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The Manger of My Heart

by Renee Swope Dec 24, 2014 in:Christmas

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God's presence is the present I need most. Renee Swope - incourage.me

Sometimes I forget. All wrapped up in the Christmas-giving, I forget to unwrap the gift of Immanuel: God with me.

In all the rush I forget my  need for God’s soul-calming hush. But I want to remember. I want to unwrap not only the gift Jesus gives, but the gift He {is}.

His presence is the {present} I need most. And so I quiet my thoughts and whisper a prayer, asking Jesus to create a quiet space, a dwelling place for His presence in the manger of my heart…

This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for this Holy day and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.

The first Christmas gift…the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened; to reveal Your love to me.

Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, “Into your darkness, God brings His Light.”

“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting all the distractions aside, to You I surrender them all.

Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of all the people and planning, I want to feel Your hush.

This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It’s in Your wonderful Name I pray.

{written by Renee Swope. Copyright 2014.}

by Renee Swope
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Renee Swope

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager and grace-needer. She’s also best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and "A Confident Heart Devotional," and former radio co-host of "Everyday Life With Lysa & Renee" at Proverbs 31 Ministries, where she served in leadership for twenty years. Married to J.J., they live in...
Author Bio       Author Website

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says

    December 24, 2014 at 5:35 am

    Renee,
    What a beautiful poem about the present that is God’s presence to begin my Christmas eve morning. In awhile the troops will awaken, but I need this unhurried time with my Lord and Savior. I need to feel the hush of silence and sit in wonder of the gift that was/is given to me. This, to me, is Christmas. Thank you, Renee, for wonderfully setting the mood for this day. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Merry Christmas to you sweet Bev!!

  2. Carol S says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:27 am

    Beautiful! A very lovely reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Just reading this poem brought peace and a sense of calm.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 2:26 pm

      It was in my desperate need for His soul-hush, in the midst of my holiday rush, that I wrote it. I love knowing it quieted your heart this morning. Merry Christmas Carol!

  3. Amy says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:55 am

    just beautiful. Merry Christmas

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      May His quiet, peace-ushering presence wrap around your heart today. Merry Christmas Amy and all!!

  4. Jem Renee says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:10 am

    Renee thank you for sharing this. It’s beautiful and just what I needed to hear. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      May His soul-calming hush keep your heart and your thoughts wrapped in peace all throughout today. Merry Christmas!

  5. Karen says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:13 am

    What a beautiful prayer! Thank you for sharing. I needed this today.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Praying for you to feel His peace and presence wrapped around your heart today, Karen. Christmas blessings and (in)courage hugs!!

  6. Marsha Cobbs says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:44 am

    Thank you for sharing, wonderful prayer. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Merry Christmas Marsha!!

  7. Bonnie says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:45 am

    Glory be to the father & on earth peace, good will towards man. Merry Christmas to all., Lord bless our milatary, keep them safe. Amen

  8. Martha says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:10 am

    Renee this touched my heart in ways that are difficult to express, the prayer was simply beautiful and one I needed this day. Thank you for sharing. God Bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      Just prayed these words over your heart again, asking Jesus to wrap you up in His grace and peace today. He is {with} you!! Merry Christmas from my family to you and yours!

  9. Andrea says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Love it!

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      🙂 Christmas blessings Andrea!!

  10. Shelia says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:39 am

    Thank you for the reminder! Slowing down to enjoy His presence!

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I needed it today too. God’s perfect timing and planning. 🙂

  11. Penny says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Beautiful!
    I will read this tonight as we gather round our Christmas tree, and place the baby Jesus in the nativity scene.
    Thank you.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I love that. Thank you for sharing that idea. I think we’ll do that too :).

  12. Lisa Button says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Simply beautiful. Should be the prayer of every heart.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Merry Christmas, Lisa!!

  13. Linda Fode says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Thank you so much. Your poem started my day with joy & Presence. May you be filled to overflowing with His Presence today & always.

    • Renee Swope says

      December 24, 2014 at 4:19 pm

      Thank you Linda. We are enjoying a slow peace-filled day as a family. Merry Christmas!!

  14. Penny says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:24 am

    Thank-you Renee,
    How beautiful…….
    Merry Christmas to you and your family

    Blessings,

    Penny

  15. The Mom says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Love this! It is a wonderful reminder for all year! Merry CHRISTmas all!

  16. Kay says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:42 am

    How lovely…a blessing today. Thank you for sharing with us.

  17. Kim j says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Beautiful poem to start my day and set my focus on Him. He left it all, to become our all in all. Merry Christmas and may you sense his peace in your heart today and everyday.

  18. Melanie Kitchen says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Hiw can I share this post with picture on Facebook? This really touched me and I want to share it with the other women in my life and ministry venues.

    Merry Christmas and Thank you!!

  19. edith moreta says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:29 am

    May the peace love & splendor of our lord Jesus christ bring many many many blessings in his victorious name I pray Amen

  20. Margaret says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

    God Bless you and your ministry. You words always encourage and bless my spirit.
    Thank You and God Bless you always.

    Margaret

  21. Beverly says

    December 24, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Thank you for that prayer. I enjoyed reading it for that is my prayer also. You are a blessing to my life.

  22. Jan Eakins says

    December 24, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Thanks Deb for the beautiful poem. It is uplifting. I don’t know if you knew how much I love poetry or not. My grandmother and my mother and my sister and I all write poetry. Actually in 2004 I had a book of poetry published and have probably written 150-200 more poems since that. Haven’t seen you for a long time. Hope things are going okay for you. In Christian Love to you and Tom,

    Jan Eakins.

  23. Janet says

    December 24, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Renee,
    I loved this prayer, it’s words are so true to what I needed as well as so many in today’s
    World. Thank you for sharing from your heart in this prayer!
    LOL Janet

  24. Terri Walton says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful poem! As I was reading it I felt joy and peace! Thanks again!

  25. Stephanie A. Buter says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    Renee – I just read your beautiful words posted today. How incredible! Just what I needed to be reminded of. I haven’t acknowledged the real reason we celebrate this year, and your words “woke me up”. My husband just received another diagnosis of cancer this week, and we can’t travel to be with family again this year. After reading your message, I realize it’s not about where we are or what we get or give. Christ came to be with us – that’s what matters. Blessings for a Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    • Beth Williams says

      December 26, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      Stephanie,

      Prayers for you and your husband. I pray you have a good Christmas. May God give you his quiet peace & comfort at this trying time! Prayers for healing and restoration.

      Blessings and Merry Christmas!

  26. Carol Binzel says

    December 24, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    It’s Christmas Eve and I had to miss our church service because I have bronchitis. But God led me to your poem and reminded me that I have His presence with me–even in the midst of the world’s “celebrations” with fireworks and noisy “music.” We are missionaries, but we also need to be ministered to. Your poem did just that! Thank you very much.

  27. Pat T says

    December 25, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Renee, thank you for listening to God’s prompting and sharing these beautiful words with us. You have been such a blessing to me and so many others. May Jesus surround you and your family with His loving arms!

  28. tasha says

    December 25, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    Thank you for sharing the blessing of our Lord and Savior in such a unique way!

  29. Tyra says

    December 25, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Renee simply beautiful. I pray that He invades every recess of my heart.

  30. Gayle Ramsey says

    December 25, 2014 at 11:29 pm

    Thank you for (in)courage!
    Loved “The Manger of My Heart!”

  31. Beth Williams says

    December 26, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Renee,

    Loved the poem. Speaks so eloquently to my heart!

    Your post reminds me of “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West on his Heart of Christmas CD. It speaks of Jesus living in paradise, but having to leave quickly because the world is dark and needs a light. Chorus speaks of walking around the broken trading in streets of gold.

    All of that speaks volumes to me. I need time to just sit and be still basking in His love!

    Blessings and Merry Christmas!@ 🙂

  32. Chuck says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:47 am

    I was going through back e-mails and reading a Christmas card we got from missionary friends in the Ukraine and this was attached via the New Spring link and it was just what I needed to read right now, I know you don’t often hear from men Amy but I just had cancer surgery less than 3 weeks ago and while I am cancer free Gods timing is impeccable and I just wanted to say thank you for being obedient to God’s leading in writing and publishing this. It impacts lives more than just at Christmas. Thank You!!!

  33. Chuck says

    January 9, 2015 at 11:48 am

    I was going through back e-mails and reading a Christmas card we got from missionary friends in the Ukraine and this was attached via the New Spring link and it was just what I needed to read right now, I know you don’t often hear from men Renee but I just had cancer surgery less than 3 weeks ago and while I am cancer free Gods timing is impeccable and I just wanted to say thank you for being obedient to God’s leading in writing and publishing this. It impacts lives more than just at Christmas. Thank You!!!

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