Devotions for Christmas

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December 20: Christmas Stockings / Index

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
JEREMIAH 33:3

Have you ever hidden a special gift for a child deep inside the toe of a Christmas stocking? How exciting it is to watch that child pull out the rest of the candy and tiny trinkets when you know something precious is waiting at the bottom! On the other hand, consider how frustrating it is when the child is satisfied with the candy and does not seek anything beyond that initial treat. You can’t wait for the moment when your child will find the greater prize.

Do you ever feel as though your life is missing something? So many of us have gratefully accepted Christ as Savior but have not taken our relationship with Him any deeper. We love Jesus, but as we meet the challenges of everyday life, we stop searching for Him. We forget God has things yet to reveal. We really are missing out on an important gift: we are missing more of Him.

Christ has hidden a destiny for us that we may know nothing about. Yes, there is a sweetness to salvation, much like the chocolate treats at the top of the stocking. We should certainly embrace and enjoy that indescribable gift. Oh, but let’s also go deeper! Gems of wisdom and gifts of strong character and hope that come through perseverance will escape our notice unless we are willing to go further with Christ.

The writer of Hebrews said that we must come to God believing that He exists and that He has rewards for those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Through the inspired words of Scripture, God is encouraging us to dig for the deeper gifts of Christ—to continue to pray, study, and serve Him with all our hearts. This Christmas, let’s ask Him to reveal to us the hidden treasures that we did not even realize were ours for the taking. He is waiting for us to seek the greatest prize—Him.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 21: Gift Tags / Index

“See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
ISAIAH 49:16

How do you like to wrap your Christmas presents? There are so many options! Some prefer paper with cartoon characters or snowmen and a nice peel-and-stick bow. Others choose a shiny, foil wrapping with an elaborate ribbon. Then there are those of us who begin with visions of beautifully wrapped packages but, somewhere around the twentieth present, pull out the gift bags and tissue paper.

Whatever presentation you choose, the last step is attaching the gift tag. You lovingly write a person’s name on the tag and set the gift apart for that specific individual. It’s the very last step in the whole process of thinking about, shopping for, and purchasing just the right gift. And when someone sees that gift sitting under the tree just for him or her, how special do you think that person feels?

God’s love for His people is the most well-planned, extravagant gift of all time. He went to great lengths to prove His love to us. Then, lest there be any question, the Lord tells His people that their names are engraved upon His holy hands. The gift of God’s love has our names written on it, and it is ours to open and receive.

It would be terribly sad for such a precious gift to remain unopened. The Enemy would have us believe that God’s gift isn’t for us. He tells us we are unworthy of God’s love. Do not believe it, sweet friends. God has made us worthy through His Son’s sacrifice. God reaches out His hands, and they are marked with our names so we know that the gift of Christ is for us.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 22: Christmas Letters / Index


There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.
1 TIMOTHY 2:5–6

Beginning a couple of weeks before Christmas, many of us start to walk to our mailboxes with expectation. We know that Christmas cards and letters will arrive almost daily. Families in matching outfits will grace the covers of glossy cards. There will be postcards with brief greetings. Then there are the Christmas letters, replete with details of the past year. Whose Christmas letter do you look forward to receiving?

Christmas letters are personal things. They don’t go to everyone because the message isn’t for everyone. Not everyone needs to know that you’ve decided to go back to your natural hair color or that your little sister finally got her braces taken off. They each contain a specific message for specific people. To share someone’s letter with an unintended recipient might even amount to gossip.

While some Christmas letters may not be for everyone, the story of Christmas is for every single one of us. Christ came to earth because God loved the whole world (John 3:16). Anyone can read Scripture and know that it is meant for him or her. Christ came for everyone, and He died for everyone. In today’s verse Paul wrote that Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all.
It’s easy to assume that everyone knows the message of the gospel, but that’s not the case. People in our lives hunger and thirst for the hope of Christ, and those of us who hold fast to the Word of God must be willing to share it. You may not want to share the details of your sister’s Christmas letter with the world, but the gospel isn’t gossip. It’s good news. Let’s share it!


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 23: Going Caroling / Index

Coming up at that very hour [Anna] began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
LUKE 2:38

Have you ever gone door-to-door at Christmastime singing carols to your neighbors? Historically, caroling in England was a way of wishing one’s neighbors good health, and it was not strictly a Christmas activity. It wasn’t until the 1800s that Christmas carols made their way onto the song list. Caroling became a popular way to spread Christmas cheer to friends, neighbors, or those who were unable to leave their homes. Christmas was shared with the whole community.

Those who learned about the baby Messiah were quick to share good news with those around them. The shepherds went immediately to the manger to share everything the angels had spoken about the Christ child (Luke 2:17). Upon seeing Jesus in the temple, the prophetess Anna told everyone about Him (Luke 2:38). They all grasped the importance of what was taking place and sought to share it with others.

Why do you think caroling is not as prevalent these days? Are we too busy? Are we afraid it would be an imposition on others? What stops us from sharing the wonder of Christmas with those around us? No one is saying that you have to pick up some handbells and start knocking on doors. The important part is not the act of singing but the act of going.

How can we take the message of the Messiah to our neighbors? The good news is still good news after all these years. People still need to know that the Savior has come for them. You can sing if you like, or you could take a casserole or an invitation to a get-together to one of your neighbors. It doesn’t matter what methods we use as long as we share the message of Christmas in our communities.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 24: Holy Anticipation / Index

It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
LUKE 2:26 NIV

Is there anything more exciting than Christmas Eve? Family and friends will soon be filling our homes with love and laughter. The presents that we have lovingly chosen and wrapped will finally be opened. All of our planning and preparation has brought us here, and now we wait with anticipation.

Simeon was no stranger to anticipation. The Holy Spirit promised him that he would not die before seeing the Christ. He probably woke up each morning thinking, Today could be the day! Every day he continued to draw breath, he waited to see the promised Messiah. That, my friends, is a life filled to the brim with anticipation.

Just as Simeon longed for Jesus’ coming, we now long for Him to come again. We see promises of His return all throughout Scripture. Revelation tells us that He is currently on His way, bringing justice and a new world (22:12). We live with the knowledge that not only will He come someday, but He could come any day. How exciting is that?

For those of us who long for His appearing, our days are filled with anticipation. A day is no longer just another twenty-four-hour period filled with tasks to do and errands to run. For us, every night can be like Christmas Eve. Let’s greet each new day with great anticipation knowing that Jesus could arrive at any moment.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 25: A Savior Is Born for You / Index

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
LUKE 2:11

Would it surprise you to know that December 25 probably isn’t the exact day of Jesus’ birth? Many Orthodox Christians, whose churches never adopted the Gregorian calendar, celebrate Christmas on January 7. And what about the calendar year? Would it shock you to know that many biblical scholars believe Christ was born between 6 and 4 BC? We simply do not know the exact date that the angel declared, “Today a Savior . . . was born.” But that isn’t the most important part of the message.

Whether today ends up being a wonderful day, or if it doesn’t end up as you hoped it would, the events of today are not the most important part of the celebration. Wherever today finds you, the message is still the same. Messiah the Lord was born for you! What a life-altering fact! Jesus did not come to give us a sweet story to tell. He did not come so that we could have a reason to exchange gifts. Christmas Day is about God giving the gift of His Son to you so that you could belong to Him.

The gift is the same whether you are surrounded by family or alone in your living room. It is the same on January 7 as it is on December 25. In fact, not knowing the exact date of Christ’s birth may be a gift in itself. We do not have to limit our adoration to just one day! A Savior was born for us, and that is worth celebrating any day. Today, let us commit to celebrating God’s gift each day of the year.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 26: An Ugly Christmas Sweater / Index


Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.
JAMES 1:17

After weeks of fighting crowds and standing in lines, most of us are tired of being in stores of any kind. Yet, according to a Wall Street Journal article, hundreds of us will flock to stores to return more than $60 billion worth of merchandise in the days following Christmas. What about you? Are you making plans to return an ugly sweater or that casserole dish you know you’ll never use? Did you save gift receipts for your friends and loved ones?

Some gifts just don’t work out. No matter how hard we try, we do not always know what someone else wants or needs. We may think we have come up with the perfect present for someone only to see him or her standing in the return line, holding our gift. It’s possible that our choices are not as perfect as we thought.

But God’s gifts are different. He knows exactly what we need. The gifts He places in our lives are good and perfect, although He has a way of giving us things that we would have never asked for or sought out for ourselves. Yet, in the end, they are always exactly right for us.

Is there something that God has placed in your life that you wouldn’t mind returning? You’re not alone. We do not always understand His gifts. Your struggle or misfortune may seem like an ugly sweater that surely must have been intended for someone else. But He makes no mistakes, sweet friend. Whether our trials have come as a consequence of sin, as a thorn from Satan, or as something straight from the hand of God, we can still trust that He will turn it into something good and perfect. Let’s choose to accept what God allows to come our way, knowing that He will make something beautiful out of whatever we face.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 27: Christmas Leftovers / Index


But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.
2 TIMOTHY 3:14

Raise your hand if you still have Christmas leftovers in your refrigerator. Aren’t they wonderful? Not many things can beat a nice plate of leftover turkey and dressing. Whether you eat it just as you did on Christmas Day or create something brand-new with your leftovers, it’s a way to keep the holidays going just a little while longer. Many people may have worked to create your Christmas meal, and you can relive that togetherness as you enjoy the containers full of delicious food. (Plus, you can enjoy not cooking for once!)

Our spiritual lives are much like a Christmas dinner. At times, our loved ones surround us and pour into our lives. Other times we are alone, but we can return to the lessons they have taught us and continue to be blessed by them. Have you ever gone through a difficult season and been reminded of a scripture someone taught you or a word of encouragement from the past? Those are spiritual leftovers, and they nourish the soul.

Paul warned Timothy that the day would come when people would begin falling away from the faith. Some would begin to doubt the things they had been told about Christ. His encouragement to Timothy in today’s verse was to continue on in what he had learned. When life became chaotic or confusing, Timothy could go back to what he knew to be true.

We live in a constantly changing world. People are challenging Christian beliefs, and some are redefining scriptural truths to make them more acceptable to the world. But we do not need to repackage or “reheat” the Word of God. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV). God’s Word is just as perfect and true today as it was when it was first inspired.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 28: The Season Continues / Index

Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.
MATTHEW 2:11

You may have seen a nativity set with three wise men standing right next to the shepherds in the stable. One might even be set up on your hearth right now, or perhaps the children in your church acted it out during Advent. This beautiful scene is ingrained on our collective Christmas memory. So while it may not have been a surprise to biblical scholars, most of us were shocked when we realized the wise men were not present at the manger. Now, before we start removing the wise men from Grandma’s favorite nativity scene, let’s think for a moment.

From Scripture we can surmise that it could have taken an unknown number of magi as long as two years to travel from where they were to where Christ was residing. They would have traveled by caravan and occasionally stopped for lodging. Everyone making the journey would have been very much aware that the goal was reaching the Christ child.

Today’s scripture tells us that immediately upon entering the home (not the stable), they fell down to worship Him. The journey was all about Jesus. After worshiping Him, they presented the child with gifts. It was still a celebration of the birth of the Savior. Two years later, it was still Christmas.

It’s common to feel a little bit of an emotional letdown following Christmas. So much effort and energy goes into the weeks leading up to it, and then it’s all over so quickly. But what if it weren’t? What if it continued after decorations were packed away and the leftovers were eaten? Let’s linger over the Christ child a little longer. Perhaps those old nativity sets had the right idea. It is never too late or the wrong time to celebrate the birth of Christ.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 29: The Aroma of Christmas / Index

For we are the aroma of Christ to God.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:15

What does Christmas smell like to you? Candles are popular accessories in homes this time of year, since the sense of smell helps create such strong, warm memories. Candles and burners come in delicious scents, like orange, pumpkin spice, and pine tree. One large candle company even sells a candle called “Christmas Eve,” which is supposed to smell like candied fruit. It’s good enough to eat!

American poet Diane Ackerman once said, “Nothing is more memorable than a smell.”
Nothing about God’s creation is accidental. He designed our bodies so the sense of smell would be linked to our memories. Perhaps that is why Paul used the phrase “the aroma of Christ” to tell us that we are to be like a comforting scent in the memories of those we encounter.

Paul told the Corinthians that God uses believers to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ everywhere. Then, in his very next sentence, he said that we are the aroma of Christ to God. In other words, we should always smell like Christ, leaving traces of His peace, His joy, and His grace. Have you ever known someone whose lovely scent lingers long after he or she has left the room? When we leave someone’s presence, it should be Christ’s scent that lingers: the essence of His holiness and love.

Let’s be intentional about the spiritual scent we leave behind. People will remember it. If we are to do everything as unto the Lord, everything we do should include the fragrance of Christ and reflect well on Him. Our interactions with others should give off a sweet aroma. And when God draws near us and takes a deep breath, live in such a way that He is filled with the scent of His Son. Let’s share the aroma of Christmas.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 30: Cradle to Cross / Index

Then [Joseph of Arimathea] took [Jesus’ body] down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb.
LUKE 23:53

Things have a way of coming full circle.” That’s what we say about a situation that seems to end where it began. Can you think of a situation that played out in your life in a way that made you think things had come full circle? In the study of Scripture, we would call this an inclusio. The book of Luke has several examples.

The ministry of Jesus began with Satan in the wilderness, questioning His divinity (Luke 4:3) and ended with the rulers questioning His divinity as He hung on the cross (Luke 23:35). The very setting of Luke is an inclusio: the book opens and closes in the temple.

Think back to Luke 2 when Mary gave birth to Christ. As He drew in His first breaths, she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in the manger. Imagine the gentleness of those hands as they held the Savior and the nervousness of a new mama as she laid Him in the manger. Now, let’s imagine Joseph of Arimathea as He removed Christ’s body from the cross. Imagine the gentleness of those hands as they held the body of the Savior and the nervousness of a believer as he laid Him in the tomb. Were two sets of human hands ever as blessed as those of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea?

The similarities in the way Mary and Joseph of Arimathea handled Christ’s body were not coincidental. We are meant to link the cradle and the cross together in our minds. They were always part of the same circle of events. One was intended to lead to the other. As we close out another calendar year and reflect on beginnings and endings, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the baby in the manger became the Man on the cross. The ending to this story spelled a new beginning for the world—and gave us new hope.


Devotions for Christmas
 
December 31: A New Thing / Index

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Pause and take a deep breath. You have made it through another Christmas season and are about to embark on a brand-new year. The gifts have all been given, and the food has all been eaten. The decorations will soon be put away. (Some of us will not have the energy to take the tree down for a little while. That’s okay; this is a place of grace.) For all of us, this is a time of new beginnings. What are you looking forward to in the New Year?

All throughout Scripture, Christ created new beginnings. A young virgin girl began the journey of motherhood. Prisoners began new lives of freedom, and the lame were given new hope through His healing. He wiped away sins and sicknesses and offered fresh starts instead. Who among us could use a new beginning too?

How was this past year for you? Most of us could list a few highs and lows. We wish we could do some things over, or perhaps not do them at all. There is good news. Christ still delights in giving us new beginnings. We can move on from any mistakes we have made this year. We can allow God to heal any wounds and lead us back toward Him. We can ask Him to begin a new work in us.

Let’s not enter this New Year carrying old burdens. Wouldn’t we rather have new blessings instead of old baggage? This is the perfect time. Let the old pass away. In Christ we are new creations created for new things. Let’s prepare our hearts to receive them.


Devotions for Christmas
 
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