“We desire to be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas-time, not in a cold manger of our heart, but in a heart full of love and humility, in a heart so pure, so immaculate, so warm with love for one another.”
St Teresa of Calcutta
Jesus has been born and we are well into the Christmas season, waiting for the Magi to arrive.
How does your heart feel now that you have prepared space, and welcomed Jesus into your living manger – your heart? Does it feel light? Does it feel joyful? Does it feel loved? Is it free?
Are you ready now to embrace the journey of life with this new light within?
This Advent and Christmas, I learned a valuable lesson – to be more aware of what is occupying my mind and be present. As I was preparing during Advent, everything continued to focus on being completely present. I couldn’t see or feel hopeful without focusing on the things that were most important in my life. I couldn’t embrace the peace without being aware that it was surrounding me. I couldn’t feel love without holding my faith in the palm of my hands and knowing that love is not a feeling but an act of kindness poured out from me, just as Jesus loved me then and now.
Being present does not mean I’m physically in the room. Being present is me giving the people and God 100 % of me. What I learned and still am learning is that both of these have to be in sync 100 % of the time. Being present to God is praying without ceasing and being present to those around me means I am listening and I am attentive to them.
We are one-third through the Christmas journey. As, I sit and reflect on this one gift I received at the start of Christmas, I wonder how I will ensure to carry this gift forward in my journey? I also begin to ponder what else is God giving me this Christmas to bear fruit in my journey and those around me.
The Magi are still on their journey following the star that hangs over the stable where Christ lay. They are bearing great gifts and anticipating the moment they will behold this great king, our Lord and Savior.
I invite you to imagine this scene in your life. The light of Christ hangs above shining within the living manger of your heart. A new journey has begun for you as the new year approaches. Who are the Magi (family, friends, strangers, etc) you welcome into your manger? What are the three gifts of 2020 that you will receive in your heart?
Will these three gifts bring you into a deeper more intimate relationship with Christ this year? Will they increase peace, joy, love and faith in your life? If your answers are yes, then perhaps these should be your 2020 goals, your New Year’s Resolution. I invite you to prayerfully consider your 2020 New Year’s Resolution and align them so they produce abundantly in your faith journey.
The quality of life is found in the light that shines within your heart. It is through this light that Christ pours His love upon you so that you can pour love upon others. Share the gifts of your faith journey with this hurting world and bring Christ in the forefront of 2020.
May God’s blessings be upon each of you. May this Christmas week bring you gifts that bear fruit for your life’s journey. May your New Year be filled with the love, joy and peace of Christ.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Categories: #Christmas, Faith
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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