Monday, December 17
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,a
John 3:16-17 (KJV)
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world
to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.
Simply said. Simply done. God became human so that we might see first-hand His love and forgiveness for us. He gave His life so that we might have life.
We only need to believe. This is a perfect time of year to remember this. It is also a time to introduce Jesus to those looking for meaning in the season of Christmas. They know the gist of the story, let’s give them the whole meaning and share it!
Pray: I believe. Help me to tell others about you, so that they may also believe. Amen.
Sunday, December 16
"God was wonderful to them!"
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
Psalm 126 (The Message)
It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion's exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn't believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
"God was wonderful to them!"
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
And now, God, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
“It’s that time again!” “Here we go!” “It seems to come faster and faster every year!”
We always say that when the holiday season begins. We enter the season expecting joy and warmth, but also stress and personal strain.
With that in mind, reading the plea above to “do it again” may bring mixed feelings.
On the one hand, doing it again means we have to hit the ground running and try to keep up with the season’s demands. On the other hand, doing it again can be freeing.
How so? We are not asking God to give us a crazy season, we are asking God to give us peace and joy as we anticipate the celebrations of His coming.
“Do it again, God!” Let’s pray this prayer with the expectation that the season is not about our busy-ness, nor our ability, but rather God’s busy-ness and God’s ability to provide salvation and joy in the arrival of a tiny baby lying the manger.
Pray: It’s your season, your celebration, not mine. In Your grace, please remind of this daily. Amen
Saturday, December 15
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might
Isaiah 12:2-6 (NRSV)
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Sing praises to the Lord:
“Good Christian friends rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice …”
“O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord …”
“Gloria in excelsis Deo …”
“Noel, noel, born is the King of Israel …”
“Joy to the world the Lord is come …”
“Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born…”
Praise Him! Sing it loud! It won’t hurt anybody if you enjoy singing the songs of Christmas praise in fact, it may bless someone!
Lord: I’ve gotta sing when Your Spirit says “sing”, and your music is all around me.
Help me to sing it joyfully! Amen.