Miracles on 34th Street

Yes, I know that Christmas has passed. But you've seen it haven't you? It's a classic movie called "Miracle on 34th Street". Of course it has a happy ending as a gentleman who works in Macy's with the name Kris Kringle proves to be none other than Santa.

Last month, I happened to actually be on 34th street with a couple of co-workers and went with them to Macy's. The Christmas window decorations were fascinating. The crowd was captivated by the moving figures, the glamor, and the wonder of it all, and so was I.

However, the memories that are etched in my mind from that day spark emotions that rain upon holiday cheer. We saw an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk layered in winter gear. Her tattered cardboard sign said "mother & son homeless." There was no son in sight. Touched by the scene, we gave her money.

As we walked that short distance of only a few blocks, we saw homeless people here, and another there. It had been a while since I visited the city. I was not prepared. I should have had more dollars ready to distribute. I was not prepared to see people lying on the street on top of flattened cardboard boxes in the winter.

While waiting for the train to leave the city, a woman neatly dressed, perhaps in her sixties said hello and smiled. Her makeup was excessive, almost clownish. "Do you have money or food" she asked through her painted lips. "I'm pregnant", she said. I gave her the unopened snacks I had taken with me that day.

I prayed, knowing I had not done enough, nor could I do enough for the people that needed help that day. But what would the world be like if each of us did what we could to help at least one person each day? There would surely be more miracles on 34th Street! Maybe even the people on your street are waiting for a miracle! How will you respond?.

““Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:37-40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Resolution Revolution

For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11]

Although many years ago I was actually an event planner, I have always found myself planning and organizing - at work, at church, at home, helping friends plan their events. So naturally, come New Year's, I'm excited to make resolutions. After all, a resolution is merely a "plan" by another name.

Enter 2018. A new beginning. The old has gone, the new has come [2 Corinthians 5:17]. A fresh start. No doubt you made a list of how much weight you want to lose, how much money you plan on saving. If you're like me, you've probably created a very well thought out, comprehensive outline - bullets, numbers, and all - of projects for the year, places to explore, books to read, which organizations I will volunteer my time to, how many verses I will commit to memory, credit accounts to pay off, save money, get more sleep, eat better, exercise, lose weight. Resolutions I aim to keep this year no matter what! 

Ahhh...but I forgot the most important point: It doesn't matter how carefully I plan out the year if I don't first consult with my Father. How many times in life didn't I stay up thinking about what I'd say if so and so says this, what I would do if so and so says that?

Woe to the obstinate...those who carry out plans that are not mine...[Isaiah 30:1]. Not once did it go as I planned because In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps [Proverbs 26:9

Besides, "Father knows best" and He will always have my best interests at heart. I know and believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him [Romans 8:28].  Even when things didn't go my way or they didn't go well at all, God always brought me out of it shining and better than before.  Another important point I mustn't overlook when making and trying to keep resolutions is that God is all-knowing. So even before the light bulb goes off in my head, He knows, because all the days ordained for me were written in the book before one of them came to be [Psalm 139:16]. 

In fact, the more I think about it, the less I need to make resolutions. After all, I'm already certain that by leaving it up to the Lord, and acknowledging Him in all ways, He will make my paths straight [Proverbs 3:6]. The Lord actually tells me in Proverbs 4:11, "I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths" - therefore, how can I go wrong?

So I've decided that this year I will not be keeping any resolutions. I will simply commit to the Lord whatever I do, and my plans will succeed. [Proverbs 16:3].

Won't you do the same? Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. [Job 22:21] Written by Louisa Guzman

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I Don't Wanna Grow Up

“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid!” You’re familiar with the jingle, right? I’ve always been a big kid at heart and still often see the world through a kid’s eye.  But what’s so wrong with that? After all, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [Matthew 19:14].

Christmastime, especially brings out the child in me.  While I don't particularly love shopping (that's for grownups), I do love wrapping gifts, am happy giving them, and even more thrilled by the reaction of those often forgotten: the bus driver who returns my "good morning", the nail salon lady, the cashier at the supermarket whose register I always go to because she smiles as she rings me up, the crossing guard, my "train friend" who I have a 2 minute conversation with every morning before we each retreat to our phones during the long ride to work (Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [Hebrews 13:2]).

Like a child, all throughout the holiday season I marvel at the decorated houses and streets with lit up trees. Each light reminding me of the countless stars in the sky, I imagine following one of them to the manger to find the baby Jesus.

You can bet that from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve I'm listening and singing along to Christmas music all day long. And while my favorites, like "Carol of the Bells" still make me smile, the one that chokes me up every time is "Oh! Holy Night", declaring that Christmas is "the night of our dear Savior's birth...oh night divine". Oh yes! As the song reminds us, "Christ is the Lord...fall on your knees...forever praise Him".

This Christmas, instead of getting "wrapped up" in all  the craziness and stress, "re-gift" yourself the greatest gift of all: Jesus! Delight in the Savior's arrival [Luke 1:11], marvel at the wonder of His birth, sing and dance with joy that Jesus is the reason for the season.

So grab your bible and a blanket. Sit on the floor in front of your Christmas tree and gaze at the lights.   Read aloud the original "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in Luke 1:26-42 and Luke 2:1-19. Imagine placing your finger in Jesus' tiny baby hand. Keep it there and take the magic of Christmas with you all year long.

Be like the little children sitting at Jesus' feet, "because unless you change and become

like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." [Matthew 18:3]

Written by Louisa Guzman