Showing posts with label victory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label victory. 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:

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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.





Friday, December 16, 2016

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

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


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 wonderful way artist Krista Hamrick illustrated the word, “Victory,” with a red heart in the center of the Cross of Christ, I was inspired by Travis Cottrell’s rendition of Victory in Jesus I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory, how He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning, Then I repented of my sins and won the victory. O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.

 
The great English Bible teacher Captain Reginald Wallis writes: “The triumphant Christian does not fight for victory; he celebrates a victory already won.”

Navigators Pastor Lee Brase writes: “Allow God to help you recall the finished work of Christ and your future hope of final victory.”

The victory that has overcome the world is our faith - "This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith." (
I John 5:4b NET); "And this is the victory that has defeated the world: our faith." (Common English Bible).

Victory (nike) means overcoming of an enemy or antagonist. Nike means "victory, or the power that confers victory"…victory, then as abstract for concrete—the means for winning a victory.

Webster: Conquest; the defeat of an enemy in battle, or of an antagonist in contest; a gaining of the superiority in war or combat. Victory supposes the power of an enemy or an antagonist to prove inferior to that of the victor. Victory however depends not always on superior skill or valor; it is often gained by the fault or mistake of the vanquished. The advantage or superiority gained over spiritual enemies, over passions and appetites, or over temptations, or in any struggle or competition.

Nike or nikaō denotes victory over hostile powers. The real victor is God, who has power over his own enemies and those of his people and of the righteous. The people’s victory does not primarily depend upon the strength of their soldiers but upon whether God has delivered the enemy into the hands of the Israelite armies.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Self-denial is required, but true Christians have a principle which carries them above all hindrances. Though the conflict often is sharp, and the regenerate may be cast down, yet he will rise up and renew his combat with resolution. But all, except believers in Christ, are enslaved in some respect or other, to the customs, opinions, or interests of the world. Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armor by which we overcome. In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin.


Krista Hamrick chose to illustrate the word, “Victory,” with a red heart in the center of the Cross of Christ, in her Nativity Alphabet art print. This powerful translation of Habakkuk 3:17-19 Amplified Bible speaks of how we can lean in to this Victory in Jesus…Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk saw injustice and violence, misery, and sin all around him. When God laid out the big picture and told Habakkuk of the victory to come, the prophet was so humbled and awed by the Lord’s greatness that something even more important did change: Habakkuk’s heart. He didn’t stop asking for the Lord’s help, but now he asked with faith and a heart of worship: No matter how bad things get, “I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” Ask God to build that kind of heart in you…no matter what.

Heavenly Father, as Habakkuk wrote, I have “heard all about You, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things You have done.” In our time of deep need, begin again to help us as You did in years gone by. Show us Your power to save us! No matter what happens, whether I see prayers answered or victories, may my heart rejoice in You. I will find my joy in You, for You are my strength! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Habakkuk 3:17-19 … pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In
—as you meditate on
Habakkuk 3:17-19 …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
 Habakkuk 3:17-19 …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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