25 Days of Christmas

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:20 We have heard about Jesus We have tasted of His goodness. Let us sit in awe of Him. Let us praise Him with all of hearts. The saints of old believed. Let us also believe with all our hearts. We have seen beacons at every corner leading us to the narrow way. We have seen the light shinning brightly. The Truth of our freedom and redemption given to us by the grace showered upon us. Let us glorify God for the gift of His son, Jesus. Merry Christmas, to you and your family. On behalf of Bettie and I thank you for joining us. Prayer: Thank you Lord for bringing me through this journey of Grace. Help me finish strong. 

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18 The Shepherds could not contain their experience. They told everyone who cared to listen. One Angelic visit. One Savior. One Morning Star. Some privileged, humble shepherds testified. They testified unashamedly. No one truly encounters Jesus and buries their testimony. Not the fancy t-shirts, or car bump-stickers. But the testimony you carry everyday by living the life. Have you testified of His goodness in your life?  Can you tell others about Jesus? Don’t let Christmas be the only time you speak about Jesus.  Family Activity: Discuss simple ways you can let others around know about Jesus as a family. Prayer: Dear Lord, fill mouth with testimonies of your grace. Grant me boldness to make known of your goodness in Jesus name.

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.” Matthew 1:21 We have carried our sins with us for so long. Why would anyone think that we could live any other way? We have grown complacent and numb to the pain that is caused by those sins. And when the Torah is read, we say that we love Your Law, Yahweh, and yet we leave the synagogue to berate our neighbors and steal from our customers. O Father in Heaven how long can we go on, living this way? When will You send Messiah? I wonder if Mary’s heart ached with the carrying of the sin that she felt? Did she long for mercy and forgiveness before the Angel came? And do I long for mercy during these days of Advent, as I wait for Christmas morning? Family Activity:  Suggest a simple way to reach…

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 in the inn. Luke 2:7 Every home was filled. The inn too. The sheds occupied. Every heart busy and distracted. Save one tiny corner on the stable. The animals were blessed to have the savior come in to their space. A space in the barn but there was no room in the homes. In the company of animals but everyone seemed too busy. Is there room for Jesus in your home? Is there room for Him in your heart? Don’t make this Christmas ‘busy’. Make it all about Jesus. Let Him be priority in all your decisions. Let the Name of the Lord be glorified in all that you do. Today, unpack all the unnecessary. Family Activity: Let every gift you hand out remind others of Jesus by writing tiny notes or verses attached. Prayer:…

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 The gifts we give each other at Christmas can sometimes feel too little or mis-matched for the persons intended. We put such judgment on our gift-giving, trying to find the perfect present for each person. But when the Wise Men gave their gifts, the most perfect match was made. Gifts that spoke of royalty, Godliness, and even the Savior’s future death, were placed at the Child’s feet. How did those men, not born of Jewish descent, know the symbolism that their gifts carried? God knew the details that would bring the greatest blessing. And He knows the details when He longs to bless our loved ones with gifts. What gifts will He allow me to share with those I love this Christmas? Family…

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Luke 2:13-15 It must have swept them off their imagination to see the multitude of host singing, worshiping and praising God in one beautiful symphony. Imagine the beauty of our heavenly home. We will be singing We will be dancing We will be rejoicing Singing along with the host of heaven Lifting our hands along with the twenty-four elders. The Shepherds angelic visit was a unique privilege.  But more than ever we are grateful that Jesus is present with us and dwells in our hearts. Today,…

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:10 Christmas morning comes bright and early to homes where little children live. No one has to tell those little ones to get excited, or to be joyful. Their eyes sparkle as they dance and twirl before the glittering gifts waiting to be opened. Our Father sent us the Greatest Gift of all when He sent His Son. And those early players in the story of His birth were taken with great excitement as they watched the story unfold before them. The Shepherds REJOICED. The Wise Men were OVERJOYED. They realized that something special was being given to them to behold. The Gift is still available to each of us now. Every Christmas we tell the story, and hear the news. Will someone have to tell me to rejoice? Will I have to be prodded to be overjoyed in His Presence? How can I offer my joy to Him this year?…

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 The Angel gave Mary the Word from Luke 1:30-37. When she received the word, the seed got planted in her soul. It takes a humble heart to receive God’s word. Her womb was going to carry the Most Holy being. It sounds impossible, unimaginable, beyond the human reasoning. It became because she believed. She latched on to the Word. God’s Word is Sure. God’s Word is unfailing. God’s Word must be fulfilled. Would you dare to believe His Word of Promise over your life? Family Activities: Write in your journal the Word of Promise the Lord had spoken to you. Thank God for the Word He has given you.  Prayer: With a humble a heart Father I come before Your presence. I come with a heart ready to receive Your unfailing Word. Let your Word be…

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2:9 A miracle led the way for those Wise Men. But the miracle appeared in the sky, as a star. It was the same night sky that they had watched every night. It was the same charts that they had poured over every day. The miracle came to them where they led their everyday lives. The Father sent His only Son, and the Star that pointed to Him, into the world of man where lives were lived and choices were made. He came into their days, just as He comes into our days. What can I see in my daily life that points to God’s miracles? Will I be willing to watch for His leading in the midst of my every day?   Family Activity: What Miracles can you count as a family?…

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16 They heard the good news. Their hearts received the good tidings. Their souls where overjoyed. Un-containable joy made their feet run. Not a run in vain. But a race with purpose. They ran with haste to see the Savior. How have you received the Good News? Have you come to see the Savior? How have you approached the Mercy Seat? You can’t love Jesus and not show it. As Christmas dawns, let your heart merry. Let the Joy of the Lord overwhelm your hearts. May you run with haste to meet the King. Family Activity: Give someone in your family the Gift of a Bible. Let everyone write something special in the Bible gift. Prayer: Dear Lord, I come before your presence with heart full of joy. Expecting, Waiting and longing to see you dear Jesus. Let my eyes behold your beauty…

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6 Our Father sent the Angels to announce the birth of HIS true Shepherd, to the humble shepherds in the field that night. It could not have been a coincidence. God plans every detail of how this world moves—He planned for their knowing and pondering and then rejoicing. Isn’t it the lowliest among us who often have the clearest view of Heaven? Jesus himself told us that in order to see Heaven we would need to become as little children. And truly, the Joy of Christmas is reflected in the eyes of those little ones. They are held with a knowing, and a pondering, and then rejoicing. Will I offer my heart to see Him, with a fresh pondering this Christmas?   Family Activity: In what way would you offer little. Drop surprise small boxes…

 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:14 Have you observed how beautiful the Christmas lights glow at night? They light up the dark. Creating such brilliance. As beautiful as these tiny lights are, they are nothing compared with the light Jesus shines on the world. Jesus is the light of the world. His light shatters every darkness. His light shines in our lives. We need to the Light that light shine through us. Are you shining the Light? Like the morning star that stood on the night the angels visited the shepherds. As they sat in darkness, watching the sheep. Nothing prepared them for the heavenly encounter. That morning star announced the glorious arrival of the King, Our Savior.    Family Activity: Help a family put up a Christmas tree or decorations. I would be fun sharing and helping put up lights. Prayer: Father, let your light flood my…