Blessed Christmas!

Our prayer is that the presence of Jesus be with you and fill you with hope, peace, and love! In a year of trouble, sorrow, isolation, and loss, our prayer is that you can experience the presence of Immanuel, God with us! All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:22-23). 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. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:1-18 NLT). May your greatest blessings this Christmas be the family and friends gathered around you, the memories of past Christmases where grace abounded, and your steadfast faith that the One Who came as Immanuel is coming again! Special thanks for the use of images related to Jesus’ ministry from The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images. About the author: Phil Ware has authored 11 years of daily devotionals, including VerseoftheDay.com, read by 500,000 people a day. He works with churches in transition with Interim Ministry Partners and for the past 21+ years, he has been editor and president of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, author of VerseoftheDay.com, God’s Holy Fire (on the Holy Spirit), and aYearwithJesus.com. Phil has also authored four books, daily devotionals on each of the four gospels.

Daily Prayer for December 24

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10–11, 13–14, NIV Lord God, our Father in heaven, you have sent us the Savior, who was born to bring great joy to all people. Glorify your name, we pray. Give the world the peace you alone can give, the peace that wells up in our hearts. Let your favor rest on us so that we may hold out under our sufferings on earth. We need your loving help to remain inwardly steadfast until everyone can be reached by the message, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.” Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Carol of the Birds Marianne Wright Listen to a carol that Pablo Casals considered one of the most beautiful melodies ever created. Read now The Legend of the Christmas Rose Selma Lagerlöf In this Christmas story, an outcast family of robbers, a sympathetic abbot, and a hard-hearted lay brother witness a miracle. Read now God’s Wisdom Made Visible Elizabeth Lev Giotto di Bondone’s Nativity was a revolutionary work in its time. Read now Caroling to Neighbors Bethany Joy Hebbard Caroling with children may feel awkward, but it’s a great way to share Christmas with neighbors – and to recall Mary and Joseph going door to door. Read now The Child Who Turned the World Upside-Down Sigrid Undset The devil, no matter his disguise, is no match for Mary’s son. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 17

For it was life which appeared before us: we saw it, we are eyewitnesses of it, and are now writing to you about it. It was the very life of all ages, the life that has always existed with the Father, which actually became visible in person to us mortal men. 1 John 1:2, Phillips Lord our God, we thank you that you have given us the light of life, that we can now learn how to live, and that through your great grace we may understand life in direct relationship with the Lord Jesus, who was crucified and who rose from the dead. Grant that the power of Christ may be made visible in us. Grant that his life may become our life, that we may leave behind all doubts and anxiety, even though we are often surrounded by darkness and night. Keep us in your Word. Let your will hold sway over all the world, for your will must be done in heaven, on earth, and down to the lowest depths. Let your will be done on earth as in all the heavens. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Children of Terabithia Caitrin Keiper What is there of beauty in losing an unborn baby? Read now Six Ways to Resist the Machine Paul Kingsnorth The technological mindset is corrupting our souls. It’s time to fight. Read now My Mother’s Hidden Radiance Brandon Vaidyanathan For years, her mental illness kept me from seeing her beauty. Read now Dogs, Deer, Herons, and the Promise of Beauty Peter Mommsen Beauty, says the French novelist Stendhal, is the promise of joy. But is it a promise we can trust? Read now Living on Manger Street Stephanie Saldaña A current resident of Bethlehem on the meaning of Advent in a country at war. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 8

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7– 8, NIV Father in heaven, we surrender ourselves to your love, the love in which Christ comes to us. Like children we say every day to the Lord Jesus himself, “Lord Jesus, come, come! Even if we cannot see you today because times have changed, come into the world, come more and more into world history. Send more and more of your nature, your goodness, into all hearts. Come at last, come quickly to bring an end to the adversary, an end to world power with its sinister, hostile character. May bright day, clear light from the Father in heaven, dawn through you, Lord Jesus. Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Humans Aren’t the Only Pebble on the Cosmic Beach Alison Milbank and Joy Marie Clarkson Joy and Alison discuss the importance of angels and why parishes are good. Read now Seeing Our Way to Humanity Coretta Thomson Through the weeds, Frederick Franck’s sculpture park Pacem in Terris still speaks. Read now Unanswered Prayers in Ukraine Taras Dyatlik During another Advent in wartime, a Ukrainian pastor wrestles with the silence of heaven. Read now A Christmas Song for the Ages Chris Zimmerman With its tone of reverent awe, Max Bruch’s “In der Christnacht” captures the essence of Holy Night without mistletoe or even shepherds and kings. Read now Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 4

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:10–11, NIV Lord our God, strengthen our hearts today through your Word. You are our Father and we are your children, and we want to trust you in every aspect of our lives. Protect us on all our ways, and grant that we may always watch and wait for the coming of your kingdom, for the future of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep us from becoming confused by present-day events. Help us to remain free, that we may serve you and not be led astray, no matter what happens in the world. Grant us your Holy Spirit in everything, for without your Spirit we can do nothing. Help us, and accept our praise for the many ways you have given us help. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now The Dangers of Advent J. B. Phillips No amount of familiarity with the trappings of Christmas should blind us to its quiet but explosive significance. Read now Stuck in Mexico Joseph Sorrentino With the US border effectively closed, a photojournalist finds migrants in limbo at Casa Tochan, a shelter in Mexico City. Read now Let the Children Rage Reynolds Chapman A father reads Katherine Rundell’s The Poisoned King, the second book in the Impossible Creatures series, to his twelve-year-old and six-year-old. Read now Blank Pages in the Family Book Amelia Buzzard When asking my Korean grandmother about my roots, I learn to listen to her silences. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 2

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. Psalm 118:24-26, NIV Lord God, our hearts are full of praise and thanks for your promise. You comfort and help us with this promise every day, enabling us to hold true through all distress. Remember us in these times, and let the cry, “Hosanna,” arise often in our hearts. Let a bright light shine out now as you once let it shine around the Lord Jesus, showing him as King and Savior. Protect us and bless us. Bless our land and all those appointed to govern. May your Spirit be with them so that they may carry out your will. For your will must be done and shall surely happen. In this we trust, and in this we hope. We praise you, O Lord our God. Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Stuck in Mexico Joseph Sorrentino With the US border effectively closed, a photojournalist finds migrants in limbo at Casa Tochan, a shelter in Mexico City. Read now Let the Children Rage Reynolds Chapman A father reads Katherine Rundell’s The Poisoned King, the second book in the Impossible Creatures series, to his twelve-year-old and six-year-old. Read now Blank Pages in the Family Book Amelia Buzzard When asking my Korean grandmother about my roots, I learn to listen to her silences. Read now From the Annunciation to the Visitation Joel Clarkson After an angel tells Mary she will bear the Savior, she sets out to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Both encounters are rich in meaning for Advent. Read now What Makes a Home? Brittany Hurd Being blind hasn’t stopped me from trying to picture a perfect home. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 29

I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father. John 14:12, Phillips Lord our God, we call to you, “Abba, dear Father!” because your Spirit draws us to Jesus Christ the Savior and to his gospel. We call to you for we belong to your kingdom. Give us strength to remain steadfast through all the troubles of our lives. Let your hand remain over us and over the warring nations. Your hand directs, your hand carries out the thoughts of your heart. May the time soon come when you will bring everything to fulfillment and give peace on earth. In expectation we praise your name, for you will bring this time and you will bring it soon. For your kingdom must come, your will must be done on earth as in heaven, and everything must go according to your plan. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough From the Annunciation to the Visitation Joel Clarkson After an angel tells Mary she will bear the Savior, she sets out to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Both encounters are rich in meaning for Advent. Read now What Makes a Home? Brittany Hurd Being blind hasn’t stopped me from trying to picture a perfect home. Read now An Abortionist Changes Her Mind Nafeesa Dawoodbhoy The birth of my daughter confronted me with the competition between my autonomy and her demand to be loved. Read now Finding Gratitude Johann Christoph Arnold In uncertain and turbulent times, it can be hard to give thanks. Yet this is precisely when gratitude matters most. Read now Consider the Birds Caleb Scholtens Birdwatching, George Orwell suggests, “makes a peaceful and decent future a little more probable.” Calvin and Hobbes would agree. Read now

Thank You and Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

The prayers of the Heartlight.org and VerseoftheDay.com team pray that you have a blessed Thanksgiving! As we move closer to celebrating our thirtieth year online, we thank God for His leading, grace, guidance, and provision that have enabled us to share our resources for free for three decades. You, our readers, friends, supporters, cheerleaders, and prayer partners, have joined with our Father in heaven to make this possible. Your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support have blessed and sustained us. Thank you! The Heartlight.org and VerseoftheDay.com team gives thanks for you and prays you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Please know that the following words of blessing come from our hearts with deep appreciation for each of you. May the joy of this Thanksgiving run deeper than the people you are with, the holiday you celebrate, and the food you eat. May the presence of Jesus fill you with joy, praise, and genuine thanks! All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:12-13).

Daily Prayer for November 22

Be patient, then, my brothers, until the Lord comes. See how patient a farmer is as he waits for his land to produce precious crops. He waits patiently for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7, TEV Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and reveal your hand in our days. May those things be done that bring your future nearer and that let the world see you as the Savior who can lead us to our Father. Bless your Word within us. May our hearts be strengthened, and may we always live in your presence. We draw our life from your Word, from your promise, and we set our hope on you, our Lord and Savior. Show your might, Lord Jesus, and carry out the will of God over all the world, so that we may rejoice when we see God’s glory appear and his will being done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Education Should Begin Early John Amos Comenius A seventeenth-century educator knew formation of character starts while children are young. Read now When Faith Hardens Gabriel Barsawme When threatened, we humans naturally choose rigid certainty and clarity over remaining open to the truth. Ephrem the Syrian can help. Read now The Angel Who Wanted a Hamburger Cameron Garden Karl Rahner helps us take angels seriously, even if they are admittedly hard to pin down. Read now The Spirit of Early Christianity Eberhard Arnold Why has the example of the first Christians never ceased to fuel renewal and reform? Read now Read Your Enemies David Mills “Know your enemy” is always good advice, but knowing your enemy may include knowing in what ways they’re not enemies but allies. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 19

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27, RSV Lord our God, we come to you poor and yet rich, weak and yet strong, with the prayer that your promise may be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our dear Lord and Savior. Let the time come when the heavens open and a new light shines over the earth, a time when people will praise and thank you and receive everlasting peace and happiness with you. Remember the many people who come into need these days. Remember our nation and all who work for the good of our country. Bless them and help them. And help the dying, O Lord our God; grant that they come to you, for they are yours. Your help will bring life out of death, joy out of grief and need. May your name be honored, dear Father in heaven, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Read Your Enemies David Mills “Know your enemy” is always good advice, but knowing your enemy may include knowing in what ways they’re not enemies but allies. Read now The Beauty of Dissonance Jay Nordlinger Music has a variety of jobs to do, as the other arts do. It can calm, soothe, and delight. It can also provoke, disturb, bite. Read now Yes in My Spare Room Andrew Berg What would a truly Christian response to America’s housing shortage look like? I have some ideas. Read now Not My Will, but Yours Adolphe Monod We don’t have to make a road for ourselves; we just have to walk in one that God has made for us. Read now A History of Plough Magazine Ian M. Randall Trace the history of Plough magazine from its first English edition to the present day. Read now