Showing posts with label Tidings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tidings. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2026

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TAKES READERS FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL INVITES READERS TO DISCOVER CHRIST THROUGH THE “NATIVITY ALPHABET” FROM “ALLELUIA” TO “ZION”

Author Beth Willis Miller pairs Scripture, prayer and practical application with Krista Hamrick’s Nativity Alphabet artwork in a unique 26-day journey through the Christmas story

LAKELAND, Fla. — September 2026 — Just in time for the 2026 Christmas season, author Beth Willis Miller announces the release of her newest devotional, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, a Scripture-centered journey through 26 words that illuminate the birth, identity and mission of Jesus Christ.

The new book was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s original Nativity Alphabet art print. Hamrick’s 26 intricately painted illustrations—each representing a letter of the alphabet and an aspect of the Nativity—captured Miller’s imagination and inspired her to explore the biblical significance behind each word.

“Each of Krista’s illustrations is so special, almost like a tiny stained-glass window,” Miller said. “As I studied the 26 words she illustrated, my heart was drawn to dig deeper into Scripture and write a devotional around each one. My hope is that readers will see beyond the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas and focus their hearts anew on Jesus Christ.”

FROM ALLELUIA TO ZION

Beginning with A for Alleluia and concluding with Z for Zion, the 26-day devotional takes readers on an alphabetical journey through words connected to the Christmas story and the person of Christ:

Alleluia • Behold • Camel • Donkey • East • Fields • Gifts • Holy Night • Immanuel • Journey • Kings • Lion and Lamb • Miracle • Noel • O Little Town • Peace • Quiet • Rejoice • Shepherds • Tidings • Understanding • Victory • Wise Men • Excelsis • Yawn • Zion

Each chapter combines biblical research and devotional reflection with a Practical Application and Personalized Prayer, and Reflection Questions and Takeaways. Readers then move through three concluding reflection prompts—Look Up, Look In and Look Out—designed to help them consider what Scripture reveals about God, how His truth applies personally, and how that truth should influence their relationships with others.

The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups.

KEEPING CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CHRISTMAS

While the alphabet provides the framework, Miller says the central subject of every chapter is the same: Jesus Christ.

In the final devotional, “Zion,” Miller reflects on Psalm 9:11: “Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.”

The chapter encourages readers to trust God when life feels uncertain and to remember His faithfulness and protection:

“Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!”

The accompanying prayer points readers toward the ultimate message of Christmas—the saving work of the One whose birth Christians celebrate:

“Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You.”

A MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT

The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift or Advent-season devotional.

For Miller, however, the greatest hope for the book is not simply that readers will work their way from A to Z, but that every letter will lead them back to Christ.

“My prayer is that these 26 devotionals will help readers slow down during a very busy season and rediscover the wonder of the Nativity,” Miller said. “From Alleluia to Zion, every page ultimately points us to Jesus—the greatest Gift ever given.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beth Willis Miller is a Christian author whose writing combines biblical study, devotional reflection and practical application to encourage readers to know Christ more deeply and apply the truths of Scripture to everyday life. Her books include Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Krista Hamrick is the artist behind the original Nativity Alphabet, a richly detailed collection of 26 illustrations depicting words and images associated with the Nativity and Jesus Christ. Her distinctive artwork provided the creative inspiration for Miller’s new devotional.

AVAILABLE NOW

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet by Beth Willis Miller is available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

The devotional is especially suited for Advent and Christmas reading, individual quiet time, small-group Bible study, gift giving and Christmas stockings.

MEDIA CONTACT

Beth Willis Miller
Author, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet


WOW! What a wonderful surprise! 


My new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, was listed as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Hot New Releases! It is available now on Amazon at this link https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT




Available NOW on Amazon at this link 
https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

This beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, by Krista Hamrick so inspired author Beth Willis Miller that she wrote a devotional focusing on each of the 26 words illuminating the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 illustrations which Krista identified are so special, almost like stained glass windows, as Krista intricately painted each one. Beth's heart was drawn to write a devotional word study based on each of the 26 words illustrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with Beth's research of the 26 Nativity words, this devotional is perfect for individual quiet times or small group Bible studies focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. Each of the 26 devotionals focusing on the Nativity Alphabet closes with a practical application and personalized prayer, ending with reflection questions and takeaways.

Great Ideas for Christmas Stocking Stuffers! Recently, a lady from Indiana contacted me to say she was preparing Christmas stockings for her whole family. They have a tradition of having the Christmas stocking gifts all related to a theme. This year for 2026, her theme is the letters of the alphabet (26 letters). She made coasters out of Scrabble tiles with words about each person, she bought mini-games of Boggle and Bananagrams, and crossword puzzle books. She also purchased my devotional Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and my brand-new book, 26 DEVOTIONS FOCUSING ON CHRIST IN THE NATIVITY ALPHABET, and thought they would be the perfect additions to the stockings!


Excerpt from "Chapter 26: Zion" from Psalm 9:11…

.
ERV: Sing praises to the Lord, who sits as King in Zion. Tell the nations about the great things he has done.
.
Expanded: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount [dwells on] Zion [the location of the Temple]. Tell the nations [among the peoples] what he has done.
.
NCV: Sing praises to the Lord who is king on Mount Zion. Tell the nations what he has done.
.
Practical Application: What does it mean to trust the Lord, the King of Zion? It means looking to Him as the source of our security and putting our faith in the grace, love, power, and protection of God when the inevitable pressures of life come. It means knowing as the psalmist did that as the mountains surround and protect Zion, the city of Jerusalem, God himself surrounds and shields His people. When we trust the Lord, we don’t have to focus on the wicked and what they are doing or might do to us. We don’t have to rehash our own woes. Even though there are problems the size of mountains facing us, we can cry out to the Lord who created the mountains and is able to move them. As we sing praises to Him, and focus on Him and His truth, He will encourage our hearts and help us to tell the nations about the great things He has done!
.
Personalized Prayer:
Lord Jesus, King of Zion, I put my trust in You today. You are my security and protection, my shield, my fortress, and my hiding place, and I sing praises to You. When enemies surround me and troubles multiply, help me to remember that you are ever faithful and that you surround and protect me, both now and forever. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! In Your mighty Name Above All Names—King of Zion, we pray, amen.
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Reflection Questions and Takeaways:

.
Look Up—meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
.
Look In—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
.
Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 9:11…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.  



Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me.

Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately illustrated, almost like stained glass windows.

My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.





Wednesday, December 14, 2016

26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet----Tidings

Nativity Alphabet by Krista Hamrick

Author Beth Willis Miller’s new book, 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet, was inspired by artist Krista Hamrick’s intricately illustrated Nativity Alphabet. The 26-day devotional takes readers from “Alleluia” to “Zion,” combining Scripture, biblical research, practical application, prayer and reflection to keep Jesus Christ at the center of the Christmas season.  Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT


The format makes 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet suitable for personal quiet times, Advent and Christmas-season reading, women’s ministries, Bible study groups, families and small groups. The book has already inspired a creative Christmas gift idea.

One reader in Indiana contacted Miller while preparing themed Christmas stockings for her entire family. Her theme for 2026 is the 26 letters of the alphabet, with gifts including Scrabble-tile coasters, Boggle and Bananagrams games, crossword puzzle books—and two of Miller’s alphabetical devotionals: Name Above All Names: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ and the newly released 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

The idea highlights the book’s potential as a meaningful Christmas stocking stuffer, hostess gift, Bible study gift, or Advent-season devotional.

Available now on Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/0gc0YMXT

Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Nativity Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 words in the Nativity Alphabet are so intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows. My heart has been drawn to write 26 Devotions Focusing on Christ in the Nativity Alphabet.

While pondering the word, “Tidings,” I was inspired by listening to MercyMe’s rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen… God rest ye merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay; Remember, Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas day, To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray, O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel came; and unto certain Shepherds brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy.

Pastor James Hastings writes: “Good Tidings of Great Joy…And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.—Luke 2:10-11. It is long since the shepherds near Bethlehem beheld in the clear eastern sky the glory of the Lord, and heard the voice of the heavenly messenger proclaiming, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Centuries have rolled by, but the luster of that night has not passed away. There were many great men and many wealthy men in Palestine. There were scholars of the most profound and various learning. There were lean ascetics who had left the joys of home, and gone away to pray and fast in deserts. But it was not to any of these that the angels came, and it was not in their ears that the music sounded; the greatest news that the world ever heard was given to a group of humble shepherds. Few sounds from the mighty world ever disturbed them. They were not vexed by any ambition to be famous. They passed their days amid the silence of nature; and to the Jew nature was the veil of God. They were men of a devout and reverent spirit, touched with a sense of the mystery of things, as shepherds are so often to this day. Is it not to such simple and reverent spirits that God still reveals Himself in amplest measure?"

How fitting it was, too, that shepherds should be chosen, when we remember how the Twenty-third Psalm begins, and when we reflect that the Babe born in Bethlehem was to be the Good Shepherd giving His life for the sheep. It is generally supposed that these anonymous shepherds were residents of Bethlehem; and tradition has fixed the exact spot where they were favored with this Advent Apocalypse—about a thousand paces from the modern village. It is a historic fact that there was a tower near that site, called Eder, or “the Tower of the Flock,” around which were pastured the flocks destined for the Temple sacrifice; but the topography of Luke 2:8 is purposely vague. The expression, “in that same country,” would describe any circle within the radius of a few miles from Bethlehem as its center, and the very vagueness of the expression seems to push back the scene of the Advent music to a farther distance than a thousand paces. And this view is confirmed by the language of the shepherds themselves, who, when the vision has faded, say one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass”; for they scarcely would have needed, or used, the adverbial “even” were they keeping their flocks so close up to the walls of the city. We may therefore infer, with some amount of probability, that, whether the shepherds were residents of Bethlehem or not, when they kept watch over their flocks, it was not on the traditional site, but farther away over the hills."

“Be not afraid.” This was the first bidding sent from heaven to men when Jesus Christ was born. It was no new message of reassurance; again and again in a like need a like encouragement had been expressed to Abraham, to Isaac, to Gideon, to Daniel, to Zacharias, the same tranquillizing, helpful words had come from the considerateness and gentleness that are on high. But to the shepherds of Bethlehem they came with a new power and significance. “And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” Within that glory was the love of God; and all that it might disclose must come from Him who so loved the world that He had sent His Son to be born, to suffer, and to die for men. There must, indeed, be awe in coming near to God, in realizing how near He comes to us: but it is like the awe with which even earthly goodness, greatness, wisdom at their highest touch us; it is not like our terror of that which is arbitrary and unaccountable. God dwells in depths of burning light, such as the eyes of sinful men can never bear: but the light itself, with all it holds, streams forth from love, and is instinct, informed, aglow with love."

These words which the angel spoke were but anticipations of the words with which Jesus Himself has made us familiar. They were His favorite words. He might have borrowed them from the angel, or more likely given them to the angel in advance. We hear from His own lips continually—“Fear not.” He meets us at every turn of life with that cheery invocation. He passed through His ministry day by day repeating it. It was the watchword of His journey and warfare. The disciples heard it every time they were troubled, cast down, and afraid. When they fell at His feet trembling, He lifted them up with the words “Fear not!” When their ship was sinking in the storm, they heard the cry “Fear not!” When they shivered at the thought of all the foes and dangers which awaited them, there came reassurance with the voice, “Fear not, little flock.” When He was leaving them, one of His last words was: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The story tells us that Christ Himself was as poor and as unfamed as the shepherds—yet all Heaven was with Him. No trumpet-flourish told His coming, no posts rode swift from town to town to announce His Kingship. Earth and its glory took no notice of One who was laid in a manger. But far above in the world beyond, where earthly glory hath no praise, and earth no power, and rank no dignity, the Child who lived to love and die for men, was celebrated among the heavenly host. All the courts of Heaven began to praise God for the little Child for whom there was no shelter on earth but a cave in the rocks.”

Even though we were not there to hear the angels proclaim, “Good Tidings of Great Joy,” we read in Psalm 144:3-5 a prayer for the Lord to divinely intervene: “Bend down the heavens, Lord, and come down.” This cry for deliverance echoes throughout the Psalms. But the fact is, the Lord did bend down the heavens and come down when He became a baby born in Bethlehem. God gave his only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. As we celebrate the Christmas season, join your voice with the praise of believers throughout history and around the world who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and give Him thanks and worship for the sacrifice of His Son to heal and save us. Lift up your heart to the Lord who reached down, the One who cares for us and who loves us with an everlasting love.

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate Your birth during this Christmas season, we praise You for coming to earth so that we who believe in You might know Your forgiveness and experience Your love. You are Emmanuel, God with us! Although as mere humans we are like a breath of air, our days like a passing shadow, You reached down from on high and brought us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Good Tidings of Great Joy, indeed! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen


Look Up—meditate on Psalm 144:3-5 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In
—as you meditate on Psalm 144:3-5 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Psalm 144:3-5 …pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


* If you liked this post, you’ll love this book – 
Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ


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