Daily Devotion - Christmas
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
The story of the candy cane tells us of Jesus and his great love for each of us. It also tells us of the peace we can have in life because of what he did.
The God that owns all of creation was born into meager and poverty stricken circumstances, entrusted to a man and woman who held the responsibility of caring for the Savior of the world. God in the flesh limited himself for the purpose of doing what He came to earth to do.
Perhaps during the holidays, more than any other time, we fail to hear God's voice. Distractions abound, and at a time when our focus should be on our blessings and our Savior, we're tuned in to other things that seem more pressing. But today, make the choice to open your heart, mind, and spirit and listen for God's voice.
Years ago, when our three sons were still young, I focused on providing a fabulous Christmas with a perfect tree to make it an awesome celebration. As a result, little things tended to roil in me, such as a light strand that refused to shine because of a burned-out bulb.
The pleasing craze explodes during holiday season. We rush through life eager to make someone happy. And the level of stress and tension rises like the thermometer in Orlando's summer.
During the American Civil War, Henry W. Longfellow wrote the lyrics of 'I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.' With heartfelt candor, he wrote, "For hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth, good will to men."
Researchers have discovered tablets in Persia dating from Jesus’ day. Those tablets predicted that a great king would be born in the West and justice, righteousness, peace and joy would mark his reign.
Now imagine you're minding your own business, and an angel of the Lord appears to you and says, "The Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus."
Unarguably, being Mother to the Son of God is a tremendous honor and blessing. However, Mary did not live a charmed life. Her blessing led to her reputation being tarnished...
Christmas is so much more than I understood as a child. But I'm still very fond of the Christmas Song because it reminds me of a different anticipation.
When Jesus came into the world, it was completely voluntary. He came knowing the battles He would face and knowing the ultimate end of His life on earth would be a week like no week in human history.
When this author put on a Santa Claus outfit for a picture, he noticed that people treated him differently. Strangers waved, smiled, and said "Hello." He felt significant. The Holy Spirit used the experience as a teaching moment.
When the angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus it wasn’t just to give Him the name by which He would be called to dinner. It described the purpose of the Son of God’s life.
You may be in a season you are ready to see end. Or perhaps you are in the best season of your life, hoping it will never end. In any case, seasons come and seasons go, but our instruction remains the same: Be ready in season and out.
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