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Listen while you read: "Away In A Manger"1 (Lyrics) |
As I was wheeled to my room in the hospital, my eyes brimmed with tears. I knew that I hadn't felt well, but I never guessed that I would be admitted that day with blood clots in my lungs. I passed the big Christmas tree in the middle of the waiting room which earlier I had been admiring, I smiled at the receptionist with the Santa hat on as I flew by, and I noted the whimsical Christmas characters on the scrubs of the nurses, but the Christmas spirit had left me for that moment.
At home, all was Christmas! In my fridge was Christmas dinner with all the fixings, my outfit with Christmas cardinals on the sweater was set aside for the Christmas service at church, and Christmas compact discs were ready to play to give that atmosphere to our gathering. I thought of these things and wondered, as the wheelchair bumped along, if I would even be home for Christmas. But in that moment, I did not ask the Lord for gleaming trees and beautiful music. As fear crept into my soul, I longed for what the angels promised the fearful shepherds that night:
Luke 2:13-14 – Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." (NLT)
I longed for peace! And somehow amidst flashing monitors, hurried nurses, and concerned doctors, God did give me peace — peace to face whatever would come in the next few days.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
The doctor let me go home late on Christmas Eve with a new appreciation of how fragile our lives are.
As I sit here in my living room before dawn on this Christmas morning, I am grateful for God's healing touch and for those who prayed for me. But mostly, I am in awe of the One Who gives peace!
Have you experienced God's peace that surpasses all understanding?
Prayer: Glorious Saviour, thank You for giving us peace, as the angels declared that blessed night. Glory to You, our God, in highest heaven. Grant peace on earth today to those with whom You are pleased. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 19, 2025: Please keep praying for our daughter. She has another health concern which we..." 
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Amen. Thank you for sharing.
Amen, Jeanie. Prayers for healing. Merry Christmas.
That was wonderful. It brings back the real meaning of Christmas.
God is good. Thanks for sharing your story and Merry Christmas to you and those you love.
Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. Have a blessed Christmas! Blessings.
Health and happiness in 2024.
Thanks for sharing a meaningful story.
Merry Christmas Jeanie and thanks be to God for all His mercy and kindness.
Blessings.
Merry and Blessed Christmas to you. The Spirit has been my comforter too, and I am glad He gave you peace ‘whatever the outcome’. And then, I am glad that He brought you back to your family that Christmas Eve and blessed them and us with your presence a time longer.
Jeanie – How marvellous that you opened your hands and heart to receive that which God is anxious to give. So often, our lives and fears crowd God out, put up a big sign “No Room”.
May you celebrate Christ’s birth joyously.
Hello Jeanie.
I join you in awe and praise.
To God – Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit – be all praise and glory.
I’m thankful, too, that you are with us.
Blessings.
Thank you for that moving testament Jeanie…it brought tears to my eyes. How blessed we are and yet how fragile life is. Praise the Lord! I hope your Christmas goes well for you and yours. God Bless!
Thank you,
(B. C. Canada)
Merry Christmas Jeanie
Thank you for sharing and praying all is going well for you. Yes, I am thankful also to experience the peace that only God can give.
How I pray this world would experience this kind of peace.
God bless.
Merry Christmas, Jeanie!
I can totally relate to your message today. When we find ourselves in certain circumstances especially when our health is in danger the best thing to do is to turn it over to God. Trusting and believing that our Saviour will heal us from whatever we are going through.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2024!
Thank you, Jeanie, for another of your encouraging writings. Sorry to hear you had to experience hospital time at the beginning of a Christmas time but good to know you were able to get back home and through the Lord’s love and care recovered from the illness. Yes, we can sure receive much peace and comfort by seeking Jesus and trusting in His answer to our prayers. May you experience all the joyful blessings available since the birth of our loving Saviour.
Dear Jeanie. I too was hospitalized for a blood clot in the lung, following an operation. (I did them both at different times!) I was very humbled by how little I could do for myself and how impossible it was to move normally. Little things became enormous challenges. Walking with crutches. Going to the bathroom. Getting into the car. Negotiating stairs. I appreciated just how much we take for granted each day when we are healthy. Blessings on you and yours for Christmas and 2024.
Good morning, Jeanie,
When others share their stories, we all gain a deeper awareness of how powerful God is in our lives. I felt your story open my heart this morning to once again appreciate how blessed I have been to be born into a Christian home and know about Jesus and what He has done for the world.
I understand that fragility that you refer to and the peace that God offers me when I am worried. Thank you for sharing your inner feelings.
Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas and best wishes for 2024. Blessings.
Thank you, Jeanie, for this vivid picture of your crisis and God’s response. May we all find that peace.
So happy to hear that you are on the mend! Peace does come, as I like to think, on little cat feet. We just need to be calm and wait.
How wise you are Jeanie! Putting first things first, will never let us down and lead to “the peace that passes understanding.”
Bless you dear friend and may you feel the healing touch of God’s Son as you recover!
(BC)
Yes, thanks be to God. It makes this day even more special for you.