Today’s Reading: Psalm 81, 82 & 143

I heard an unknown voice say:
“I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.” – Psalm 81:5b-9

Father God, we recognize this morning that you have rescued us over and over again. Not only did you send your Son to walk this earth, knowing how your creation would treat its Creator, you continue to show mercy to this sinful world today. We called out to you and you rescued us; you answered our cries, responding to our needs and providing according to your wisdom and love.

“I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” – Psalm 81:10

OPEN WIDE YOUR MOUTH AND I WILL FILL IT.

This verse beautifully describes the heart of God. He wants to pour out His blessings on our lives; He desires to be generous with us. But we must cooperate with the Gift Giver; we must be open to all that God wants to do for us, in us and through us. We must quiet the chaos of life and find undistracted moments to listen for the voice of the Lord speaking to us.

“But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” – Psalm 81:11-16

I WILL SATISFY YOU WITH HONEY FROM THE ROCK.

For most of my life, it has been a prayer of mine that my heart would mirror the desires of the Lord. I have repeatedly asked God to take away anything my heart desires that does not reflect what He desires for me and for those I love. I long to be satisfied with the honey provided by the Rock of Ages; I desire to be aligned with the heart of Jesus. I want my prayers for my own life to be unselfish, surrendered to all that God wants; I want my prayers for others to be directed by the thoughts of God.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:3-4

These first two psalms we have looked at today were written by a musician named Asaph. Asaph was a Levite appointed by King David to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:4-5). Asaph’s calling was to attend to the needs of others, to praise the Lord enthusiastically, to lead God’s people in the expression of gratitude, and to lead the nation of Israel in the approval and admiration of the Lord.

I believe that Asaph’s calling matched the desire of his heart. I am convinced that worshiping God came naturally to the chief of temple worship — to the man appointed as the worship leader. Asaph wrote poetry and song lyrics, like King David, and the Israelites continued to use his words when they praised the Lord, just as we do today (2 Chronicles 29:30). He passed on his talents and his heart for worship to his descendents. They, too, became temple musicians and were known as the sons of Asaph (Ezra 2:41 & 3:10, Nehemiah 7:44).

OPEN WIDE YOUR HEART AND I WILL FILL IT.

I am so thankful that God did not leave us in the condition we were in when we surrendered our life to Him. God’s love for us is expressed in His willingness to fill us with His righteousness so that we can be made right with him, reflecting the righteousness of God through our actions and attitudes. God’s mercy is evidenced through the opportunities that He gives us, allowing us to be used by Him in the lives of others — the weak and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed, the weak and the needy.

Lord, open our hearts and fill us with all that you desire. May our lives be a beautiful reflection of your unfailing love and great kindness. As we end one year and prepare for a new beginning, we ask that you would guide our lives. Give us direction each morning as we rest in your presence and soak in your words. May we be satisfied with the sweet honey you provide, and may we trust you with all that is ahead. Amen.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you. – Psalm 143:8

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 55, Psalm 25

We are quickly approaching one of my favorite days of the year — New Years Day! My love for this holiday has nothing to do with staying up late, watching the ball drop in New York City, or attending a party with my friends and family. No, I love this holiday because it represents a new beginning.

A new year gives me the opportunity to reflect back on the last year, pondering the highs and lows of the last twelve months. I take note of what the Lord has taught me and how I have grown in my faith. I grieve the losses and mourn the mistakes, then I place them in the Lord’s hands and ask Him to continue to mold me and make me into the person He wants me to be.

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good. – Psalm 25:4-7

I am so grateful that we serve a God who is full of grace — a God who is good and who loves us enough to forgive us when we come to Him with a truly repentant heart. He knows everything about us, even those thoughts that are too dark to share with our closest friend. He knows where we struggle and He knows how hard we are trying. And God, in mercy and love, gives us another new beginning.

WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THIS NEW BEGINNING THE LORD IS GIVING US?

Will it simply be a day to sleep in and then start taking down the Christmas decorations, or will it be an intentional day of prayer and following the Lord’s directions? Are we willing to put ourselves in a place or submission to the Lord’s ways and plans? Are we available to be used by Him in new ways over the next 52 weeks? Do we trust God enough to give Him our 2024, wherever that leads us?

“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

NEW BEGINNINGS COME AFTER WE HAVE TURNED TO THE LORD IN REPENTANCE.

Looking back on this last season of life, I have some regrets. There have been some attitudes that did not reflect the attitude of Christ (Philippians 2:5), and there have been some actions that came from a place of panic instead of prayer. Lord, have mercy on me, and forgive me of my sins. Give me a new chance to recognize your lordship and submit to your ways, letting go of my unhealthy thoughts and habits.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

NEW BEGINNINGS ALLOW GOD TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE IN OUR LIVES.

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11

It is the desire of my heart to receive all that the Lord wants to do in my life this year. I want to soak up the rain and the snow; I want the words of the Lord to wash over me so that I am saturated with the nourishment that comes from the study of His holy scriptures. Strengthen me through every word and achieve your perfect purpose in me, Lord!

NEW BEGINNINGS REPRESENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRAISE THE LORD, RECEIVE JOY, AND FIND HOPE.

“You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.” – Isaiah 55:12-13

Lord, I give you this new beginning. Write your plan upon the canvas of my life. Direct my thoughts and chart my course, as I surrender both my past and my future into your loving hands. May your words continue to shape my heart and mind each morning as I receive the gift of a new beginning from you, Abba Father. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” – Matthew 2:13

There are times when we receive a message from the Lord or a warning from the Holy Spirit to flee. We get a sense of danger or even hear words that warn us that we need to change action or remove ourselves from a situation. Aren’t you thankful for the protective nature of our God? Aren’t you thankful that He sends angels in our path? Aren’t you grateful for God’s hedge of protection around us? Jesus would have been in danger if they had stayed in Bethlehem, so Joseph was given clear directions on what to do and where to go.

STAY THERE UNTIL I TELL YOU

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” – Matthew 2:14-15

At times, we find ourselves wondering what we are supposed to do next. Some of the best advice I have ever received was to wait on the Lord for my next move. Go back to the last thing the Lord told you to do and rest in that information until He tells you to do something different. I am thankful this morning that we serve the God who directs our paths and gives us wisdom when we have difficult decisions to make.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” – Matthew 2:16-18

A VOICE CAN BE HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING…

These verses are hard to read. King Herod was so wicked that he was willing to order the death of thousands of infants and toddlers in an attempt to secure his place of authority. To put ourselves in the place of these parents is to grieve a loss that is unimaginable.

My friends, this is a pattern throughout scripture and it continues to be a pattern today. Pharoah ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every baby boy that was born. When they refused to do so, he ordered that every newborn Hebrew boy be thrown into the Nile river (Exodus 1). The worship of false gods throughout the history of mankind has involved the sacrifice of babies and children on altars of worship (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6 and 23:10, Jeremiah 7:31 and 32:35, Deuteronomy 18:10), a practice that only Satan himself would be evil enough to contrive.

“Then you took your sons and daughters—the children you had borne to me—and sacrificed them to your gods. Was your prostitution not enough? Must you also slaughter my children by sacrificing them to idols?” – Ezekiel 16:20-21

Satan continues to lead nations in the practice of child sacrifice. His methods are different but the end result is the same — babies are being sacrificed for the sake of convenience, all in the name of women’s rights and cultural progress. Politicians are compromising their values for votes, and those who stand up for the protection of the unborn are deemed as radical and small-minded.

A VOICE CAN BE HEARD IN AMERICA, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING…

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. – Matthew 2:19-23

Once more, Joseph had an encounter with God through a dream. He was warned about the danger of those who would find and kill Jesus, and so he gathered together his little family and moved to Nazareth. This would be the home where Jesus grew up; this would be the town that Jesus of Nazareth called home.

Sometimes negative circumstances place us somewhere we never would have ended up on our own. But God uses our situation to write a beautiful story of grace in the midst of our sorrows. Perhaps you have experienced persecution or ridicule for your faith; perhaps you have had to remove yourself from a relationship or situation that had become unhealthy or unsafe. Maybe you have heard a warning from the Holy Spirit to flee from sin or from the schemes of the evil one. Perhaps you are mourning the loss of a little one who fell victim to the culture of death in our society.

No matter what your situation, I hope you can find hope in the story of Jesus’ birth. I pray you can see God’s hand as present in your story as it was in Joseph and Mary’s. May our Father God wrap you in His loving arms and may his angel army protect us from the attempts of the enemy to disarm or discourage us. May God bless you and your family as you respond to His leading and follow His direction. May He use us to promote a culture of life, hope and love to those around us.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:1-12; Psalm 150

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2

WE SAW AND SO WE CAME.

The Magi arrived in Jerusalem seeking the promised Messiah. They had been studying the sky and so they knew the meaning behind the bright star. The wisemen had left their homes and traveled a long distance in order to personally greet the King of the Jews. Each step they took towards Bethlehem got them closer to meeting Jesus face to face — the One who would become the Savior of the world.

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” – Matthew 2:3-6

Perhaps King Herod was struggling with what today we call imposter syndrome. He knew that the Romans had taken over the land of the Jews, and he did not like the idea of having the rightful king show up and claim the throne. He needed to figure out what the wisemen were talking about so that he could stop this newborn king before it was too late.

HE WONDERED AND SO HE ASKED.

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” – Matthew 2:7-8

King Herod asked his questions, gathered the information he needed, and then executed his plan to gain access to this little king whose presence threatened his power. He feigned interest, joining the wisemen in their excitement to worship the one the Jews had been anticipating. His jealousy was masked by a pretense of authentic interest.

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! – Matthew 2:9-10

THEY WERE BEING LED AND SO THEY FOLLOWED.

The wise men saw the star in the sky and knew they needed to reach the star in order to arrive at their destination. Day after day, perhaps month after month, they followed this star but it remained out ahead of them. What many would have considered an unreachable dream, these men considered a worthwhile journey. The search for the Christ child was worth their time, it was worth their effort, and it was worth their perseverance. They did not stop until the star stopped. And when their purpose was realized, the wise men were filled with joy. It had not been easy, but it had been worth the search.

THEY WERE AWE OF BABY JESUS AND SO THEY WORSHIPED HIM.

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. – Matthew 2:11-12

When they reached their destination, the wise men bowed before Jesus and began to worship him. Because they had been studying the scriptures, they understood the significance of this moment. They held nothing back as they opened up their most valuable treasures and lavished them upon Jesus. What a beautiful moment of fulfillment! They had been seeking the newborn king and they had found him. They were experiencing this amazing moment because they had made the journey towards Jesus, found the search to be worthwhile, and were willing to endure the difficult days along the way.

WE LONG TO SEE JESUS AND SO WE SEEK HIM.

Where are you on your journey towards Jesus? I hope that 2023 has been a year that has brought you joy as you pursued the covenant relationship Jesus came to earth in order for you to experience. Perhaps it has not been easy, and perhaps the enemy has tried his best to distract you from the purpose to which you have set your mind. But through it all, I hope you have recognized the goodness of God that has provided direction, the light of Jesus that has shed clarity, and the peace of the Lord that has filled you with joy. May these last few days of 2023 find you grateful for His provision and hopeful for the blessings this next chapter holds.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!…
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-20; Psalm 68

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. – Luke 2:8

They were shepherds doing what shepherds do. It was their job to keep their eye on the flocks, protecting them from thieves and wild animals or simply from wandering away and getting lost. Perhaps the night already felt special because there was a star over Bethlehem that was lighting up the field. It’s possible there was not anything obviously special about these young people, yet their proximity to the birth of Jesus allowed them to experience a night the world would never forget!

THEIR PROXIMITY GAVE THEM OPPORTUNITY.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. – Luke 2:9

Imagine with me how magnificent it must have been to be surrounded by the glory of the Lord. How amazing would it have been to actually see an angel of the Lord in all his beauty. Yet the shepherds were afraid. This was new. This was unexpected. This was terrifying. They were responding in the same way that many others in scripture had responded when they saw an angel for the first time. Perhaps this is why so many of the angel messages start with a message of comfort — “Do not be afraid.”

THEIR EXPERIENCE BROUGHT FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:10-12

I love it when someone approaches me asking if I want to hear good news? I find myself immediately wondering what it could be, anticipating just how good this news might be. Many life-giving moments have started with the preface — I have great news for you!

THEIR ANTICIPATION WAS FOLLOWED BY THE CLEAR WAY TO ENCOUNTER THE PROMISED MESSIAH.

I love the clarity with which the angels delivered the message to the shepherds. The shepherds were given everything they needed to know. What happened? The Messiah had been born. When did this happen? Today. Where was he born? In Bethlehem, known as the hometown of David, just as the prophets had foretold. How would they know who he was? You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds were told everything they needed to know in order to experience the presence of the long-awaited Messiah — the one who would become the Savior of the World.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14

Let’s stop and picture this moment. Close your eyes and try to visualize a great company of angels. Imagine the sky being filled with the heavenly host. Can you hear the rush of angels’ wings? Can you feel the air swirling around you? Can you hear the magnificence of the angel voices worshiping the Almighty God? It sounds to me like a moment I would want to last forever.

David spoke of a great army of angels bringing good news, an army that caused the enemy armies to scatter and flee (Psalm 68). In his vision, Daniel saw millions of angels ministering to the Ancient One and many millions attending to Him as He sat on the throne to judge (Daniel 7). Angels came to attend to Jesus after he had been tempted in the desert (Matthew 4), and an angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers after King Hezekiah laid out before the Lord a threatening letter he had received from his enemies (2 Kings 19).

On the night that Jesus was born, the angels came with a message. They were there to make sure these shepherds heard the good news about Jesus. They came rejoicing over the birth of God’s Son, praising God and celebrating this moment that held such great significance. Just as the shepherds were watching over their flocks, the angels were watching over the Lamb of God.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:15

THEIR EXCITEMENT LED THEM TO THE PLACE WHERE THE CHRIST CHILD HAD BEEN BORN.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – Luke 2:16-20

Jesus, today we celebrate your wondrous birth. Our hearts are exploding with gratitude for your willingness to come near so that you could make a way for us to experience salvation. Like Mary, we want to take time to treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts. As we anticipate spending time with our loved ones today, we thank you for the opportunity to spend time in your presence this morning. Thank you for a love so amazing that you became Immanual — God with us. We love you! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:1-14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. – Luke 2:1-3

In this next passage, we see Joseph doing his best to prepare for the birth of Jesus. It would have been great if they could have been in their own home when Mary went into labor; it would have been great if she could have rested on the days leading up to the delivery. But God had a plan and a purpose that was beyond their understanding. Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, not Nazareth.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
whose origins are in the distant past,
will come from you on my behalf. – Micah 5:2

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, THE SON OF GOD WILL COME FROM YOU.

Like everyone else, Joseph was obligated to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. Caesar had decreed it and so Joseph complied. Because he was from the line of David, he and Mary needed to go to Bethlehem to register. We often picture the two of them traveling alone, but both of their families were from the line of David so it makes sense that they would have traveled with a group of family members. It would have been a difficult journey, especially for a pregnant woman, and it makes sense that it would not have been safe to travel alone.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. – Luke 2:4-5

You will remember from the genealogy of Jesus that Joseph was a descendant of Obed, the son of Boaz and Ruth (Matthew 1:5). Naomi was from Bethlehem and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, after her husband and sons died. After Boaz married Ruth and they had a son, the people of Bethlehem rejoiced.

Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, “We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.” – Ruth 4:11

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, YOUR STORY CONTINUES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

We see Bethlehem again in the story of David. The Lord sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king. After considering all of Jesse’s boys, God made it clear to Samuel that it was David he was calling to lead His people.

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. – 1 Samuel 16:13a

In the same town where David was anointed king, the King of David was born. In the same place where the youngest son of Jesse was considered the least of his brothers, the baby Jesus was born in the least likely way. In the same place where Boaz exercised his right as the family redeemer and married Ruth, our Redeemer was born so that we could be forgiven of our sins. In the town known as the House of Bread, the Bread of Life arrived so that we would never hunger again.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. – Luke 2:6-7

OH LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, A STAR IS SHINING BRIGHTLY ABOVE YOU.

With all of the tribe of Judah making their way to Bethlehem, it makes sense that things were a little crowded by the time they arrived. Most likely they had family in Bethlehem and were outside in the area of the home where the animals bedded down for the night because the house was already full. If this were the case, I can just imagine the excitement among the relatives that Mary’s baby was choosing that night to arrive. Or perhaps they were all asleep when Jesus entered into the world.

There is so much we do not know about the night Jesus was born. It’s easy to make reasonable assumptions — Mary rode on a the donkey, Jesus was born in a stable, there were animals surrounding them, they were alone until the shepherds arrived. And maybe that’s exactly how it took place. What we know with confidence is that Jesus was the Son of God, and he came to this earth exactly has planned yet nothing like expected.

As we read the Christmas story today or tomorrow, our hearts will once again focus on the beauty of the birth of Christ. From the moment the angel appeared to Mary, to the moment the angels appeared to the shepherds, God was working out His plan of salvation on our behalf. And God is still at work in our lives today, showing up in unexpected ways and in His perfect timing. Today let’s join the angels in singing:

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” – Luke 2:14

Today’s Reading: John 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; Psalm 100

Are you ready for Christmas? I have so much more to do — Christmas cards to send, gifts to pick out, stockings to fill, and groceries to buy. I am very ready to spend time with my family but not quite ready for the celebration.

But maybe this is the question I should be answering — Am I ready for Christmas? Am I leaning into the meaning behind our Christmas celebrations? Is my heart anticipating the worship of the Christ child again this year? Am I ready for the Lord to do something new in my heart and life this Christmas? I do not want to get so caught up in the traditions of the holiday that I forget the true meaning behind Christmas.

AM I PREPARED FOR CHRISTMAS?

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. – John 12:1-2a

Jesus was coming and they were throwing a party! Mary, Martha and Lazarus were preparing for Jesus to come to dinner. The Passover celebration was just days away, but tonight it was about Jesus and all that he had done in their lives. Lazarus had been dead for three days but, with a simple command from Jesus, Lazarus had stood up and walked out of the grave. Their hearts were still exploding with gratitude that their brother was there today to be a part of this special dinner party.

This morning is a great opportunity for us to look back with gratitude on everything Jesus has done for us this year and in previous years. What prayers has He answered; in what ways has He provided for us this year? This remembrance could have the potential to prepare our hearts and minds for all the Lord wants us to experience this Christmas. It will help us get our hearts focused on Jesus.

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. – John 12:3

Here is another way in which Mary was prepared for an evening with Jesus. She had expensive perfume prepared and her heart was postured to fall at the feet of Jesus and worship him in a way that no one else was. This gift was not lost on Jesus; he saw the heart of Mary that day.

THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THE FRAGRANCE.

Consider with me the impact you could have on all of your Christmas celebrations over the next few days if your mind is prepared and your heart is postured for worship. What if the house was filled with the presence of Jesus and the fragrance of praise? What if your efforts to keep Jesus in the center of the celebration could have a tremendous impact on your loved ones? What if your worship filled the house with a fragrance that was sweet and beautiful for all to experience?

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

LET’S ALLOW GOD TO TAKE OUR HEARTS CAPTIVE THIS CHRISTMAS.

Lord, thank you for this reminder to refocus before we get any farther into the Christmas weekend celebrations. Lord, we give you our hearts. Take them captive — may your desires be reflected in ours, and may our actions give you glory. Thank you for the gift of your Son and for the miracle of His birth. We bow down and worship you this morning with shouts of joy and a thankful heart. Amen.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations. – Psalm 100

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:18-25; Psalm 142

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. – Matthew 1:18-19

Joseph and Mary had entered into a covenant relationship. She had been promised to him and he planned to soon take her as his wife. The news of Mary’s pregnancy would have been heartbreaking for Joseph. Scripture describes Mary as confused and disturbed, but there is no description for how Joseph accepted the news. We only know that he was kind in his response.

JOSEPH WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN AND SO HE RESPONDED WITH KINDNESS.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:20-21

And perhaps the words of the angel give us a glimpse into how Joseph was feeling. If the angel’s first words are any indication, Joseph was afraid to take Mary as his wife. There was a reluctance to step into the unknown. Would people assume that Joseph himself had been with Mary, tainting his reputation of righteousness? Would the community believe Mary’s explanation of her pregnancy or would they cry out for her stoning? But Joseph was taking time to consider what his response should be, and it was in that moment of consideration that an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

We often focus on how special Mary must have been for God to choose her to carry the Son of God within her and to be his mother. But Joseph was not just a bystander and he certainly was not a victim of God’s plan. Matthew describes Joseph as a righteous man, and he, too, had been chosen for this amazing opportunity..

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. – Matthew 1:22-25

JOSEPH WAS A CHOSEN MAN AND SO HE RESPONDED IN OBEDIENCE.

Not only was Mary chosen, so was Joseph. He would be the earthly father for Jesus, providing everything this precious little one would need to grow up with the knowledge of the scriptures. The words of the prophet were being fulfilled and Joseph had the privilege of being one of the first people to recognize this holy moment in history and respond in faith.

Joseph’s response reflects the righteousness of God in him. He was willing to do what the angel had commanded him to do; he would take Mary as his wife. But he also treated Mary and her pregnancy with respect, protecting the sacredness of her conception and the life growing within her. He would protect and care for them both, and he would not claim his marriage rights in bed until after the baby was born.

JOSEPH WAS A HONORABLE MAN AND SO HE RESPONDED WITH RESPECT.

When we surrender our plans to God, allowing Him to be Lord of our life, He begins to do a work within us. The righteousness of God begins to change us into the person He created us to be. Our actions and attitudes begin to reflect this righteousness, shaping our response to what God is asking us to do. God calls us to obedience but He also equips us with what we need to respond in submission to His will. We begin to respond naturally with kindness and respect for those He is calling us to minister to. He is Immanuel, God with us, and His presence in our lives can be evident for all to see!

Lord, this morning we thank you for Joseph. Thank you for this beautiful example of obedience and love. Please fill us with your righteousness as we experience this covenant relationship with you. May our hearts be prepared and ready to respond with kindness and respect, obediently surrendering our plans to your greater plan. Amen.

I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn…
Then I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.” – Psalm 142:1-5

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 139

After hearing from the angel, scripture says Mary hurried to the town where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived. She had seen and heard an angel, receiving a message unlike one anyone had ever received before. She was a virgin, yet she was with child. She lived a simple life, yet the angel had called her “favored”.

THE LORD IS WITH YOU.

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. – Luke 1:28-29

Mary would have heard the stories of angels bringing messages to men and women throughout the history of the Jewish people, but she probably was not expecting to have her own encounter. And here she was, hearing an angel call her favored, and telling her that the Lord was with her. Even more, the angel went on to tell her that she would soon conceive a baby by the Holy Spirit and the Son of God would grow within her. She, a humble young girl, had been chosen for this amazing task.

THE LORD IS WITHIN YOU.

Instead of feeling joy, Mary was confused and disturbed at what the angel was telling her. But when Mary arrived at the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth, she was greeted with the affirmation she needed. Perhaps she had not even spoken to anyone about what the angel had said; perhaps she had immediately made plans with her family to go and visit the one who might possibly believe that she had received a message from an angel.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” – Luke 1:42-45

WOMB TO WOMB

Did you catch the significance of this moment? The unborn baby growing within Elizabeth responded to the unborn baby growing within Mary. What a beautiful moment of affirmation and wonder! What a generous sign from heaven to confirm what the angel had said would happen!

In this passage, we see Mary go from the description of confused and disturbed to choosing joy in this special calling God had placed on her life. There would be plenty of negative reactions ahead to her explanation of how she was with child, but in this moment she could rejoice that the Lord had chosen her. Not only was the Messiah about to enter into this world, she had the privilege of being the first person to feel his movement and then later to hold him in her arms. She was the first to love him like no one else would ever be able to love him — like only a mother can love.

Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. – Luke 1:46-56

Three months to soak in the reality of this promise. Three months to feel her abdomen swell. Three months to prepare herself for how her family and fiancé would react to the news of her pregnancy, each day growing in confidence that what the angel said was true. God had done what He said He would do, and now she would walk humbly in the part she had been asked to play. She would be the mother of the Lord growing within her — this special baby named Jesus.

We see this same pattern in our own opportunity for obedience. We receive a call on our life and then the Lord provides a season of preparation. He gives us time to adjust to the idea of what He has ahead for us — time to talk to our closest loved ones and time to align our heart with the heart of God. Thank God for sending individuals into our life who affirm God’s call and pray for us through the preparation. They are truly a gift! And how blessed are we when the Lord allows us to play that same role in the life of someone else who has heard from God — who is bravely taking the first steps of obedience.

Father God, thank you for allowing us to soak in the beauty of the Christmas story. We are grateful for the gift of your Son and for the privilege of serving a role in your plan of salvation. May our hearts remain humble and our bodies remain available for your calling, whether it’s for a moment or for a lifetime. You are a good God and we are blessed to be your servants. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 1:67-80; Mark 1:1-8

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on those events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. – Luke 1:65-67

WHAT WILL THIS CHILD TURN OUT TO BE?

As a mother, my heart is stirred by this question because it is a question I have often pondered about my own daughters. Don’t we all wonder what will become of our children and grandchildren when they grow up? What career will they have? Will they be successful? Most of all, will they be happy? Will the Lord bless them with a spouse and children? Will the Lord be glorified through their lives? Again today, I find myself wondering what God has planned for my girls, and I pray that today’s experiences will prepare them for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Zechariah spoke a blessing over his newborn son: “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:76-79

Daily we have the opportunity to speak blessings on our kids — whether they are small enough to crawl into our laps, old enough to ask for the keys to the car, or grown enough to be out of the house. Our children need to hear that we believe in them and in God’s plan for their lives. Our role as parents never ends. We can still be the one to pray over them, asking for God’s blessings and protection.

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” – Mark 1:1-8

HE ATE WHAT?!!

What happens when we struggle to understand the decisions our children are making or the road they are choosing? I wonder how Zechariah and Elizabeth reacted when they heard their son was living in the wilderness. Did they worry? Were they surprised at the details of how his ministry was rolling out?

I can easily see how parents could go from being the cheerleader to the voice of doubt. How easily we can get an idea in our head of what our children should do and then end up being a discouragement to them. That’s not who I want to be. I pray that I continually point them back to God with words like, “As long as you are doing what God has asked you to do” or “Just keep listening to God and following Him and I’ll be here no matter what.”

Perhaps we should look for an opportunity this Christmas to tell the young people in our lives how much we believe in them and in the plan God has for them. Make sure they know God can use them in a powerful way wherever He places them and whatever He asks them to do. Maybe we should look for opportunities every day to essentially say…

YOU DID IT! GREAT JOB! I’M PROUD OF YOU.

Lord, give me wisdom. Parenting is not always easy but it is such an honor and a blessing, and I would not trade it for anything in the world! Thank you for the privilege of this responsibility. Thank you for all of the young people in my life. Heavenly Father, guide me and teach me what to say and when to say it. May I always be a source of encouragement and a positive voice in the heart of each of my family members and friends.

“Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” – Numbers 6:23-27