Isaiah 9: 6-7 God's Promise

Mother's Love by Akiane 

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit! 

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on His shoulders.

And He will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!

Isaiah 9:6-7

Tis the Season every day of our lives on this earth and in the Heavens. Once when I heard that the first gift of Christmas was baby Jesus, I knew that I would walk the path of the young shepherd. Humbly coming before Him with nothing to offer. Humbly on my knees with the awe of God bursting within my heart, my mind, and my soul.

Living out the truth of God's gift to us is daunting, joyous, and gracious. Being grateful unto Mama Mary and Joseph is like trying to grasp water... how do you thank Abba for the depth of their faith or their willingness to carry out His will with unconditional expectations? To what level of thanksgiving am I willing to follow in their footsteps with everyone that crosses my path?

Sometimes, well sometimes we are not gracious, kind, or humble. Yet, our Lord and Savior continues to love you and me. He promises to see us through to completion. And one day... we will be with Him! Therefore... we walk by faith with His grace and mercy. 

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

The angel said to them,

 “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 

“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

Luke 2: 8-19

For a few moments ponder our first gift of Christmas:

      

    

Blessings to All

100 Names of Mary by Anthony F Chiffolo

100 names of Mary: Stories and Prayers

by Anthony F Chiffolo

ISBN: 0867164417

The rise of the scientific method and of death-of-God theology has done nothing to dim the luster of the mother of Jesus Christ; if anything, reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary have increased in frequency and urgency since 1900. Chiffolo, author of books on Padre Pio and other Catholic subjects, has created a highly devout and useful guide to 100 of her "names": not limited to the Rosa Mystica or Our Lady of Guadalupe, it includes Our Lady of Akita and Our Lady of Zhyrovytsi. Astonishing in their variety, these stories and prayers should intrigue the Catholic and non-Catholic reader alike. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Library Journal Review

Little did I know that I would embark on a journey with Mama Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ ,once I began reading about a visitation in 1981 at a place called Kibeho. Mary's appearance would bring many a peace in which to endure, a deeper faith, and hope through an urgent message for everyone's repentance long before the bloody 1994 genocide that swept across Rwanda and left more than a million people dead. In 1981, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ appeared to eight young people in this remote village. Their stories devastated my heart, their stories ignited questions, and their stories sent me on a pilgrimage to know more about Mary's messages.

100 Names of Mary has provided an excellent foundation as to the historical appearances of Mary. The messages she proclaimed and her steadfast compassion to bring all people back to God's son Jesus Christ. Anthony F. Chiffolo has documented Mary's various names (those associated with each appearance) as short vignettes that are easy to read, and yet deeply stirring in which you will ponder over and over again Mary's calling. 

Knowing Mary beyond the nativity has enriched by spiritual peacefulness. I was so stunned to discover that Mary's appearances came prior to a devastation or as an answer to prayers for God's intervention. I did not know that her message is clearly spoken to all people... not just believers and not just Catholics! That she repeatedly calls us to repent and accept the love of Jesus Christ and God's desire to be "our Father who art in Heaven."

Please make time to journey with Mary. Open your heart to her messages. And know that you are so deeply loved by Abba (God our Father) that He sent his only son to give us forgiveness and an eternity with Him. That he continues to send Mary to intercede and to remind us that we are not forgotten... 

His Mother, Our Mother

A link for your journey....