Zephaniah 3:17 – For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (NLT)

The phrase "take delight in you with gladness" haunted me. I wondered over and over how the Lord God takes delight in me with gladness. Recently, a face-to-face conversation with a neighbour showed me how He might do that.

I was surprised to see her with a nine-week-old puppy: tiny, wriggling, big-eyed, cute, and wrapped in her arms with a fleece baby blanket. She enthused in great detail over her new "baby" as she let me hold him for a minute. She commented that even the necessary middle-of-the-night trips outside were a joy.

Confronted unexpectedly with the positive gush of the caregiver-baby bond, I asked the Holy Spirit, Is this what you want me to remember in future when I ponder "He will take delight in you with gladness"?

Yes!

Going into Advent this year, as a mother, I can only imagine the love that Mary had for her newborn baby, Jesus. And as great as mother-love is, it is miniscule in comparison to how my God, Lord, and Saviour cherishes me and you! That idea challenges me to sift through the disappointing memories of my life and re-evaluate what I thought that God was doing while things were painful, sharp, cold, hard, and tough. It is amazing to me now, when I recall those events, I feel His embrace and the warm fuzzy blanket that He provided then and continues to provide now.

This year during Advent, as we think about the love that God showered upon the human race in Baby Jesus, let us consider how God cherishes each one of us. If you are uncertain of His cherishing, ask Him for a demonstration. Revelations of His love are life-changing gifts.

Prayer: Father in heaven, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, we ask for ever-increasing wisdom and understanding in our knowledge of You and how You love us. Help us to realize and remember how You cherish each one of us through Jesus. Help us to show others Your kind of cherishing. Amen.

A fellow Sunday School teacher says that she gets more out of Sunday School than the children do. This devotional is about one of those experiences.

Recently, while teaching Sunday School, I watched a second-grade student working on her response to the Bible story for the day. As she attempted to print the correct spelling of "Jesus", she glanced up for assistance, so I said, "J E S – U S. It looks like 'Yes – us'."

"Yes – us" stuck in my brain overnight. The next morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God's "Yes" for "us" speaks of the universality of our Father's love for us. God's love is for all of us, available to anyone. It is there for the taking. Taking God's love to heart, though, requires first of all, an awareness of it, and secondly, trust in His desire to give it.

Then, the Holy Spirit got personal: "Change 'Yes – us' to 'Yes – me'." Then in one of those moments of quiet understanding, a list of hard words spoken about me in childhood scoldings, along with others spoken through the years with anger, came into my conscious mind. Uncomplimentary labels like "messy", "slow", "inconsiderate", and others that I had internalized from life experiences, especially from the impressionable years of childhood, were vaporized in a revised impression of myself as someone in whom God takes great delight. Despite every other opinion to the contrary, God's "Yes!" is a vote of confidence, affirmation, and supreme love!

At the time, my granddaughter was making the transition from crawling to walking. I had spent time with her providing her with "sky hooks", holding her hands as she perfected her steps and grew in her skills to the point that she could walk as fast as she could crawl. I sensed the same joy from God for me as the delight that I felt in fellowship with her as we walked. Joy from God with me and for me was a given, but I had been hindered in taking it to heart by what I had unconsciously believed about myself, based on words expressed long ago by significant others in my life. God said to me, "My love delights over you in same way that you delight over your eleven-month-old granddaughter. Come for hugs from Me like she seeks hugs from you."

My "Yes – me, He really loves me" moment was a "metanoia", a repentance, a change of mind, an instant and complete reversal of attitude.

Yes, I have forgiven the people who offered those adjectives. I have taken "Child in whom God delights" as my new label.

What a sobering thought! Others' evaluations of us, planted in our unconscious mind, can become barriers to our full understanding of God's love. Our hard evaluations of others and ourselves can hinder the fresh start that God has already provided through Jesus! Forgiving takes on whole new meaning.

How are you when faced with infinite love: denying or joyous?

Prayer: Father in heaven, help us to take to heart Your thoughts and ways. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we ask. Amen.

John 1:12-13 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (NKJV)

One morning in March as I stepped out my front door, I was greeted with "Dr-eee!" — the territorial call of a red-winged blackbird. That first "Dr-eee" was echoed by at least three more.

On our wetlands, the song of a red-winged blackbird heard in March is good news, a sure harbinger of spring. Imagine my delight at hearing the evidence of something that I had cherished with hope through the harsh months of winter!

My morning walk is a time for stillness of soul waiting for intuitions and nudges from the Holy Spirit.

As I strode away from the house, I was quickly reminded of our joy at first hearing any good news after a time of doubt, gloom, and adversity. Then, I recalled the reassurance of my most-trusted good news: important Scripture passages that apply to everyone in the world and how I have reworded them to express what they mean to me:

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved me that He gave me His only begotten Son, that as I believe in Him, I should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn me, but that through Him, I might be saved.

John 1:12-13 – But as I have received Him, to me He gave the right to become a child of God, to me who believes in His name: who was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The mystery of being one of God's beloved children living now on earth and forever in His kingdom is mine to announce, just as the red-wing blackbirds proclaimed their presence and the coming of spring from the trees in the swamp that morning.

I wonder what else could draw our attention to God's good news and trigger us to sing it out?

Prayer: Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, we ask that You would make us constantly aware of the evidence of Your good news everywhere in creation. Help us to help others to hear Your good news. Amen.

Lectio Divina is an opportunity to hear and respond to a Bible passage where the leader reads the passage aloud three times, and the listeners have a different task with each presentation.

First reading: Listen for a word or a phrase that is impressive, then hold the word or phrase in your thoughts.

Second reading: Connect that impressive thought with a present life situation to which the Scripture relates, and give a silent prayer.

Third reading: Reflect on the personal invitation from God in the Scripture, and respond with prayer or writing.

Here is the reading from that evening. As you read it today, stay tuned for the word or phrase that is impressive to you. If you can, do the second and third readings and tasks. Jesus is speaking:

John 10:3-5,7b,9b-12,14-15 – The watchman opens the gate for [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.

I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)

When "He calls his own sheep by name" was read aloud at my Bible study, I came to attention as if I had heard my name. God invited me during that Lectio Divina experience to place complete trust in Him. He reminded me of who He says I am and His powerful love for me. I took it right to heart and put some uncertainties out of my mind.

When we come to Scripture, let us open ourselves to hear God's invitation for us in that moment. Let us give the words a few moments to sink in. I find that it pays to let the Word work like yeast in my life.

Prayer: Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we seek the full life that He came to bring. Help us to keep our hearts open to hear His voice. Amen.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

What Havergal expressed in her poem fit my sentiment for the new year, and one phrase, "witness for Thy love", jumped into my consciousness right off the computer screen as an answer to prayer.

During the month prior to Christmas, I had sensed an intuitive Holy Spirit "nudge" which seemed to communicate, "Pay attention!" I had been waiting for an answer to my question in response: "How do You want me to pay attention to You, Lord?"

The phrase "witness for Thy love" summed up the list of things for my attention and the best ways to serve the Lord: to praise Him; to cultivate a sense of His presence, mercies, grace, and faithfulness; to respond to life with joy, trust, and happy, quiet rest; and to stay curious about the next new or wonderful revelation coming through the Holy Spirit.

Many of my prayers since New Year's Day have been, "Lord, show me Your love here." Each time, I have seen, felt, heard, tasted, or smelled an answer. I have received more hugs, heard more affirming words, noticed more fresh flowers, found more that's wonderful in my personal Bible and prayer time, enjoyed food and exercise, marvelled at birds in flight, been awed by sunlight's reflection on a snow-covered landscape, and much more!

The experience brought these Scriptures to mind:

Proverbs 4:20-23 – Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. (MSG)

John 10:10b – [Jesus said:] I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (AMP)

Please, try out the prayer: "Lord, show me Your love here."

Prayer: Father, in heaven, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, we ask: may we be attentive to Your love and generous to share it with others. Amen.

Luke 2:9-11,13-14,20 – Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 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." … The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (NLT)

When God shows His glory, He discloses Himself as present with powerful, indisputable love, aiming to provide wholeness in His creation. His glory makes us recognize Him for Who He is. When we see His glory, it leaves such an impression that we respond with worship. To hold God in reverent awe for His goodness to us through Jesus our Messiah and Saviour is to glorify Him.

One loving display of God's glory was to the shepherds at the time of Jesus' birth. The supreme display of His divine self-disclosure came at the cross, when Jesus took and paid for all the consequence of creation's broken relationship with the Creator. Jesus makes it completely possible for anyone who seeks it, to share in knowing God's powerful love, hope-filling presence, and salvation. That is the peace on earth that the angels proclaimed.

The story of the angels with the shepherds sends me to adore my Maker and to look for ways to reflect His loving, kind nature, kingdom, and glory.

Where do you see the glory of God? What triggers you to worship, especially in this Advent season?

Prayer: Father in heaven, giver of amazing grace, help us, we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, to keep our hearts open to Your glory. Amen.

Nina pointed out that because most of the leaves were off the trees that day, when roadside trees cast shadows on the country roads, the trunks and branches made wide and narrow strips of light and shadow on the pavement for our cars to travel over as we drove by. She said that the light patterns on the roads reminded her of the laser scanners and barcodes used for prices on goods in stores. In her delight in the varying shades of light on the road, she named the patterns "Barcodes of Blessing".

After we parted, I began watching the Barcodes of Blessing as I drove home. I found my thoughts turning to "light", and began to think of Jesus, God's Word. These memorized Scripture passages came to mind:

John 8:12 – Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (NLT)

John 1:1-5 – In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (NLT)

With each Barcode of Blessing I passed on the seventeen-kilometre trip home, I watched the play of light and shadow on the road and sang songs of praise to the Lord. I must say that all the concerns of the day went "poof" while I glorified God as I drove. Those concerns became joyous details and small jobs that brought a sense of accomplishment when I returned my attention to them later.

What reminds you to consider Jesus? He is the light that brings life and joy!

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for all the times when we meet in fellowship with other believers. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we ask You to focus our attention on Him during the everyday moments of our lives, so that we may live in His light, which gives abundant life to us. Amen.