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Barbara Burandt

12/12/2020

 
"Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,
the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."

 
This Christmas carol, also known as Luther’s Cradle Hymn, was the first Christmas carol that I learned as a child. I loved the song because being raised on a farm, I could relate to the setting of the song. My folks were dairy farmers, and in the winter when all of cows were in the barn, along with a few stalls of my dad’s draft horses, the barn was a warm place to be.  All the animals ate hay and grain. The heat of their bodies warmed the building and as young children, my siblings and I, played in the feed aisle or climbed up on the horses backs to stay busy while my parents and extended family did chores and milked cows. 
 
Warmth has seemed to me to be part of understanding the love of God. As a child I felt the warmth of being in the barn was part of the baby Jesus’ experience while He was in His manager in the barn with His mother, Mary. As I grew older, I found that friendship, love, and relationships in general, generate a type of warmth. So I pray that during this cold season of winter in Minnesota, we will feel the warmth of your love as our Savior and from others around us who love the Lord and his people – that we care for one another and show the love of God to those around us and to those who we don’t know or see but who are part of our family in Christ. 
 
Dear Heavenly Father, please help us during this time of Advent and Christmas as we seek to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are seeing the effects of the corona virus and struggling with the challenge of how to show your love of our friends and neighbors both in our community and around the world. Give us strength to provide the warmth of your love to everyone we meet, and to those beyond our neighborhoods that are suffering during this time. We ask that you bless this world during this time and give us the opportunity to show your love to all people. Amen 
​
Conni
12/12/2020 03:50:17 pm

Thanks, Barb...beautiful!


Comments are closed.

    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy