I am pretty sure you have heard the old Christmas carol “Silent Night.” According to Google, “Silent Night” was written in 1816 by a young priest in Austria, Joseph Mohr. The backstory is that the priest went for a walk before he wrote it, and he looked out over a very quiet winter-laden town and was inspired. “The town was at peace,” he said.

I am sure you, like me, have also wondered if the night when Jesus was born was silent.

I went again and searched the meaning of the word “silent” and it says… “ not making or accompanied by any sound,” “not speaking,” or “not expressed aloud.” 

So as I thought about that night, I believe it was not silent at all but accompanied by many sounds. Think about the labor pain, the voice of Joseph encouraging his wife, the fear, not knowing what to do, the animals around the stable, and of course the most expected beautiful sound of a crying newborn baby.

We already know the main reasons for the writer to write this Christmas carol, but as I think about the story of Christmas in Luke 2 and understanding that there was probably a lot of noise in the stable, there was something that was truly silent, and that was….evil.

Whether the birth of Jesus took only a few minutes or was a 14-hour labor, we don’t know. In that specific moment, only one thing was important, and that was Jesus. The most important job was to bring a Savior into the world to adore and worship.

During that moment, the enemy didn’t matter anymore. He was “silent” in the minds and hearts of the people around Jesus: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, all of them.

My question is, during this Christmas season, especially Christmas 2020, with all that is going on, how much does the enemy matter to me? How much does it matter to you? Why do we give so much priority to the lies of Satan? Many times, he takes first place in our lives. He fills our minds and heart with lies and darkness, and sadly, that is what we end up believing.

Just take a moment to imagine the life of these people and how they felt. Mary was a young woman carrying God’s son. Joseph was a man called to be Jesus’ earthly father and probably had no idea on how to raise Him. The shepherds were the ones that people looked down on, the least and the forgotten. The wise men were following a star with no direction but only trust. These people had a lot of excuses to fear and doubt and let the enemy take over in their hearts,

but they didn’t. Nobody was thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, what they would eat or where they would spend the next few nights or what the king would do with them. They were just enjoying the moment. Living it! Rejoicing! 

Even Herod’s plan was forgotten when the wise men didn’t return the same way. God planned it. God ordained it. God fulfilled it! God’s idea. God’s way! Always!  

God had a time, moment and a place for His son to be born. Nothing on this earth or in heaven could change His amazing plan of salvation for all human beings. In the same way, He has a place, a time and a moment for every area of our lives, and nothing–absolutely nothing–can change this.

That night, a Savior was born, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of peace, the everlasting Father. So what can go wrong with you or me?

As we think about this Christmas season, how can we truly celebrate it and keep the enemy silent? I mean, the enemy will always be there, like a roaring lion trying to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).  But in the midst of the noise, how can we find our “silent night”? The answer is simple: by remembering what Jesus has done! By remembering Christmas!

Christmas is not about the birth of any baby; Christmas is about the birth of victory! The birth of life! The birth of freedom; the birth of everlasting love!!

Because of Jesus’s birth, everything is well…all is well and always will be! Because of Christmas…

In famine…all is well!

In war…all is well!

In pain…all is well!

In sickness…all is well! 

In death…all is well!

If you follow the news, most of what you see is bad, bad, bad. Rumors of war, famine, destruction, and more and more evil. But I myself have had to remember that because of that baby, because of the son of God, because of Jesus, the enemy has lost all power and authority over all of God’s children. He has no power over you! He has no power over God’s plan for your life, and more importantly, he has no power to destroy what God has already ordained. 

So this December 25th, as you celebrate Christmas, remember this at all times and give yourself a silent Christmas, a Christmas where the enemy is put to silence, where he has no place in your heart or your emotions. There is no better Christmas than the one that is truly celebrated when we remember that 2,000 years ago, a Savior was born and because of that, all is well…and always will be! 

Merry Christmas!

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

This Bible verse has always gotten my attention every time I read it, but it wasn’t until I experienced brokenness myself that I could finally understand it.

Not long ago I visited my country, Puerto Rico. It was the end of May and it was still snowing here in NY, and if you know me well, you know that me and the snow don’t get along very well. After some conversation with my husband, we both agreed that it was going to be good for me to take time off and go visit my family. So 3 weeks later, I was heading to my beautiful island, Puerto Rico.

Ahh! What a wonderful time! Ninety degree weather, beautiful beaches, yummy food, and more than anything, a valuable time with my family. I laughed! I rested! and…. I died!

I know this might sound crazy, but even though I didn’t die physically, I died spiritually. But wait a second, wasn’t I supposed to recharge and gain strength during my trip? Wasn’t the purpose of this trip to return back to New York with a lot of energy and happiness? Indeed, it was! But on my way back I got confused and I “lost interest.”

A couple weeks ago, I was talking with a dear friend and she asked me a very interesting question. She said, “Why do we pray the way we do? Why do we pray the same way all the time, and use the same words?” Right there I could perceive she was “losing interest.” 

A few days ago, I got a message from another friend asking for prayer. She mentioned how she was tired of the same old things. To my understanding, she was also “losing interest.” 

So my question is: why do Christians feel this way? Why do we “lose interest”?

I think the answer is simple. We all need a new and fresh beginning! 

So how are we going to find this “new” and “fresh” beginning? By going to a new church? By reading new books, or the top selling magazines on the market? By buying a new house, or changing friends or jobs? By no longer gathering with other believers on Sunday? Although some of these things might help for a moment, the change comes from within. So the answer to all these questions is “No.” None of these things will give us the new beginning we are in so much need of.

The only way we can find what we need is by crying out to the Lord.  

When I came back from Puerto Rico, it was like the Spirit of God had completely left me. Of course we know that isn’t true. If you are a born again believer, you are sealed with the Spirit which will never leave you. But what I was feeling was a strong oppression from the enemy.   

One night after everybody went to bed, I was pretty much in desperation. I didn’t want to feel that way anymore, so I began to worship the Lord. I knew that I needed to do it! So I turned on the radio and began to listen to some Christians songs, and as I closed my eyes, I began to open my mouth. Not to sing but to cry out! And right there, in the midst of my brokenness, I found healing! Right there I found my new and fresh beginning! “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (Psalm 107:28) .

I know that you have also had moments like this one. we get bored, we get tired, we lose interest in the things of God and then we begin to believe that this is how it is supposed to be. Then distraction comes, we blame everybody and …. we die!

But what if I tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way? What if I tell you that you, with Jesus’ help, have the key to change your situation–from death to life, from failure to victory, from slavery to freedom? What if I tell you that you can truly live the life you are called to live?

There is a big battle inside us, all day long, but Jesus has given us a way. He wants us to ask Him. 

In the book of Mark chapter 10, we find the story of the blind Bartimaeus, how he cried out to Jesus and asked for His mercy. Even when many warned him to be quiet, he cried out all the more saying: “Son of David has mercy on me.” He asked, and if you read the story, Jesus helped him. 

Sometimes we go through life thinking that our loss of interest is momentary, but STOP! These moments of dryness in our spiritual walk can bring more danger than we think. Has anyone ever gained weight from one day to another? Or is it a slow process, a day by day thing? In the same way, walking away from the calling God has for us comes slowly, day by day. So we need to  be careful! You and I, right now, can be walking in a very dangerous path. So we need to get out of it!

Jesus wants to give us more. Jesus wants to give us life. He loves us. He is waiting for us! But my question is, do we want to be helped? Do we want to have a new and fresh beginning? Do we want to stop sinning? If so, let’s ask!

When was the last time you put everything aside and broke yourself before the Lord? When was the last time you bowed down, confessed, repented and asked for help? When was the last time you couldn’t stop crying because you realized how sinful you are? How many times do we sing the song “Lord, I Need You,” but as soon as the song is over, we put our pride suit back on and think we do not need any help at all?  

Are you the kind of Christian that thinks your life is “okay”? Let me tell you, there is not an “okay” life. We are all in desperate need of a Savior to rescue us.

So I want to encourage you today: do you feel lost right now? Do you feel bored? Have you lost interest? Or worse, have you found interest in everything in life except the things of the Lord? 

If I could tell you with words how much healing I received that night, I would, but the only way to receive it is by experiencing it yourself. 

God wants us broken. Our daily, external sacrifices are nothing before Him. He is only interested in our heart and our submission to Him. The more we cry out, the closer we get to Him. And the closer we get to Him, the less we struggle with depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness and all of those struggles we face daily. 

Maybe you need to  come to Jesus for the first time for salvation, because someday you will die, and you need to be forgiven and be saved from hell. Or maybe you need to come to Him for a rescue, a rescue from a dead season when you can’t hear Him anymore, a season when you can’t feel His leading, or when you have no desire for anything regarding God. Whatever it may be, come to Him! Cry out! Take the time and ask for His help! Confess! Repent! Ask for a transformation in your soul and for a new and fresh beginning. Leave everything, and do it now! Not only once but every day! 

My Lord restored me, my Lord knew me and He put me back together. He confirmed His love to me, and I know he will do it again and again for me and for you. So ask and be alive again!

“Los sacrificios de Dios son el espíritu quebrantado; Al corazón contrito y humillado no lo despreciarás tú, oh Dios.” (Salmo 51:17)

Este verso bíblico siempre llamó mi atención cada vez que lo leía pero no fue hasta que yo experimente el quebrantamiento de una forma personal cuando finalmente pude  entenderlo. 

Hace no mucho tiempo visite mi país Puerto Rico. Estábamos a finales del mes de Mayo y todavía estaba nevando aquí en NY, y si tu me conoces bien, sabes que yo y la nieve no nos llevamos muy bien. Después de una conversación con mis esposo, los dos estuvimos de acuerdo que me iba a hacer bien ir a visitar mi familia. Así que 3 semanas más tarde, me dirigí hacia mi hermosa isla Puerto Rico. 

Ahh! ¡Qué tiempo más maravilloso! Un clima de noventa grados,hermosas playas, comida deliciosa, y un tiempo de calidad con mi familia. Disfrute, descanse y … .mori!  

Se que esto puede sonar un poco extraño, pero aunque no morí físicamente, morí espiritualmente. Pero espera un minuto, ¿no se suponía que yo recargara y ganará más fuerzas durante mi viaje? ¿ No era el propósito de este viaje regresar a New York  con más energía y alegría?. Si, ¡lo era! Pero en mi regreso me sentía confundida y “perdí interés”.

Hace dos semanas atrás, mientras hablaba con una amiga, ella me hizo una pregunta muy interesante, ella dijo, “ ¿por qué oramos de la forma que lo hacemos? ¿Por qué cuando oramos usamos las mismas palabras? En ese momento, pude percibir que ella también estaba “perdiendo interés”

Hace algunos días atrás, recibí un mensaje de otra amiga pidiendo oración. Ella mencionó que estaba cansada de lo mismo en su iglesia. Para mi entendimiento, ella también estaba  “perdiendo interés”

Entonces mi pregunta es: ¿por qué los cristianos nos sentimos de esta forma? ¿Por qué perdemos interés?

La respuesta es simple. Todos necesitamos un comienzo nuevo y refrescante.

Pero, ¿cómo vamos a encontrar este “nuevo” y “refrescante” comienzo? ¿Yendo a una iglesia diferente?  Leyendo libros o las revistas más importantes del mercado? Comprando una casa, o cambiando de amigos o de trabajo? ¿No reuniéndonos con otros creyentes los domingos? Aunque algunas de estas cosas puedan ayudar por un momento, el cambio empieza dentro de nosotros. Así que la respuesta a esta pregunta es “No” ninguna de estas cosas nos dará el nuevo comienzo que tanto necesitamos. 

La única forma en que podemos encontrar este comienzo, es clamado a Dios.  

Cuando regresé de Puerto Rico, Era como si el espíritu de Dios me hubiera dejado por completo. Aunque sabemos que eso no es cierto . Si eres un Christiano nacido de nuevo, fuistes sellado con el Espíritu Santo el cual nunca se va de ti, pero lo que yo sentía era una opresión muy fuerte de parte de enemigo. .  

Una noche después que todos aquí en mi casa se fueron a dormir, y yo estando en desesperación, no queriendo sentirme más de esa forma,, empecé a adorar al Señor. Sabía que tenía que hacerlo. Así que prendí la radio y empecé a escuchar canciones Cristianas y mientras cerraba mis ojos, abrí mi boca. ¡No solo para cantar, sino para clamar a Dios! Y allí, en medio de mi quebrantamiento, encontré la sanidad que buscaba. Allí, encontré mi  nuevo  comienzo. “ Entonces claman a Jehova en su angustia, y los libra de sus aflicciones” (Salmo 107:28)  

Sé que tú también has tenido momentos como este. Te aburres, te cansas y pierdes interés en las cosas de Dios y entonces comienzas a creer que es así como se supone que sea. La distracción llega, culpamos a otros y…..morimos!.

¿Pero qué tal si te digo que no tiene que ser de esa forma? Que tal si te digo que con la ayuda de Jesus, puedes cambiar tu situacion. De muerte a vida, de fracaso a victoria de esclavitud a libertad. ¿Que tal si te digo que realmente puedes vivir la vida que Dios te ha llamado a vivir?

Hay una gran lucha dentro de nosotros diariamente, pero Jesus ha provisto una salida. Él nos dice pide. (Mateo 7:7-11).

En el libro de Marcos capítulo 10, vemos la historia de Bartimeo, como el clamo a Jesus y pidió su misericordia. Aun cuando muchos le decían que se callara, el grito más fuerte diciendo: Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí”  Él pidió, y si tu lees la historia, Jesus lo ayudó y lo libro.

En muchas ocasiones vamos por la vida pensando que nuestra falta de interés es  momentánea, pero ¡Detente! Estos momentos se sequedad en nuestro caminar espiritual puede traer más daño de lo que pensamos. ¿Alguna vez has visto a  alguien ganando peso de un día para otro? ¿O fue un proceso lento, dia a dia? De la misma manera, alejarnos del llamado que Dios tiene para nosotros es un proceso lento, dia a dia. Así que tengamos cuidado. Tu y yo podríamos estar caminando sobre un sendero muy peligroso. ¡Alejemonos de él ahora mismo!

Jesus quiere darnos más.Jesús quiere darnos vida. Él nos ama. Él está esperando por nosotros! Pero yo me pregunto, ¿queremos esa  ayuda?¿ Deseamos un nuevo comienzo limpio y fresco? ¿Estamos cansados de pecar? Entonces, ¡vamos a pedirle Su ayuda!

Cuándo fue la última vez que pusiste todo a un lado y llegastes quebrantado delante de Jehová? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que de rodillas, confesaste tus pecados, te arrepentiste y pedistes ayuda? ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que lloraste por que realizaste cuán pecador eres? 

¿Eres tu la clase de Cristiano que piensa que tu vida esta bien? Si es así, déjame informarte, que no hay una vida buena. Todos estamos en desesperación por un Salvador que nos rescate.

 Así que te quiero animar hoy: ¿Te sientes perdido? ¿Te aburres fácilmente? ¿Has perdido interés? O peor aún,¿ has encontrado interés en todo en esta vida excepto en las cosas de DIos?

Si pudiera explicarte solo con palabras cuánta sanidad recibí esa noche, lo haría, pero la única forma de saberlo es experimentarlo por ti mismo.

Dios nos quiere quebrantados. Nuestros sacrificios externos no son nada delante de Él. Dios solo está interesado en nuestro corazón y nuestra sumisión y obediencia hacia El. Mientras más clamamos, más nos acercamos a Él, y mientras más nos acercamos, menos serán nuestras luchas con la depresión, ansiedad, temores, soledad y todos estas situaciones que enfrentamos cada día.

Quizás lo que tú necesitas ahora es conocer y venir a Cristo por primera vez, por que algun dia moriras, y necesitas ser perdonado y salvo del infierno. O quizás lo que necesitas es venir a Él para que te rescate de una temporada muerta donde no escuchas su voz, una temporada donde no ves su dirección o no tienes deseos de nada referente a Dios. Sea lo que sea, ven a El! ¡Clama! ¡Toma el tiempo y pídele su ayuda! ¡Confiesa, arrepientete! Pídele una transformación de tu alma para un comienzo nuevo y fresco. ¡Deja todo, y hazlo ahora! No solo hoy pero todos los días! 

Mi Dios me restauró , mi Dios me conoce y me hizo completa de nuevo. El confirmó su amor por mi, y se que lo hará una y otra vez por mi y por ti. Así que pide su ayuda y ¡vive de nuevo!

I still remember the first time I celebrated Thanksgiving without my parents. It was 2009, the year I moved to New York to the house of my boyfriend’s parents so he and I could date. It was a strange feeling, but I was okay with it because I knew that was where I wanted to be in that moment.

Ten years have passed now since that first Thanksgiving Day away from my family, ten Christmas mornings, ten Mother’s Days and Father’s Days, and ten birthday celebrations. As I was ready to go to my mother-in-law’s house for a Thanksgiving meal like every year since I moved here, I wished so much I could be at my parents’ house helping with the cooking, cleaning and preparation for a nice evening. I desired the laughing, the people, and especially the warm air. I could picture myself wearing shorts, a sleeveless shirt and sandals.

After a nice shower I decided to open the bathroom window and look outside. As soon as I opened it, a cool and refreshing breeze touched to my face. In that moment I realized that Thanksgiving Day was not the best day for me to complain about the things I could not have, but it was a day to remember and be thankful for the things I do have.

 I could hear the laugh of my children through the door. I could hear the deep voice of my husband as he was trying to stay calm and keep order in the house. I thought of the house we were living and even the warm shower I just took.

But there was one thing I really wanted to be thankful for, and that was… life! The life that was given to me here on earth. The life that thanks to my faith in Jesus, is waiting for me in heaven someday. A life that many have lost. A life that many have given up. A life that I want to live from here until eternity.

As I breath the cool air, I was so thankful for every breath I was taking. I was thankful for every heartbeat, for every organ in my body functioning according to its purpose, for every motion, for every step. I was truly thankful for every minute.

Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life” (John 10:10b). This life that you and I enjoy is not something that happened by chance, but it happened because God decided to make it happen. We are here because of His perfect plan and will. This life was given to us to not only survive, but to live it to the utmost, with joy, thankfulness, love, forgiveness, and humility. It was given for us to pass it forward, to serve, to help, and —more than anything— to love Jesus.

We could be in another place right now: heaven, hell or even never been born (Ecclesiastes 4:3,) but since we are here today, let’s give it all to this life. And when we are tempted to complain, let’s say: “I am alive! And that matters!”  

So, as we move forward in this life, I would like to remind you that life is the most precious gift we have been given, so let’s appreciate it, live it and be thankful. Do not take it for granted; none of us deserve it. It was given to you by a merciful God who loves you and desires the best for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

Whether you are away from what you call “home” or you are “home,” go outside and breath. Celebrate life every minute, because in Jesus it never ends. Happy Thanksgiving Day!