And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.
~Doctor Luke, Luke 2:7
The significant promise of God was about to be fulfilled in a very insignificant place through a very insignificant family. Bethlehem was not big. There was Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Humility”
Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
~Jesus, John 8:12
The darkness of sin filled the world but God promised a light that would one day pierce the darkness. Throughout history it was known that a glimpse of Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Light”
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.
~Doctor Luke, Luke 2:1-5
Usually going home causes a certain amount of joy. Reconnecting with family and friends is normal around Christmas time. For Mary and Joseph that first Christmas visiting extended family was Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Go Home”
A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him. But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children – children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.
~The Apostle John, John 1:6-13
A deep Christian thinker once said: “preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary.” I am sure the intention of this thinker was Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: The Voice”
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.” The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place.”
~Zechariah and Gabriel, Luke 1:18-20
Zechariah had just been told of a blessing he and his wife were about to receive. He and his wife Elizabeth were Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Speechless”
In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
~Mary and Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-45
Mary had just been told that her life was about to change but she also heard that Elizabeth, her elderly aunt’s life was about to change. Elizabeth was elderly but she was Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Encouragement”
Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to send her away privately. When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
~The Apostle Matthew 1:18-25
Life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. Sometimes our expectations are crushed by Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Joseph And The Angel”
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting. So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not had relations with a man?” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.
~Gabriel and Mary, Luke 1:26-35
The clearer the calling of God the more difficult the task. Mary was given a very clear mission. She would have a child without Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Mary And The Holy Spirit”
As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.
~The Prophet Micah, Micah 5:2
The little town of Bethlehem has a significant place in history. The small town surrounded by grain fields is where God chose to Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Bethlehem”
For this reason the sovereign master himself will give you a confirming sign. Look, this virgin is about to conceive and will give birth to a son. You, young woman, will name him Immanuel.
~The Prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 7:14
Throughout history people have longed to see the promise of God fulfilled. God had promised that through the “seed of woman” He would rescue His creation.
Sometimes it is hard to imagine how something out of the ordinary will happen. Continue reading “Christmas Devotions: Immanuel”
