Daily Inspiration: Christmas Day 2018
Luke 2:13-14
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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
Thought for Today
Peace is not the first thing I think of on Christmas Day. For me there is a service at church to lead and preach. Everyone is eager to get home and open the presents. Carols will play. Wrapping paper will fly. There will be laughing, hugging, and celebrating. Hope is there. Joy is in abundance. But peace? Not so much. This must have been what it was like for Mary and Joseph that first Christmas. The chaos of a bustling town packed for the census. The struggle to find a place to stay with the contractions getting closer together. The joy of the healthy birth of a first born son. Celebration with the shepherds. Joy was there at the manger. Hope that comes with every new child was present. But peace was nowhere to be found. Where was the peace? Peace is the gift the Christ child comes to bring. The peace of which the angels sing will be found at the cross and celebrated at the empty tomb. Christmas does not bring peace, it anticipates it. Peace is the gift still wrapped in the manger. So don’t worry if you didn’t find peace this Christmas. Hope is the gift Christ brings at Christmas. Peace is the gift we open at Easter.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I praise You for the gift of hope, knowing that You came out of love for me. Help me to celebrate with true joy the hope of Christmas. Amen
Devotional Quote
Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world. — C.S. Lewis
Quote of the Day
Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day. ― Helen Steiner Rice
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Daily Inspiration: Christmas Eve 2018
Luke 2:8-11
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Thought for Today
Martin Luther, in his sermon on Christmas 1530, wrote:
Therefore this is the chief article, which separates us from all the heathen: that you, O man, may not only learn that Christ, born of the virgin, is the Lord and Savior, but also accept the fact that He is your Lord and Savior, that you may be able to boast in your heart: I hear the Word that sounds from heaven and says: This child who is born of the virgin is not only his mother’s son. I have more than the mother’s estate; He is more mine than Mary’s, for He was born for me. For the angel said, “To you” is born the Savior. Then ought you to say, ”Amen, I thank Thee, dear Lord.” (emphasis mine.)
It is a marvelous truth that Christ was born at all. It is the greatest truth that Christ as born for me! May you hear the greatest news clearly this Christmas!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth for me. Let this be the truth that fills my heart this year. Amen. I thank Thee, dear Lord.
Devotional Quote
The Son of God became a man to enable me to become sons of God. — C.S. Lewis
Quote of the Day
How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts! ― Benjamin Franklin
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Daily Inspiration: Advent 2018 Isaiah 40:5 Prepare the Way 3
Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Thought for Today
What will be the result of all our hard work preparing for the coming of the Lord? He will be revealed. Christ will be revealed in us! People looking at us to see what it means that the Lord is coming will see Him in the changes in us. They will see Him in our love, in our care, in our sharing and compassion. For God will honor the highway we have prepared for Him in our hearts and lives. He will walk across our level places and marvel at the mountains we have cut down for Him. He will be revealed! God makes this promise with His own lips. Since God has saved us, how can we do any less this Christmas than allow Him to be revealed to a watching world?
Prayer
Coming Lord, help me to be well prepared for You, so that others will see Your marvelous work in my life and know that it was You who accomplished it. Amen.
Devotional Quote
At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern. ― Mother Teresa
Quote of the Day
Forgiveness is the final form of love. — Reinhold Niebuhr
