Advent Devotional 2014

The Blessing of Christmas All right then, the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel -- 'God is with us.' Isaiah 7:14 For a Child has been born - for us! the gift of a Son - for us! He'll take over the running of the world.

His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness He brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Christmas is more than a story, it is the birth of a Savior. It is the introduction to Jesus Christ who comes with life and power, who desires to be our fulfillment and joy, and who created us for His purpose.

At Christmas Christ’s desire is that we give Him, and those we love, the blessing of ourselves wrapped in the package of a life surrendered to Him. That is exactly what Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds and wise men did. They committed themselves to God’s purpose for their lives. They set aside their own plans to do and be what they were called to by God. The Hebrew word for "blessing" is "berakah" and suggests the giving of a generous gift. The New Testament Greek word for bless is “eulogeo” and means to speak well of, to celebrate with praises. Our example of blessing is evidenced

by God generously providing for our spiritual, physical and emotional needs and the provision of His Good Word in the Scripture. In response we are called to bless our God by giving ourselves up to Him as His servants and to live a life of blessing unto others.

Ask God to help you be a blessing today. As you move through the places you go have wide open eyes, ears, and heart that ask “How can I bless someone today?” It may be that you shovel snow from a driveway for one who no longer can, make a phone call to say hello to someone who is unable to leave their home, share baked goods with a neighbor, or provide gifts for families living in a shelter. Take time to be kind to another. Speak blessings aloud as demonstrated by the example of Jesus in Matthew 5 who spoke nine blessings over believers. We are meant to speak blessings to the people in our lives. A good word spoken to another may serve to build up and even shape the life of the one to whom it is spoken.

Will you take time this Christmas to stop the baking, the shopping, the wrapping of gifts . . . and simply say ‘God I desire to be what You want me to be. I give You all of me to fulfill the purpose for which I was created. I choose to receive Your blessing and to be a blessing in the life of another’ . . . that is the Christmas present He longs to hear!

Father God, take my mind, spirit and body in surrender as I offer them to You. Take them and make me wholly Yours as I consider this Christmas season Your wonderful gift to me. Thank You for Your Son. Day 1

God’s Joy He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!"

Nehemiah 8:10 Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, You inspire shouts of joy.

Psalm 65:8 We're depending on God; He's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own His holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got - that's what we're depending on.

Psalm 33:20-22 God experiences joy and is the source of joy. Joy describes both the character of God and what He gives to His creation. Joy is our heritage as children of God; it is not a human based emotion but rather a provision from God administered through His Holy Spirit. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy . . . Galatians 5:22 The dictionary defines joy as “a feeling of great happiness,” but for believers joy is ever so much more.

Kay Warren has written “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” Joy is experienced within our relationship with God and is given as our source of strength to pursue obedience to Him. How do we practice the discipline of the joy of God? 

Read the Scriptures searching for joy. Y ou will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.

Psalm 16:11



Spend time with joyful people. Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD. Happy are those who obey His decrees and search for Him with all their hearts. Psalm 119:1-2



Give yourself away. If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. Isaiah 58:10



Express yourself in worship to God. Praise Him with a blast of the trumpet; praise Him with the lyre and harp! Praise Him with the tambourine and dancing; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with a clash of cymbals; praise Him with loud clanging cymbals. Psalm 150:3-5 Lift your hands, sing, dance, kneel!



Speak positively. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

How will you celebrate and share joy this Christmas season? Keep a joy journal and share your

God’s Hope And the prophet Isaiah said, "The heir to David's throne will come, and He will rule over the Gentiles.

They will place their hopes on Him."So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:12-13 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.

Romans 15:4 As children of God our heritage is hope. Our hope is founded in the many examples we read in Scripture; examples of God keeping His promises to mankind. Beginning in the Garden of Eden, only moments after the forbidden fruit was eaten and sin became a presence, God spoke of One who would come to crush the enemy satan. From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." Genesis 3:15 God did not give up on humanity, but rather spoke of One who would conquer sin. With that Scripture the Old Testament begins to point the way toward the hope that would be realized in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3:15 becomes the first step in the journey to Bethlehem.

Scripture also expresses the hope we have today. For I know the plans I have for you,"says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 There is hope in the sure knowledge that God has a plan for our lives. Seated on His throne, He is fully aware of our circumstances and even though we may not immediately see His hand, God is creating good out of what may seem hopeless.

And, we have a future hope. Y es, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 Our lives, this world, won’t always be the way they are now. Better days are coming. This is not wishful thinking but . . . confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen . . . Hebrews 11:1.

How do we stand in the hope that God promises? We must regularly read His Scripture to allow the Holy Spirit to establish and grow hope in our hearts. When we read we must engage in thinking, meditating, studying, memorizing and applying His Word. We must live each day expecting blessings, expecting God to do amazing things, both small and large.

What are you hoping for today?

Share your hopes and dreams with your family or discipleship group.

How do the Scriptures bring you hope?

How will you allow God to use you and your family to bring hope to others this Christmas? Create a blessing, small or large for someone else.

Day 3

Gabriel’s Witness God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call His name Jesus. He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever - no end, ever, to His Kingdom."Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man."The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. "And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months' pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." Luke 1:26-37 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."Matthew 19:26 To witness is defined as making a statement of fact, by one who has personal knowledge regarding what is being spoken of and doing so in a public affirmation. The angel Gabriel provided witness to Mary of the all powerful authority of God . . . God is almighty and over all of creation; God can do all things. Mary believed the witness of Gabriel. Mary believed the promises of God. We are a people who become easily discouraged, who are quick to give up our hopes and dreams and who concentrate upon our present reality. Like Mary we are however; called to believe the testimony of the faithful and the promises our Almighty God has given in His Word.

Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 God is my strong fortress; He has made my way safe.

2 Samuel 22:33

" es, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much Y fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Ephesians 3:20 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 God calls for us to think big, believe big, pray big, and to live a life that is a witness to the testimony of His all powerful authority. Faith and prayer are the keys to making the impossible possible.

What big bold prayer can you bring to God? Write it down. Share it with another. Pray for His will to be done. Believe in the promises He has given to us.

Thank you for being the God of the possible. Help me to know that my faith can do great things for You. Day 4

Mary’s Faith . . . God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! "Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be frightened, Mary,"the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!"Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin."The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God. . . . Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true."

Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s ‘yes’ to God’s call forever set the course of history. Scholars estimate Mary was quite young, likely only 12 or 13 years old when the angel Gabriel came to her. She had only recently become engaged to marry the carpenter Joseph and was probably spending considerable time dreaming of her wedding and their life together. She was greeted by Gabriel as favored and one to be blessed. It is likely Mary’s favor was the result of a deep faith. Mary would have known the scriptural call to Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Mary’s faith allowed her to be open to the divine plan of the Father; Mary embraced the will of God when it was not what she had planned. Looking back at history we cannot overlook the difficult decision this must have been. The Scriptures describe Mary as deeply troubled or confused and disturbed. She would have feared her family’s reaction. The culture Mary lived in would readily have stoned her to death for becoming pregnant outside of marriage. She had no idea if Joseph would understand.

And, yet despite the possible consequences Mary chose to say ‘yes’ to God. Ultimately Mary’s submission to God’s plan would cost her profoundly in ways she could not predict and yet her continued willingness throughout her life to serve her God left a legacy of strength and obedience.

What is our response to the call of God in our lives? Accepting God’s call when it is not what we have dreamed, longed for or planned is very difficult. Scripture tells us we are likely to encounter hard times.

I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. Ecclesiastes 9:11 While we may, like Mary, not have every dream realized the way we have envisioned we can trust that our God is good, He never disappoints and He knows not only the desires of our heart but what is best for us. We can choose to say ‘yes’ to God by humbly submitting to Him. We can experience His goodness and a life lived with joy. We can trust God won’t let us down. Y ou will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever. Psalm 16:11 What do you dream, long for or have planned that you can submit to God and trust His vision for you?

Write it down. Share the desires of your heart with Him. Commit to regular prayer and watch for the leading of His Holy Spirit. Set the course of your own history by saying ’yes’ to God. Day 5

Mary’s Song Mary responded, "Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For He, the Mighty One, is holy, and He has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear Him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How He scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how He has helped His servant Israel! He has not forgotten His promise to be merciful. For He promised our ancestors -- Abraham and his children -- to be merciful to them forever."

Luke 1: 46-55 Mary knew of the greatness, the holiness and the mercy of God and expressed it as praise and joy! This passage in Luke is known as Mary’s song. Mary sung these words after having been chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. Rather than accepting the call of God with determined resignation Mary responded with joy that she, above all women, was called to participate in salvation history. Mary understood the greatness of God and His ability to use a humble servant girl, through whom He would extend His mercy, for generations to come. As a young Jewish woman Mary would have known the stories and promises of the Old Testament. She would have known the scripture wherein it says “A ll right then, the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel -- God is with us."Isaiah 7:14 Mary praises God for choosing her. Mary understood God was looking upon her with favor. She understood the holiness of her God and the great thing He was doing in her life and it moved her with joy to sing praises to her LORD. During this season of preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus have we created time to consider, as Mary did, what God has been, is and will be for us in this life? Do we practice offering praise to our King? Do we experience joy in our relationship with Him? Today begin the regular practice of praising the Lord and rejoicing in God, your Savior. Don’t be satisfied with only Sunday morning. Go to the deep places with Him. Practice the discipline of praise and joy in every circumstance of your life. Let your praise become a sign of a life surrendered to Him. Spend time in His presence. Allow your mind and spirit to know God intimately and personally.

Meditate on His Word. Know Him through the study of Scripture and the conversation of prayer.

Think upon His greatness and His goodness. Write down the attributes of God . . . Holy, righteous, love, merciful, wisdom faithful . . .

Thank Him. Experience and enjoy His creation.

Do things for others.

Share your praises with your family or discipleship group.

I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 Day 6

Holy Night But God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in bed.

Job 33:14-15 As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David,"the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 We spend approximately one third of our life sleeping. Science itself “is puzzled about this phenomenon called ‘sleep.’” One writer has described sleep as “a nightly miracle that baffles science.” Others have commented, “On average, human beings spend a third of their lives in sleep, yet scientists do not yet know precisely what sleep accomplishes. It is presumed to serve some restorative function, but just how sleep refreshes us is unclear.” Science defines dreams as a series of thoughts, images or emotions that occur during sleep.

I cannot imagine that sleep and dreams were not designed by God to have significance. Dreams and visions are mentioned in the Scriptures as many as 224 different times. God has always spoken to His creation, His children, in dreams. In the Old Testament Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, and Ezekiel record communication from God in dreams. In the New Testament Jesus’ earthly father Joseph was spoken to

by God in a dream. It is important that our culture does not diminish the significance of and value of dreams as communication from our heavenly Father.

Certainly God speaks to us in a variety of ways and dreams are simply one of them. Believers have shared that God has revealed in dreams solutions to problems, told them ways to pray for situations, and provided the demonstration and comfort of His love and tender care.

And, while it is true that not every dream is of God we should be alert that our thoughts, prayers and dreams are highly interwoven.

Christmas is a perfect time to acknowledge God’s desire to use our dreams as one more way to speak to His beloved sons and daughters. He revealed His very own Son and the fulfillment of prophecy concerning our Messiah in dreams. Read the first two chapters of Matthew and note the five recorded dreams concerning Jesus.

Encourage God’s communication with you through dreams. Keep a journal by your bedside and record the dreams you receive. Ask Father God questions as you fall asleep; He is able to give you answers in your dreams. Do not however; depend solely upon your dreams for answers. Always depend upon Scripture, confirming what you receive in a dream against the truth of God’s Word.

That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"

1 Kings 3:5 You haven't done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

John 16:24 Day 7

Joseph’s Righteousness Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph.

But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance, being a righteous man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David,"the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and He will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)."When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife . . .

Matthew 1: 18-24 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 Joseph was a righteous man, who pursued the approval of God. Because of this Joseph initially thought to break his engagement with Mary. He was made however; supernaturally aware of God’s plan when God sent an angel to Joseph. The angel reassured him the divine pregnancy and Joseph’s planned marriage to Mary were God’s will.

Joseph’s response was to obey His God. The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosuné and is defined as justice or the verdict of approval. Righteousness is the approval of God and refers to what is deemed right by the Lord, i.e., what is approved in His eyes.

Timothy instructs us to pursue righteousness. He is encouraging us to model a way of life that is approved by God, a way of life that is continually transformed into Christ likeness.

How can we intentionally pursue righteousness, or the approval of God? How do we become transformed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus? 

Know what God says about how we are to live. The foundation for our spiritual life becomes keeping God’s Word in our hearts. We must faithfully study God’s Word, the Bible.



Daily show our devotion to God and concern for others. Faithfulness and love are to be the walk we demonstrate.



Submit our dreams, plans and decisions to God; trust Him with everything we have.



Stay away from evil. Acknowledge and confess our sins. Change our way of thinking and acting.



Give God the best of what we receive and of who we are. Trust Him to take care of us.



Have full confidence that God can and will do the impossible. Learn lessons of faith in times of trials.

How are you pursuing righteousness? Share with another person, where in your life you are realizing God’s verdict of approval?

Day 8

The Angel’s Gift Of Peace The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus - 'God saves' - because He will save His people from their sins."This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this - a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.

Matthew 1:18-24 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 I" am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.

John 14:27 Joseph must have experienced much inner turmoil so determined to take care of things, so torn regarding what was the right thing to do. And, then a dream, a message from God delivered by an angel saying don’t hesitate or do not be afraid. Joseph awoke with a gift of peace.

As believers our inheritance is peace. Peace of heart and mind is the gift Jesus gave to us. Jesus promised that we could experience peace right in the middle of life’s problems; a peace present in the midst of trouble, distress, heartache and pressure. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Our ability to live a life of peace is a daily choice. We let go of peace when we allow our circumstances to overwhelm our thoughts and fix our minds on our concerns. It is God’s desire that we operate from a position of peace. He desires we trust in His love for us even when we cannot see all the ways He is moving on our behalf.

Living a peaceful life has as its foundation the assurance that God is at the helm of our lives and that He is unceasingly and mysteriously working out His purposes. God intimately knows our disappointments, defeats, broken dreams and longed for desires. It is possible to experience peace and live with joy, even during life’s trials, when we acknowledge and pursue our need to rely on Him. Where are the places in your heart, in your home, that you need a deposit of peace? Pray to Father God and ask Him to establish your dependence on Him in the difficulty you are facing. Study His Word, meditate on it and allow Him to transform you.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Day 9

Immanuel All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and He will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)."

Matthew 1:22-23 Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.

I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Romans 8:35, 37-39 Nothing is left off that list. Paul considers it all and says that nothing is capable of separating us from the love of Jesus Christ our Lord. We can never be defeated, we are more than conquerors. Too often believers accept the lies and accusations of the enemy. We need to learn who we are in Christ and confess it out loud. I am what God says I am . . . Victorious, secure in Christ, protected and loved.

We love God because of what He Himself has done for us. We love God because His commitment to us is that He loves us eternally. Nothing can separate us from that. Praise God for our victory in Christ Jesus. We did not have to do anything to bring about the victory, but we are responsible to declare it and not allow anyone or anything to distract us from victorious living.

For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. 1 John 5:4 When we are in the midst of fighting spiritual battles we don’t fight for victory but rather we fight from a victorious position. We are not fighting to win the battle; we fight because the battle has already been won. Our prayer is not “Father God, please give me victory in this,” but “Because I am victorious I will live my life as one who has been given overwhelming victory in Christ. I am secure, protected and loved.”

As followers of Christ it is important we focus on the big picture; Jesus came to earth to guarantee that we would live eternally with Him. Although in this brief season of our lives we experience set-backs, problems and discouragement, this is the small picture. One day these trials and tribulations will be gone and we will be with our Father God for eternity. The problems we face today will no longer exist.

Ultimate victory will be ours through Christ Jesus.

Christmas is the celebration of Immanuel, God with us. God fulfilled His promise to the prophets and Jesus our Messiah was born. Whatever you have dealt with this year know that God’s love and every perfect gift from the Father will be yours.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light -- a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow.

Isaiah 9:2 In what area of your life can you call upon God to stand with you and claim victory? Speak to God affirming your victory, your security in Christ. Offer thanksgiving for His protection and His love. Declare victory in your life.

Day 10

The Innkeeper’s Hospitality At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

He took with him Mary, his fiance, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

Luke 2:1-7 In reality there is no mention of an innkeeper in Scripture. The Greek word Luke uses in verse seven for inn is katalyma and is actually translated to mean “guest room.” Katalyma typically described the guest room, or the spare room, of a private residence, a family home.

Joseph, a descendent of David, was ordered to return to his ancestral home, Bethlehem the City of David, to participate in the census decreed by Augustus. Joseph and Mary traveled there to abide by the law. It is likely they stayed with relatives in a crowded home in which there was no room in the guest room. Bible scholars write that families lived in two room homes in that day. One room was occupied as the family’s living space and the second room as the guest room. At night, whatever animals the family owned were brought inside, and used as a source of warmth for the family, but also to protect the valued livestock. Because the animals were brought inside at night a manger was built to hold feed. Mary would have given birth to Jesus in the family room placing Him upon clean straw in the manger.

Hospitality is a highly valued practice in the Middle East. Jesus’ birth was humble but His bed in a manger was likely not found in a cold, dirty and desolate stable but rather in a warm, welcoming family home. Given the obligation of hospitality a family would have had, Jesus would have been welcomed into this world with great gladness.

Scripture continues to call us into the practice of hospitality.

Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Hebrews 13:1-2 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 1 Peter 4:9 When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. Romans 12:13 There may be no better time of the year than Christmas to practice hospitality. While for many the holiday season is BUSY it is also the best of times to share your home and a meal. This Christmas celebrate the birth of Jesus by allowing your home to be a place where ministry happens, where God touches lives.

What opportunities do you have to practice hospitality?

Who can you invite into the welcoming and caring atmosphere of your home?

Day 11

God’s Love For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?

Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35, 37-39 This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 God so loved the world that He gave . . . and He gave His best. At Christmas we celebrate the best gift of all, salvation given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. God gave as an expression of His absolute love for us. The baby born at Bethlehem was God made man. He didn’t stop being God. He was no less God. Jesus was not created in Bethlehem. He came down to earth. He began to be man. And, the wonder of the Christmas story is not that this baby was born to humble parents, but that this baby was God arriving to live among men, arriving to take away the penalty of sin. The baby in the manger was God. The One to whom the wise men were led by the Bethlehem star was the very One who made every star. The spirit of Christmas is told in the first chapter of John. Jesus set aside all His glory as God. He left behind all His heavenly delights so that He could bring the gift of God’s grace to mankind. The spirit of Christmas is seen in Jesus not just telling us about our Father God but by demonstrating every attribute of God in the way He lived each day of His life.

This is what salvation is. It is a changed heart and a changed life. This is the good news, this is the gospel. And, this is what Christmas means. Jesus did not come to simply give us a beautiful manger scene. He did not come to give us a Christmas Eve service once a year. He came to be our Savior. He came to give us salvation, to begin right where we are to move us to repentance . . . to change us. We need ourselves to be changed, and that change can only occur in a relationship with the living God. As you celebrate the amazing miracle of Jesus’ birth recommit to a life lived in passionate love with the Father.

In the midst of gift-giving this Christmas, save the best gift for the One who gave His best gift to you.

Promise this year to give yourself — heart, soul, mind, and strength — to God every day.

Today can be the first day of a new you. Have you made a commitment to God or someone else in your life that you’ve neglected? Have you been caught up with wrong desires, turned away from spending time with God? Have you let go of the passionate love our Father deserves? Today, right now, you can declare a time for change and start again. Make one decision that will get you started living the new you.

Day 12

The Angel’s Good News That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!"he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize Him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

Luke 2:8-12 I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

John 15:11 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Joy was born in the person of Jesus Christ. God looked down from His throne in Heaven and said ‘look, here My joy!’ Our source of joy through Christ Jesus is unlimited; it is constant and based not upon our circumstances, but upon our relationship with Him. Joy is the deep and eternal pleasure we find in Christ alone. As believers with the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit within us we should be overflowing with joy every day.

Unfortunately it can be difficulty to tell a believer from a nonbeliever as we often confuse happiness with joy. Happiness is temporary and influenced by the things that happen to us. When we are unhappy we typically express discouragement, stress, anxiety or fear. We walk through life carrying a heavy burden, feeling punished rather than claiming our position as much loved children of the King. As believers we know we have been forgiven and are held within the hand of our Father. . . . joy should be the defining characteristic of our lives. On those days when circumstances threaten to steal our joy remember that the good news on Christmas Day was one of joy. Do not allow the challenges of this life to define you. Hold fast to the grip of His hand and boldly enter into the throne room of God choosing to trust Him. Believe He will fill you with a deep joy and develop in you endurance for all that He calls you to do. His joy lasts forever; His joy exists no matter what happens to us today or tomorrow.

And now I am coming to You. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with My joy. I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them Your Words of truth. As You sent Me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself entirely to You so they also might be entirely Yours. I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as You and I are one, Father -- that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in Us, and the world will believe You sent me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are -- I in them and You in me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that You sent me and will understand that You love them as much as You love Me. John 17:13-23 In His final prayer Jesus prayed we would be filled with His joy in the midst of this world. Pray for a transformation of your heart, mind and attitude. Choose to live in His fullness of joy. Choose to live each moment fully aware of God’s love for you.

Day 13

The Angel’s Worship There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.

Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him. Luke 2:8-14 And then, when He presented His honored Son to the world, God said, "Let all the angels of God worship Him." Hebrews 1:6 Upon delivering their message the angels worshipped God. This is the only appropriate response to being in the presence of God. The angels were announcing more than just the birth of a baby . . . this was God come to earth, entering time and space for the sake of His people. God present as a baby and so worthy of praise, honor, glory and worship.

The angels worshipped God because of who He is. He is Lord God Almighty, The Most High God, Master, Jehovah, My Banner, My Shepherd, The Lord That Heals, Our Righteousness, The Lord Who Sanctifies, The Everlasting God, The Lord Who Will Provide, Peace and the Lord of Hosts. He is the one true God and worthy of our worship.

The angels worshipped God because of what He had done. He sent His Son to bring peace on earth. God provided peace and reconciliation between fallen sinful men and their LORD. They worshipped Him because of why He chose to respond. God sent His Son because it pleased Him to do so. It gave God great pleasure to extend mercy and grace to the people He loved.

How are we called to worship our King?

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 A passion for worship is ignited when praising, glorifying and honoring God with others.

As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer. Luke 5:16 We can have great times of prayer when in the shower, driving, preparing a meal, but our Lord gave us the model of setting aside priority time on a regular basis to be alone with God. The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Psalm 16:7 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Psalm 63:6 God continually communicates with us; practice meditating upon His Word.

From the beginning Christmas has been about worship. It is about adoring God. Intentionally and prayerfully consider how you will praise, honor, glorify and worship God this Christmas season.

Day 14

Jesus’ Title Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 Once when Jesus was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.""But what about you?"He asked. "Who do you say I am?"Peter answered, "The Christ of God." Luke 9:18-20 Jesus the Christ. His name is Jesus. Christ is His title. In the Greek language Christos was translated to mean the Anointed One. The Hebrew translation was Messiah or anointed. The New Testament uses the title Christ, for Jesus, more than any other title. Christ is not Jesus’ last name but rather describes His function or role. The Christ is an office of prophet, priest and king.

Before Jesus’ birth God would anoint individuals for specific tasks. These men were anointed with oil and set apart to fulfill specific duties. Some, like Isaiah, were prophets speaking the word of God to people . . . The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.

Isaiah 61:1 Some were anointed to be priests with the purpose of interceding on behalf of the people . . . Then anoint A aron and his sons. Consecrate them as priests to Me. Exodus 30:30 Others were anointed as king to lead and rule . . . A nd the LORD said, "This is the one; anoint him." So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David's head. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him from that day on. 1 Samuel 16:12-13 On that first Christmas day in Bethlehem Jesus, the Christ, was born. Jesus chosen by God and anointed

by Him to save God’s people. Jesus is the Anointed One. Jesus is our Messiah.

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about Him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command. After He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. This shows that God's Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave Him is far greater than their names. Hebrews 1:1-4 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for He is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us. Romans 8:34 Do we allow Jesus to establish His position as The Christ in our lives? He is our prophet, priest and king. Jesus speaks God’s Word to us through scripture and the Holy Spirit . . . are we listening? Jesus intercedes for us before God . . . are we repenting and changing our way of thinking to conform more and more to His likeness? Jesus seeks to lead us in victory over satan . . . are we allowing Him the rule and reign in our lives and then walking in the authority He has given us?

Meditate upon how you will allow our Anointed One, our Messiah to speak into your life. How will you change from conformity to this world and embrace a life of victory with Him? Day 15

The Birthplace of Our King The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!

Luke 2:11 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a Ruler of Israel will come from you, One whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son.

Then at last His fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. and He will stand to lead His flock with the LORD's strength, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. Then His people will live there undisturbed, for He will be highly honored all around the world. And He will be the source of our peace.

Micah 5:2-5 Bethlehem, small and insignificant, yet chosen by God as the place His eternal Kingdom would enter this world. Bethlehem the home of royalty, the birthplace of King David, the birthplace of King Jesus who reigns with authority over all the earth. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread.’

Jesus replied, "I am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in Me will never thirst. John 6:35 “Yes, I am the Bread of Life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died.

However, the bread from heaven gives eternal life to everyone who eats it. I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; this bread is My flesh, offered so the world may live." John 6:48-51 Bread is an essential food item. In Jesus’ time it was the primary food upon which people survived.

Even today it is common to our diets and can physically sustain us for a long time. By calling Himself the Bread of Life Jesus is saying He is essential for life, not a physical life but eternal life. Jesus is the Bread come down from heaven that feeds our spirit.

Jesus does not give us a loaf of goodness He gives us Himself. It is upon Jesus I must feast in order that I might not only have eternal life, but to grow in this life to become more and more like Him. As I believe in Jesus, listen to Him, follow His teaching, and deepen my relationship with Him I grow into Christ likeness and am filled with the food of everlasting life. It is not ordinary food but the food of His Spirit that fills us up and changes us to change our world.

To be fed by God is to daily choose to live in His presence. I must consider partaking of the Bread of Life as important as planning, preparing and eating a favorite meal. I nourish my spiritual needs by daily reading His Word, praying and listening for His Holy Spirit. I am filled with His presence by choosing to include Christ in every part of my life. I choose to be completely dependent upon Him. I share my heart with Jesus, consult with Him, confess to Him, accept His forgiveness . . . I pursue His constant companionship. I become so filled with the Bread of Life that His life becomes my life.

In what ways has Jesus satisfied the spiritual hunger in your heart?

Share with your family or small group how you pursue His constant companionship.

Day 16

The Shepherds’ Testimony When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished . . .

Luke 2:15-18 I" want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.

Daniel 4:2 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 Shepherds were typically uneducated, illiterate and unskilled members of the Jewish culture. They were viewed as dishonest and unreliable and consequently were not even allowed to offer testimony in a court of law. In addition, given their flocks required daily care, they were unable to keep the Law of no work on the Sabbath and were thus considered ritually unclean.

Despite this, God chose shepherds as the only people in the world, other than Joseph and Mary, who knew Jesus had been born. And the shepherds responded in faith. They believed the angel and went to Bethlehem where they found baby Jesus. The message given to the lowly shepherds was that the baby born that night was their Savior, their King, their gift from God the Father. God was emphasizing His Good News was for everyone. The shepherds’ lives were changed when they encountered Christ in the manger.

They became evangelists telling everyone what had happened. It was not, and is not possible, to know Jesus and not be transformed. It is not possible to be in His presence and not want to tell others about Him. The shepherds’ testimony was about what they experienced. Our testimony is about what we have seen and heard in our walk with Jesus. When we share how God has moved and is moving in our lives others will be able to understand who God is, that prayer works and that miracles happen.

We, who have been created in the image and likeness of God, are capable, because of His Spirit residing in us, to reflect the very person of Jesus Christ to our world. That is why we are called to go and invade, rather than withdraw, from culture. Jesus Himself was very comfortable living in the midst of the culture even as He taught, and by example, lived a more excellent way. We are capable of presenting the very essence of Christ to our community through sharing the story of our faith, acts of kindness, love and service. We are a people transformed by the power of His Holy Spirit. We are part of God’s mission, called by Him to go out into the world to give testimony to His Good News. The world is not a place from which we withdraw and hide but rather the world is the place we allow what God has done inside of us to be manifest through us. We are not superior over this world but rather we have been humbly transformed and called to partner with God to extend His mission of evangelism and discipleship to all people. We accomplish His mission most effectively right where He has placed us. We must be present in this world if we are going to transform it. Our challenge is to step into the places we work, socialize, entertain, shop . . . into all the places where people are . . . and give testimony of Jesus.

Prayerfully consider what opportunities you might have to tell someone about your Christian hope, the miraculous signs and wonders our Most High God has performed for you, and all that has happened in you journey with Jesus.

Day 17

Mary’s Treasure All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2: 18-19 . . . and His mother stored all these things in her heart. Luke 2:51 The example of Mary teaches us how to listen to God. Mary engaged in heart centered listening; she thought deeply about the things she had been told, she treasured them and stored them up within herself. She guarded the very Word of God in her heart.

Mary must have spent all the years of her son’s life pondering and thinking deeply while trying to understand who Jesus was and His purpose on earth. She held as precious the words spoken about her son, our Lord. Mary carefully considered and focused her thoughts so as to understand what she had been told. It is likely that many times during Jesus’ ministry Mary would return to the memory of the moment of His birth. The birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God’s promise worked out through her life.

The treasure of her memories allowed Mary to acknowledge God’s power and grace when her faith was challenged as she saw her child hanging on the cross. Mary’s memories, stored deep within her heart, allowed her to remember that God is in control, that He had a plan and was working it out even though she could not possibly understand it.

God provides each of us the treasure of His Word, memories of His faithfulness, His presence, and His goodness in our lives. Like Mary, we should think often about the encounters we have with Jesus, the words He speaks into our lives, and the prayers He answers. Our collection of the treasures of Jesus will enable us to stand strong with faith and hope during the times we cannot make sense of the struggles in our lives, when we feel uncertain about what our future holds. It is then we can think on Scripture, on every sign of His presence, every outpouring of His goodness and grace. It is then we can ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of the significance of His Word, our answered prayers and we can talk with God about all the ways He has gone before us.

Think of the wonderful works He has done, the miracles and the judgments He handed down . . .

Psalm 105:5 Remember the world of wonders He has made, His miracles, and the verdicts He's rendered . . .

Psalm 105:5 From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly.

He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.

Proverbs 2:7-9 Consider your treasure of answered prayers. Take time to reflect on God’s work in your life.

Think about God’s goodness to you. Treasure those times in your life when you have seen Him and worship God by thinking of them often. Let this become your testimony.

Day 18

The Shepherd’s Worship The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. Luke 2:20 “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to school, and walking around life— and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1 As it was with the shepherds Christmas is about worship. Worship is the fundamental drive of human life. All people worship something. This urge to worship is so universal that if we are not worshipping the true God, we worship a god that we make up be it money, work, possessions, celebrities or even ourselves. God has planted the desire to worship in His creation, within us. Scientists have learned that worship is a universal urge, hard-wired by God into the very fiber of our being—an inbuilt need to connect with God. If we fail to worship God, we always find a substitute. For believers God fills that internal urge for worship with the Holy Spirit; God Himself alive inside every believer. The reason God made us with this desire is that He desires worshipers.

We must honor and praise God. “Give to the Lord the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship Him.” Psalm 96:8 We live and breathe, wake up each morning and go about our day because of God. Worship must contain a time of entering into the life of another. Worship must have a sense of belonging, of caring and of loving one another. Worship must include the body of Christ, other believers. A nd the King will tell them, “I assure you when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me.” Matthew 25:40 Serving one another should be a part of our daily worship; it is recognition of who we are together in the body of Christ.

Worship prepares us to go out and serve the needs of the world. In Isaiah 6 Isaiah sees the greatness and glory of God, “He was sitting on a lofty throne and the train of His robe filled the Temple.” The angels bow before Him calling out “holy, holy, holy” Isaiah falls to the ground and cries out that he is unworthy to be in God’s presence. God then sends an angel to touch a burning coal to Isaiah’s mouth and then declares Isaiah forgiven with all guilt removed. After that Isaiah says “Lord here I am. Send me!” That is what worship should do for us. Worship should make us ready to say, “Lord here I am, send me.” “Here is a need in my workplace, in my community, in my nation, in this world.

Here are people who are hurting and need help. Here I am. Send me!”

Worship isn’t part of your life, it is your life. Worship everyday. All of your words, thoughts, and actions should be thought of as something you are doing to please God. When we worship we bring pleasure to God. Realizing who God is and what He’s done for us, this is worship. And the more we focus on who God is and what He has done for us the more we will understand that worship is falling in love with God. Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. Humans are the ultimate and final expression of God’s glory; we are the ones who bear His image. We show the world how beautiful and worthy of worship our God is. God created all things. . . . especially us, to worship Him. What will you worship this Christmas season? How can you guard against worshipping the wrong things?

Day 19

God’s Sign After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory - this was during Herod's kingship - a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled His birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship Him." Matthew 2:1-2 The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display His marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4 I", Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the Bright Morning Star." Revelation 22:16 The Bethlehem star was a sign from God to alert the wise men to the birth of Christ; the birth of a Savior for all mankind. God provided a supernatural sign that led them to worship the One who brought hope to the world. Jesus refers to Himself as the Bright Morning Star in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible. It is a chapter in which He expresses He is coming soon. It is a promise of hope.

Every 24 hours night sets in and for a given period of time an interval of darkness is experienced. It is the sun rise in the eastern sky, the rising of the star at the very center of our solar system, that signals the end to darkness, the beginning of a new day. When Jesus speaks of being the Bright Morning Star it is a declaration that God’s light is about to rise and shine eternally in all the universe. When His light is present there is the great promise that all things will be made new. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!"Revelation 21:3-5 One day all pain, all sorrow, all mourning will be gone . . . but even today God gives us new life right here, right now. This is God’s promise; this was His plan even on that first Christmas day. The mistakes we have made, the regrets we possess God has said He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12 What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 We change when we choose to follow Jesus. New values, ways of thinking and beliefs are created within us. A desire to know God more and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is awakened. A yearning to live a life that brings glory to God is present. The good news is that if we experience a heart change He will daily restore and renew us, creating a right spirit within us that will seek to obey Him. More and more we will be made to conform to the image of Christ. God looks favorably on those who seek after right living by confession, repentance and renewal.

Ask God to shine His light upon those places in your heart and mind that can be made new. Where does your thinking need to change to better reflect Christ? What actions will you take to conform more to Christ likeness?

Day 20

The Wise Men’s Pursuit Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We have seen His star as it arose, and we have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus’ birth wise men looked for Him. They were called wise men because they were men of great learning. The wise men are often referred to as Magi. Magi comes from the Greek word ‘magos’ and typically referred to men who studied astrology. They saw a sign, His star, and they pursued it.

The journey the wise men undertook was likely dangerous. It is thought the distance was over 1,000 miles and likely would have taken several months. The route itself would have been dangerous with thieves waiting to rob and even kill those traveling. It was a journey with great risk. It was a journey of significant investment of time and resources. It was a journey undertaken to discover Jesus. Like the wise men we are called to pursue our Lord.

If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me when you seek Me. I will be found by you,"says the LORD. Jeremiah 29:13-14 When we sincerely pursue God we will find Him. He does not hide, but yearns to have an intimate relationship with us. Our daily choice is whether we pursue His presence, not from a safe distance, but to engage our lives so closely that we are part of His Kingdom life and He is part of ours. Are we pursuing Him so closely that we feel His touch, hear His voice, see His compassion? Do we know our Lord intimately as Savior and friend? Are we one with Jesus, living together daily, acknowledging what we do affects Him and allowing what He does to affect us?

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life - even though invisible to spectators - is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too - the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. Colossians 3:1-4 As disciples of Jesus we must pursue living like Him. Our standard of living is not what others choose, but rather we choose to live every day to honor and glorify Father God. To pursue Jesus we must allow every one of our thoughts, words and actions to express His worth. To pursue His presence we must study His Word and daily choose to live differently from the culture around us, allowing Jesus to establish our perspective on what is important.

Pursuing Jesus is a journey that is full of adventure, mystery, fulfillment and purpose. Ask God to give you a vision of what it looks like to pursue a relationship with Him above all else. Commit to following His leadership daily in all the parts of your life.

Consider how the awareness of God’s omnipresence will change the way you live each day.

Day 21

The Wise Men’s Gifts They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

They entered the house and saw the Child in the arms of Mary, His mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped Him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

Matthew 2: 10-11 The wise men paid Jesus the kind of respect only God deserves, bowing before Him and worshiping Him. How did the wise men settle on the gifts they chose to bring the infant Jesus? What would you give this Child who is the very God who created the stars? When the LORD of all creation stepped down from His throne in Heaven and came to us, as one of us; came to triumph over all evil, what do we give? Considering the magnitude of the gift we have been given in Christ, my weekly offering, my monthly tithe, my yearly pledge seem so insignificant.

Is this the best I can offer my King?

It was now two days before the Passover celebration and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and put Him to death. "But not during the Passover,"they agreed, "or there will be a riot." Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume. She broke the seal and poured the perfume over His head. Some of those at the table were indignant. "Why was this expensive perfume wasted?"they asked. "She could have sold it for a small fortune and given the money to the poor!"And they scolded her harshly. But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone.

Why berate her for doing such a good thing to Me? . . . She has done what she could . . .

Mark 14:1-8 Maybe that is what our gifts to God are to be . . . The very best of what we have at the moment. Perhaps, like the woman with the jar of perfume, we are to break open our hearts and empty them, giving everything we have. Our gifts may seem insignificant but if they truly represent the giving of our very selves to God they are a most precious gift.

Our model of gift giving is God giving His only Son so that in believing we might be saved to live eternally in His presence. There is nothing we can do to equal that sacrifice, but we must be diligent to give back to Him in a manner that is worthwhile, that costs us something, and that is meaningful.

Reflection: How have you given God the best of yourself in response to the life He gave for you?

How gladly and regularly do you spend time with God in worship, prayer and reading His word?

How frequently do you give of yourself, in love, to someone needing compassion?

How well do you use the gifts He has given you to accomplish your work?

How does your life demonstrate you are a child of the King?

Pray that you will choose to respond to God’s gift with overflowing gratitude. Ask God to give you the desire to give, without reservation, your valued time, talents and treasures. Ask Father God what He wants you to give that will bless someone else.

Day 22

The Word So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John 1:14 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39 Love is a word that gets a bit overused in our culture. When the Bible speaks of God’s love, however, there is an inherent meaning that goes far beyond what we even have the capacity to understand. The wonder of Christmas is that our Creator loves us so much that He joined us. God chose to humble Himself by entering this world as a newborn baby. God became fully human while remaining fully God; He lived without sin. He came so that He might save us. He lived among us to establish His authority within us. And, upon returning to the heavenly throne room He sent His Spirit to live in us, teaching, guiding and transforming us to be like Jesus.

As believers our greatest treasure is God’s unfailing love, an everlasting love. Everlasting in Hebrew means "concealed to the vanishing point". That means you cannot see it's beginning or its end. It is beyond time, eternal, always, continual, forever, perpetual . . . Only our Father God who is, was and forever will be can offer everlasting love. Everything else in our lives has the possibility of failing— our health, our relationships, our bank accounts. We however; have the one thing that prevails and never fails, and that is God’s unfailing love. God has promised to love us no matter what our situation is. He loves us when we walk with Him and when we rebel, when we live victoriously and despite our failures and shortcomings.

What are the obstacles or trials you are presently experiencing? Finish this sentence: For I am convinced that neither________________________ nor anything else in this life will be able to separate ME from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

God is in love with us! He has poured out His love over us. He would not have entered this world as a baby if it was not the case. Father God longs for us to be near Him. He desires our fellowship. He lavishes His love upon us. We cannot begin to comprehend His intense desire to have us need Him. He is patient with us. He delights in us.

Take delight in Him; He takes deep pleasure in our presence.

Find joy in spending time with Him. He loves us with an everlasting love; a love we will never fully comprehend; pursue that same kind of intense love for our Father.

What steps will you take today to fall evermore in love with Father God? For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a Mighty Savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song." Zephaniah 3:17 Day 23

Jesus’ Rule For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And the government will rest on His shoulders. These will be His royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!

Isaiah 9: 6-7 Scripture tells us there is a future time when the King of Kings will rule over all the kingdoms and governments of the world.

As we await that glorious day believers are to allow our Lord Jesus Christ to govern and rule the kingdom of our lives.

Webster’s dictionary defines kingdom as “the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled,” and government as “the continuous exercise of authority over. . . ” Jesus is to be the ruler of our hearts. We are to intentionally and moment by moment submit to Him. The royal titles given to Jesus describe how His rule will be made manifest in our lives.

He is our W onderful Counselor. There is never a time in Scripture when Jesus did not know the perfect word to speak into a life or situation. In John 14:6 Jesus said of Himself “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Our Wonderful Counselor is the source of all truth. His counsel and wisdom, offered in the Scriptures, are the ultimate and only true answers to our questions of how best to sort out the problems of this life.

He is our Mighty God, the Creator who spoke heaven and earth into being. Genesis 1:1-3 tells us God created order from an earth that was “empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness.” God is not only able to counsel us how to live our lives but He provides the order, the structure and the power for us to live as His sons and daughters. When we surrender to Him we become indwelt with the power and authority of His Holy Spirit.

He is our Everlasting Father, the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. In Revelation 1:8 God speaks and proclaims Himself to be “. . . the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One."There is never anything that we experience in this life that is too complicated for the eternal Father. There is never a time in our lives when the ever present One is not present to carry the weight of our world upon His shoulders.

He is our Prince of Peace. In Philippians 4:7 Paul explains that we “. . . will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds . . .” as we submit to the rule of Jesus in our lives.

One day Jesus will return to rule over all the earth. But today, Jesus’ kingdom is our hearts. Jesus wants to rule in our lives. He wants to counsel us through every day and give us power and authority for this journey. He wants to be present and speak peace into our souls.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15 How will you intentionally submit to King Jesus?

Day 24

Jesus’ Reign We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels - everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.

And when it comes to the church, He organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. So spacious is He, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe - people and things, animals and atoms - get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of His death, His blood that poured down from the Cross. You yourselves are a case study of what He does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of Him, giving Him trouble every chance you got.

But now, by giving Himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in His presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message - just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message.

Colossians 1:15-23 Paul wrote this Scripture to believers regarding the supremacy of Jesus and our reconciliation, through Him, to God. To accept Jesus’ reign in our lives it is important we acknowledge Him as Almighty God. Jesus is the very likeness, the manifestation of God. Jesus is not an exact reproduction of God but, rather He is God. Jesus created all things and is over all things. Jesus is the Supreme Authority over heaven and earth, the visible and invisible. He is the head of the church, the body of believers joined together by their love for and faith in Christ. Jesus came to earth fully God and fully man. He died on the cross for our sins but conquered both sin and death by rising from the grave. Jesus is the very fullness of God; He is the complete expression of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

What a gift! As Paul writes, it is not one we walk away from but rather a gift we stay grounded and steady in and constantly tuned into. The attention of our minds, the affection of our hearts and our desire and will must be centered upon Jesus. Our challenge is to intentionally pursue Jesus as the top priority of every part of our lives. When we fully understand who Jesus is then we cannot help but know that He deserve our complete devotion.

Is Jesus the Lord of your thoughts, actions and reactions?

Is Jesus the Lord of your finances, relationships, work life and free time?

In what areas of your life do you need to make Jesus your priority?

Dear Jesus, I honour you as Almighty God. Be glorified in my life by my thoughts and actions. I am your servant. May Your will be done in me for Your glory.

Day 25

Hallelujah Remember this! He led His people out singing for joy; His chosen people marched, singing their hearts out! He made them a gift of the country they entered, helped them seize the wealth of the nations So they could do everything He told them - could follow His instructions to the letter. Hallelujah!

Psalm 105:43-45 Hallelujah! Praise the name of God, praise the works of God. All you priests on duty in God's temple, serving in the sacred halls of our God, Shout "Hallelujah!"because God's so good, sing anthems to His beautiful name. Psalm 135:1-3 Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!

Psalm 150:6

The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out, The kingdom of the world is now the Kingdom of our God and His Messiah! He will rule forever and ever! The Twenty-four Elders seated before God on their thrones fell to their knees, worshiped, and sang, We thank you, O God, Sovereign-Strong, Who Is and Who Was. You took Your great power and took over - reigned!

Revelation 11:15-17 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Revelation 19:6 In Hebrew the word hallelujah is a two word phrase.

Hallelu means to praise. Jah is short for Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God. Praise the Lord! Scripture encourage us to praise Him in the church and throughout all of His creation. We are to praise Him for His mighty works, for His excellence, for His greatness. If we have breath and life we are to praise Him. Certainly the very God who . . . formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life, the very God who so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life deserves our praise.

Quiet yourself and consider for a moment the praises that will be heard in heaven when the kingdom of this world is transformed into the Kingdom of our God. Imagine yourself before the throne surrounded by the family of God. Imagine the heavenly choruses singing. Imagine the orchestra of heaven with trumpets, drums and harps playing music more glorious than any heard on this earth. There is nothing on earth to which we can compare the praise of Heaven. At that moment there will be only one reality . . . the everlasting Kingdom of our God and His Christ.

Praising God is our way of acknowledging His awesome power, love, and grace toward us. We can praise God with our bodies, in our hearts, with our words, and by our actions. Praise differs from thanksgiving. Telling God thank you is a confirmation of our attitude regarding what He has accomplished in our lives. Offering praise to God confirms who He is. Praise brings to the forefront of our mind God’s identity and helps us to understand His character. As we enter into praise we become aware of His power in this world and His presence in our lives.

As we end this year, let us praise our Lord. Throughout the new year, let our lives proclaim “Hallelujah!”

Day 26