Sunday, December 23

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”
(which means “God with us”).

“Only one more sleep,” my brothers and I would exclaim. The 23rd was always an exciting day for us, because Christmas Eve was coming! Part of the joy of Christmas is the anticipation.

I often consider how exhausting it was for my mother with three giggly, wiggly kids waiting for a special day. All the while she must have had plenty to do! Bless her!

Still, she kept us busy as we all looked forward to our exciting day to come!

For my family, Christmas Eve was centered around worship services. We had a 6:00 and 11:00 service, and between the two we had a special dinner (cheese, crackers, and oyster stew), then we got to open our one present for the night – new PJ’S!!!!

When we were little, we wore our new jammies to the 11:00 service and sat in the balcony with the choir. Inevitably, we’d fall asleep during the hushed service, but we’d wake up for the candle lighting! It was the most special part of Christmas Eve.

As you look forward to Christmas Eve, may you do so with joyful excitement. Forget the tasks before you, even if for just a moment, and marvel at what is to come. Mary and Joseph listened to God’s angels and took off on a journey to Bethlehem, where a new baby, the MESSIAH would be born. That is far more important than all the chores! Let’s giggle and wiggle in joyful anticipation!

Pray: Lord, we are waiting for your arrival. Only one more sleep! Help us to stop for a moment and remember the awe of Mary and Joseph’s trust in you so that the birth of our Messiah would arrive. Amen.

Saturday, December 22

Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

What a relief this moment must have been for Mary! Elizabeth knew right away, Mary did not need to explain all that the angel said, Mary did not have try to convince Elizabeth that she wasn’t making this up. Instead Elizabeth broke forth with a greeting that assured Mary that God was indeed with her. All that had transpired was real, Mary had not imagined this.

Isn’t it nice to have somebody who knows what you are feeling without all of the explanation? Whether we have a person that fits this description or not, we all have God. God knows. God affirms. God assures. God was there for Mary, and God provided Elizabeth to remind Mary that she is not alone.

Pray: Lord. I am not alone. Thank you. Use me to assure others that you are with them. Amen.

Friday, December 21

Luke 1:47-55 (NIV)

And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

Mary bursts into song with the news that the Messiah would be born. Her song is one of praise and celebration: “You have never failed us, and you will NEVER fail us.”

Isn’t this the truth?

Life has difficulties, moments of joy and sorrow, conflict and peace, fullness and emptiness, love and disdain, but the Lord has seen us through every moment. He has not failed us, He will never fail us!

Tonight is the Winter Solstice, the darkest, longest night of the year. As the above passage reminds us, God has seen us through darkness, and brought us into light, time and time again.

Tonight we see the longest stretch of darkness, but when the sun rises tomorrow, dark nights will get shorter and shorter while the sun shines longer each day.

Mary sang of all that God has done, remembering the times when God brought light out of darkness. She sings this on the precipice of a new dawn, the dawn of our Lord the Messiah. From that point on, Jesus’ light will continually take over the darkness of the world.

What else can we do but praise the Lord as Mary did?

Pray: Light of the world, shine in our hearts. Amen.