As I was doing a little preparation for the trip, I reflected on the time many years ago when I visited the Holy Land. It brought back many fond memories, and I began to think about the things that happened in biblical days at this time of year. The first that came to mind was the dinner in Bethany when Jesus was surrounded with friends who came to see Him.

John 12:3 – Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (NIV)

When the disciples were indignant at the waste, Jesus replied, "When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial" (Matthew 26:12 NIV). Jesus already knew about the tough times that He was facing.

Then I thought of the last time Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover together.

Luke 22:20-21 – After the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table." (NIV)

I remembered that after this, they crossed over the Kidron Valley and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus struggled with doing God's will, which involved enduring betrayal, false accusations, mocking, scourging, and finally, the horrors of crucifixion.

Any afflictions that I myself will face when I return from my cruise are so light by comparison with His. Like winter, tough times come to us all, but I believe that in whatever God has in store for us, He will also provide the strength and the means to overcome — just as Jesus overcame death and rose to victorious life.

John 12:36a – Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of the light. (NIV)

Knowing that Jesus died for me, for you, and for all who trust in His light is what gives us hope!

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we come to You this day giving thanks for all that You have done for us. Though we sometimes find life hard to bear, give us the strength that we need in our weakness to carry on, and we will give You all the glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 – We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. (NLT)

In advance of the 20th anniversary of the PresbyCan Daily Devotional on May 25th, I designed an appropriate poster and submitted it to Facebook. It was there that I heard from some of the people whom I had known, and still know, as writers for the Daily and others who sent the feedback that I used to receive. This goes as far back as 1999, the first year that I began to write devotionals for the Daily. In those days, I felt like I almost knew these people personally.

With this in mind, I revived my habit of writing some words of encouragement to our writers (especially our newer ones) to keep on writing — something that I have not done for well over a year.

As a devotional writer, I always looked forward anxiously to the feedback with a certain amount of anticipation, wondering just how the readers would react to my messages. Often, it was just a "thank you" for a message that they were waiting to hear. Then there were others who went on at length to tell of an experience that they were going through right then. Many times, I would hear that they had found some help in the devotional that eased their problem. It was always encouraging. In many cases, by way of follow-up, I was able to share my faith, as we encouraged one another.

Romans 1:11-12 – For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (ESV)

What a privilege it has been to be involved in this ministry! I want to give you confidence that you, also, can engage yourself in Christ's service as an encourager of other people's faith!

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, look upon us with favour and encouragement to search Your Word and put it to work in our lives. Thank You for the thoughts that You place upon our hearts to write. May we rejoice in the Daily, and may the readers and writers be blessed by the messages given to them in Jesus' name. In His name, we pray. Amen.

As Tuesday closed in New York City, there was a strange silence. The streets were almost vacant of the usual flow of cars and trucks. They had disappeared, trying to avoid the coming blizzard.

The weather forecasters had predicted a blizzard that was bearing down on the city, bringing up to three feet of snow. A blizzard can be horrific, as it comes with devastating winds that can pile up the snow in drifts that could cause the city to come to a halt. The mayor of the city heeded the warning, ordered everyone to stay home, and shut down the subways and commuter trains.

People took the warning seriously and gathered up food supplies and water, leaving many food stores almost empty. Flights slated to and from New York were cancelled, leaving those headed either way stranded until the storm passed.

As it turned out, this storm passed by New York City about 40 miles farther east than was projected, with not nearly as much wind and snow as was expected. It moved north-east, dumping its snow on Boston and other areas instead.

The mayor of New York and the weather forecasters were all apologetic, saying that it was better to be safe than sorry. But this is not the first time that dire predictions of severe weather have not materialized. A couple of recent hurricane warnings were also exaggerated, so some people have become sceptical and disregard the warnings. It's like the old story of the boy who cried wolf.

Similarly, in each generation, Christians have seen signs that seem to indicate that that the second coming of Christ was imminent. It has been long delayed, and many people pay no attention to the warnings. But Christ's coming is for sure — there is no doubt about it. When the time comes, there will be no missing it, and we need to be ready at a moment's notice!

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (NIV)

Luke 12:39-40 – But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (NIV)

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we come to You this day, praying for those who were actually in the way of the blizzard. May this storm remind us that we should always be aware of the words of Your prophets — to prepare for the coming of Christ and to keep our paths straight in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

I was looking for a Bible that I had bought from the Robert Simpson Company many, many years ago. Although I didn't find my Bible, which I had likely put in a secure place, in my search, I came upon a book with the title, In search of Christmas. I had never read this particular book until I salvaged it from a bookshelf in our basement.

As I glanced through it, it brought many things to mind, like all the things that people in today's world use, if they celebrate Christmas, not having any idea why, or what the things might mean. Let's follow the journey in search of Christmas using the Christmas tree, the gifts, and the candles.

The Christmas tree is an evergreen that never changes colour. It is a reminder of our God, Whose love for us in Christ is unchanging and everlasting.

As we gather together on Christmas Day around our Christmas tree, we open gifts, given in love. We give because lovingly God first gave salvation to us in Christ — a priceless gift too wonderful for words to describe.

Many people light candles to bring soft light into their homes. But in many Christian homes, purple or blue candles are lit one Sunday at a time during Advent to signify a spirit of self-examination and repentance. The custom has seen many adaptations, and here is one that you may not have heard of. The first candle symbolizes hope, with the prophet's candle reminding us that Jesus is coming. On the second Sunday, the Bethlehem candle is a symbol of faith and reminds us of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. A pink candle on the third Sunday signifies joy, with the shepherd's candle reminding us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. The fourth candle, the angels' candle, symbolizes peace, reminding us of the angels' message of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. A fifth, white candle is lit on Christmas Day, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the light of the world.

I pray that these thoughts will bring hope, faith, joy, and peace to those who may see in a new light the wondrous gift that God has given us in Christ. May we all approach this year's celebration in a new and different way as a result of our own personal search for Christmas.

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we come to You on this first day of Advent, praying with hope for those who do not know the true meaning of Christmas. We pray that they will find their way in Your true light. In the precious name of Jesus, our Redeemer and our only hope, we pray. Amen.

"When I grow too old to dream, your love will live in my heart." How many reading today remember that old song sung by Vera Lynn?

Yesterday, we celebrated the birthday of the youngest daughter of my son, who mentioned, "Do you know something? I will be fifty next month."

Recently, he had written a short note to me, saying, "Mom, if I were to sail my boat across to Jamaica, would you come with me?"

Well, that was a big question for me to answer. I try to believe that he was kidding me, but it still left me with the thought that I am not as young as I used to be and that I don't move quite as fast as I used to!

Certainly, I would love to venture on a journey with him. But when I stop and think about it, my aging muscles and joints tell me that such a journey really is not in my future. But I do anticipate a much more majestic journey.

And what might that be? Like John Bunyan's Pilgrim on his way to the Celestial City, I look forward with the apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 4:6b-8 – The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (NIV 2011)

With all the problems that we are encountering in this world today, I would love the opportunity to share with the younger generations the journey that I have already had with my Saviour Jesus.

Psalm 71:18 – Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. (NIV)

Psalm 22:27 – All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. (NIV)

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we come this day to ask that Your blessings will be upon those we love. We pray that You will help us to share with one another the journey that we have travelled with You in the past and the one that we expect to travel with You at the end, especially as the world's problems come closer to home. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.

Romans 15:4 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)

Just after Christmas, a young teenager came to his grandparents and asked if he could stay with them for a little while, as things at his home weren't going well, and he had nowhere to go.

No doubt there was a conversation with his family before taking him in. I have no idea what went on in the home of his parents! But for whatever reason, there was no love lost between them! In fact, there is in this teenager a lot of hate.

He seemed lost and afraid, and it was decided by all concerned that he would stay in the home of his grandparents to finish out his school term.

But what the elderly grandparents did not know was that this boy was on drugs, and they never imagined what was to come before them during those six months. On more than one occasion, the police were at their door. Even as they love and care for him, it was obvious that the load was far too heavy for them to carry. Struggling on to the last day of school, the time came to move him out. What a hurtful time for grandma.

I don't know the end of this story, but it has been tragic to watch and very draining on the caregivers.

What about this boy — and so many of this generation who suffer in the same way? They lose everything, living on the streets with nowhere to go, no place to sleep, to eat, to bathe — completely lost and doing anything and everything to get money for drugs.

What a downfall in a generation. How deep is the silence of the soul!

What is it that will save them?

Reading over today's Scriptures once more, let us pray that those who have become destitute may turn back to God in prayer, and that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, they might have hope.

Then, we who know the Lord must try to deliver that hope to those who so desperately need to hear it, whenever there is someone who will listen.

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we pray not only for one family, but also for many in this world who have a child or children who are homeless and have no-one to care for them. We pray for those who seek drugs to escape their hurt, and for parents who don't know how to deal with these situations, and who, in some cases, give up on their own children. We pray for those who are lost that they may find their way out of their misery. We pray for them in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

I have been writing for the PresbyCan Daily Devotional since January, 1999, when I first was led by the Spirit to put words onto paper (via the computer). I still have a copy of that first devotional and the four responses that I received in feedback, one from Pretoria in South Africa, another from India, and two others, one from the USA, and one from Canada. You can't imagine the excitement that I felt to know how far out this ministry was reaching.

As the years rolled by, I have seen many changes and met many of the contributors to the Daily, if not in person, then through the written words that we have shared.

As I reminisce, the important factor is not what I alone contributed, but how many readers have been touched by what this ministry has contributed to help them find freedom from sorrow, shame, and the everyday hurts that come into our lives.

How do we touch others?

In just the last little while, I have had two phone calls about books of my devotionals. A gentleman called wondering if I had any books left to sell. He went on to tell me that he had found my book, My Hiding Place, in the clubhouse library, and how it had touched him in the loss of his wife. Since the book was a sellout, I scrounged around and was able to find one that was not saleable because the cover had been put on upside down.

Then just a little while afterwards, I had another call from someone else looking for the same, having borrowed my book and found comfort in a horrific situation that she was in.

As I write, I am in awe of God and how He placed me in the Daily to draw out the things that He had put on my heart so that I could reach out to others.

I pray that those reading will be touched by God in such a way as to set their words on paper.

Hebrews 4:7b – Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. (NIV)

Prayer: Most gracious, loving Father, we pray for others to attempt to write the words that You are placing upon their hearts, so that together, we can reach out to others in need. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.