The Gift of Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Through this four-day devotional, you’ll look closely at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival and be reminded that Jesus came to fulfill God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
Day One - The Presence of Angels
Angels are prominent figures in the Christmas story. They show up several times and always have a crucial role in the situation into which they come. They are known as "ministering spirits" and "messengers of God," and they play a key role in the story of the birth of Jesus.
In the Christmas story, they are primarily "heralds." Their role is to announce or share something significant. They do this time after time in the story of the birth of Jesus.
The first occasion is when the angel comes to Zacharias, telling him that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child who would be the forerunner to the Messiah. Soon after, an angel comes to Mary telling her even though she is a virgin, she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.
The next occurrence happens when Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, confused, and heartbroken, and plans to end their relationship as graciously as possible. Finally, the angel gives Joseph the news that Mary had received that Mary's conception is miraculous and the child to be born is God in human flesh. The angel further reveals this child will be the Savior of the world.
Then there is the story of the shepherds tending their flocks at night. Again, the angel comes to "bring them good news of great joy." In this case, the lone angelic herald of good news is joined by "a multitude of the heavenly host."
Finally, an angel warns Joseph in a dream to take Mary and Jesus and "flee to Egypt" because Herod is searching for Jesus to kill Him. Throughout the Christmas story in the Bible, the angels came, they spoke essential messages from God, and they focused their messages on Jesus.
Angels still exist, and they still have their work to do, but we have been given the tremendous privilege and responsibility to be the ones who announce the "Good News" today. We are the ones now entrusted with telling others God's message of love, wrapped up in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a great time to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. We are instructed to go and tell the world the wonderful message of hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ.
The angels may have been the ones who were responsible for this during the first Christmas, but now it is our turn.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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.” 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.””
The Gift of Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Through this four-day devotional, you’ll look closely at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival and be reminded that Jesus came to fulfill God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
Day TWO - The Presence of the star
The Bible says that the heavens and earth declare the glory of God. I think most believers agree with this. However, something about creation makes almost everyone say, "WOW!"
For some, it may be a grand mountain-scape on the horizon. For others, the bright blue of the crashing waves in an ocean or the endless combinations of colors that paint the trees in autumn. But, for many, it's the splendor and multitude of the stars in the night sky. The countless flickering lights are seen from such a great distance. The size, the heat, and the number of them are overwhelming to consider.
There was one star that was different from all the others. It was the star that guided the Magi to Jesus. This star's story is quite remarkable. It starts with the men called Magi. They were "from the east," most likely from Persia. These men were known as kings and wise men, and the term Magi indicates both were likely true. They were men of great learning who rose to positions of authority because of their great wisdom.
These Magi noticed a new and different star in their night sky. There was something different about that particular star, and they believed it signaled the arrival of a great king. They decided to follow the star as they thought it would lead them to this great king.
The star led them eventually to where the baby Jesus was, and the Magi worshipped Him and offered Him gifts. They would have certainly not been impressed with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, or their surroundings. Nothing indicated a royal presence. There was no throne, regal attire, palace, or servants.
They were a humble family in humble surroundings. Yet, the Magi did not hesitate to acknowledge the baby Jesus as a King worthy of their adoration. They bowed before Him and offered Him costly gifts. All of this was based on the star.
The star was the source of guidance for the Magi. It was "a light, shining in the darkness." It was not only shown in the darkness of the night sky but was a light of the revelation that revealed the truth of who Jesus was and is. Jesus is the King that other kings bow before and worship. Some will do that willingly, recognizing who He is, while others will do it under the compulsion of His authority as they stand before His judgment one day.
Even today, the star still speaks to us. It is a reminder that we have a presence with us that guides us and reveals God's truth to us. It is no longer a star in the sky but the Holy Spirit who has been given to dwell within us. He is "The Spirit of Truth, that guides us into all truth." He is our "counselor," who is there to illuminate our minds and spirits. He lights the way for us to walk securely.
Just as the star was a remarkable presence for the Magi, guiding their every step, so now we are guided by the Holy Spirit Himself. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it well, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,
Art not the least among the princes of Juda:
For out of thee shall come a Governor,
That shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
The Gift of Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Through this four-day devotional, you’ll look closely at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival and be reminded that Jesus came to fulfill God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
Day THREE - The Presence of a savior
Christmas is always special because of our time with family, our holiday traditions, yummy foods, special gatherings and events, colorful decorations, and the fun of giving and receiving gifts. But Christmas is all about one thing, or better yet, one Person.
Christmas is Christmas... because of Jesus. It is all about the reality of God coming to earth in human flesh. One of the names for Jesus is Emmanuel, which means "God with us." Think of that for a moment. God has come to dwell with us. God loves us so much that He would come to be with us, and this is why we celebrate Christmas.
The Gospel of John begins with the statement, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." A few verses later, this statement is amplified with the declaration that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us." "The Word became flesh" speaks directly to Christmas. It speaks of Jesus.
Emmanuel, "God with us!"
God took on human flesh and lived with us in human history. God endured the frailties of being human, was tempted at all points as we are, yet never committed any sin. He felt our emotions as he wept over Jerusalem and Lazarus, His friend. He experienced complete agony in the garden of Gethsemane and physical suffering in His torture and crucifixion. What an amazing thing that God came not only to be with us but to identify fully and completely with us in our humanity.
This means that there is never a time, never a situation, never a moment when God is not available for us. He is not "God was once with us," but He is "God with us."
When Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit came to be in us. God has come to dwell in human flesh through the incarnation of Jesus, and God has come to dwell in our lives through the Holy Spirit.
"Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!"
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
And they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
The Gift of Christmas
Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Through this four-day devotional, you’ll look closely at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival and be reminded that Jesus came to fulfill God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
Day FOUR - HIS Presence TRANSFORMS
Of all the aspects presented in the story of the first Christmas, perhaps the least impressive is the place where Jesus was born. That first Christmas began with a road trip. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem while pregnant with Jesus. Mary was close to her date for delivery during their journey. As they arrived at Bethlehem, Mary went into labor. Unfortunately, there was a huge problem. The town was crowded, and there was no room for them in the inn for travelers.
The only space available was a stable. This was most likely a cave-like area where animals would be kept at night. It provided a little protection against the elements, but probably not much else. It would have smelled like animals and hay. It was unsanitary, unappealing, and thoroughly undesirable as a place to give birth. But it was available, and it was the only thing offered.
This is the place where Jesus was born. His first bed was a manger, a feeding trough for the animals. Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances. To say that His surroundings were ordinary would be a great exaggeration.
The Angels had a great message to share, as did the Magi and the star they followed. The stable, however, shares a message that is significant to every human being that has or will live on the earth. The stable symbolizes how Jesus is willing to come into any available and offered place or situation. It doesn't have to be fancy or high priced. It doesn't have to be respectable. It doesn't even have to be clean. The presence of Jesus will make it clean and honorable.
The stable became a palace, and the manger became a throne. Their appearances did not change, but His presence made the difference. Jesus is willing to come and dwell in any human heart available and offered to Him. Wherever He enters or dwells, He transforms. This truth is the message of Christmas.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, make sure every place in your life is available to Jesus and offer all to the One who will come and will transform your life for His Glory.
Have a Merry Christmas, and may you experience many blessings in the new year.
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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