I pray you have a most wonderful time with family and friends! May the love of God fill your thoughts as we celebrate God becoming a man born of a virgin in a humble manger.

Luke 2:10-11
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.

We love you and pray for God’s grace to go with you today!

Merry Christmas Eve!

As Joseph approached Bethlehem with Mary, riding a donkey with the birth of Jesus imminent, I wonder what he was thinking.

Maybe hearing Mary saying she was pregnant and his incredulity about God being impregnator. Perhaps he was recalling the angel affirming her story. Maybe he thought about the urgency to find a comfortable room to give birth. In any event, he knew something incredible was about to happen. But he would have planned this differently!

Mt 1:19-20

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and 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.

God always fulfills His Word but His promises kept rarely come as expected. Christmas teaches us that God’s ways are perfect!

“This Christmas season, when the world seems to be in turmoil—wars are breaking out in different places, crime is rampant, many things are happening that are great sins in the sight of God—but in that crib is the Person who would grow up to save us, and He did.”

— Billy Graham

It’s a time of love, joy, and peace. It’s celebrating the birth of the Savior Who provides abundant and eternal life. Christmas is a season of hope, knowing no matter the challenges or difficulties we may face, there is always the possibility of redemption, forgiveness, and a brighter future. It is a time to be thankful for the blessings in our lives and to share that hope with others.

Rom 5:2b-5
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

This season let’s live with the hope of Christmas in our hearts. Let’s spread the Good News of love, joy, and peace since Jesus, the God of all hope lives in us!

Lk 2:10b
I bring you good news of great joy…

“Our fall is always first a failure to give thanks” (Ann Voskamp).

I can only imagine when Eve was tempted by the devil if instead of reaching for the forbidden fruit, she would have listed all the things she was thankful for.

Eve: “No satan, I will not doubt the goodness of God. I’m thankful for His provision of delicious food and a perfect climate. I’m thankful for the blue sunny sky and the moon and starlit nights. I’m thankful for Adam who is always kind, giving, and loving. Mostly I’m thankful that I’m made in my Father’s image and for His deep love for me. So just leave devil and never come back.”

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Let’s be thankful this Christmas. Let’s make a list of people, especially relatives, and places, and things we are thankful for. Of course at the top of the list, let’s thank God for the Cross and our salvation!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The houses and apartments are decorated with lights and decorations. Amazon and UPS trucks are seemingly everywhere. Wrapping paper and bows are a necessity.

But we know Christmas is more than decorations and presents. It’s the time we reflect on the Father’s gift of forever forgiveness and an abundant life—now and for all eternity!

1 Jn 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Let’s bow down before God and give Him all the glory due Him. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration!

Rev 5:11-12
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon bthousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Thank God for Jesus!

The humble shepherds on the night Jesus was born were honored by an angelic visitation announcing the arrival of the long awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Lk 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Their reaction to this favor is an example for all of us. Not only did they go and see Jesus, they spread the word about Him.

Lk 2:16-18
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

This Christmas let’s follow the example of the humble shepherds and tell others about what Jesus has done for us! Let’s tell about how we’ve been rescued and changed for God’s glory.

Shepherds have it tough. They have to endure all kinds of dangers with thieves and wild animals, along with harsh weather. Shepherds must be faithful as they guide, protect, feed, and dress the wounds of their sheep.

No wonder God decided to announce the birth of His Son first to shepherds!

Lk 2:8-11
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, 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. 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.”

Let’s be found faithful first to God and then to each other. Let’s remember that the greatest ability is dependability, and without faith we cannot please God.

1 Cor 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

God loves the humble and resists the proud. This contrast is frequently in Scripture. Even the mother of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspirationally speaks this truth known as Mary’s Song!

Lk 1:51
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Being proud in heart is an attitude that depends on self instead of God. It says I can do life just fine without strictly obeying his ways of love and faithfulness. It’s a way of life that will lead to heartache and sorrow.

But being humble brings an abundant life. A humble person depends on God for everything. As a result, God’s grace empowers humble people. Their lives are filled with love, joy, peace, and fulfillment.

Lk 1:52-53
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.

In humility let’s worship our God and let’s expect a full life!

God’s ways are impossible to comprehend. He’s good all the time! He’s never not good.

Rom 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

God is good even when we must do unpleasant things. Think of Mary at the end of her pregnancy. She waddles as she walks. Her back hurts along with other uncomfortable things experienced before birth. Joesph must have winced when he heard they had to travel by donkey and foot to Bethlehem to register for a census.

Lk 2:4
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

But God orchestrated it. He moved among the prophets, choosing Bethlehem as the birthplace of His only begotten Son (cf Micah 5:2, Jn 7:42).

Since we’re God’s beloved children, let’s view all circumstances as chances to glorify God. He’s perfect! He’s always good!

John the Baptist had the most important job of preparing the way for the coming Messiah, the Son of God.

Lk 1:76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.

His mother understood this, and realizing his training ground would be the lonely desert, spent 5 months of her pregnancy in seclusion.

Lk 1:24
After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

The lonely desert was the place John would be trained. He would solely focus on his mission of preparing the way for Jesus and being taught by the Spirit who filled him even in his mother’s womb.

Lk 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

It’s hard learning God’s ways with distractions. Even the learned Paul was taught in the desert (cf Gal 1:15-18).

Let’s plan to get away from distractions and spend time with God!

It’s comforting and reassuring to know our God and Father gives us second chances. Zechariah the father of John the Baptist is said along with his wife Elizabeth to be upright in the sight of God, living blamelessly. But during an incredible angelic visitation from Gabriel, his faith lapsed and He doubted God’s messenger.

Lk 1:18
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

He was disciplined by God and was mute until John was born. When he spoke again, Zechariah provided a sign for John’s upcoming ministry to prepare the way for Jesus.

As he spoke he was filled with the Spirit. His words are recorded forever in Scripture. He was given a second chance to glorify the Lord with his life. He said:

Lk 1:76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him….

Thank God for second chances! Let’s believe every Word from God.

What is love? We have studied and written about love, described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. John, known as the beloved disciple, described love too.

1 Jn 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

God’s love is the example for all of us. We want our love to be so strong, so Christlike that we are willing to lay down our lives for each other.

Can you imagine a people that are known for a love so great that the ultimate sacrifice is not too great so others could know abundant life?

Jn 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

This Christmas, with the Spirit’s help, let’s love not just with words but with deeds. Our love for God and others can grow so strong we would be willing to die for each other.

Jn 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.