleeping baby?  My pondering though has been about what happens to the babies.  Every day I see some criminal or suspected criminal on the news and of late, I’ve reflected that this person was once, too an innocent, beautiful baby.  I wonder what happened between cradle and crime.  I wonder what could have happened differently that would have prevented this baby from growing up to do horrendous things to other people.  And so I’ve started to pray for babies, not just ones I know but all babies.  I pray that they will grow up in a loving environment and that they will get the care and nurture they need.  Maybe if enough people do that, those prayers will be answered more and more. The baby born at Bethlehem changed the world. Today’s babies hold the future of the world in their hands. Will you pray for babies with me?

O Lord, scripture tells us that you knew us before we were even formed; that you knew us in our Mother’s wombs.  We pray for babies everywhere that you will continue to work in their lives and that they will all come to know you through your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday's Devotion: We Need the Stable

Luke 2:12  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Last night I reposted a picture I found on Facebook.  It said “The world needs a Stable influence!”  I think of how much the world has changed just in the last century and then how much it has changed since that babe was found lying in a manger.  Change is part of life, but we can better cope with change knowing that there is still stability, too.  We can always count on God’s love and God’s saving grace shown to us through the life, death and resurrection of his Son.  Society may change but the teachings of Jesus remain true for every generation.  Love God, love neighbor, care for the least, the last and the lost, and spread the Good News.  Psalm 119:89 says, “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”  To me that is good tidings of comfort and joy!

In the midst of all the change in the world and in our lives, Lord we pray that you will comfort us with the constancy of your love.  Keep us healthy this busy season in mind, body and spirit as we seek to remain in your perfect will.  We ask in the name of the one found in the manger. Amen.