The Divine

By Norma Vera –

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch  over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:8-11 KJV).

Placide Clappeau a French wine merchant wrote the song “O Holy Night” in 1847. The lyrics of his chorus ask us to fall on our knees and acknowledge this great event (Christ’s birth): “Fall on your knees, O hear the angels voices, O Night Divine, O night when Christ was born!”

In his book Then Sang My Soul, Robert Morgan said, “How odd it was that a wine merchant, a penniless Parisian, and liberal clergyman should give Christianity one of its holiest hymns about the birth of Jesus Christ the Savior of the world.”

God’s wisdom is full of the unexpected, whether it is lowly shepherds receiving the Angel’s announcement of the birth of Christ, or a French wine merchant writing a holy song.

Before the angels sang, it was just an ordinary night, nothing special or remarkable about it. What made it divine was the visitation. It is always His visitation that changes the ordinary into extraordinary and the common man to a vessel of honor.

There Is None Good But God!

By Norma Vera –

Have you ever noticed how some things look so good in the dark? Like the
“Las Vegas Strip” for example, its eye-catching beauty lure men toward
it. Its outward extravagance is only a facade to conceal its inward
deception.

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Something Mighty is Behind the Pain!

By Norma Vera –

Many years ago, my mother died and then my husband divorced me.  Those
days were filled with pain. I thought I would never heal. I felt like I
was swimming upstream or against a current it took so much out of me.

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Beautiful Snow

By Norma Vera

Sitting by my window trying to write next month’s article, I am fascinated by the snow coming down over the West Texas Plains. Running through my mind is a poem written by a young unknown writer. She died broken and alone during the early part of the Civil War. Among her manuscripts was found the poem, “Beautiful Snow”.
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Seasons And The Church

By Norma Vera

I read an article by Kelly Bailey about the beauty that comes from the death of fall. I considered her concept and realized seasons speak volumes of Christ and His Church.

Spring comes gently stretching from her yearly nap with yawns of daffodils, and buttercups. Her anointing grace causes everything to bloom. The smells of Jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossoms fill the air. Releasing a mist of puppy love she sings, “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” All nature joins the chores as a new generation is born. With roars of laughter, she dances in the rain celebrating Life. When
finished she tags the hand of summer and goes to sleep.

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