Cherish the Baby, Cherish His Presence
Christmas, the preparation, the anticipation, the excitement, the joyfulness …the tiredness.
It all passes, in a whirl wind, like many of our daily activities. Which is why I am so thankful for small children and their ability to take in the moments with such abandonment and faith.
My granddaughter reminded me of this on Christmas Eve. After the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, our families take pictures in front of the congregational Christmas tree. A fury of gathering everyone together, getting them situated and smiling all at the same time, quite a feat! But after all that my granddaughter approaches the manger in front of the tree, gathers up baby Jesus, gently hugs him, kisses his forehead, and ever so gently returns him to the manger.
My granddaughter was speaking to the baby, which I could nothear, perhaps she was wishing him a Happy Birthday, I do not know .
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Which made me think, do we pause to cherish that baby who came down from Heaven? Do we gather up our Bible, gently turning the pages to read His Word? Do we open our ears and heart to His Word as it is proclaimed from the pulpit? Are westrengthened as Jesus feeds us with the Lord’s supper? Do you feel His love as He marks us as one of His children through Holy Baptism? Do we pause to cherish His Prescence?
Mark 10:15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
In this new year, I pray, we pause and cherish, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, in every moment.
VPDA CENTRAL DISTRICT
Annette Borchardt
Serving in His Strength” is a blog
published by the Member Development Committee of
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc.
Lutheranwomen.ca
2026