Countdown to Christmas - Day 13

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.'

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was^."

^{- Matthew 2:1,2,9}

<sup>Wise men still seek Him. It's one of my favorite Christmas sayings, and I find I lean toward Christmas cards with camels and rich men on their faces. Because I want to be considered to dwell among the wise. I want to seek the Lord in every minute of every day of my life, so long as I draw breath. And, I look forward to the day I will be able to look upon His face with my own two eyes. 

Until then, I continue to seek Him in His word, in truth, in light, as I follow His lead. Do you?

Lord, help me to see Your everlasting light every waking moment of my days. I know that they are numbered, and I only wish to serve You in them. Help me to know You just as the wise men knew You were their King. Thank You, God, for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be with us.</sup> 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 14

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."
- Luke 2: 19

This is one of my favorite verses. As a mother, I can relate. So often, words are spoken over our lives, our loved ones, or our children. Every time this occurs, I tuck a piece of paper into a folder labeled "Prophecies." These are close reminders of what God has in store for us, what He has called us to do, and how much He loves us. 

What do you do with the words that are spoken into your life by the Lord? Sometimes they come through reading the scriptures, where one pops out and grabs your attention. Other times, they come through the voice of your spouse (and sometimes we don't like hearing those words, but we know the truth behind them). Sometimes they come from a good friend, iron sharpening iron. Other times, a man or woman of God will visit your church and bring a word from the Lord for the body of Christ or the individuals that make up that body. Whatever avenue God uses, be like Mary. Ponder them in your heart. Allow God to stir up your spirit man. His word never comes back void. 

Lord, thank You for caring about me enough to provide Your words of truth in my life. No matter who speaks them, may I always be receptive. And, may I always remember to think upon them as I go about my daily duties. 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 15

^"And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds."

- Luke 2:16-18

It is our calling as a Christian to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching others to observe all the things that Christ has taught us. Are we successful in doing this? Do we, like the shepherds did so long ago, make widely known the words of Jesus? Do those we share with marvel at the things  we tell them? Are we bold enough to shout His name from the mountaintops? 

Lord, let our words be Your words. Let them be effective, never returning void. Help us to reach those around us who are lost and dying in this perverse and adulterous generation. Thank You for the calling we each have, that there is something we can do for You and Your kingdom every day of our lives. 

 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 16

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'"  -Luke 2:11-14

How old were you when God called you to Him? Throughout the ages, He's used infants, young children, tweens, teenagers, and adults for His kingdom purposes. Every one who is called by Him has a specific, God-ordained and God-given purpose. Me. You. Our children.

My youngest son, Gideon, has an uncanny ability to make even the hardest women smile. The gleam in his eye, the tweak in his lip. All it takes is one grin, and I've watched grandma-types who couldn't stand children melt like chocolate in the sunlight. God used him from infancy to touch hearts.

Lord, help us to recognize Your will for our lives as we consider our salvation this Christmas season. Jesus' ministry and calling were clear. He would save the lost, heal the sick, loose the bound, love the brokenhearted. Thank You, God, for the peace You've brought into our lives through the birth of Your Son. Surely goodness and mercy follow us every day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 17

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'" - Luke 2:8-10

Like Mary and Joseph, the angel startled the shepherds, who were simply doing their job. Can you imagine being at work, minding your own business, when suddenly--out of nowhere--the angel of the Lord appears with a message for you? What if the angel called you from your job? Asked you to take a spur-of-the-moment trip? Said you needed to switch things up a bit, because something big happened and required your immediate attention?

Not many of us would be so willing to just pick up and go. Some would hesitate. Some would refuse. Some would freeze in fear. Maybe there would be one or two who would do as the shepherds would and take that trip to see what the Lord had in store for their lives. Like I have, they'd find it's not so scary after all. God's blessings tend to come in small packages and sudden requests.

Lord, help us to be brave, to have courage to heed your call on our lives. Your path is narrow and sometimes unforeseen. Help us to have faith to hear what the angel has to say and to respond accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 18

"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." ~ Luke 2:6-7

My heart breaks when I consider this verse. People couldn't make room for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, nor can they make room for Him in their hearts today.

It also found me considering if Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem too late, or right on time...

We know that God's timing is perfect in our lives, yet so often we moan, groan, whine, and complain when He doesn't show up in our timing. Is this because we've left no room for Him or we want to make Him less of a priority in our lives? We prefer things our way? In our time? 

One day, it's going to be too late...for us.

Lord, help us to look to You in every moment of every day we have on this earth. We understand the temporariness of our life here and the things it involves. Help us to remember that Your timing is perfect and always will be. So are Your ways. So are Your thoughts toward us. Help us to find understanding and peace when we face doubt and unbelief. And help us to shine Your light in these dark times and in the dark places. 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 19

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child."
~ Luke 2:1, 3-5

Isn't it a beautiful thing to know that we who are saved are registered in the Book of Life? That God has grafted us into His family tree? That we will one day leave this world, our temporary home, and return from whence we came? To be in the eternal Presence of our holy Father?

Lord, we thank You for the invitation to Your wedding banquet. We thank You that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, we are able to sit at Your table and sup with You. We look forward to the day when we will come home for eternity...

Countdown to Christmas - Day 20

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David...
...To perform the mercy promised to our fathers 
And to remember His holy covenant...
...To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hands of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life."
~ Luke 1:68, 69, 72, 74, 75

I LOVE the song I'm about to share with you. It is my absolute, all-time favorite Christmas song. It is not a classic hymn. It's a modern-day tune. It speaks of the blessing that God the Father passed along to you and me. It speaks of a Father's love, that He would grant us a way to come before Him, that nothing could separate us from His love.

"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." ~ John 3:16-17

God loves you and me so much. He didn't send Jesus to condemn us. He sent Him to convict us of our sins, so that we would turn from the ways of this world and give our lives fully to Him. In return, we are promised abundance of life in Christ, eternity with our Father in heaven, and so much more. I'm not saying life will always be easy, but have you ever known anyone else who has loved you with such a complete and unconditional love? I haven't...

Lord, when all else seems to be falling down around us, nothing appears to be going as it should, and we begin to wonder if You still care, help us to remember what You have done for us already. Help us to remember Your great mercy, Your triumph over this world and our sins, and Your unending devotion to us all. We thank You today, Jesus, that we are not condemned but are loved and treasured for eternity.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 21

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation."
~ Luke 1:46-50

What has God done for you? Have you proclaimed it today? Have you shared your testimony with others? Have you told those around you of your lowly state and how God has done great things in your life?

Share your testimony with another today. Shout from the mountaintop of the glory of the Lord, your Savior. Don't be shy. It may change someone's life...

Lord, help me to be bold and brave and courageous when it comes to sharing my faith with others. Open my throat, so that my words may come forth. Help me to testify of Your goodness and mercy. Help me to get past the fear of the unknown, so that others may come to know You this Christmas season.

 

Countdown to Christmas - Day 22

"But why is it granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." ~ Luke 1:43-45

What happens when you hear the name of the Lord? When someone says, "Jesus!" do you leap for joy as Elizabeth's child did in her womb? Can you sense Jesus' presence, even when you cannot see Him in your midst? John certainly couldn't see Jesus from within his mother's womb. But, He could certainly sense His presence.

My heart swells when I consider the name of Jesus. It brings great joy, knowing that I've found salvation in Him. Think about how He makes you feel, how you respond to the mention of His name. Let your heart swell as you consider His presence in your life. Write down how you feel, what you think upon. Enjoy the moment.

Lord, may my heart always swell at the sound of Your name. May I never experience the hardness of heart this world promotes. May I always be putty in Your hands, allowing You to mold me and shape me into Your wonderful glory. I love You, Lord. Thank You for the joy of Your salvation.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 23

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:38

If an angel appeared to you and told you something that seemed impossible and was a little {okay, a lot} scary, would you be so quick to say, "Let it be to me according to your word"? I think most of us would respond, "Let me pray about it." The pat Christian answer for anything that would bring us out of our comfort zones. This Christmas season, consider what God is asking you to do for Him. It takes an act of faith to answer Him, "Let it be to me according to Your word."

Lord, help us to move past our fears, our doubts, and our comfort zones in order to serve You with everything in us. We thank You that Your plans for us are far above all we could ever ask or think. In You we put our trust. So be it.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 24

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."
~ Luke 1:35

Do you live in the shadow of the Highest? Has the Holy Spirit come upon you? God promised us a teacher, comforter, and guide when Jesus left this earth to sit at His right hand. The Holy Spirit indwells us upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He has come upon us.

One of my favorite verses in the Scripture is "The kingdom of God has come near to you." (See Luke 10:9, 11) It blesses me to realize that every time I am near one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, the kingdom of God is near. Do you feel the same? Do you recognize that your husband, father, brother possesses the kingdom of God within them?

Lord, as we enter the Christmas season, help us to recognize the kingdom of God within those we pass by or stop to fellowship with. Help us to remember to treat one another as though You stood before us. We bless Your holy name and thank You for blessing us with Your Spirit, who dwells within our hearts.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 25

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'" ~ Matthew 1:18-21

What has the Holy Spirit impregnated you with? Is there a call on your life to bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? What holds you back, keeping your call a secret?

Lord, help us to understand what You desire to birth within us. That zeal, that passion, that desire. Give us the strength to pull it out of the secret places of our hearts so our light can shine for Your glory. Thank You for the things You've called us to do. Help us now to do them.