Yearly Reflections at Christmas

By Debra Downey-Stockdale

What is Christmas really all about?

Why should I believe in the birth of Jesus?
What difference would it make in a life?
Can believing in Him truly give hope, peace, joy and love that lasts beyond ourselves and our circumstances?
Does the truth about Christmas hold relevance beyond the day to the realities of life throughout the year?
Is this a message worth passing on?

In these pages you will find answers rooted in truths that will meet you in the core of your being. You will be challenged, encouraged, comforted and strengthened. For, this collection of poems are not just words, they are based on God’s word, which is LIVING, ACTIVE and POWERFUL.

We’re all pilgrims on the journey of life, with the good, bad and the ugly. Listen, open your heart, Jesus Christ has the power to change a life from the inside out – no matter where you are or where you’ve been.

You will find Debra Downey-Stockdale’s works offer a cumulative and intimate glimpse of what the gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ the Saviour can do in each one of us - now, and each day of our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973670858

Debra Downey-Stockdale

Debra Downey-Stockdale has been sharing her personal relationship with Jesus Christ and faith journey with others for over 43 years. A graduate of Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale Seminary); and a gifted vocalist who has used her singing to minister in the Christian community, a homeless shelter and with Prison Fellowship Ministries. Debra is the proud Mother of 3 married children, 8 grandchildren and resides in Calgary, Alberta.

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Copyright © 2019 Debra Downey-Stockdale.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-7086-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7085-8 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 09/06/2019

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Awake O Christian!

Living His Truth

For Hope Does Not Disappoint

O Morning Star I Await Thee

Look Up! The Star is Still Shining!

To Him Who Overcomes

Open

Good News

The Word

The Wonders of His Grace

The Year 2000

Emmanuel - God with Us

Why do I Bother with the Christmas Season?

The Creator Came

He Came Even Though He Knew the Whole Story

Why?

Take Away Christmas - Just Give Me Jesus

The Heart of Christmas

WHAT SHALL I GIVE YOU?

Strange - But True

The Journey

GRACE

Snowflakes

Christmas Joy Again - Why?

God - Jesus - Do You Know Me?

The Tree

The Christmas Interruption

FOREVER

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Acknowledgements

With special thanks:

25031.png I do give foremost, my praise and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ for this book – for I owe my very being and who I have become to Him.

25031.png Secondly, my Mom, who always let me dream and express myself in various ways, and who was such a creative and fun person. Whom, I had the joy of leading her to receive the Christmas gift of Jesus shortly before her passing. See you soon Mom, I know you would be thrilled to have my book!

25031.png Of course, I am also thankful to my wonderful daughter Kate and close friends Rita Trolley, Christine Dejager, Connie Goodson, Catherine Fraser, Beth Cockburn, Laurie Bigelow who prayed so much for me each year – believing and supporting me in this mission to share the gift of life that came at Christmas.

25031.png I also want to thank Deborra Moore who gladly agreed to proof (patience of Job), Barb Link in helping me to tackle in a manageable way the overwhelming submission requirements, my daughter Kate Weiss who assisted and critiqued all the additional material requirements along with Laurie Bigelow jumpstarting the process with some creative input.

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Preface

For as long as I can remember, I loved to express myself in writing as I was such a dreamer. There was such a strong sense that there was more to life than my own little world and at times it was my escape! However, the tug of God pulled at my heart at a young age and eventually I came to have a personal relationship with Him. It had its ups and downs as I grew up and eventually took hold of me in a deep relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Christmas Poetry came through a desire to share that wonderful Christmas gift God gave of His