Manger to Mercy

Slow down. Fix your eyes on Jesus—-the Baby in the manger, the Savior on the cross, the King on the throne.

From the cradle to the cross, every step of Christ’s life pointed to mercy. Advent-derived from the Latin word adventus meaning “arrival”-calls us to slow down and prepare our hearts to encounter Jesus.

In Manger to Mercy: Portraits of Grace, you’ll walk alongside men and women who saw the Messiah face-to-face. Their stories invite you to lay aside distractions, doubts, and burdens and to discover the joy of fixing your eyes on Jesus-the author and perfecter of your faith.

Scripture to anchor your heart in truth
Stories of those who encountered Christ
Reflections to deepen your faith
Prayers to draw you near to Him
Songs to guide your heart in worship
Space to capture your reflections and prayers

Whether read in the Advent season or any time of year, these reflections will help you trade hurry for hope, worry for worship, and weariness for wonder. Come and behold the One who left the splendor of heaven, entered the world He created in a humble manger, and, in love and mercy, gave Himself for you on a rugged cross.

Author Biography

Stephanie lives in the Midwest with her husband, James, and her daughter, whom she homeschools. She treasures time with her son and daughter-in-law and loves playing with her twin grandsons. Alongside nurturing godly character in her own children, she has had the privilege of mentoring teens and young women throughout much of her Christian life. Over the years, she has also led and participated in a variety of prayer ministries. Since its inception, she has served on the prayer team at Jennifer’s Harbor in addition to various other roles, and more recently she joined the team as their lead editor.Whether she’s tending vegetables and herbs in her garden or creating something delicious and healing in the kitchen, she finds joy in the simple, meaningful rhythms of life. As a licensed massage therapist, she is honored to walk with others on their journey toward health and wholeness-spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.Becoming an author was a dream she didn’t know she had. She always loved writing, but it was through teaching her children to write well that her passion deepened and her skills sharpened. When God began nudging her to share all she’d learned about cultivating Christlike character, she resisted at first-she knew nothing about publishing a book! But as He often does, God won her heart, she surrendered, and Off with the Old, On with the New was born. It’s been an adventurous and faith-building journey ever since.