Psalm 37:23-24 – The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. (NASB)

In the dining room of our assisted living facility, one of my tablemates told me that she had recently received instructions from her physician to begin an exercise and diet program. She was assigned a dietician who recommended a step exercise routine.

The initial objective of the step program was set at 10,000 steps a day. However, depending on prior physical activity, benefit is optimized when the body increases endurance one step at a time.

My friend began her walking exercise with the goal of 2,000 steps a day. Each day had its own challenges; some days she would do more steps, and other days fewer, with the aim of getting to the final goal or rising above it.

With the incremental increase of my physical challenges, I, too, am learning to take one step at a time.

Zechariah 4:10a – Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. (NLT)

This experience caused me to consider my personal spiritual growth. This is not optional or marginal in the Christian life. God is not done with His work when we first believe and are saved. He intends to shape us into the image of Christ day by day. Every person who is obedient to the Spirit of Christ is increasingly transformed into His likeness.

Philippians 1:6 – And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT)

Consider this: How are we progressing in our own spiritual growth?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, assist us to grow through prayer, becoming students of Your Word, sharing the blessings of our spirituality, and giving You the glory by our speech, behaviour, and worship. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

One Christmas season, our church's Celebration Choir was introduced to a song entitled, "Mary, Did You Know?" which became very popular in both the spiritual and secular worlds. The words were written by Mark Lowry in 1984 as part of the script for a Christmas play. Several years later, Buddy Greene set the words to music, and the song can be found on YouTube.

While reflecting on the lyrics of this beautiful song, I thought about the interesting concept behind the songwriter's imagination. As if he were a reporter, the author asks Mary how much she knew of God's great plan for her Son's ministry. Listening to his profound questions, I began thinking of what Mary would actually have known. She was undoubtedly aware of Isaiah's prophecy:

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (NASB)

From what the angel Gabriel explained, Mary knew that her child would be the Son of the Most High and that He would be a King who would reign on the throne of David forever. Moreover, she also knew what the angel of the Lord later told Joseph:

Matthew 1:21 – She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (NASB)

Mary responds to the blessing that she is given by magnifying God through a great song of praise, which reminds us to beware of worldly riches and power. By reversing the strengths of this world, God exalts the lowly and pulls down the mighty. We are to watch out for anything that makes us feel strong and self-sufficient, and to be vigilant to keep a posture of spiritual dependency.

Like Mary, if we ponder these things in our hearts, we can expect to gain new insights — a fresh look at the gospel and what Christ's coming into the world means to us personally.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the profound blessing of sending Your Son into the world to grant us salvation and to reveal Your plan for our lives. As we celebrate Your birth this Christmas, help us to spend time to praise and glorify You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)

Giving thanks in everything has taken on new significance for me in the past year, as my life has changed with the inability to walk. This status has resulted in the advancement of my prayer life to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord.

My prayers may go from requesting daily guidance as to what I say to others, to leading me to those to whom I will speak, while thanking Him for His carrying out these requests.

Then, there are times when I am distraught by the many seemingly overwhelming physical changes that progress as one ages. I fervently ask God for His comfort and peace, which He faithfully provides. It is so amazing to experience how I have become more effective in interfacing with others. Praise God!

Consider this: how often do we thank God for His blessings? We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. A regular time for giving thanks will make a difference in developing a more intimate relationship with God through prayer.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You with thanksgiving and praise for the many powerful blessings that You have given us. Forgive us for those times when we don't thank You enough. Help us to redirect our eyes and our hearts on You afresh. Renew our spirits, and fill us with Your love and peace. We love You and give You all the praise and glory, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Interestingly, Jesus used the fig tree as a symbol of His return:

Matthew 24:32-33 – Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. (NASB)

As a minister of the gospel, my dad was keenly aware of end-time events predicted in Scripture. Perhaps that is why he was so partial to the fig tree. He believed that its prophetic fruit was beginning to blossom. Like many believers, he associated the fig tree with the nation of Israel; therefore, he encouraged his church to observe the things that were happening in connection to the holy land. Several remarkable modern events are among the historical instances of developments that show some evidence of having been foreshadowed in biblical prophecies. Consider the following:

Isaiah 66:8 – Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. (NASB)

Israel was re-established as a nation on May 14, 1948.

Isaiah 43:5-6 – Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, "Give them up!" And to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth. (NASB)

Jewish people have been re-gathered from the four corners of the earth.

Ezekiel 36:34 – The desolate land will be cultivated instead of being a desolation in the sight of everyone who passes by. (NASB)

The nation of Israel has become a land of agricultural abundance.

Psalm 83:4 – They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." (NASB)

Other nations have regularly threatened Israel's existence.

But what does all this have to do with us?

Matthew 24:44 – Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (NKJV)

We are called to watch and pray for knowledge of things currently taking place in our world. We are to read the Word of God and to join with others in studying the Bible, seeking to discern the signs of our times, and to be ready for the events yet to take place in the end times.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You with thanksgiving for the hope that You have instilled in us by the Holy Spirit. Help us to draw close to You each day for the encouragement and strength that You provide. Give us Your power to live in these days of unrest. Assist us to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. Give us the boldness to witness to those who have not yet come to know You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

It was a cold Christmas Eve. I found myself very comfortable within the lobby of my assisted living residence, conversing with staff members who were on duty. In the corner of a small sitting area, a highly customized manger scene had been developed — it was the first year that it had appeared.

During the course of the evening, there was a call from the owners of the facility with the request to "put the Babe in the manger." Discussion ensued as to when to place the Babe in the manger — no one seemed to know. I was asked for my opinion. I was familiar with the tradition of some churches to place the Baby Jesus in the manager at midnight – not beforehand – since Christ had not yet come. But on Christmas Day, the Babe is placed in the manger as part of the celebration of Messiah's coming. So in our facility, we decided to follow that custom.

Reflecting on this tradition, I am reminded that God's Son came to us just at the right time — not a moment too soon or too late, but rather in accordance with His divine plan. Nothing was by accident.

Galatians 4:4 – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law. (ESV)

Everything happened in fulfillment of Scripture. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town whose name in Hebrew means "house of bread". But the people of Israel did not understand that He was the Bread of Life. His crib was a manger, a feeding trough, and He was wrapped in strips of cloth, so they did not recognize Him as the new King and God incarnate. He entered this world in an utterly dependent state, demonstrating an act of humility, a trait which characterized His entire earthly life — for example, when He washed the disciples' feet.

How different Christmas can be for us if we take some time to reflect on the Babe in the manger instead of our worldly cares. How has His birth touched our lives? Does God's love — the very reason for Christ's coming into the world — fill us with the real joy of Christmas? Will we have taken time to let God's love fill us with the real joy of Christmas? If so, then we will be able to experience the same transformation that affected the shepherds, the wise men, and all the others who came to the manger.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly adore and thank You for having so humbled Yourself for our salvation as to will to be born in a stable. We thank You for showing us the ways to be humble by Your example while You were here on earth. Help us to approach our daily tasks and service with humility and grace. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

The pace of activity has picked up tremendously at Arcadia Gardens. It all started with the daily hammering of wooden spikes in the courtyard. These preparations begin annually in October, as the property is transformed into formations with an overabundance of light.

Strings of lights are draped along the rows of balconies on several levels, above a giant pinwheel of lights on the lawn, surrounded by white reindeer walking along a trail that leads to a 24-foot tree decorated with a myriad of lights and a star adorning the top. Other reindeer are grazing on a trail that leads to a smaller tree laden with white lights.

During the first week in December, the transformations and images of light are revealed at an open house celebration. Residents, their relatives, and friends are invited to enjoy the efforts of a brilliant plan and execution of the overall project by the owner and his crew. Gracious oohs and aahs that emanate from the guests can be heard at the opening and throughout the month of December.

In the Bible, light has been associated with the presence, truth, and redemptive activity of God since creation:

Genesis 1:3-4 – Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. (NASB)

The New Testament carries on with this theme:

1 John 1:5 – This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (NASB)

Jesus and the New Testament writers extended the figure of light to include faithful Christian witnesses:

Matthew 5:14-16 – Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (MSG)

Ephesians 5:8 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (NIV)

Our challenge: Are we shining the light given to us as children of light? Or, without the love of the Father of lights, are we still in darkness? We can accept Jesus today and become children of God who live in the light.

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for transforming us into Your children of light. Empower us to be faithful witnesses by living out Your message of love and forgiveness. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Every year at this time, memories of family get-togethers at my sister's home flood my mind. For a period of fifteen years, we would travel north from Pasadena, to Fresno, California, USA, to spend the American Thanksgiving holiday together. Before we set out for the trip, dad would say a prayer asking for divine safety. Memories of the car loaded with our belongings and delicious provisions lovingly prepared by my mother become very vivid; we were looking forward to sharing our enjoyment with the entire family. Arriving at our destination, we became so enriched by seeing those faces that we loved so much. As we gathered around the table giving our heartfelt thanks for life's bountiful blessings, our souls were filled with divine peace.

Although much has changed since then, I still have much to be grateful for. The godly example of my parents was instrumental in helping me to grow up with an attitude of thankfulness and a recognition of God's blessings, both small and great, in the many countless ways that He has provided. Many of us, however, as we receive more and more blessings, have a tendency to take them for granted; we become so accustomed to our blessings that we can lose our sense of gratitude.

Giving thanks is not optional. My thoughts take me to the biblical story of the ten lepers who were healed by Jesus:

Luke 17:15-19 – One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you." (NLT)

We learn from this incident that we should be thankful for Jesus' compassion. The Samaritan leper who went back to Jesus received a special blessing that glorious day.

So, what is our attitude regarding thankfulness for all the blessings that we receive from the Lord each day? How can we share those blessings with others? The lepers were considered outcasts in their communities, yet Jesus loved them. Let us reach out in our own neighbourhoods, churches, and communities, and be willing to help those in need. Having a thankful spirit will produce untold blessings, not only for ourselves, but for the people around us as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we come to You with hearts full of thanks for all the blessings that we receive from Your holy Word. Most of all, we thank You for Your Son Jesus Who, through His death on the cross, gave us victory over the grave. We praise You for the gift of eternal life, and for the Holy Spirit Who guides us throughout this earthly journey. We ask for blessings on our loved ones and those who are less fortunate. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.