Dec. 31....what God has prepared

1 Cor. 2:9-10 “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.” (NAB) 

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those how love him.” (NIV)

 “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” (vs. 10)

Heavenly Father, 

We can not even imagine all that you offer us or give us unless we have your Holy Spirit! The author of the devotional I'm using sometimes “chokes off” part of a passage that robs much of its meaning. This entire passage is about your Holy Spirit and how he reveals you to us. We can’t see or hear or imagine this on our own. The Holy Spirit is the “translator”, the guide, the interpreter. He leads us into your mind and heart and reveals who you are to us. Unless we have your Holy Spirit, we can’t understand. You are Spirit and we learn in spirit through your Spirit. 

It is the final piece of abiding. Our abiding relationship comes about through the Holy Spirit connecting to our spirit. When he is within us, we are in You. Your thoughts become our thoughts, your will, our will, our actions, your actions. Christ came to bring us to this relationship, the same one he had with you. He cleaned us up and set us in a place in Him, that allows your Holy Spirit to fill us. Without Christ we can’t have your Holy Spirit. He opened the Door. He provided the Way. He gave us Life and truth. 

The Holy Spirit continues the process on a daily basis. What normal human eye can’t see or human ear hear, or human mind imagine, has been given form and voice and image when filtered through the Holy Spirit. You prepared this for us, who love you. You loved us that we might more fully love you. Your Holy spirit shows us that love, tells us of that love, fills our minds with the possibilities that love holds for us May I always seek to abide in that love, that is found in you, my Father! Holy Spirit bring me to my home where I wish to dwell! Jesus, Savior, wash me clean and create a new heart within me, worthy of your gift. Thank you Holy God, now and forever more! Amen.

Dec. 30....I go to prepare a place

John 14:3 “I am indeed going to prepare a place for you and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be.” (NAB)

 

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (NIV)

 “It is true that I am going away to prepare a place for you, but it is just as true that I am coming again to welcome you into my own home, so that you may be where I am.” (Phillips) “I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you, so you can live where I live.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,

Jesus speaks these words the night before this death and right before he said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” When he says he is going to prepare a place for us, he is describing his death. His death was the preparation. His death washed us clean and made it possible for us to inhabit the “place” he was preparing. 

He is the Way…we only enter that mansion through him. “Then I shall come back to take you with me”…this is the resurrection. He came back…literally. If he had stayed gone…dead…he couldn’t come get us. His resurrection makes our resurrection possible. He prepared our place with his death (removing our sin punishment) and then returned as promised to insure our being brought to this prepared place. His life is now our life. His home is now our home. His purpose is…”that where I am, you also may be.” 

He didn’t do all this for his own benefit. He already had a place in heaven, a relationship with his Father. He did all this coming and going and coming again for the sole purpose of making it possible for us to “be where I AM.” That just hit me in a new way! Our place is with God (I AM) Jesus wants us with him and the Father. He wants us to know a restored, redeemed relationship with our Creator, our Father, our Almighty God, our I AM! 

Two of these translations stress “it is true” or “indeed”. This is fact. This is a “done deal”. This is Truth. Jesus is the Way to get there to the prepared place, Jesus is the Truth that this place exists and that we are being invited to live there. Jesus is the actual Life that we will live there…resurrected life, new righteous life, in the presence of our Father for eternity. Thank you! amen.

Dec. 29....hear, listen, recognize

John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” (NAB)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.; no on e can snatch them out of my hand.” (NIV)

“My sheep recognize my voice and I know who they are. They follow me and I give them eternal life. They will never die and no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,

Hear…listen…recognize. I feel it takes all 3 of these translations to give a clear picture! We first hear Jesus…he comes into our realm of awareness. Then we listen to him…we pay attention to what he is saying. Then we recognize him…we realize that what he says is truth and we become familiar with his voce, his way, his teaching, his authority. Until we move from just hearing to recognition we won’t follow him. 

In each case Jesus adds…”I know them, I know who they are.” No uncertainty here! Even before we know him, he knows us! We can hide nothing from him. Jesus chose 12 disciples and he knew them…who would follow, who would deny, who would betray. There were no surprises for him at any of their responses or actions. He knows us, inside and out! I prefer the Phillips translation that links these phrases in couplets…”they recognize my voice/I know who they are (mutual recognition)…”they follow me/I give them eternal life” (following him reaps his gift to us)…”they will never die/no one can snatch them out of my hand” (this is a permanent, eternal relationship.) 

Once we “recognize his voice”…we can no longer be snatched from his hand. We belong to him. He is our Lord and Savior, our Good Shepherd, our Master. We cling to the voice of our Master, the giver of life, our Defender, our personal Shepherd. Even in darkness or a cloud of confusion, we still hear and recognize his voice. We seek to stay close enough to follow him at all times. He is not just the Voice of Truth, but our beacon of light, showing us the Way to follow. Being a sheep in the Good Shepherd’s sheepfold is a positive thing! A sheep is content with being a sheep. A sheep doesn't worry because the Shepherd is always nearby. Thank you! amen.

Dec. 28.....Jesus's glory

John 17:24 “Father, all those you gave me I would have in my company where I am, to see this glory of mine.” (NAB)

“Father, I want those whom you have given me to be with me where I am, I want them to see that glory which you have made mine…for you loved me before the world began.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father,

Jesus prays for all the believers…those who come to faith through the message preached to them. Jesus is seeing ahead to the future. He prayed for his disciples first and here prays for the future disciples…us!…who will come to believe in him. He makes it clear he wants us all. He prays for abiding and for unity, making us all one…a strong unified presence in this world that will “let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me”. (vs. 23)

 Jesus knew that unity was important, that we needed to be of one mind and heart and belief if we are going to convince the world of anything. He considered this unity of utmost importance and prayed for it. He saw this unity resulting from an abiding relationship…”as you are in me and I am in you”…”may they also be in us”. The Father abides in Jesus. Jesus abides in the Father. We are to abide in them…Father and Son. All so that the world may believe that Jesus was sent by the Father. 

Glory is mentioned twice in the passage. In vs. 22 Jesus says he gave us the glory that the Father had given him…again for unity like his unity with the Father. Here he asks that we “see” his glory, given by his Father with love before the world began. Help me understand what this “glory” is that you have given to us. If we see his glory we begin to understand the glory he has given us. The glory of his relationship with You. The glory of his oneness, the glory of his abiding nature. He gave us his glory…this relationship…when he removed the penalty for our sin and set us free through grace. As we come to him for salvation we join in an abiding, unified relationship with You the Father and Jesus, the Son and Savior. If we have this glory, this relationship, we will be able to show it to the world and convince them of the Son’s role in salvation. He wants us all there to see his glory…to see the truth…to see the Way…to see You, our Father. Thank you! amen.

Dec. 27....within the love of God

Dec. 27....within the love of God

Jude 21 “Persevere in God’s love, and welcome the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which leads to eternal life.” (NAB)

 “Keep yourselves in God’s love, as you wait for the mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (NIV)

“…build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith and by praying through the Holy Spirit keep yourselves within the love of God. Wait patiently for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will bring you to the life eternal.” (Phillips)

“Staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping yourselves open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father,

“Persevering in your love”....”keeping within your love”…staying right at the center of your love”….these words describe an abiding relationship. The previous verse indicates the importance of ”building ourselves up on the foundation of our most holy faith and by praying through the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit came to make an abiding relationship possible. He takes our faith foundation and builds upon it. He keeps us in your love, he helps us stay right at the center of your love, he helps us persevere in your love…by teaching us, rebuking us, guiding us, helping us remember and understand your word. 

Because of this we welcome the mercy found in Jesus Christ that will give us eternal life. We wait, we seek, we expect this mercy, this grace, this forgiveness that we find in Christ. We are ready for it, as the Message says! I like the way the Message describes this life…”the unending life, the real life.” Life before Christ no longer matters. Only our life in Christ, through Christ, because of Christ, has any real meaning. The past is gone. Our old life is gone. The life that led to death is gone. Christ makes it possible for us to welcome and embrace this new life, based in your mercy, your love. 

Abiding in your love. That’s what it is all about. Being in a love relationship with you, our Father and Jesus Christ our Brother. Some times we feel very hesitant about taking our place in this relationship. It’s so new, so different from anything we’ve experienced before. We don’t quite understand it, but we want it more than anything! Building our faith, praying through the Holy Spirit helps to center us in this amazing love relationship with You, our God, our Father. “Bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” Amen.

Dec. 26....only in his Son

1 John 5:11-12 “God gave us eternal life and this life in his son. Whoever possesses the Son possesses life.” (NAB) 

“God has given man eternal life and this real life is to be found only in his Son. It follows naturally that any man who has Christ has this life. “ (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

The hardest battle Christians fight with non-believers is the question of Christ being the only way to heaven and eternal life. Many people want other ways, other faiths, to be just as valid. Some say we all worship the same God…in some cases that may be true. Every culture seems to recognize that there is a Supreme Being out there somewhere who created and who is our God. You, O LORD, have been called many names by many peoples. Some get off-track and try to split you into many gods, robbing you of your supremacy. Some want to drag you down to our level or raise themselves to an equal level with you. Even those who recognize only one God…the Lord Almighty…can get off track. 

All of mankind got off track when they sinned, when they chose “free will” working for themselves and their desires, rather than your will working for the good of all. To bring us back to eternal life and your holy presence, you chose one solution for all time….your Son, Jesus Christ. You chose to manifest your being in a human form and to live among us, and to remove our sin by taking the punishment to the cross for us. You cleared the problem once and for all, by one Way and one Way only. If we “have the Son, we have eternal life”. 

When we work math problems we don’t argue that we don’t want 2+2 to equal 4 but instead want 1+1 to equal 4. The solution is just that…the solution…and there isn’t any other answer! We accept unchangeable natural laws but refuse to accept that in the divine! We are a highly arrogant people! Our God has one solution. You are supreme, You call the shots, You make the rules that cannot be changed! Why do we want to argue for a different solution when the one You gave us is perfect? The Son brings eternal life! We just need to accept him and take the gift you wish to give us! Thank you! amen.

Dec. 25.....For God so loved the world that he gave his Son!

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him will live forever.” John 3:16 

Heavenly Father, 

I wondered how the Advent Book would end the story on Christmas Day. John 3:16......how appropriate! Not usually thought of as a Christmas scripture, but surely the most important in the Bible. The Good News all summed up in one sentence. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall have eternal life.” 

This is what the Christmas story is all about. Your love for us. Your plan of salvation. Your presence in our lives. Your solution to the problem of human sin. Your eternally wide open arms welcoming the prodigal sons home. Our “second chance”.....our only chance, but made so simple. Just believe on the One who came and lived for us and died for us. Just trust his grace and let all the rest go.

Peace on earth!

Hallelujah! amen

Dec. 24.....I have seen the Savior

“Simeon said, “I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will show God to the nations. And he will be the glory of your people.” Luke 2:29-32

Heavenly Father, 

Tonight the wait is over in our yearly celebration. Tonight we go to church and sing the Christmas songs and light the candles, and hear the scriptures read. The music swells and so do our hearts! We are full of good cheer and great joy and “peace on earth, good will to men”! A night to celebrate! A night to look to heaven and wish we too could see the angels and hear them sing. In our hearts, we do hear them. In our hearts the child has arrived and is settling in snugly. 

Simeon says, “I have seen the Savior you have given the world”! I’m sure the shepherds were spreading the same message after their visit to the manager. The wise men carried the message to far lands. Now our turn has come. Have we seen the Christ? Who will we tell? where will we spread the light that has come into the world? The “good news” is for all and we must help send the light everywhere there is darkness. Something to think about now that Christmas is almost over for another year. Do we put Christ away with the mangers and trees and trimmings, or do we keep him close by and let his light shine through us? 

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this greatest of gifts and for once again challenging me to help spread the Good News whenever I can and especially to those who are closest to my heart. amen

Dec. 23....Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God

“That day a godly man named Simeon was in the temple. The Holy Spirit had told him he would see the Messiah before he died. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God for keeping his promise.” Luke 2:27-28 

Heavenly Father, 

The scriptures of advent are almost done. The journey has been interesting and once again new and different. Tonight we meet a “godly man”.... Simeon. Simeon represents all the faithful who waited and hoped and obeyed. Simeon was promised that he would see the Christ child before he died. Did he spend his whole life in eager anticipation wondering.....”is this going to be the day?” He waited in your presence, in the temple. We all should wait in your presence for the Christ, the one who comes to save. 

In my youth I memorized Simeon’s song, that he sang when he saw the baby: “Now let Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” 

Simeon knew he needed no more than this baby. His salvation had come and he could leave this world behind. Jesus, the one who saves! Jesus, a light to the Gentiles and the Jews and all the earth! A Light shining in the darkness and dispelling the gloom. Peace on earth and peace in heaven. Time to depart and go “home”, home in heaven with you.....complete, forgiven, accepted, fulfilled, made righteous! All in that tiny baby that he had waited for, for so long. Our wait can be over, too! The Christ child is here! Welcome him! Hallelujah! amen

Dec. 22......presented Jesus to the Lord at the temple

“Soon after his birth, Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem, in keeping with the Jewish law.” Luke 2:22

Heavenly Father, 

Today’s scripture is an unusual one that we tend to skip over at Christmas. Mary and Joseph follow the law and take Jesus to the temple and “present him to the Lord”......they take him and dedicate him to you, his Father! You gave him to them and they give him back, like all good Jewish parents. He is to be one of your people. 

How strange and convoluted it all is when you try to analyze it. You came to earth as a baby. You are both father and son. You are the giver and the given. You are the giver and the gift! You came to save us, but had to use Mary and Joseph to save yourself as an infant from Herod. How to imagine the Eternal God of the Universe as a helpless baby!?? It seems so crazy and yet it seems so right. 

I’ve been listening to a Christmas CD that has a song with the line, “What a strange way to save the world!” To us very strange and incomprehensible. To us a mystery, a paradox, a puzzle. but once the puzzle is accepted and believed it doesn’t seem to matter any more if we fully understand it. We accept the baby, we accept the man/Savior, we accept the gift of grace and our hearts swell with thanks and love. Jesus is ours now. Jesus is here in our hearts. We are his temple and he has been “presented” there to you, Lord. He is the lifeblood running through us. He is our connection to you forever more. 

The “man” in him is forever connected to our humanity. The Lord and Savior in him is forever connected to our hearts and minds and souls, connecting us to You. Thank you, Lord, that you are all wise and powerful and knew how to reach us and connect with us to make us new! Praise and thanks forever more. amen

Dec. 21.....the LORD warned Joseph in a dream

 “God warned the Wise Men in a dream not to go back to King Herod. So they returned home another way. The Lord also warned Joseph in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape King Herod. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died.” Matthew 2:12, 15 

Heavenly Father, 

You sent your son to die for us, but you are the one who will choose the time and place, not Herod! Your angels intervene and send the holy family to Egypt and safety. The child must grow and become fully man, as well as fully God. Until he experiences all that being human is, he can’t take the burden of human sin and dispose of it. There is much that we cannot fully understand about Christ and his life as both Son of God and Son of Man. What must it be like to be both God and Man? I would think it would be like having a war going on inside you every day! 

Joseph and the wise men obeyed the angels without a second thought......Go! now!......away from Herod, away from danger. They trusted God’s word, given through the angels. They trusted a God who had already proven trustworthy, who had guided them every step of the way. We too, trust in a God who has never failed us. We trust a God who guides us every step of the way. We trust a God who sent a baby to change our lives! We trust a God who sent a man/God to die for us and save us. We trust a God who is wiser than we can ever understand, but whose wisdom never fails. 

May the angels bring the message once more into our hearts as we hear them singing, “Glory in Excelsis Deo”! Glory to God in the highest! Tell the nations! Tell the world! Sometimes we too may have to take the baby and flee from unfriendly, unreceptive surroundings, but the key is to keep the Christ child with us wherever we go and hold him fast. God will not allow him to die! God will protect him and all who hold him fast in their hearts. Thank you, O LORD, Most High! amen

Dec. 20....they bowed down and worshipped him

“At the house, the Wise Men saw Jesus with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him and gave him gifts of gold and incense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 

Heavenly Father, 

The wise men “bowed down and worshiped  the Christ child. Even though they were “kings”, they recognized one greater then themselves and paid homage to him. “King of Kings”! Lord of Lords! Names we call him by to show his place in the world.......on top, best of the best, greatest of the great. 

He inspired men like Herod to want to kill him, because Herod couldn't stand the thought of someone more important, more powerful. He inspired the simple shepherds to praise God and tell others. He inspired the wise men to “bow down and worship”. Everyone who meets Jesus must choose a reaction.....worship or hatred, praise or fear, joy or indifference. Part of celebrating the Christ child’s birthday should be a time of re-dedication  reawakening of commitment, rediscovery of joy, re-positioning Jesus in our lives.

“Come let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord, our God, our Maker.” Make us new! Make us clean! Make us whole! Jesus is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace! amen

Dec. 19.....the star

“The star the wise men had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:9

 Heavenly Father, 

The star was a nice touch to the story! Especially now that the word “star” to many means a famous person of great charisma and talent. Jesus truly was “THE STAR” of Bethlehem that night! “A star, a star, shining in the night, He will bring us goodness and light....” 

The wise men were thrilled to see the star. It meant a great king! It meant a savior, long expected and awaited. When they saw it, they were “overjoyed”. What a neat word.....not just joy, but overjoy! More joy! Extra joy! Above and beyond joy! Are we overjoyed by the star? Do we see Jesus light up our lives and dispel the darkness and light the way? Look for the star! See him shine! Let him illuminate every corner of your life forever more.

Jesus is the Light of the World! No more, need men walk in darkness. Thank you, Star of Bethlehem! Thank you, Jesus! amen

THE LIGHT 

Lord send us your Light! 

Shine in the hearts of folks everywhere 

Shut out the darkness of gloom and despair! 

Shine past the lights on our Christmas trees, 

The outdoor displays for all to see. 

The lights in the stores, and the churches, and malls 

The only true Light came from the stall. 

The Light from the manger banishes gloom! 

The Light from the baby fills every room! 

The Light from Jesus brings peace and love! 

The Light from our Savior brings hope from above! 

Let us carry the Light in our hearts every day 

Jesus the Truth, the Light, and the Way.

 

(Mary Freeman 1998)

Dec. 18.....Herod, who was king

“Herod, who was king, secretly questioned the Wise Men. Then he sent them to Bethlehem where, according to what a prophet long ago had written, Christ was to be born. King Herod told the Wise Men to tell him when they found the child, so he could worship him too. Then they went on their way.” Matthew 2:7-9

Heavenly Father, 

I find that reflecting on small bits of this story daily is better than absorbing the whole message at once and missing the small details. Herod......his name brings chills to those who know scriptures, as we remember the evil he represents. He speaks to the wise men in secret, rather than in the open.....already in his heart he knows whatever he does will not be done openly or honestly. “Find the baby.....tell me where.....that I might worship him, too.” Herod was king and intended to remain king! Why would he worship the promised child? Lies came easily to him. I wonder if the wise men already suspected? 

Many claim to want to worship, but often, just like Herod it is only “lip service”. We have ulterior motives for worship. Some come because they were taught it is the “right thing to do”. Some come hoping for something in return....a miracle, financial help, status, etc. Some come to “fit in” with their peers. Some come to gain power, fame, glory, praise, self-satisfaction. Not all good reasons, or honest reasons, or kind reasons. But many like the wise men come because they feel compelled to come, drawn by the King’s power, guided by his Holy Spirit. They come to find something rather then to get something. Some, like the wise men, even come to give......their hearts, their souls, their love, their service, their worship. 

Why am I here at the stable? Am I a wise man, a shepherd......or a displaced king? “All who seek me, will find me, if they search with all their hearts.” Dear Lord and Savior, make a home in my heart and displace all that shouldn’t be there.. amen

Dec. 17....We saw his star....

“Sometime later Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

Heavenly Father, 

We always put the wise men in our manager scenes, but in reality they came along later. They came in complete assurance that the prophecy was fulfilled and the King had been born. Surely in Jerusalem, the capital city where kings should live and reign, to a royal family in a palace! Where is he? 

They saw his star and they came to worship. Why would wise men from other countries come to worship the king of the Jews? They knew the prophecies and knew the Christ would be great. They saw the incredible star that apparently heralded the event. Maybe they came out of curiosity, both scientific and personal. Maybe they came through some inner longing or need. Why do any of us seek him? Something in us calls out to him, something we’re missing that we need to find. The most important thing any of us can do is to seek “the King”, the one who will rule our lives and change them forever. Follow the star! Follow Jesus, the Savior! Amen

Dec. 16......the Baby was named Jesus

“On the eighth day the baby was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was born.” Luke 2:21

 Heavenly Father, 

Like all fathers you chose your son’s name before he was born. The angel told Mary and Joseph to name their child, Jesus.......which means Savior. A specific name, for a specific purpose. His name told everyone exactly why he had come, and who he was. 

We should have no doubts about Jesus. Many do have doubts and refuse to believe he is who he says he is......or who You say he is. Jesus........ Savior. Our one chance to be free. Our one chance to get rid of the burdens of sin and death that weigh us down. Savior, save us! All we have to do is ask, to seek him, to knock on the door of heaven, and he will answer. All we have to do is call his name.......Jesus! Savior! amen

Dec. 15......Mary treasured these things and pondered them

“Mary knew these things were precious, and she thought about them often in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Heavenly Father, 

This piece of scripture seems very personal to me. “Mary knew these things were precious and thought about them often in her heart.” I do know that all this is precious beyond price and that I should think about them often. Forgive me that my heart is not always as filled with thoughts of you as it should be. Forgive me that I often let the mundane and unimportant fill my mind instead. Forgive me that I let myself become weary of doing good or even caring about others and that I fill my days with trivial details rather than thoughts of you. 

Help me to lose my guilt feelings when they are unhealthy rather than productive. Help me to truly seek you and your glory rather than my own wants and wishes. The most precious things I can hold in my heart are the baby and the mission he came to accomplish. Help me reflect more on Jesus as my Lord and Savior, Jesus as my mentor and friend, Jesus as the life I wish to follow and obey. Fill me every day with more of your Holy Spirit and less of my own weak useless one. I wish to spend more time with you and your words, to make more time in my life for the “Good News” that you sent for all mankind. 

Let me live up to my name......Mary......and be more like the Mary’s of scripture who focused their lives on you...pondering each moment, treasuring each word. You are most precious and I can’t afford to ever see you as less than the dearest treasure in my heart! “Create in me a clean heart, O LORD, and renew a right spirit within me.” amen

Heart's Treasure

A baby born...God's holy Son!

Shepherds and angels the story impart.

But Mary watched and listened......

And treasured these things in her heart.

She pondered each visitor, every moment,

Every detail surrounding his birth.

She wanted to always remember

The days that he spent here on earth.

What future would lie before him....

This child sent from heaven above?

Mary knew that her child was special

And she treasured each moment with love.

As we gaze at the babe in the manger....

The Son of God....the Son of Man,

We too, should treasure this Christ Child...

The fulfillment of God's holy plan.

(Mary Freeman 12-2007)

Dec. 14......After the shepherds had seen...they told everyone

“After the shepherds had seen Jesus, they told everyone around what the angel had said. All who heard were amazed. The shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:17-18

Heavenly Father, 

After the shepherds found the baby, they told everyone about what they had seen. They didn't keep it a secret or just ignore it, they told everyone. When I see the baby and hear the angels do I spread the “good news”? Jesus isn't meant to be a secret. He came for all. He wants to save everyone. He wants us all to believe in him. 

The shepherds also returned to their work, “praising God for all they had heard and seen.” Finding Jesus and hearing the good news of the Savior of all mankind, should lead us to praise and worship. As we leave the Christmas season and get back to our ordinary lives, the sights and sounds should remain in our hearts and minds and bring us into your presence with thanksgiving and praise.

“Glory to God in the highest!”

 “Joy to the world the Lord is come!” .....unto us a child is given, unto us a Savior born. He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

amen

Dec. 13.....Let's go to Bethlehem and see

“When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manager.” Luke 2:15-16 

Heavenly Father, 

The shepherds reacted as we all should......they rushed off immediately to find the baby the angels told them about. They didn’t say.....”Let’s wait until morning” or “Were those really angels?” or even just stand around discussing it. They believed and then they acted. We too, must believe and act. The baby is there waiting, we’ve been told the good news, now it’s up to us. If we believe the story than we need to rush to the manager to see the Christ child. We must seek him and see him for ourselves.

 I’m sitting here in my living room surrounded by nativity sets.....all very different yet all with the same elements....and at the center of each is the Christ Child lying in the manager with everyone clustered around. Jesus is never off to the side or in the back.....he’s always “front and center” of the grouping, the center of attraction. That’s where he belongs for all of us....right in the center of all we do. 

The shepherds were busy men doing their job, but they dropped everything to find the Savior. We must make sure that we aren’t too busy to stop and find the Savior, too. It’s the most important thing we’ll ever do. Lord, let my heart seek you always and drop whatever I’m doing when the angles bring me the good news. I believe and I wish to seek him with all my heart. You promise us in scripture that if we do this....we will find you. amen

Dec. 12......a heavenly choir

“Suddenly a great assembly of angels from heaven appeared with the first angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to men with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:13

Heavenly Father, 

The shepherds were already frightened and amazed by just one angel shining with your glory,.........how they must have trembled and hid when the whole night sky lit up with a multitude of angels! What a glorious sight and sound it must have been to see and hear the angels sing, just as they sing to you in heaven..... ”Glory to God....in the highest heaven......and on earth peace to men with whom God is pleased.” Was the sound nearly unbearable for human ears? Was it sweet and perfect and harmonized? Was there music? To hear an angel choir must be amazing! 

I guess in a way this was like a proud father passing out cigars......”This is my Son! Come see him!” Glory to God indeed! The greatest deed in creation has just begun. The only Son of God is born! There can’t be enough angels to sing “glory” for that event! amen

Dec. 11.....this will be a sign to you

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

Heavenly Father, 

“This will be a sign to you.....” The angels gave the shepherds all the details they would need to verify their message. They weren't looking for just any baby.....this baby would be wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds probably understood the clues in the message better than us.......Where would a baby be if it was in a manger?.....in a stable, or cave that the animals used. Why is the baby in a manger? Why not the inn? Big crowd in town for the census. Check the stables in town, especially the one at the inn. This baby will stand out....the only one just born lying in a stable. From birth to death Jesus was “different”, special, extraordinary. The details of his life at birth and death are remembered because they were dramatic. The early part of his life is almost totally unknown because it wasn't important. Drama for the important events, silence for the rest.

The shepherds understood the signs because the angel made it plain to them and at the same time dramatic. When you want my attention for important things, you use the same method.....I don’t hear angels, but you make it dramatic and memorable if I’m paying attention. Just like the shepherds I need to be awake and watching. May the events of this Advent season stand out and get my attention for the details that I need to know. Point me to the Christ Child and give me a sign. Amen

Dec. 10....I bring you good news!

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 

Heavenly Father, 

Out of your shining glory, the angel speaks the words....” I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” The “gospel” , the good news.......and it is only the beginning of the story. The truth is all there, even at this starting point.....”a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.” Later we will know more details....this is a Savior who loves all of us enough to die for us. This is a Savior who will forgive our sins. This is a Savior who will wash us clean and make us new in your sight. This is a Savior who will reconcile us, justify us, sanctify us, redeem us, make us righteous, bear our burdens, lead us to you, send a counselor to remain with us and in us,.......the list goes on and on. But on that night the “good news” is just that the promised Messiah is here at last! 

The Lord of lords, King of kings, Prince of Peace. God incarnate! God come down among us to be our Savior. The shepherds, who lived under Roman rule didn’t need to know any more than that. The Savior had come at last! Hallelujah! Their idea of a Savior and what Jesus really came to do, may not have been exactly the same, but they understood the “good news” that the angel brought. Today we still may not always understand every detail and the “whys and wherefores”, but we too can understand this much....Jesus came to earth that night, Jesus is our Savior, and Jesus is Christ the Lord!..........Good News indeed. Hallelujah! amen

Dec. 9....and there were shepherds

"Shepherds living out in the fields nearby were 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.” Luke 2:8-9 

Heavenly Father, 

The shepherds were minding their own business caring for the sheep on a peaceful night out in the fields. Suddenly they are blinded by your glory!.....”the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Whenever your great glory suddenly shines into our lives, we hide our faces in terror. Scripture always describes your glory, your presence, as a great light. It must be like suddenly starring into the sun! 

Why shepherds? Because they symbolize what Jesus would be.....the Good Shepherd? Or were they just handy. Simple men living out simple everyday lives.....suddenly scared out of their wits by blinding light and angel voices! It certainly must have made a lasting impact on them.....a story they would tell for the rest of their lives. Ahhhh! That helps explain things.....Jesus is the story we should all tell for the rest of our lives, so what better way to first announce his birth. Being terrified certainly is a good way to insure remembrance. 

A little baby in a manager would attract no attention on his own. Now that you have the shepherds full attention, the story can begin to unfold for the salvation of mankind. Please, Heavenly Father, blind me with your glory and get my attention that I might also hear the Good News and tell others. Shine into the lives of all mankind this Christmas and touch hearts anew and bring us peace. “Shine, Jesus, Shine!” amen

WATCHING 

Shepherds waiting on the hillside, resting and watching the sheep in their care, 

Never dreaming that they would be chosen to first hear the message the angels would share. 

Not kings and princes, not scribes or rich men, just simple poor men alone in the night, 

Chosen to hear the Good News sent to all men--- the Babe has been born to bring all men Light! 

We too, are chosen to hear of the Savior. No matter who or where we are. God's message is there to be spread to the nations--- 

We too are chosen to follow His star. 

God incarnate born in a manger, God's great Word, lies in the stall! 

Wait! and listen-----the angels are speaking---- "Peace on earth", good news for all!

(Mary Freeman 12-1997)

Dec. 8.....no room in the inn

“She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

Heavenly Father, 

We always assign the line “there was no room for them in the inn” to the innkeeper and sort of make him seem a heartless figure who turns the weary travelers away despite Mary’s pregnancy. But the innkeeper was apparently kind enough to let them stay in his safe warm stable. And the “no room” part is a terrific metaphor for us today to remind us that we too have trouble making room for Jesus is our hearts. We tuck him away in a small back corner and don’t allow him the freedom of our whole heart. 

Jesus was born and thrived and even greeted visitors from that unimportant stable....that “back room”, out-of-the-way place in Bethlehem, so he can make a home in whatever part of our hearts we give him, too.....if we just let him in. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful gift and make my heart big enough and safe enough to nurture you as you grow inside me. amen

MAKE MY HEART A MANGER 

Make my heart a manger as I wait for the Christ Child’s birth.... 

A place to hold the baby when he comes to live on earth. 

He’ll need a warm place to sleep, a place where this new life can start, 

A welcoming place to enfold him.... So prepare a place in my heart. 

When the Child is safe inside me I must nurture him and let him grow. 

His presence will change my life in ways that I can’t yet know. 

He won’t remain a small baby. No, the Child must become the man. 

So my heart can’t stay the same, it must be willing to expand. 

The manger is just a beginning.   It doesn’t end with the birth. 

I must be ready to follow him through his journey here on earth. 

I must let him be such a part of me that when he dies on the cross 

I’ll be willing to die beside him and never count the cost. 

When he dies to bring me salvation my heart will be crucified, too. 

The old simple me will be gone and at last I’ll be born anew. 

It’s a long way from birth to death and from death to a brand new start, 

So let me begin today, LORD...

Make a manger out of my heart.

(Mary Freeman 12-2000)