Daily Devotional -- Christmas Edition

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Monday.

WHERE’S THE BABY?

Read, Isaiah 7:10-14.

“Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahuz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”
“But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!”
“Then he said, “Hear now O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?
“Therefore The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Two women, dressed in their finest, were having lunch together in an exclusive restaurant. A friend saw them and came over to their table to greet them. “What’s the special occasion?” she asked. One of the women said, “We’re having a birthday party for the baby in our family. He’s 2 years old today.” “But where is the baby?” the friend asked. The child’s mother answered. “Oh, I dropped him off at my mother’s house. She’s taking care of him until the party’s over. It wouldn’t have been any fun with him along.”
How ridiculous—a birthday celebration for a child who wasn’t welcome at his own party! Yet, when you stop to think about it, that’s no more foolish than going through the Christmas season, with all of its festivities, without remembering the One whose birth we are supposed to be honoring.
And that’s the way many people celebrate Christmas. In all the busyness—the party-going, gift-shopping, and family gatherings—the One whose birthday they are commemorating is almost completely forgotten.
During this holiday season, in all of your good times, make sure you don’t leave out the Lord Jesus. Give Him the honor He deserves. —Richard De Haan

As part of your family Christmas activities, plan a birthday party for Jesus. Bake a cake, sing “Happy Birthday,” and encourage family members to give a special gift to the Savior.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Tuesday.

GOD WITH US

Read, Isaiah 8:3-10.

“Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz; for before the child shall have knowledge to cry ‘My father’ and ‘My mother,’ the riches of Damascus and the spoil of samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria.”
The Lord also spoke to me again, saying: “Inasmuch as these people refused the waters of Shiloah that flow softly, and rejoice in Rezin and in Remaliah’s son: now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up over them the waters of the river, strong and mighty—the king of Assyria and all his glory; he will go up over all his channels and go over all his banks. He will pass through Judah, he will overflow and pass over, he will reach up to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings will fill the breadth of Your land, O Immanuel.
“Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Give ear, all you from far countries. Gird yourselves, but be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.”

Since that first Christmas day 2000 years ago, the assurance that God is with His people has taken on new meaning. Before Jesus was born, the Israelites were assured that even in judgement they could have hope because God was with them (Isaiah 8:8,10). Yet they didn’t know God as fully as we can today.
We have a great advantage because through reading the New Testament we can see the glory of God “in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). And we can sense His presence in all situations of life because He is made real to us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:10-16).
When I need to be reassured that God is with me, I think about Jesus as He is revealed in the New Testament. I recall how He took little children in His arms and blessed them (Matthew 19:13-15). Then I think of His crucifixion, which reminds me of all He endured to be my Savior (27:27-54). Finally, I reflect on His promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (28:20)
The birth of Jesus gave new significance to the name Immanuel, which means “God with us” (1;23). Because He lived among us, died for us, and sent His Spirit to indwell us, we can rejoice! —Herb Vander Lugt.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Diety!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel!. —Wesley

God came to live with us so we could live with Him.

[Jim]

not to interrupt, but i have to wonder how you're a sandy row glenman?

are you derek in disguise?

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Wednesday.

A SEASON OF RENEWAL

Read, Isaiah 40:28-41:4.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
“Keep silence before Me, o coastlands, and let the people renew their strength! Let them come near, then let them speak; let us come near together for judgement.
“Who raised up one from the east? Who gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? Who gave them as the dust to his sword, as driven stubble to his bow? Who pursued them, and passed safely by the way that he had not gone with his feet? Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He’ ”

A survey showed that 84 percent of people polled want a less materialistic holiday season. I suspect the same is true of people all across the world. But when all roads seem to lead to the shopping malls, what is the pathway toward a more spiritual and meaningful celebration of Christ’s birth?
Some church leaders are suggesting that we put more attention on the observance of Advent, the 4-week period before Christmas. Instead of filling those days with activity and ending up physically and spiritually depleted, we need to recall that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Even with a busy calender of school and church programs, and family obligations, we can still carve out time to “wait on the Lord” and to concentrate on the true meaning of this season. We can determine to make the most of our times of daily Bible reading and prayer, and to give people priority over things.
As we take time to focus on Christ’s birth and strengthen our relationship with Him, this time of year can become a season of renewal instead of exhaustion —David McCasland.

Take time this Christmastide to go
A little way apart,
And with the hands of prayer prepare
The house that is your heart —Anon

A Christless Christmas is like a counterfeit dollar.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Thursday.

THE GIFT OF LOVE

Read; Ephesians 1:3-14.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the council of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Nathan, age 8, was working hard (with a little help from his grandfather) to build a birdhouse for his mother for Christmas. He referred to it as his “secret project.” He gave it careful thought and poured all his energy into it. Most important, he was motivated by love.
Before Nathan started, he calculated the number of hour he thought it would take to make it (7½), and he decided what colors it should be painted (yellow with a blue roof). On Christmas morning he insisted that it be the first gift opened, and he beamed when mom said she really liked it.
Nathan’s gift was given in the true spirit of the Gift whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. God the Father, moved by His great love, “gave 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).
Think of the love of the Father that led to the priceless gift of His Son, which was part of His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:4-5; 3:11). God’s gift of love should fill us with deep gratitude and joy. Let’s together proclaim, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). —Dave Egner.

Before the glimmering dawn of creation,
And with thoughts too wondrous for me,
The Lord designed the plan of salvation
To send the Savior to set sinners free. —Egner

The best gift anyone could receive is Jesus.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Friday.

THE VALUE OF PROPHECY

Read; Psalm 22:11-19.

Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.
For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
But You O Lord, do not be far from Me: O My Strength, hasten to help Me!

Some people believe that the Bible is merely a haphazard collection of ancient writings. But we have good reason to believe it is God’s inspired Word. For example, the Bible contains prophecies that have been fulfilled. Centuries before specific events took place, the writers of Scripture predicted their occurrence, and in the course of time these events came to pass.
No matter how farsighted we may be, we cannot foretell the future with any precision. Indeed, our best guesses often turn out to be wrong. Here are some examples:
“Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.” Who said that? A renowned professor of military strategy. “Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.” This pronouncement was made by a distinguished economist just before the financial crash of 1929.
The Bible, however, is filled with dramatic examples of fulfilled prophecy. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Psalm 22:1-18 record details about the crucifixion of Christ hundreds of years before this cruel form of execution was ever practiced.
When we pick up the Bible, we are holding in our hands the one authoritative divine revelation of truth—a claim verified by fulfilled prophecy. —Vernon Grounds.

How precious is God’s holy Word,
Its pages every one;
They lead us to the Living Word—
To Jesus, God’s dear Son —D. De Haan

God always keeps His word.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week One. Saturday/Sunday

The Predicted Names Of Messiah

No Old Testament prophet had more to say about the promised Messiah than the prophet Isaiah. In a period spanning at least 64 years, Isaiah (whose name means “the salvation of Jehovah”) was God’s spokesman to Israel during the reigns of four kings—Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Isaiah predicted a coming messianic age marked by world peace. He foresaw a world government in the last days that would turn the eyes of the international community on Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1-4). He also described the coming of a Servant-Ruler who would bring a mysterious blend of power and suffering (Isaiah 53; 61:1-3). But the character of this coming Servant is most clearly stated in Isaiah 9:6, where the prophet declared:

“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

While it was clear that Isaiah was predicting a coming world leader and the inevitability of a messianic age, Isaiah was actually predicting the arrival of the Son of God. This could not have been seen until after Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Prophetically, Isaiah saw the day when a son of Israel would bear upon His shoulder the weight of world leadership. In chapter 2, Isaiah predicted that in the last days the house of the Lord would be established in Jerusalem. He said the Lord Himself would “judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).
Those who have bowed their knee to this coming Messiah and Lord can find present encouragement to that future day. While we regard as mythology the image of Atlas bearing on his shoulder the globe of the world, we can see in God’s Messiah a real Lord who can carry the combined weight of all human problems. Inexpressible comfort can be found as we discover that the “shoulders” which will someday carry the government of the world are large enough to bear ant personal weight or burden that we bring to Him now.

The Character Of Messiah. “. . . and His name will be called . . . ” Hebrew names are significant. The prophet used a marvelously descriptive set of names to unfold the very essence of the person of the Messiah. Isaiah used four compound names, each giving a different window through which to view the Son of God who was to become the Son of man for us. These four names shape our understanding of who God’s Messiah is. They can help us develop a personal relationship with Him, and show us in moments of fear where to find Him.
Let’s take these names one at a time. The first of them is “Wonderful Counselor.”

A Guiding Name:
“Wonderful Counselor”
“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . .
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor.”

The name “Wonderful Counselor” literaly translates, “a wonder of a counselor.” but what does it mean? Let’s look at it in two parts.
Wonderful. The first is the word Wonderful. The Hebrew word pala indicates “something uncommon or out of the ordinary.” it reflects “a phenomenon lying outside the realm of human explanation; that which is separated from the normal course of events; something that cannot be explained.”
The same Hebrew word is used in Psalm 139:6 in just this way: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high. I cannot attain it.” It is something miraculous, and therefore a limited sense of wonder.
A real wonder is something beyond human explanation. And the prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Child and Son would be a wonder. This not only describes what He does, it describes who He is. Do you see Him that way? He, Himself, is the wonder!
Counselor. The second part of this compound description of the coming Messiah is Counselor. In it’s historical Hebrew usage, the word is used to picture a king giving counsel to his people. Micah declared the dilemma of the captives in Babylon this way, “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished.? (4:9).

* * *

Long before the Child was ever born, long before the Son was given, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the brokenhearted people of the world. And long after Jesus’ entrance into the world we can see that He personified the kind of counsel that will go out from Jerusalem in the last days.

* “He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
* “. . . the Spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isaiah 11:2).
* “. . . the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance” (Isaiah 28:29).

When you take all that we know about Christ, it adds up to a marvelous truth—he is the God who is, and who is called a “Wonder of a Counselor.”

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Monday.

BARREN BUT NOT BITTER

Read; Luke 1:5-17.

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, . . . “An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the alter of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He also will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Barrenness, whether physical or spiritual, can lead to bitterness in some of God’s people. It can develop in the heart of a disappointed couple who cannot have a child. It can also occur when people serve God and see no results.
A missionary couple who served diligently for many years with no visible fruit asked in frustration, “Have we wasted our lives?” A young pastor and his wife labored 5 years for a thankless congregation, pouring out their lives for their people. “Do the even care?” the woman asked.
Zacharias and Elizabeth, mentioned in Luke 1, are a model for anyone who is facing physical or spiritual barrenness. The aged couple had an impeccable reputation, having faithfully and obediently served the Lord for many years (v.6). They had prayed for children, but none came. Yet instead of becoming bitter, they kept serving and obeying the Lord. In His time, God honored Zacherias and Elizabeth with a son named John, the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah (vv.13-17).
To avoid developing a bitter spirit in your life, faithfully serve and obey the Lord in the place where He has called you. Trust God to bless you in His time, in His way, and according to His plan. —Dave Egner.

Lord keep me from being bitter
When things don’t go my way,
And grant me Your grace and wisdom
To do Your will today. —Fitzhugh

Be faithful—and leave the results with God.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Tuesday.

THE MAIN EVENT

Read; Luke 1:26-38.

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. . .
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the highest; and the Lord God will give him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
Then mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said unto her, “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. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

During the Great Depression that hit the United States in the 1930s, a family in the midwest struggled to put food on their table. They had no money for luxuries.
One day posters all over town announced that a circus was coming. Admission would be $1. A boy in the family wanted to see the show, but his father told him that he would have to earn the money on his own. The youngster had never seen a circus before, so he worked feverishly and was able to buy a ticket.
On the day the circus arrived, he went to see the performers and the animals parade through town. As he watched, a clown came dancing over to him, and the boy put his ticket in the clown’s hand. Then he stood on the curb and cheered as the rest of the parade moved by.
The youngster rushed home to tell his parents what he had seen and how exciting the circus was. His father listened, the took his son in his arms and said, “Son, you didn’t see the circus. All you saw was the parade.”
That story is a parable of Christmas. Many people get excited about the festivities but miss the main event. During this season, let’s remember what happened in a humble stable and whas Jesus’ birth means to us. —Haddon Robinson.

The world drowns the carol with its sleighbells—
Giftwraps the manger—shoves it out of sight;
Yet though the darkness deepens and the din swells,
The Star of Bethlehem still shines as bright. —Gustafson

Jesus is the reason for the season.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Wednesday.

THE BLESSING TREE

Read; Luke 1:39-45.

“Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this 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.”

I read about a young couple whose business had failed, and they had little money to spend at Christmas. They were going to have to move out of their house after the new year. But they didn’t their holiday season to be spoiled because of it. So they decided to throw a party. When the guests arrived, they saw a cedar tree decorated with one string of lights and small-rolled up pieces of paper tied to the limbs with ribbon.
“Welcome to our ‘blessing tree’!” they said, beaming. “In spite of hard times, God has blessed us in so many ways that we decided to dedicate our tree to Him. Each piece of paper describes a blessing He has given us this year.”
This couple has faced more trials since then, but they have chosen to stay focused on the Lord. They often remark that the Christmas with the “blessing tree” was one of their most beautiful, because they could testify as Elizabeth did of Mary; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42).
Whatever your difficulties, they needn’t spoil Christmas, for nothing can spoil Christ! Like this couple, stay focused on Jesus and seek ways to share His blessings with others—perhaps through your own “blessing tree.” —Joanie Yoder.

Jesus came—and came for me!
Simple words, and yet expressing
Depths of holy mystery,
Depths of wondrous love and blessing. —Havergal

The crux of Christmas is Christ.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Thursday.

THE SONG OF MARY

Read; Luke 1:46-55.

“And Mary said; “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. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Mary was troubled. She had just heard the words, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). Comforting words, it would seem, but startling because they were spoken by an angel.
Mary was about to be presented with the most magnificent news ever, yet she was fearful. And when the angel told her she would have a baby, she exclaimed, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (V.34).
Those two facts about Mary—that she was troubled and that she questioned the angel—tell us she was a person like us, with normal concerns.
Yet, after listening to the angel, Mary called herself “the maidservant of the Lord,” and she said, “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38). She was a humble, godly servant, with a willingness to do God’s will.
We see more of Mary’s heart in her eloquent prayer, known as the Magnificat, the Song of Mary (vv.46-55). Here she rejoiced in God’s holiness (v.49), His mercy (v.50), His strength (vv.51-52), His care for the hungry (v.53), and His goodness to His people (vv.54-55).
We can learn from Mary to trust God despite our concerns and fears, and to praise Him for His greatness. That’s what the song of Mary is all about. —Dave Branon.

We magnify our Father God
With songs of thoughtful praise;
As grateful children we confess
How perfect are His ways. —Ball

God’s unsearchable ways deserve our unbounded praise.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Friday.

SING A NEW SONG

Read; Luke 1:67-80.

“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied saying;
“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, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

Two passages in Luke related to the birth of Jesus are often called “songs” because of their similarity to Hebrew psalms of the Old Testament. The early church set them to music and used them in worship. One of them, the Magnificat of Mary (1:46-55), is well known. But the second “song” is a less familiar poem of praise, which was spoken by Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist (vv.67-79).
After 9 months of divinely imposed silence, Zacharias was finally able to speak. He announced that the miracle baby born to him and Elizabeth would be named John. Then, filled with the Holy Spirit, Zacharias spoke of God’s faithfulness and the salvation He would bring through Messiah.
Zacharias said that Jesus, “through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us,” would come “to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (vv.78-79).
For a fresh look at the birth of Jesus this Christmas, consider Zacharias’s words of prophecy and exultation. Read them aloud. Ponder their meaning. Let God use them to write a new song of praise deep in your heart. —David McCasland.

This Christmas sing a new song
That come from deep within,
A song that honors Christ the Lord,
Who saves us from our sin. —Hess

Seeing God’s work in our life puts a new song in our heart.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Two. Saturday/Sunday.

A Powerful Name: “Mighty God”

Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given . . . .
And His name will be called . . . Mighty God.

The name “Mighty God” is an Old Testament title here applied to the coming Messiah. It is the compound Hebrew term El Gibbor, and both parts of the name need to be understood.

God: The first part of the title is El. Even though Jesus Himself pointed out that the title is sometimes used of mighty sons of men (John 10:34), El is so often used of God, and only God, that the prophet Hosea used El to set God in contrast to men in Hosea 11:9.
Isaiah 9:6 was predicting One who would be far more than a man. This is indicated not only by the third name “Everlasting Father” and by other prophetic references such as Isaiah 2:1-4, but by the New Testament record of Christ. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). He is the One of whom John wrote:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:1-3).

Mighty. The other part of the name is Gibbor, which means “strength, power, hero.” What a statement! In a world were heros are determined by their athletic prowess or financial power, we are told that the only One truly worthy to be adored is the One whose might is unparalleled! Isaiah 10:21 describes Him as the refuge of the remnant, and Deuteronomy 10:17 declares that He is the “great God, mighty and awesome.

* * *

The focus of Isaiah’s prophecy is El Gibbor, the Mighty God who is our true Hero. What this prophet in the seventh century BC anticipated, the New Testament confirms. Because the Messiah would be God, He would have God’s power. But to Isaiah, the amzing thing was that the Messiah would not only have the power of God, He would be the God of power!
In other parts of his prophecy, Isaiah gave more details of what this mighty power would look like. For instance, in a messianic section of his prophecy, Isaiah declared:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified (61:1-3).

Jesus used Isaiah 61:1-3 to make His claim as the Messiah (Luke 4:16-21). But because He only partially fulfilled this prophecy in His first coming, He was only partially recognized. By His resurrection, perfect life, sacrificial death, and mighty signs he showed we could trust Him to return one day to rule the world. Most of His own people rejected Him. John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).In many cases, however, Jesus was recognized as the long-awaited Messiah. Nicodemus, a rabbi of Israel, recognized Him (cp. John 3 with John 19). The disciples recognized Him (cp. Matthew 8:27 with 16:16). Mary Magdalene recognized Him, and her life was transformed (Luke 8:2). Others’ lives were changed as well, even the life of the church’s most feared persecutor, Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).
These and thousands of other first-century Jews believed—and for good reason. Jesus Christ proved Himself to be El Gibbor as He displayed His life-changing might and power.

* * *

For those who see their need of a Savior, the evidence of Christ’s mighty power is overwhelming. For those who sense their own weakness and inability to live up to God’s standard, the apostle John wrote, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
What the New Testament provides is an opportunity to see the fullness of the “Mighty God” Isaiah was predicting. The clear statement of the Word of God is that Christ displayed His might in the creation of the world before He physically entered the world. John 1:3 says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” Colossians 1:16 agrees: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
* * *

In the midst of evidence that shows Christ to be the Mighty God, it is important to remember that this is more than just theological data. It is divinely inspired evidence that urges us to see and respond to Christ as He is—our “Mighty God.”
In view of the predictive evidence of Isaiah and the historic record of the Gospels, how can we see our Lord Jesus Christ as anything less than the Mighty God, El Gibbor?

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Three. Monday.

ROOM FOR JESUS

Read; Luke 2:1-7.

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 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. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to 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 at the inn.”

The words “there was no room at the inn” remind me of a family trip many years ago. We had been traveling all day, and I was trying to find a motel where we could spend the night. As we drove along the highway, our hopes were dashed time and again by the sight of NO VACANCY signs. As a father, responsible for the well-being of my family, I was frustrated and discouraged.
Then I thought of Mary and Joseph. How much worse it must have been for them when they arrived in Bethlehem and found no rooms available! I can imagine Joseph pleading with the manager of the inn, telling him of Mary’s condition and their desperate need for a place where she could give birth to her child. But “there was no room for them in the inn.” So when Jesus was born, His mother “wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger” (Luke 2:7).
Today, 2,000 years later, millions of people have no room for Jesus. Although they participate enthusiastically in the festivities of the Christmas season, they keep Him out of their lives. The NO VACANCY sign is there.
How about you? Is there room in your life for Christ? What better time than during this season to rededicate your life to Him or to receive Him as your Savior!. —Richard De Haan.

Have you any room for Jesus,
He who bore your load of sin?
As He knocks and asks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in. —Whittle

If Christ is kept on the outside, something is wrong on the inside.

[sandyrowglenman]

Week Three. Tuesday.

THE STAR IN THE WINDOW

Read; Ephesians 2:1-10.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

During World War ll, it became a custom in the United States for a family who had a son serving in the military to place a star in a front window of their home. A gold star indicated that the son had died in support of his country’s cause.
Sir Harry Lauder told a touching story about this custom. One night a man was walking down a New York City street with his 5-year-old son. The little boy was interested in the brightly lighted windows of the houses and wanted to know why some houses had a star in the window. The father explained that those families had a son fighting in the war. The child would clap his hands as he saw another star in the window and would cry out, “Look, Daddy, there’s another family who gave a son for his country.”
At last they came to an empty lot, and a break in the row of houses. Through the gap a star could be seen shining brightly in the sky. The little lad caught his breath, “Oh, Daddy,” he cried, “Look at the star in the window of heaven! God must have given His Son too.”
Yes indeed! There is a star in God’s window. Do you realize what He did for you? Because of God’s love for us, He gave His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4). Have you thanked Him? —M.R. De Haan. M.D.

For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son
To die on Calvary’s tree, from sin to set me free;
Someday He’s coming back, what glory that will be!
Wonderful His love to me. —Smith

Many give their lives for their country, but Jesus gave His life for the world.