Showing posts with label miracle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miracle. 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 7, 2016

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

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, “Miracle,” I was inspired by listening to the anointed hymn, Miracles, by Jesus Culture featuring Chris Quilala... The One who made the blind to see, Is moving here in front of me, moving here in front of me, The One who made the deaf to hear, Is silencing my every fear…I believe in You, You're the God of miracles, I believe in You…You're the God of miracles, The God who was and is to come, The power of the Risen One, The God who brings the dead to life, You're the God of miracles!

Pastor John MacArthur states: “ Regarding Matthew 1:18-25, Dr. Walvoord, the president of Dallas Theological Seminary, writes, “The incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ is the central fact of Christianity. Upon it the whole superstructure of Christian theology depends.”  The whole essence of Christianity is predicated on the fact that Jesus is God in human flesh.  This is something made clear at the very birth of Christ, an essential doctrine. You see, if Jesus had a human father, then the Bible is untrustworthy, because the Bible claims he did not. And if Jesus was born simply of human parents, there is no way to describe the reason for his supernatural life. His virgin birth, his substitutionary death, his bodily resurrection and his second coming are a package of deity. You cannot isolate any one of those and accept only that one and leave the rest or vice versa, accept them all but one. You either believe all those realities that are the manifestation of his deity, or you do not. The virgin birth is essential enough for the Apostles’ Creed to speak of Jesus as “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” That’s always been a cardinal fact of Christianity. There is no birth ever in the history of humanity that is as singularly spectacular as the birth of Jesus Christ. Any rejection of Christ’s supernatural origin leaves his supernatural life and his supernatural death and his supernatural resurrection inexplicable. You’ve got to have it all for any of it to make sense. If Jesus wasn’t virgin born, then the claim that he can save is highly questionable. Matthew, to begin with, affirms the virgin birth. He was none other than God in human flesh. Matthew tells us he came to dwell with the sick, to heal them. He came to dwell with the demon possessed, to liberate them, with the poor in spirit to bless them, with the care ridden, to free them from care, with the lepers, to cleanse them, with the diseased, to cure them, with the hungry, to feed them, with the handicapped, to restore them, but most of all, he says that he came to dwell with the lost in order that he might seek and save them. Immanuel, God with us, infinitely rich became poor, assumed our human nature, entered our sin-polluted atmosphere without ever being tainted by it, took our guilt, bore our griefs, carried our sorrows, was wounded with our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, went to heaven to prepare a place for us, sent his Spirit to dwell in our hearts, right now makes intercession for us, and will someday come to take us to be with him.

Pastor MacArthur’s closing prayer: “Father, what a wonder, what a wonder it is that Jesus was thus born, the God-man, miracle of miracles, that he should be man and yet God. Thank you for the lesson, too, Father, that when you want to do your special works, your mighty works, your supernatural works, your miraculous works, you always find some humble, faithful, trusting, righteous people like Mary and Joseph. Thank you not only for the theology of the virgin birth, but for the example of what happens when God uses two simple people.  May we be so righteous, so useful for that which you would do today in our world in revealing yourself. Thank you that you have chosen the weak things to confound the mighty. Thank you that we who have nothing to offer can be used by you. What a mystery. May it so be that everyone gathered here comes to know that precious Lord Jesus who came to save people from their sins, and that in knowing him would become humble, submissive, trusting, available people who can be used again to do your work in this world and will give you the praise. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

The miracle of Jesus’ birth was only the beginning of His life of miracles and the miracle of His resurrection. In Mark 8:11-13, Jesus had just miraculously fed the multitude, yet the Pharisees demanded more signs, more miracles. Like them, we sometimes fix our hopes on miraculous, stupendous events: our ship coming in so that all our financial woes disappear in a moment, or our wheelchair-bound friend getting up to walk again. Jesus is just as able to do those things as He was to feed the five thousand, but what about the fact that the sun rises each morning or that God has given us new birth into a living hope through Jesus’ finished work for us on the cross? Aren’t those things manifestations of His miraculous power? We see signs of God’s presence everywhere: in a beautiful valley of wildflowers, in the encouraging words of a friend, in the gentle rain, in the ways He provides all we need. We don’t need a miraculous sign—we just need Jesus! Ask Him to help you to recognize the many ways in which He is with you, for you are never outside of His loving arms or without His Spirit, who dwells in the innermost part of you. Ask Him to give you glimpses of His nature and character wherever you go and to turn your heart toward Him in gratitude and belief.

Lord Jesus, forgive me if I ever demand evidence of Your miracles—Your supernatural working and power instead of thanking You for all you do. Please open my eyes to be aware of Your continual presence, to sense Your nearness, and to see the works of Your hand everywhere I look. With all my heart I welcome Your presence today, however you choose to reveal yourself to me. Give me a heart which longs to know You, to believe You, and to thank You in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Mark 8:11-13  … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In
—as you meditate on
Mark 8:11-13 … 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
Mark 8:11-13 …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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