Mary brought her son into the world in a stable "because there was no room for them in the inn." Over the years we have glamourized that stable and made it into a holy shrine. We have done this because we cannot stand the thought of our God being born human, let alone being born in a smelly old barn with hay, cattle, manure, dirt, flies, and everything else that goes with a barn. It seems impossible for us to understand that God chose all of that, out of His supreme love for us. We feel that we need to merit His love, and that unconditional love is impossible.

As we come once again to celebrate the wonderful season of Christmas, let us remember, in the hoopla, the noise, the tinsel, and the lights, that a baby, who would become the Saviour of the world, was born in a smelly old stable. Let us come and kneel in humble adoration and worship the babe who is King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, very God.

Prayer: Lord, you were born in a barn because there was no room for you in the inn. May you always find room in our hearts, and may you dwell there so that we may know your salvation. Amen.

It is a very wet and windy day near the end of October. I have just finished the draft of the Christmas Eve service and bulletin. You may think me mad for having this done so far ahead.

I do so because Christmas is so very important to the Christian faith, and it must precede Easter. The two are eternally linked in the plan of God, and you cannot have one without the other. Because we will have many in the church for that service that we may not see again, I put a lot of work into what will unfold. This year, I am asking my congregation to dramatize the story, "What Will We Do With This Baby?"

It seems to me, in the light of the events of this fall, that the answer to this question is vital for everyone. God so loved us that He sent this baby to bring us the answers to the questions that now fill our minds. Our hope, our comfort, and our joy must be found in this baby. What will we do with Him? Let us rejoice and be glad in Him and in all babies everywhere. Let us let them speak to us of our world with a future as God has planned it.

May you wrestle with this question for yourself, and may you find God's answer to you in the joy of this blessed season.

Prayer: Loving God, for generations we have struggled to know what to do with this baby. Open our hearts and minds to receive Him and to welcome Him. Show us how to let Him lead us to peace and to salvation. Amen.

It has been a very long time — almost three years — since I have written for the Daily. I have been through a "spot of bother", have moved and have begun a new ministry with two new congregations. I have been quite busy and have felt not only that I did not have time to write, but also that I was dried up and had nothing to say to such a widespread following as the Daily has. I wanted to get back to writing, and felt guilty that I was not doing so, particularly when I find so much help, understanding and encouragement from the writings of everyone else.

Today when I came into the church, several Daily devotionals were printed and on my desk for me to read. I did so, and offered God the prayer requests, and suddenly the blockage was lifted and I had to write. The two catalysts that did this were a series of messages about God's promise in the rainbow and then the music of "Here I am, Lord".

That music was played quietly in the church as I knelt to be ordained, and this morning it reminded me not only of all God had done as he led my ministry, but also that he is still there saying, "Whom shall I send?"

God calls each one of us — not in the same way, not to the same thing — but He does call. When you hear or are reminded He is calling will you — can you — say with me, "Here am I. Send me!"?

The harvest is ready and the labourers are few. God is calling each of us today to some task big or small to be done in his name. Answering his call, we will know the joy of walking with God.

Prayer: Lord of love and life, who calls each one each day to tasks for you, speak so we may understand. Bless our faltering efforts when we strive for obedience and yet are afraid. For we will say, "I will go. I will hold your people in my heart, if you will lead me and hold my hand in yours." In Jesus' name. Amen.

Recently it was time for my six-month check-up with the dentist. To have this check-up I must travel many miles. Why? Because I have a hereditary gum condition that is very rare, and treatment for it is only experimental. Trips to the dentist for me are rarely pleasant and I tend to be very apprehensive of them.

This time was no different. I expected to feel a great deal of pain and to be a very long time with the dentist. Because of the distance I must travel to get this man's experience, he makes sure all that needs to be done is accomplished in a single trip.

The day was bright and the sun was shining all around us. However, on the horizon to the southeast there was a clump of dark, angry clouds. Suddenly, my husband said, "Mary, look!" Right across that angry cloud face was the most beautiful rainbow. Suddenly I had perfect peace. God had once more shown us his covenant promise, and I knew it would be all right.

We have a God who loves us and who understands our tensions and our fears, and it is amazing the way he often does things that give us rest and peace. Jesus promised that if we place our trust in God our burdens will ease and our load will be light.

As living proof that God is in his promises, I had the best dental check-up I have had in over five years. Instead of being with the dentist anywhere up to five or six hours, I had my teeth cleaned, my gum problem checked, and I was away in less than an hour. God gave us his promise on the road and he filled it to perfection. What a mighty God we serve!

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the wonderful way you not only take our burdens on yourself but you show us visibly that you have taken them. We praise you. Continue to walk with us and show us your way. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Living in Northern Ontario, I had occasion about a week ago, to travel even further north to a meeting. The day was warm, sometimes overcast, sometimes brilliantly sunny. Since I was not driving, I was in the passenger side of the car dozing fitfully. As we passed a wooded area, on the dead branch of a tree sat a magnificent bald eagle. One has only to see one of these wonderful birds to stare in awe and wonder at their majesty and power: the great eye that misses nothing, the white head and tail that gleam in the sunlight, the mighty wings that allow it to swoop and soar on the wind, and the great talons that lift considerable weight.

The scriptures, particularly the Psalms, refer often to the eagle. Both Psalm 90 and 91 can only refer to these powerful creatures. In these Psalms God is likened unto the great eagle. The author of these writings sees and understands the love and protection, the might and power of God for all of His creation, and the likeness is very real when one actually sees the bird. We spent the balance of our trip discussing how God lifts us up on eagles' wings: how he protects and loves us as the eagle protects and loves its young; and how we can, as we are told by the prophet Isaiah, soar on eagles' wings. We can "run and not grow weary", we can "walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

As we go about our daily tasks, wherever we are in the world, let us look around and see the glory of our loving God reflected in all that He has created.

Prayer: God of power and might, you reveal yourself to us in your creation. We thank you that we have eyes to see and ears to hear the wonders of our world, and through them to see the hand that made them. Thank you, Lord. Amen.