December 23, 2010: Joy
Scripture: Luke 2:9-11 (KJV)
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Devotion:
"Joy to the World!", "Comfort and Joy", "Love and joy come to you", "O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant". The carols and songs of Christmas speak of joy. But what is joy? Too many times I think we put joy and happiness into the same bucket and think they are one and the same. But happiness is based on circumstances and is fleeting; joy is in spite of the circumstances and lasts. You can be joyful in the midst of troubles. It is not turning a blind eye your problems but looking past your problems and seeing what is really there. It's an attitude of gratitude that keeps us connected to joy.
Jesus came to be our Saviour. The angels tell of good tidings of great joy. The first Christmas was not some beautiful Christmas card worthy scene but real life in the living and that what Jesus came to live in – real life, our life, with all of the pain and ugliness that we can bring to it. Yes, this is a season of joy but many find nothing but sadness – I am very much aware that in the Pierce Family's joy for Dad's new gift of life is a touch of the pain that another family is feeling in the loss of a loved one (and I hope that their joy can be found in the giving of this almost unspeakable gift!). In spite of the problems we have as individuals, families, and nations, we can find joy. We can find the One who came to bring us joy just as the shepherds and wise men did long ago.
What keeps you from being joyful? What causes you to see joy?
Father, let us hear again in our hearts the message of the angel of the Lord and let the good tidings warm our hearts this Christmas. In spite of what we see or even know, help us to find joy. In the name of Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring. Amen.
December 22, 2010: Redemption
Scripture: Matthew 20:28 (KJV)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Devotion:
I am old enough to remember S&H Green Stamps. Mom and Dad, like so many others, saved those little green postage-type stamps that they got at the grocery store and other places, filling booklets to be traded in for some really neat stuff. Do you know where you took these filled booklets? To the Redemption Center! You took these little seemingly worthless bits of paper and got something of value. I guess the only thing similar today is gift cards – we take them to a store and get something of value and someone else has paid the cost.
Jesus came to redeem us. The King James Version says to give His life as a ransom. Like it or not, we are enslaved and Jesus came to set us free. We can be redeemed and our life, though filled with pain and sorrow, can be traded in for something of much more value – without stamps or cards. We can't do anything to earn this gift – we just have to accept it.
Pain, sorrow, loss, rejection – all of this and more – can be traded in. Jesus paid the cost and He is the Redemption Center. What do you have to trade today?
Father, I know that at the moment of the fall, You already had the nativity and the cross on Your mind. Thank You that Jesus came to redeem us and to free us. In the Name of Jesus, my Redeemer, I pray for all of us who need redemption today. Amen.
December 21, 2010: Peace and Comfort
Scripture: Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:30, Luke 2:10, 14 (KJV)
Fear not…
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men
Devotion:
On this first day of winter, it is wet and dreary. A day to be inside but one of those days that doesn't seem to instill much joy. It's the type of day that one's thoughts may go to all the worries that plague us – money (lack thereof), purpose and direction, relationships, world issues, etc. But the words of the angels to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds is "Fear not". I believe that word is for us today as well.
Now I don't know about you but if an angel appeared before me, I might just be a little bit afraid (okay, a whole lot afraid – especially if the angel is as awe-inspiring as my imagination makes them out to be; no soft, frilly angels for me, thank you, I want my angels to be ready for battle!). And the first thing the angels say is "Fear not". God's first word to us is "don't be afraid". I've heard that fear is really an acronym for "false evidence appearing real". This may be so but when you are afraid the evidence seems to weigh heavily in favor of running and hiding or finding some other way not to deal with the situation. Fear is strong but the angels' words tell us that God is stronger: Fear not. The angels' song praises God and proclaims his peace and good will – comfort – toward men.
Jesus came to bring us real peace, replacing our fear. He said that after He left, another would come – The Comforter or Holy Spirit. God has provided peace and comfort through the coming of a Child and through His Spirit. And the angels still stay, "Fear not".
Speak the words again to us, Lord. Remind us not to fear, for You bring peace and comfort for we have found favor in Your eyes.
Help us to trust You and to release the things that cause us to fear. You are bigger than all of our troubles and we trust Your Comforter today. In the Name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, Amen!
