Category Archives: Jesus

Shekinah in the Manger – Christmas Thoughts 2025

18 Thursday Dec 2025

Posted by in Christmas, God, Jesus, Leader, Leadership

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Merry Christmas everyone… Christmas Thoughts 2025

We will pick back up in 2026.  See you then…

If you would like to download a printer friendly version of this year’s thoughts with a washout watermark background, click here: Shekinah in the Manger

Shekinah in the Manger

The Shekinah stirs…
the Dwelling Presence of God that once thundered on Sinai’s summit,
that once filled the tabernacle and the temple with fire-cloud of holy glory…

Glory, once unapproachable, now soft enough for wise men to behold,
and gentle enough to be cradled in a mother’s arms,
now settling itself into a manger’s glow.

In the hush of that night, Mystery wraps itself in flesh, 
the divine Gift laid in the trembling hands of the world.

The hidden, now made visible, the eternal, now made near,
breathes comfort across this shepherd’s field of earth.

The Holy Dwelling has come, the angels sing,
their voices echoing God’s mercy into the night’s wounded world.

Presence made gentle for humanity’s frailty,
that enfolds the fearful in the kindness of His coming.

He arrives as the long-awaited Hope,
the Promised Consolation of Israel, a Light for the nations,
carried by hands of childlike faith and innocence.

The Star of David stoops low and touches earth,
prophecies fulfilled in the first beat of His heart.

He is Majesty wrapped in humility,
Glory wrapped in the fragile form of a child.

He is the Gift no hand could craft,
the peace no exile could imagine.

The Shekinah rests upon Him…
fire without smoke, presence without boundary,
dwelling now in reachable compassion.

He is the Mystery who bends low,
the Majesty who steadies trembling souls,
and still He comes…
consolation for the seeking, comfort for the weary.

Shekinah revealed in the quietness of the manger,
the miracle of God with us,
God near, God here.

Merry Christmas

© J Clay Norton, 2025

To view previous year’s Christmas thoughts, download here:

2024 Darkness No More

2023 Christmas Foretold

2022 For There Was No Room

2021 Deliverance – Coram Deo “The ‘Living’ Presence of God”

2020 Our Gift of Truth

2019 Let There Be Light… The Light of the World

2018 Born As A Babe

2017 In The Fullness Of Time

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

A Sacred Work Prayer

22 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in Christian Worldview, Education, Educational Leadership, Encouragement, Gift, Grace, Jesus, Kindness, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Respect, Sacrifice, Servant, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Thankful, Value

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Well, the start of school is here. Many are in full swing of five weeks now, a few a couple of weeks, and colleges just started… So, I wanted to wait until everyone was back to start sending out blogs again. I hope you had a great, restful summer, and you school year has started well.

For my first blog of the new school year, I thought I would write a prayer of sorts to get us thinking about the role of what we do, who we do it for, and why. Yes, what we do is a sacred work. I hope you enjoy. If you want a printable copy, click here: A Sacred Work Prayer

A Sacred Work Prayer

It is a privilege to speak,
of the work educators do.

For the lives enriched and challenged,
by their hands, their voices, their countless prayers.

Lord, give us wisdom, give us courage,
to stand beside those who educate.

As they lead in their schools,
for the betterment of society.

We pray for our schools,
let grace dwell among all who shape the future.

Day after day teachers give of themselves,
yet they are not alone…

For we walk with Jesus, the Master Teacher,
the One who never leaves, never forsakes.

Remind us daily this work is sacred,
a testimony to the power of education to change lives.

We remember those teachers who have gone before us…
who encouraged us, supported us, shepherded us.

Now strengthen us to serve,
to be salt and light in our schools.

That families and children,
may be profoundly blessed.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of teaching,
may we not squander what You have entrusted to us.

Thank You for making us part,
of the ministry of Your grace.

As we model Your love,
to those we educate.

© J Clay Norton, 2025

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Rejoicing in the Mourning of The Empty Tomb

17 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in Easter, God, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Love, Mercy, Passion, Purpose, Sacrifice

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If you would like to download a printer friendly version of this with the above picture as a washout watermark background, click here: Rejoicing in the Mourning of the Empty Tomb

Rejoicing in the Mourning of The Empty Tomb

To feel the weight of what was lost, to stand before a world fractured by sin,
bent beneath the curse, longing for release – It is good to mourn…

To see the sorrow etched in every face, to know that something is missing;
something only Heaven can restore – It is right to be sad…

Creation groans beneath its burden, subjected to futility, longing for freedom,
bound in the chains of corruption – Look around…

The earth trembles in the pains of childbirth, straining toward redemption’s dawn,
aching for the stone to be rolled away, for we know that Salvation awaits…

We are meant to be rejoicing people… for redemption has come in flesh and blood,
for the cross is victory, and the grave is empty!

Yet even in resurrection’s light, our joy is mixed with tears,
for this world is still a battlefield, and our hearts bear the scars of war.

To mourn is to see clearly, to name the fight within,
to confess the war we wage each morning, the weight of temptations that greet us at dawn.

There are enemies unseen, whispers of doubt, shadows of fear,
sin that lingers, pulling at our heels… Yet mourning does something holy.

It turns our cries toward Calvary, our sorrow toward the empty tomb,
our weakness into a desperate plea… For the risen Savior’s touch.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Not with fleeting peace but with a risen King who conquered death.

Comfort in knowing… The price has been paid,
forgiveness is won, the stone is rolled away… forever.

So, we mourn, and we hope. We grieve, and we rejoice.
We weep, and we wait… For that day when Jesus will make all things new.

Happy Easter

© J Clay Norton, 2025

For previous Easter thoughts, click the link…

2024 The Symbol of Love’s Greatest Story

2023 The Walk

2022 The Victory of Christ

2021 Resurrection Morning

2020 The Lamb’s Precious Blood

2019 The Cross I See…

2018  The Cross and The Grave

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Darkness No More – Christmas Thoughts 2024

20 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in Christian Worldview, Christmas, God, Jesus, Leader, Leadership

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Merry Christmas everyone… Christmas Thoughts 2024

We will pick back up in 2025.  See you then.

If you would like to download a printer friendly version of this year’s thoughts with a washout watermark background, click here: Darkness No More

Screenshot 2024-12-19 at 9.51.28 AM

To view previous year’s Christmas thoughts, download here:

2023 Christmas Foretold

2022 For There Was No Room

2021 Deliverance – Coram Deo “The ‘Living’ Presence of God”

2020 Our Gift of Truth

2019 Let There Be Light… The Light of the World

2018 Born As A Babe

2017 In The Fullness Of Time

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…