The Coming of Christos

The Coming of

CHRISTOS A Christmas Devotional by

JOSEPH L. WILLIAMS

Copyright © 2016 by Feed the Hunger. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® Printed in the USA

The Coming of

CHRISTOS A Christmas Devotional by

Joseph L. Williams

Table of Contents December 1: Introduction 5 December 2: Starting with a Clean Slate 7 December 3: A Tale of Two Births 9 December 4: Yahweh Remembers 11 December 5: Old Elizabeth 13 December 6: Young Mary 15 December 7: The Dreamer 17 December 8: Miracle Mommies 19 December 9: Magnificat

21 December 10: The Tongue Set Free 23 December 11: Benedictus 25 December 12: Judah’s Descendant 27 December 13: Caesar’s Census 29 December 14: Can I Stay at Your Place?

31 December 15: The Prophesied One 33 December 16: The Big Moment Arrives 35 December 17: Incarnation 37 December 18: Shepherds and Angels 39 December 19: And on the Eighth Day . . .

41 December 20: Presenting Baby Jesus 43 December 21: Old Man Simeon 45 December 22: The Widow Prophetess 47 December 23: Christmas Presents! 49 December 24: The Sign Overhead 51 December 25: A Christmas Story Retold 53 December 26: The Other King of the Jews 55 December 27: Have Dream, Will Travel 57 December 28: The Nazarene 59 December 29: Christmas Conclusion 61 December 30: The Post-Christmas Blues 63 December 31: It Came upon a New Year’s Eve 65

December 1 Introduction For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 Christmas, or Christ’s Mass, is the festival celebrating Christ’s birthday. It wasn’t until the fourth century during the reign of Constantine that documentation of this celebration first appeared. Christians and non-Christians alike still commemorate this day, but with different reasons and motivations. As we head into another Christmas season, perhaps there is no better time to revisit the biblical narrative surrounding Jesus’ birth.

Let’s start this devotional journey together by acknowledging that the Christmas story, as currently shared, is rife with inaccurate details and traditions that may or may not bear a resemblance to what actually took place. I won’t focus too much on these contested details as much as I will look at the various characters and occurrences, and then apply them to our lives.

The birth of the Messiah is mainly recorded in a mere four chapters of two Gospels: Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2. We will obviously spend a great deal of time with this content, but there are other books of the Bible as well as extra-biblical resources on language, first-century life, and culture that I’ve consulted to help guide our journey.

Let’s remember this reality: Jesus lived two thousand years ago. Historical records are incomplete, so there is nowhere near a consensus on when He was born or when He died. Neither do the Gospels of Matthew and Luke record every detail we wish they did. In fact, the two accounts are very different in several respects, because they had different target audiences. Still, I will attempt to weave the two together chronologically.

I believe it’s much more important for us to study why things happened during the birth narrative of Jesus than exactly when or how they happened. So, I may mention various theories about certain details when applicable, but will quickly transition into the topic at hand for that day.

As needed, we will do a quick word study to gain a better understand-

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ing of a particular passage. This includes words like inn, star, magi, etc.

Since the New Testament was written in Greek, to Greek we must often go to gain additional knowledge. We’ll also look at some Hebrew and Latin words too. This is what inspired The Coming of Christos as the title of this devotional. Christos, or Christ, means “Anointed One” in Greek.

It is the translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah.

I began the research and writing for this study many months ago because I take this incredibly seriously. My goal is that you will learn something new every day of this devotional. Perhaps it’s a detail you weren’t aware of, a timeline that surprises you, or even a person you’ve overlooked. My heart’s desire is to point the reader—you—to the Savior, to reinvigorate your faith and deepen your love for the Messiah. My aim is to inspire an even deeper appreciation for God taking the form of a newborn to rescue mankind from a hopeless eternity.

We’ll spend one more day laying a little more groundwork for this special devotional journey. May God use this Christmas study for your edification and for His glory.

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December 2 Starting with a Clean Slate Read: Luke 1:1–4 Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.

Luke 1:3 For the sake of this devotional, allow me a little (or a lot of) liberty: pretend that I wrote this verse above and insert your name in place of Theophilus. His name in Greek means “one who loves God” or “friend of God.” Hopefully this is true of you. Though I am nowhere near as smart as or as knowledgeable of the details around the life of Jesus as Luke was, I do hold a connection to Christmas Day. December 25th means a little bit more to me personally because it is my birthday.

We won’t really delve into the disagreement over what day or year Jesus was actually born, though, as it diverts from our purpose. However, I think we can all agree that Christmas has turned into the most profitable time of the year for a myriad of businesses and enterprises. Its true meaning has therefore been lost for many. Make no mistake, many couldn’t care less about Jesus—they only care about their bottom line.

Likewise, many churches have turned to the benevolent Christmas season and its close proximity to the end of the year as a time of hope that people will give above and beyond the normal. I can tell you this is also a temptation for just about every nonprofit organization as well.

We Christians have turned Christmas into what we want it to be: a warm and fuzzy scene of a newborn in a stable. The current narrative goes something like this: Joseph leads Mary on a donkey to an inn that has no room (conveyed through a grouchy innkeeper). The couple is left to share oxygen with farm animals in a shed out back. Jesus is born on December 25th and laid in a wooden manger. Shepherds visit and park their sheep in the stable too. Not long after, three kings hop on their camels and visit Jesus as a newborn.

Virtually none of these details are true. But in our soundbite-filled, marketing-crazed culture, truth plays second fiddle. None of these erro-

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neous details nullify the main purpose of the story, of course. The Savior took the form of man to bring salvation to the world! It does demonstrate, however, our proclivity to laziness and altering God’s Word for the sake of convenience, to help peddle whatever we’re selling, to fit personal taste, or because we view it through the lens of our own modern-day lives instead of from a first-century perspective.

It is interesting to note that nowhere in the Bible does it encourage the reader to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Jewish people held festivals that were ordained by God to commemorate important events in the history of Israel. Jesus later fulfilled some of these festivals with His death, resurrection, and ascension, and will fulfill the rest at His Second Coming. As mentioned yesterday, mankind celebrating His birth started much later.

As we begin, let me mention that I will be sharing much of the birth story in present tense to place us in the story as it happens. Hopefully, this will enrich the reading experience.

Now, let’s commit ourselves to study God’s Word, resist the many distractions, and view this beautiful story with a clean slate. And as always, don’t take what follows as truth. Study it for yourself.

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December 3 A Tale of Two Births Read: Luke 1:5–7 “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age.”

Luke 1:13a Perhaps the most ignored aspect of the Christmas story is the birth of John the Baptist, which preceded that of Jesus. John’s prophesied birth is integral to Luke’s Gospel account, yet it is rarely touched on during the Advent season. We, however, will start our devotional journey together looking at Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Gabriel.

You might ask, Why should we look at the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist? Think of his story as the opening act of a play, for there will be his role—to precede and make way for the Messiah. Just as everything prophesied about Jesus must come to pass, the prophecies about the one who precedes Him must come to pass as well.

For today, let me set the table by sharing with you some of the amazing similarities between the accounts of these two births. There is a clear list of remarkable likenesses to be found in Luke’s account. We will begin by examining these, and then back up and navigate through the events more closely in subsequent days.

These two couples are close, as Elizabeth and Mary are related. There is much evidence in Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels that both sets of parents are righteous people. They give praise to God for the children with whom they are going to be entrusted. Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary all prophesy, while Joseph receives several dreams.

In both cases, the angel Gabriel is dispatched by God to declare several things. First, he tells them to not be afraid as he stands before them.

He announces to Zechariah and later to Mary that they will be parents to sons whose arrivals had been prophesied for centuries.

Gabriel declares to both John’s dad and Jesus’ mom the names that God has for their children and what their missions will be. As we read in Luke, we discover that both are given similar special titles. John is to become the “prophet of the Most High,” whereas Jesus will be “Son of

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the Most High.”

Both births are miraculous in nature. Elizabeth is beyond childbearing years, while Mary is still a virgin. Only the sovereign, miracle-making God can bring shattered or future dreams of conception into reality. The last similarity for today is that both infants are circumcised on the eighth day as was the custom, and they both grow up spiritually in the years leading up to their time of ministry.

Isn’t this a pretty impressive list of similarities? Spend some time studying these stories for yourself and you will find additional likenesses. Marvel at this special period in human history and God’s sovereign hand upon it. As for our Christmas journey together, let’s now look deeper at the people and events surrounding the amazing story of John the Baptist’s birth.

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December 4 Yahweh Remembers Read: Luke 1:8–23 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayers have been heard.”

Luke 1:13a 400 years. That’s how long it had been since God spoke—at least from the standpoint of biblical writing. Despite the efforts of Nehemiah and other exiles to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, the Jews had not remained faithful to God in the subsequent years. The prophet Malachi was used by the Lord to warn the priests and the people of their sin and to foretell of a man in the spirit of Elijah who would make way for the Lord’s return (Malachi 4:4–6).

Four centuries later, a faithful priest named Zechariah (Zacharias in Greek) is fulfilling the task of a lifetime. He is descended from Aaron, specifically from Abijah, the eighth of 24 divisions of priests established during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 24:10, 19).

Zechariah serves in the temple two weeks out of the year. On this occasion, however, he will be the one out of perhaps a thousand in his division “to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” This specific task performed by a priest signifies the prayers of God’s people being sent up as a fragrant offering to Him. The name Zechariah means “Yahweh (the Lord) remembers.” God had remembered a constant prayer of this old priest. So, in that special moment, the Lord sends Gabriel with special news for Zechariah and his barren wife, Elizabeth.

Around 600 years earlier, this special angel had also appeared to Daniel and foretold the Messiah’s coming. Now, he is standing before an old priest to declare that the priest’s future son will be the prophesied man who will have “the spirit and power of Elijah” and “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Imagine Zechariah in the Most Holy Place of the temple. It is arguably the most sacred moment in his life. God shows up in this place in an unprecedented way with the news of a future son for him and Elizabeth.

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This is news he has probably longed to hear, but news for which he likely lost hope long ago.

How will Zechariah respond? Despite being a godly and upright man, he doubts the news is true. Zechariah wavers where Abraham did not after receiving the same news (Romans 4:19–22). As a result, his punishment is a silenced tongue. This will last from the moment he emerges before the crowd awaiting him to pronounce the customary blessing until the prophetic message through Gabriel comes to pass.

Do we demand too much evidence from God before believing? Do we lose faith over a prayer request that has seemingly gone unanswered for years? Does God’s blessing tarry because of our doubt?

I’m grateful we serve a God who forgives and restores. Even though Peter messes up three times, Jesus restores him three times. Even though Zechariah has doubts, his voice is eventually returned to him with praise bursting from his lips. May we also do the same after the Lord deals with any doubts we have. After all, Yahweh remembers our prayers.

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December 5 Old Elizabeth Read: Luke 1:24–25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said.

“In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Luke 1:25 Zechariah has just blown it, so to speak. In this high and holy moment of divine intervention, he responds with an unacceptable measure of disbelief to God’s news conveyed through the angel Gabriel.

Whereas Zechariah doubts the miraculous message from Gabriel, it seems that Elizabeth (Elisabet) is instead filled with gratitude. God knows the measure of faith—or lack thereof—driving each of their responses. Even though barren and advanced in years, Elizabeth believes conception is possible.

Perhaps she remembers that the Lord performed the same miracle for Sarah (Genesis 18). Sarah was eavesdropping when the Lord appeared to Abraham, and she laughed when God said that in a year’s time she would have a son. God’s reply: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” He answered the laughter with a son whose name, Isaac, means laughter.

Perhaps Elizabeth also remembers that the Lord performed the same miracle for Hannah (1 Samuel 1). She, too, was barren and unable to provide children for her husband, Elkanah. Eli the priest was moved by Hannah’s heartfelt prayers for a child, and he conveyed hope and peace to her. She later gave birth to Samuel, whose name means “name of God” or “God has heard.”

Indeed, God hears all of our prayers. This includes the prayers of a barren mother. He doesn’t always answer in the way we expect or on the timeline we want. Perhaps adoption is sometimes the path for a couple. Or maybe God has other plans that will be revealed in time.

Regardless, the heart cries of Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth are a reminder for us to persevere in prayer. God finally answers Elizabeth’s long-unanswered prayers for a child, conveying the message through the now-mute Zechariah. Her response is gratitude for God’s favor.

Jesus will one day share a parable with His disciples about this persever-

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ance in prayer. The parable is about a widow seeking justice through a judge (Luke 18:1–8). She is so persistent that the judge grants her wish just so she will leave him alone. Jesus’ purpose for this story: “They [and we] should always pray and not give up.”

I encourage you today to think about an unanswered prayer in your life.

Maybe you’ve gotten lax or have completely lost heart to keep praying for God’s answer. Don’t give up! Whether or not the Lord gives you the answer you seek, I hope He will find you persevering with praise on your lips and faith in your heart. He is sovereign. May His will be done.

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December 6 Young Mary Read: Luke 1:26–38 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Luke 1:31 Six months after Elizabeth’s long-awaited conception, her relative is visited by the same angel who visited her husband. Mary (Miriam in Hebrew) is a young teenager betrothed to Joseph, a fellow descendant of David living in the town of Nazareth.

The angel Gabriel’s first words to Mary are words I imagine all of us would love to hear directly from the Lord: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” However, hearing this face-toface from an angel might be a little unsettling, as it is for both Zechariah and Mary. She ponders what’s going on, trying to figure it out. The Greek word used here for “pondering” is dialogizomai, which means to reckon thoroughly. I reckon I would be reckoning too!

Gabriel’s first word to Mary in Greek, chairō, means rejoice, or be glad. This is the origin of the Latin phrase “Ave Maria,” or in its better known English form, “Hail, Mary.” Perhaps you have heard this phrase in the prayers of Catholics or in the famous song at Christmastime. If you read the English translation of the lyrics, however, you will notice that it practically deifies Mary. More on this issue in a few days.

Gabriel then proceeds to inform Mary of the miracle about to take place in her virgin body—a conception without sexual relations. As if a virgin birth to a boy named Jesus isn’t news enough, Gabriel shares an additional tidbit that will only affect all of mankind for eternity. Mary will give birth to Christos, the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah and Savior of the world.

We have to assume that as Mary questions Gabriel about this, she does not ask in doubt or ask for a sign as Zechariah does. Rather, it must be out of wonder and sheer amazement. Her response after Gabriel’s explanation demonstrates the position of her heart: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answers, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Her submission to

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God’s will and her simple faith shine through.

God does just as Gabriel conveys and literally touches the wombs of both Elizabeth and Mary. He does what He said He would do. I find great comfort in this. Gabriel’s last words to Mary are indeed the last words on the matter. They are the words we need to focus on when we are tempted with doubt: “For no word from God will ever fail.” Nothing is impossible with God. It’s a done deal before it happens in reality.

In Genesis, the angel rhetorically asked Sarah, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (18:14). The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, “Nothing is too hard for you” (32:17). God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, “My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (55:11). As an adult, Jesus will later say that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Do our doubting hearts need more proof? God is sovereign and immutable; He is over everything and does not change. He will do what He says He will do. This is truth whether it is in Scripture or it is a message conveyed to us on a personal level, such as through the Holy Spirit. Let us be found faithful and with the answer ready on our lips, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

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December 7 The Dreamer Read: Matthew 1:18–24 “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:20b There is something to be said for the repeating stories, miracles, and themes in the Bible. Among them, we’ve already seen the similarities between Elizabeth and the two barren moms in the Old Testament, Sarah and Hannah. Now, we look at Joseph. Just as Joseph in the Old Testament was guided by dreams, so the earthly father of Jesus is given divine direction while sleeping. The dreams of the first Joseph would change an empire. The dreams of this Joseph will change the world.

Joseph is already betrothed to Mary, which means the marriage has been arranged and locked into place. However, the ceremony has not yet occurred; this usually happened a year later. Unlike today’s engagements that can easily be broken off, this was a more binding arrangement that involved a payment for the bride.

Infidelity during this betrothal phase is considered adultery. So, the natural assumption for Joseph upon learning of Mary’s pregnancy is that his bride-to-be has slept with another man. Perhaps out of love and mercy, Joseph plans to divorce her privately so that she is not disgraced.

But disgrace will probably come anyway once the pregnancy becomes obvious to everyone else. According to the law, Mary is also in danger of being stoned (Deuteronomy 22:23–24).

We are not told if the angel who appears to Joseph in a dream is Gabriel. Regardless, Joseph receives a very clear message from this angelic visitation, with equally clear instructions. Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, it is Immanuel—the Savior Himself—with whom she is pregnant, and Joseph is to take her as his wife.

Joseph obeys. I like that the text says that he simply does as the angel commands. This command means it is a pretty strong message, and Joseph receives it. He takes Mary as his wife, even though she is pregnant and not by him. And the marriage is not consummated until after Jesus is

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born, thus the virgin birth, not just the virgin conception.

We, as the corporate body of believers, are referred to as the bride of Christ, and He is our bridegroom. Marriage is a picture of our relationship with Him. Paul explains this in Ephesians 5:21–33: “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. . . . Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

He paid the price for us with His death on the cross. And while we have been united with Him in spirit in this life, we eagerly await the day when the Bridegroom will return for His bride. Revelation tells us of that future day when we will “rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (19:7). What a day that will be. Hallelujah!

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December 8 Miracle Mommies Read: Luke 1:39–45 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41 Elizabeth is six months pregnant when her kinswoman, or relative (Greek word, syngenis, possibly a cousin), Mary, visits her. It is assumed that Mary is pregnant at this point as she makes the journey to where Elizabeth lives in the hill country of Judea.

Friendship between close friends is special. The bond between family members can be even more precious. Imagine the closeness these two might now feel with both of them becoming pregnant by miraculous means. Despite being separated geographically and by age, they have perhaps one of the most special connections of all time. And I’m sure that while Mary is inexperienced, she is of great help as her elder relative is now going through the final months of pregnancy—and doing so for the first time.

The once-barren and old Elizabeth is well into her pregnancy with the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah. Mary hasn’t consummated her marriage with Joseph yet, but is supernaturally pregnant with the Son of God. Wouldn’t you have loved to sit down for coffee with them and talk about these things!

Anyone who has had children through natural means has felt the developing baby move and kick. It’s a special moment to lay your hand on mommy’s growing belly and feel the life of another just underneath. The Greek word used in today’s passage for baby is brephos, which does not mean fetus, but baby. God declares the developing life a baby. So should we.

The conversation we are blessed to read about occurs when Mary first arrives at Zechariah and Elizabeth’s house. At the moment of Mary’s greeting to Elizabeth, John “leaped [for joy] in her womb” and Elizabeth feels the Holy Spirit move in her as well. We also know from Gabriel that John is filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb (Luke 1:15).

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On a side note, it is worth studying the role of the Holy Spirit in both Luke’s Gospel account and in Acts, as He is greatly magnified in both.

Elizabeth shares a blessing with Mary for being chosen to bear Christos, and Mary responds with humility and wonder. We see this exchange end with proof that Mary believes by faith that what God tells her through Gabriel is true: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

We’ll look at Mary’s song of praise tomorrow, but I want to return to this issue of special friendships, be they with family or friends. This story demonstrates the necessity and great benefits that come when believers have an ongoing, strong bond with one another.

Proverbs gives us some timely advice on the matter. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (17:17). “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (18:24). “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (27:17).

If you have these types of relationships, praise God for the special people in your life today. If you don’t have them, pray that God will connect you to people of such character. Doing life with these kinds of people will make a huge difference in your faith walk.

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December 9 Magnificat Read: Luke 1:46–56 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

Luke 1:46–47 Elizabeth has just declared great things for Mary and her baby. In fact, she cries out in a loud voice, shouting this proclamation. Mary responds with an anointed praise of her own. It is often referred to as the Magnificat because this is the first word of her song (“My soul magnifies,” or “glorifies”) in the first Latin translation of the Bible from Hebrew and Greek, called the Vulgate. This translation was done by Jerome in the late fourth century AD. What we see in these words, also known as Mary’s Song, is her knowledge of the Old Testament. Many themes are represented. Let me show you in an obvious way.

As we’ve mentioned, there are quite a few similarities and repeating stories between the Old and New Testaments. This is true when we look at Mary’s Song. It is fascinating to realize and study the similarity between Mary’s words and those of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. You remember Hannah from the other day—another barren mother blessed by God with the miracle of conception. I encourage you to also read her song of praise today.

In both passages, the women praise and thank God. He is holy and He is our salvation. They both speak of social justice, helping the poor and hungry, and exalting the lowly while bringing down the rich and the unjust rulers.

Without getting into a long explanation, and without trying to offend any readers, let me now briefly address a somewhat sensitive subject.

Elizabeth’s declaration to Mary, “Blessed are you among women,” and Mary’s subsequent choice of words is why so many people revere her, perhaps too much so.

The phrase “all generations will call me blessed” has led readers for centuries to conclude that she is to be adored and even worshiped. The Greek translation is a bit tricky, but a better explanation of the actual

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meaning is that people will recognize that Mary was indwelt by God and therefore will be celebrated for generations to come. The word used here, “blessed,” is the same Greek word, makarios, used by Jesus repeatedly in the Beatitudes (“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” etc.).

This clarification is important to drive home a critical truth about the Lord we live for and worship. There is but one God (John 17:3). He exists as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is hard for us to wrap our finite minds around, but it is truth nonetheless. Angels are not to be worshiped, nor is any human being.

So, as we celebrate this Christmas season, let’s focus our praise, adoration, and worship toward the Lord. Let’s celebrate that God the Father sent His Son through Mary. Let’s be grateful that the same Holy Spirit who filled Elizabeth and baby John in her womb also fills us as believers. Let us praise Him as Hannah did, that “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).

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December 10 The Tongue Set Free Read: Luke 1:57–66 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Luke 1:64 At last, John is born to Elizabeth, six months before Jesus is born to Mary. Friends and family rejoice for this long-awaited day. Not until the eighth day, when John is circumcised and named, is Zechariah finally able to speak. We’ll look at both circumcision and baby naming when we get to Jesus’ birth. For now, we see that this is the point when everyone is expecting the newborn son to be named for his father or grandfather.

Apparently, Zechariah has already conveyed to Elizabeth the news that God has chosen John as the baby’s name, so she tells the eager audience the same. Can you imagine there might be a dramatic pause at this moment as everyone looks at each other and at Elizabeth? Maybe there is skepticism, criticism, and a judgmental attitude present. Perhaps they think Elizabeth is not speaking for everyone, so they look at Zechariah.

Only when he affirms John’s name in writing is Zechariah then able to speak—and not just speak, but praise God! As you can imagine, this story spreads throughout Judea, and the people ponder the future of this special child.

A couple of reactions are worth mentioning. First, the people of the area are in fear as a result of this news. Specifically, this is a reverential awe for the God they worship. He has just done an amazing thing. Second, they keep in mind what has just happened, for surely this means that something special is in this child’s future.

As Zechariah is liberated from his mute condition, let us ponder the miracle-working power of God. Whatever affliction you or a loved one may be enduring right now, take comfort that one of two things will happen if you are a believer. One, God may heal you in this present life; or two, He will heal you in the life to come. Take comfort that you serve a healing God who loves you, cares for you, and will restore you physically, just as He has already done spiritually. Our infirmities and

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weaknesses are temporary and are confined to this life.

What I also love about this part of the Christmas story is that Zechariah is restored by the Lord. How many of us have had to learn a lesson the hard way? How many of us have doubted that He will act? No doubt Zechariah received a heavy dose of humility and spent much time in silence prior to John’s birth (maybe Elizabeth appreciated this part too!).

After a period of discipline, God brought back Zechariah’s voice. With a repentant heart, God will restore us into a right relationship with Him after we stumble. Let’s find great peace in this truth.

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December 11 Benedictus Read: Luke 1:67–80 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.”

Luke 1:76 Okay, we can admit this together. During the Christmas season (or any other time of year), I daresay that most of us have rarely, if ever, read Zechariah’s prophetic praise after John is born. Mary’s song of praise is much better known, due especially, perhaps, to the Catholic community’s great reverence for her.

Zechariah’s words in this passage are often called the Benedictus because this is the first word of the prophecy in Latin. “Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel,” translated, is “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.” This phrase can also be found in the Old Testament (see Psalm 41:13 and 2 Chronicles 6:4 for examples).

The first half of Zechariah’s prophecy is praise directed at God for the approaching arrival of Jesus and the salvation He will bring. You can read this portion out loud in praise to God as if reading a Psalm. As deliverance was coming to Israel, salvation now has come to the whole world. Praise the Lord!

This blessing was promised centuries earlier to Abraham and would now finally be fulfilled. As we will study tomorrow, Abraham and David are both mentioned in this passage and in the genealogies that reinforce Jesus’ lineage. God’s “holy prophets” are also invoked as a reminder of the many prophecies about to be fulfilled.

In the latter half of his prophecy, Zechariah spells out the role John will play in relation to Jesus. How humbling and awe-inspiring it must be for Zechariah and Elizabeth. They now know fully and without any doubt that John will indeed be “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” foretold by Isaiah (40:3). Their son will preach God’s salvation, forgiveness, and mercy, and will pave the way for Christos.

What Zechariah is declaring here is truly momentous. The Jewish people had been waiting centuries for the prophecies of old to come to frui-

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tion. Imagine the joy and celebration among friends and family who join Zechariah and Elizabeth in faith. The time has finally come for another “Elijah” in the person of their son, John. Yeshua HaMashiach (Hebrew), Jesus the Messiah, will also soon come into the world! And of all families, it is theirs, which includes their beloved relative, Mary, that has been blessed with being parents to these special, prophesied sons.

The last we hear of young John in the Gospel of Luke is that he grows up in the desert and becomes strong in body and spirit. Presumably, he loses his older parents prior to his public ministry. He re-emerges in Scripture as an adult, preaching and teaching and “preparing the way of the Lord.”

We, too, should view our role on this earth like John. We are here to live for Christ, to share about Him, and to prepare the way for His Second Coming. After that, there will be no more second chances for people to believe. This should be our great motivation for witnessing. We must prepare the way!

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December 12 Judah’s Descendant Read: Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38 “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.”

Revelation 5:5 It’s fairly popular these days to get online and trace our family roots. In previous years, we relied on the public records, libraries, and graveyards of our parents’ and grandparents’ hometowns. Now, we can simply go to a website like ancestry.com and pool information from others who are seeking the same answers. We can also send off a blood sample for genetic analysis and find out what nationalities are indicated by our DNA. The Bible is full of genealogies that contain strange names of people long ago. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the authors list the genealogy of Jesus for their readers. It is important to prove that Jesus is who He says He is. The only similarity between the two genealogies is the portion of the lineage from Abraham to David.

Biblical genealogies can differ depending on their function and are created for religious, legal, or domestic reasons. Names are sometimes left out to highlight the connection of a descendant to a particular ancestor. So, let’s look more closely at these two genealogies of Jesus.

Through Old Testament prophecies going all the way back to the book of Genesis, we know that God would bless the nations through Abraham.

The Son of God would be from the tribe of Judah and also from the royal line of King David.

Luke records the family line starting with Jesus and going backwards all the way through David, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), and Adam to God Himself—77 names in all. Matthew’s list goes from past to present, starting with Abraham and ending with Jesus—41 names in all, spanning 2,000 years.

Rather than skip over the differences, let’s embrace that they are there and try to figure out why. Matthew was targeting a Jewish audience, and he clearly drives this point home in the first verse of his Gospel. He is proving that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah descended from Abraham and David. Luke, on the other hand, writes to Gentiles as a historian and

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is seeking to be as thorough as possible in proving that Jesus is the Son of God. It is also interesting to note that Matthew’s account goes back to a time before Jews even existed as a race. He also mentions four wives—at least three of whom are Gentiles. Why does he do this? Some speculate this is done to show that Jesus has come for all people, not just the Jews.

Among the differences, why do Matthew and Luke trace Jesus’ lineage through different sons of David? Matthew shows the line going through Solomon, while Luke’s account goes through Nathan. The most logical explanation I have found is that Luke appears to be tracing through Mary, while Matthew goes through Joseph. Both parents belong to the tribe of Judah, just to different families within the tribe. And while Joseph isn’t Jesus’ physical father, he is in a legal sense.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we can rest in the surety that God sent His Son, this newborn King, through a very specific and prophesied lineage. We are also now a part of this lineage. And one day, this descendant of Judah and David will triumph forever!

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December 13 Caesar’s Census Read: Luke 2:1–5 [Joseph] went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2:5 John has been born to Elizabeth, and Mary is well into her pregnancy.

Joseph has taken her as his wife, though they have not consummated the marriage. The couple now takes the long journey from Nazareth in the north to Bethlehem in the south, a town that sits on a ridge 2,000 feet above sea level. This journey is a result of a decreed census.

Censuses were conducted mainly for the purpose of taxation, and people had to return to their native land. Bethlehem is the ancestral hometown of those descended from David, which includes both Joseph and Mary. Perhaps Joseph still owns property in Bethlehem despite no longer living there.

What is unclear and has led to much disagreement is the historical context of this census decreed by Caesar Augustus across the Roman Empire. Specifically, the uncertainty is over the fact that Quirinius is mentioned as being governor of Syria when the census takes place. In the first century, this area of Palestine is under the Roman province of Syria, and thus under Quirinius.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this devotional, I don’t want us to dwell too much on uncertainty or disagreement over details. In this case, though, it is unavoidable to a degree. I will just address it briefly and then make a practical point for us today.

Let’s start with what is known for sure. There is a well-known and widespread census soon to take place in AD 6 that leads to a revolt. It is the one mentioned in Acts 5:37. This cannot be the census referred to in the Christmas narrative, because all historians agree that King Herod (the one who wanted the baby Jesus dead) died in a BC year, likely 4 BC. In other words, he has been dead for 10 years before this well-known census takes place.

There is incomplete evidence that Quirinius serves in the area in a sim-

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ilar capacity previous to AD 6 and that there is another census known to this region but lost in the records over time. Perhaps that is why Luke describes it as the “first” (prótos) census taken under Quirinius, differentiating it from the well-known census of AD 6 for his first-century readers.

What matters most? Today’s study is a good reminder to trust the accuracy of Scripture. All of it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), and Luke’s Gospel is no different. Luke was written decades after Jesus’ ascension.

However, Luke implores Theophilus (and us) to trust his account, as “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning” (1:3).

Therefore, let us have peace over the unknown specifics and our incomplete historical picture, continuing to put our faith in the God we trust. Let us believe in what is recorded: Joseph takes his pregnant wife on the arduous journey to Bethlehem in obedience to a census that has been decreed. A Savior will soon be born!

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December 14 Can I Stay at Your Place?

Read: Luke 2:4–7 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Luke 2:4 Joseph and Mary arrive for the census in Bethlehem, the city of David.

Both parents are descended from Judah and, subsequently, from David.

Since they are in the town of their kinsmen, it’s highly likely that they have extended family in town. Even if they don’t know anyone, hospitality is expected in this culture. To top it all off, a pregnant mother in need will receive help just about anywhere. And yet, there seems to be a lack of living space. This is probably due to the census that Caesar has decreed. Many others have also made the journey to the towns of their ancestors.

A basic home in first-century Bethlehem is usually a simple structure that may have a second floor or roof for sleeping during hot weather. The main floor is divided, with an elevated level or terrace for the family and a lower ground floor or a closely connected space where the animals stay at night. This provides extra warmth inside the home and prevents the animals from being stolen or harmed.

There are inns present at this time. However, the Greek word used in the birth story, kataluma, is the word for guest room or chamber. This room is either divided from the main room or is on a second level. Contrast this with the story of the Good Samaritan. He bandages the wounds of the beaten man and takes him to an actual inn, a pandokheion (Luke 10:34). It is worth mentioning that there are others, citing certain old traditions dating back to the second century, who believe this space is actually a cave or grotto.

Other kataluma, or guest rooms, are mentioned in the Bible. Perhaps most notable is the room where Jesus and His disciples will have the Last Supper. Two disciples will approach the owner of the home with these words: “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the

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Passover with my disciples?” (Luke 22:10–11; Mark 14:14–15).

When Joseph and Mary arrive in Bethlehem, the guest room of the extended family with whom they must have expected to stay is already occupied. So they likely stay in the family room or other space in close proximity to mangers and animals.

When I think of this aspect of the birth story, one word comes to mind: hospitality. Surely this is the time of year when we are more inclined to be gracious. Let’s use this season as a catalyst for year-round hospitality, both to those we love and to those in need. Paul encourages us to share with believers who are in need and to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13). Peter tells us to be hospitable without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).

Make the effort this month to open up your home to someone. Host a neighborhood party. Take friends to a Christmas musical at church.

Volunteer at a shelter. Take food to the nearest food pantry. The list of ideas is endless—if you are willing. And if you are willing, make it the beginning of a habit of hospitality.

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December 15 The Prophesied One Read: Isaiah 9:2–7 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet.

Matthew 1:22 Just before we look at the birth of Jesus, we need to briefly step back and look at some of the Old Testament prophecies about this event. This will help us appreciate the magnitude of what is about to take place.

Only a sovereign God could leave a gift like this—the gift of His Word, written over a period of more than a thousand years and by dozens of authors. Only He could ensure that these sacred Scriptures were compiled as they exist today in order to share His love and redemptive plan for all of His creation. In particular, we should notice the many prophecies about the Messiah, His Son, who will come to die and later return to rule.

I want to share with you just a few prophetic verses from different Old Testament books, compiled into a single paragraph (Genesis 49:10; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14). This is to demonstrate the specific details surrounding the birth of Jesus foretold centuries before: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. . . .

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. . . .

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

To put it in plain English, Jesus will come from the tribe of Judah, be born in Bethlehem, be born of a virgin, and be called Immanuel, or “God with us.” The first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew mention

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these prophecies and declare them fulfilled. Think of it: these prophecies just mentioned (and there are many others) were made between 700 and 1,400 years before Christ was born! Let me end today’s devotional with the prophecy quoted most often concerning the coming of Christ, which is also found in today’s passage, Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Indeed, the newborn Child is eternal and wonderful. He will grow up, minister, die, and rise again, and He will one day return in all His might to bring all governments under Himself and usher in peace. Until then, He will continue to guide us and provide us counsel through our Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Glory to God in the highest heaven!

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December 16 The Big Moment Arrives Read: Matthew 1:24–25, Luke 2:6–7 And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:7 At last, the birth of Christos is about to take place. The Anointed One, the Messiah, is about to bring a new reality to the world. The Godhead is about to take human form and bless it with the gift of salvation. As we know, our salvation will come at a heavy price for Jesus as an adult. But let’s continue to focus on the birth story.

Joseph and Mary have been staying in Bethlehem, which in Hebrew may mean “house of bread.” Indeed, the Bread of Life (John 6:48) is about to be born in the house of bread. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.”

Jesus is born, wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger. Mangers are common during this time and are usually made from hollowed-out stone.

Archaeologists have found several in excavations in Israel. The popular birth narrative is correct, however, in that mangers are used to hold the food for the animals to eat. It is as ideal a place as any for a newborn child to be wrapped up and snugly laid to rest in between feedings from mommy, and it is especially appropriate given the crowded lodging situation.

The prophet Ezekiel gives us the step-by-step process in caring for a newborn such as Jesus. The actual context is a prophecy against Jerusalem, so you will understand why he uses negative phrasing. Jerusalem is compared to a baby girl. “On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths” (16:4).

Just as today, the umbilical cord from Mary to Jesus is cut and the baby is washed. This is simple enough to picture. The practice of rubbing salt on the baby is primarily believed to help the skin develop while being swaddled.

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And now the infamous “swaddling clothes” we love to mention. These are actually long strips of cloth wrapped around the baby to make him or her feel snug. It is a warm and comfy place somewhat similar to the womb the baby just exited.

It is also a common practice to wrap the baby like this early on because it is believed to help make the limbs grow correctly. We swaddle babies today because it increases the likelihood that the baby will sleep better, helps prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and keeps them from scratching themselves.

We will revisit the Savior’s birth on Christmas Day. For today, as we celebrate His arrival on earth a few days early, let’s pray for those we know who haven’t recognized the Messiah and made Him Lord of their lives. Pray for the Jewish people. Pray for your family and friends. As the hymn “Joy to the World” declares, “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

And as Paul prays, “my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). Amen!

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December 17 Incarnation Read: John 1:1–18 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 The first two chapters of Matthew and Luke are our main sources for Jesus’ birth narrative. The Gospel of Mark jumps right into the adult ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. The Gospel of John does the same halfway through the first chapter. However, the first 18 verses of this chapter give a wonderful summation of how John the Baptist came to pave the way for Jesus and how God took the form of man and dwelled among us—His incarnation.

John 1:1 starts out with “In the beginning.” Where have we read that before? In Genesis 1:1, of course. John ties together the Word of God from the start of Scripture to his present time.

In the subsequent verses John uses two images to describe God: life and light. He is (in Hebrew) Jehovah Elohim, the Creator who brought life into the world. And He came so that we would not just have life, but have an abundant life (John 10:10).

The Apostle John also refers to John the Baptist in this passage. Just as John precedes Jesus in birth, he will also precede Him in ministry. His sole purpose is to be “a witness to testify” that Christ, the Light of the world, is coming into it (John 1:8). John will point people to God, not to himself.

While John the Baptist and Jesus didn’t grow up together, surely John grows up being told by Zechariah and Elizabeth that Mary’s son is the prophesied Messiah. Further, being six months older means John knows that Jesus will enter ministry soon after he does. I imagine this contributes to his passion in paving the way for the Lord. Yet, the Apostle John reminds us that, despite John the Baptist’s efforts and the fact that there had been and will be false messiahs, “the world did not recognize him.”

The Jews in particular are expecting a conquering King. Most can’t

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grasp the reality of their Savior experiencing a humble birth or being the son of a carpenter from a nowhere town. This simply clothed man will have a ministry marked by a simple life of walking from place to place, eventually ending in tragedy. It doesn’t match the selected Scriptures on which they are hanging their hopes. If they will only look closely enough at the Old Testament, though, they would indeed read prophecies of Jesus’ birth, His death, His resurrection, and His return as the conquering King.

We are blessed with the Bible and the knowledge it brings us. We know, as John shares with us here, that the law came through Moses.

Jesus Christ fulfilled the law through grace and truth. Until His return, we who believe are born again spiritually and have become children of God. Let us rejoice in our salvation as we celebrate His life this month!

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December 18 Shepherds and Angels Read: Luke 2:8–20 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Luke 2:10 Just outside of Bethlehem, shepherds are living out in the open and watching over their sheep. It is night, and a census has been issued, so this scene is likely not happening during the winter months. Not being far from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish culture and worship, it is quite possible that these sheep are being raised for temple sacrifice.

Regardless, the shepherds are about to have a moment to remember. A lone angel initially appears and tells them not to be afraid, just as Zechariah and Mary were told. The angel announces to the shepherds that in Bethlehem, the town of David, the Savior of the world has been made incarnate.

At this news, “a great company of the heavenly host” appears and the worship really gets going. Can you just imagine the spectacle? How can the indescribable be put into words, to see such a sight as this?

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Once again, it is worth mentioning that the first word in Latin is used to reference the proclamations surrounding the birth of Jesus. In this case, it is called the Gloria (in excelsis Deo) for obvious reasons. The angels have praise on their lips!

How many is a great company? The Greek word used here is plethos, and it means a large number. Host, or stratia, is a word also used to describe an army. Bottom line: that’s a lot of angels! If not for the first lone angel, I imagine the sight of an endless sea of an angelic army would be too much to process for these shepherds. What an unlikely group to be chosen for the heralded news—or so it may seem.

Shepherds are at the bottom of the social spectrum. Since they are often out for long periods of time tending their sheep, they can’t adhere to the cleanliness standards and temple visits that their Jewish faith re-

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quires. Yet here they are, the first to be told of the Messiah’s birth. And not only that, but He can also be found in a simple peasant home similar to their own. He will be in a manger, the same kind of feeding trough their sheep use. He is one of them!

Sure enough, the shepherds find the baby Savior just as described. They then become the first humans to spread the word that the long-awaited and prophesied birth has happened.

You and I are just like the shepherds. We are just normal everyday people. Jesus came as Man to rescue man. He was born to save “all the people,” people like us. And after He has rescued us, we can never be the same. Like the shepherds, we need to praise the Lord all the days of our lives and also tell others about Him. And how can we forget the analogy of Psalm 23? The Lord is our Shepherd, and because of Him we don’t lack anything. He takes care of us, feeds us, disciplines us, and is with us all the days of our lives. What have we to fear when we are part of God’s flock?!

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December 19 And on the Eighth Day . . .

Read: Luke 1:59–60, 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2:21 As mentioned earlier in our study, we see similarities in the births of John and Jesus. Both are circumcised on the eighth day as is the Jewish custom. This is a momentous day in the life of the baby boy that involves friends and family in celebration.

God instituted circumcision when He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (Genesis 17) and reaffirmed the practice through Moses (Leviticus 12:1–3). The physical act of removing the foreskin from the male reproductive organ was an outward sign of the Hebrew’s covenant with God. It signified that the man was consecrated to serving Him. By this time, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, it has become standard for the male infant not to be named until the eighth day. Both John and Jesus are named on this day, and neither is given the name that people expected.

It is the custom for family names to be given. For example, in Luke’s genealogy from Adam to Jesus, the names Judah and Mattathias each appear twice. The name Joseph appears three times, and Jesus also had a brother named Joseph.

In the case of these two special sons, God instead chooses names that have special meaning related to their lives. John’s name means “the Lord is gracious,” and Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the Lord saves.” Surely John was a gracious gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth, as well as to those he told of the coming Messiah.

Even more so, surely as Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, so Jesus came to lead us into an eternal life with Him. In the Old Testament, Jews were encouraged to circumcise their hearts (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). In Colossians 2:11, Paul reminded the believers in Colossae (and us) that in Christ “you were also

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circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ.�

We need to stop and pray again this Christmas season for those who have uncircumcised hearts. They will forever be cut off from God’s blessing unless they become His people. This is the perfect time of year to share the love story of God sending His Son into the world to personally and intimately seek and save them from a hopeless eternity.

Through Christ we have been given new hearts and new identities, as we are now called His children, His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 3:26). Praise God today for your salvation, and let that gratitude and enthusiasm spill over into sharing your faith with others.

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December 20 Presenting Baby Jesus Read: Luke 2:22–24 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

Luke 2:22 Maybe your church has child dedications or baptisms during a special Sunday service in December. Jesus, too, is dedicated via presentation at the Jewish temple. The time has come for “the purification rites required by the Law of Moses.” What Luke’s account is referring to here is spelled out in Leviticus 12.

According to Levitical law, a woman was ceremonially unclean for seven days after giving birth to a son. The child was then to be circumcised on the eighth day, so Mary and Joseph are being obedient to this command, as we’ve already seen. The mother of a newborn male required another 33 days “to be purified from her bleeding” (Leviticus 12:4). So, it was after this period of time that Jesus’ parents take Him on the six-mile journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, bring Him to the priest, and offer a specific sacrifice at the temple.

Mary and Joseph are poor—at least at the time around Jesus’ birth—so this part of the modern-day narrative is accurate. How do we know this is true? At the temple, they can only afford to sacrifice two small birds instead of the standard lamb. This option for the less fortunate is indicated in the Leviticus passage. The purpose of sacrificing the pair of birds is for Mary’s benefit and for this reason: “one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean” (Leviticus 12:8).

This sacrifice for Mary is an important fact that can be easily overlooked. As mentioned, there are certain segments of believers today that overly revere and worship Mary. She is a human tarnished by sin, and so she requires the sin offering just like every other Jew of her day.

There is another interesting aspect to the life of baby Jesus contained in this brief mention. God made it clear to Moses that every firstborn male was to be consecrated to Him (Exodus 13:1–16). Mary and Joseph

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are obedient to this command by going to the temple (Luke 2:23). Even at a young age, Jesus is demonstrating that He has come to fulfill the law of the day, not abolish it.

This is not to say that every child isn’t special in the eyes of the Lord.

It is standard in the Jewish culture, as well as in many other cultures today, that the oldest son is the family heir and, therefore, carries special responsibilities in life.

Once our lives are dedicated to the Lord, we, too, need to present ourselves to Him as an offering. We need to give Him control of our lives.

Paul urges us all “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). During this Christmas season, let’s pledge our lives anew to the Lord as an offering, for Him to use us for His will and for His glory.

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December 21 Old Man Simeon Read: Luke 2:25–35 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.”

Luke 2:29–31 The wisdom of the older generation should always be appreciated. We all need elders like Simeon in our lives. They have been through battles that we have yet to endure; they have learned spiritual and practical lessons that we need to grasp; and they can tell us like it is, both the good and the bad, hopefully doing so with wisdom and tact.

Simeon is one of these people. He is a righteous man who has been blessed with special knowledge from the Holy Spirit. Before his death, he will see the long-awaited Christos. Can you imagine the anticipation?

I would’ve gotten a bit impatient as each day passed and my body aged!

Then, the day finally arrives. God creates a sovereign intersection. The Holy Spirit moves in Simeon to go to the temple courts on the exact day and time that Jesus is brought there by His parents and presented to the Lord.

The words of Simeon are sometimes referred to as the Nunc Dimittis or Song of Simeon. This is the beginning of the sentence translated from Latin: “Now you dismiss [your servant in peace].” Simeon can indeed die in peace now that God has fulfilled His promise of allowing him to see the Messiah.

Through the Holy Spirit, Simeon declares that Jesus will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” However, he also shares a sobering message with Mary in particular. Her son will divide the Jewish people (Isaiah 8:14–15), and she, too, will be deeply grieved by what will happen to Jesus. Paul reinforced the discord that will later take place when he said that Christ is “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Joseph and Mary are amazed by Simeon’s words. Perhaps it is a never-ending cascade of one awe-inspiring moment after another for them.

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Supernatural occurrences have been happening since before the divine conception of Jesus, and these continue throughout His time on earth.

What a humbling yet sobering experience it must be for a godly man like Simeon to share with them. I’m sure there will be many more conversations and times of prayer for Joseph and Mary as they contemplate the future of their Sovereign Son. Would you like to be described as someone who is full of the Spirit, righteous, and devout, just as Simeon is? Would you willingly wait a long time for a chance at a brief face-to-face encounter with the Messiah? This is almost exactly the story of your life as a believer, but your ending is even better. Like Simeon, we will spend a lifetime doing our best to live a life pleasing to God. And one day, our reward will be to see our Savior face-to-face, but not for a brief encounter—for eternity!

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December 22 The Widow Prophetess Read: Luke 2:36–38 She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Luke 2:37b Three verses. That is all that is given to Anna, the second aged person after Simeon who is given the utmost privilege of seeing the baby Jesus at the temple. A respected man and now a woman of the same character bear witness to the fact that the Messiah has now come into the world.

She will be remembered by future generations as the model of a faithful widow.

There are very few female prophets, or prophetesses, mentioned in the Bible, and Anna is one of them. Others named are Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Noadiah. There are also a few others not mentioned directly by name, like Isaiah’s wife and Philip’s four daughters in the book of Acts. Perhaps these female messengers of God warrant your later study.

What an example of faithfulness Anna is to us. After only seven years of marriage, she is widowed. The original Greek is unclear as to whether she was 84 years old or had been a widow for 84 years. Regardless, it doesn’t change the point that she is now an old widow.

What might have been a life of hopelessness in that culture Anna instead turned into a life of fulfillment in the Lord. She could be found in the temple night and day for decades, fasting and worshiping the Lord.

If we accept this at face value, we can assume that this resulted in a very close walk with God. We know that God can supernaturally intervene in our lives too, but this isn’t necessarily the norm. It requires discipline like that of Anna to seek out the Lord through reading and meditating on His Word, praying, fasting, and seeking fellowship with other believers. I know from my own personal experience that if I dedicate myself to such pursuits, God is more evident in my life and I am more attuned to His Holy Spirit guiding my actions. It is a clear case of cause and effect.

This is surely the case with Anna. As a result, God uses her as a proph-

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etess and rewards her faithfulness with a personal encounter with His Son. Can you imagine the motivation that it is for her from that day forward to tell about Jesus “to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem”? The Jews were definitely looking for redemption from Roman rule and for the prophesied Messiah to come, so this should be welcome news.

The lesson I’ve learned from Anna’s life is simple: be found faithful with your life, and God will show up and do amazing things in, to, and through you. So, make that commitment today to be disciplined in your spiritual walk.

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December 23 Christmas Presents!

Read: Matthew 2:1–12 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1b It is unclear how much time passes before the visit of the Magi. We will not focus too much today on who the Magi are. They likely practice various forms and combinations of divination, dream interpretation, astronomy, and astrology. They may hold considerable religious and governmental authority.

It is quite possible that these Magi believe in Jesus just as one of their predecessors did. Did you know that Daniel was not only a magus (the singular of magi), but chief among them (Daniel 2:48, 4:9, 5:11)? Due to his influence, power, and success, it is reasonable to conclude that Daniel shared the Scriptures about the coming Jewish Messiah. This information could have been passed down over time to these special visitors from the distant East.

The Magi show up in Jerusalem to see the earthly “king of the Jews” (Herod) in order to find the true King of the Jews. No wonder King Herod is disturbed about this. He points them to Bethlehem and tries to get them involved in locating Jesus for him. We know Herod’s true motive and will look at him more later.

A special star (we’ll look at this tomorrow) leads the Magi to the place where Jesus is living. The Greek word used in this passage to describe Jesus is paidion, which means young child, not infant. The Magi bestow some interesting presents on young Jesus.

Bringing gifts is an Eastern custom, so this practice is not unusual (Genesis 43:11; 1 Samuel 9:7–8). Likewise, in 1 Kings 10:1–13, the Queen of Sheba visited from Arabia (the East) and gave King Solomon “120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones.”

Also, Isaiah 60 mentions gold and incense as gifts brought from foreign lands to bless Jerusalem.

Let’s look quickly at the three gifts. Everyone is familiar with the val-

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ue of gold throughout the ages. The other two gifts, however, are less known in today’s Western world. Frankincense is a gum-like substance derived from the resin of a tree in the balsam family. It’s used primarily as perfume, medicine, and in religious ceremonies (Exodus 30:34–38).

Myrrh is a valuable spice and perfume that was also used in embalming.

Each gift had significant value in its own right.

Having said this, there is also prophetic symbolism to each gift. The gold may represent Jesus as the coming King (Matthew 2:2). Frankincense is used by the priests in the temple, and Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17). From John 19:38–42, we know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea will use myrrh on the body of Jesus as He is prepared for the tomb. So, this gift from the Magi foreshadows the future fate of the newborn King.

What gifts do you have for Jesus? Do you lay your best at His feet? Or are you tempted to cling to worldly possessions as if you will hold on to them forever? I encourage you to examine your life in this regard. Give Him your all and throw away your attachment to the things of this world.

Lay everything at the feet of the Messiah!

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December 24 The Sign Overhead Read: Matthew 2:2, 9 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Matthew 2:10 Let’s look again at the visit of the Magi, specifically at the appearance of a star. We said yesterday that these men from the East may have been influenced by a legacy of information from Daniel, one of their respected predecessors. One Scripture they may have been aware of is Numbers 24:17, part of which states: “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Also, Jesus will later tell John in Revelation that He is “the bright Morning Star” (22:16).

The Magi see this star on at least two occasions. They had already seen it rise in the East (the Greek means in the direction of the rising sun).

This was prior to their arrival in Jerusalem and meeting with Herod. This second time they see the star rising ahead of them “until it stopped over the place where the child was.” It is this moving and stopping that has created disagreement.

We’re not going to delve too deeply into this; instead, we will paint with a broad stroke and then focus on application. There are various theories in the Christian world as to the true nature of this cosmic event from the first decade BC. Was it a star, comet, or supernova? Or was it a rare alignment of planets such as Jupiter and Saturn?

We have already established the practice in this devotional of going to the Greek, the original language of the New Testament. The word used here is astēr, which means star. Seems simple enough, but it doesn’t rule out any of the possible explanations mentioned, as they all would look like stars to the naked eye.

Perhaps the question is, Is this a natural but rare occurrence for a heavenly body? Or is it some special cosmic event directly created by God to direct the Magi? I believe it is not important to know for sure, because ultimately it is God who orchestrates everything in the heavens anyway.

After all, God created the stars and calls them each by name (Genesis 1:14–19; Psalm 147:4).

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When I think about the so-called “Star of Bethlehem,” I think of God’s guidance. He is always there showing us the way. This, of course, usually takes the form of His Word, the Holy Spirit, and other believers.

However—and this is crucial—we need to pay attention and look for the signs of God’s leading. Like the Magi, we need to be ready for action, so that when God directs, we can be on the move.

Take a few moments now to look back on your life and recall the moments when God gave you a “star,” a marker in your path that brought clarity of decision and direction. God gives you these moments to draw you closer to Him and to accomplish His will. Thank Him today for His sovereign guidance and intervention in your life.

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December 25 A Christmas Story Retold Before time begins, there is God. He exists as a Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After He created man, the Godhead chose the Hebrew people to later bring forth Himself in human form. Prophecies foretold the coming of Christos over a period of centuries. The Son would descend from the human line of David, Abraham, and Adam, among others.

Before Jesus is born, His forerunner is also prophesied to come. This man will come in the spirit of the great prophet Elijah. A priest named Zechariah is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that his old and barren wife, Elizabeth, will finally conceive and give birth to a son named John.

This same angel also visits Elizabeth’s relative, Mary, and gives similar news of an imminent conception. This virgin teenager, betrothed to a godly man named Joseph, will give birth to a son about six months after Elizabeth does.

While Zechariah has doubts and is disciplined with a muted tongue, Joseph needs supernatural guidance through dreams before and after the birth of Jesus to ensure he knows the proper decisions to make and the right paths to take.

Mary is in awe of what God is up to, and she praises Him with Elizabeth. These two women spend months of blessed fellowship together.

When John is born, Zechariah’s speech is loosed, and he, too, praises God. Joseph and Mary head to Bethlehem, the town of their kingly ancestor David, in order to take part in the Roman census. They likely stay in the crowded and simple house of relatives and await the birth of Jesus.

Jesus is born, swaddled per the normal custom, and laid in an animal feeding trough. The Son has finally come and taken the form of flesh, making His dwelling among us. Hallelujah!

Another supernatural moment arrives as shepherds tending their sheep nearby are visited by an army of angels who herald the birth of the long-awaited Anointed One, Christos. The shepherds then find their Messiah in a simple home much like their own, and they worship Him. On the eighth day after Jesus is born, Joseph and Mary follow the custom and have Him circumcised. On the 40th day, Jesus is taken to the

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temple in nearby Jerusalem and is presented to God. While at the temple, two faithful followers of God are given the long-awaited blessing of beholding the Son in human form. Before their own heaven-going, old Simeon and then the aged Anna encounter their Savior in baby form.

Jesus grows older and later receives a visit from Magi from the East.

These exotic visitors have been led by a star to worship the newborn King. Their presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh bless this poor family and also foretell Jesus’ future.

Dreams given to both the Magi and Joseph warn them that King Herod, a worldly and dangerous “king of the Jews,” should be avoided at all costs. So, the Magi head home on a different route, and Joseph leads the family into temporary exile in Egypt. With two more dreams after Herod’s death, they return to Nazareth to raise young Jesus up for a short time of ministry that would change the world forever.

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December 26 The Other King of the Jews Read: Matthew 2:1–8, 16–18 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious.

Matthew 2:16a We touched on the final chapter of the Christmas story in yesterday’s narrative, so today let’s look at Herod further. Let’s start with some of the contrasts between this earthly kingdom and the true heavenly one.

The Roman Empire established a vast kingdom that lasted for centuries. God created a worldwide kingdom that will last for eternity. Caesar Augustus, his name meaning “exalted,” was referred to as divi filius, Latin for “divine son.” Yet, he wasn’t divine because he’s still in the grave.

Only Jesus is the Son of the Immortal God. Caesar had declared the Pax Romana, the age of Roman Peace, in 27 BC. However, only Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Herod the Great went by the title bestowed upon him by the Roman Senate in 40 BC, “King of the Jews.” Only Jesus is the true King of the Jews (and Gentiles). Herod was a half-Jew, at best, who was initially appointed tetrarch, or governor, by the Romans over Galilee; his reign grew from there through conquest and political alliances.

As has been our practice, let’s now visit Herod in the present tense.

While Herod has achieved military, construction, and tax-reduction accomplishments, he has ongoing domestic problems. He has 10 wives, the majority of whom together bear him dozens of children. The wives who bear sons naturally want theirs to be his eventual successor. Herod changes his will six times and has many family members executed, including his favorite wife, her mother, his brother-in-law, and several sons. The joke made by Caesar Augustus himself was that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than his son, as Herod didn’t eat pork!

So you can see why a man like this will have no problem executing boys less than two years of age. He has to make sure he kills another perceived threat—the true King of the Jews. By this time in his reign, Herod is quite ill and constantly paranoid. Evidence points to Herod’s death in

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4 BC. So, Jesus could have been born as early as 6 BC. Regardless, the Magi choose to obey a God-given dream and not conspire to help this ungodly ruler kill Jesus. The hunt is on. Thankfully, God gives another dream to Joseph, and the family flees to Egypt before the murder spree commences. It is widely speculated that this trip is financed by the Magi’s gifts.

It is estimated by some that, based on the population of Bethlehem at this time, perhaps “only” a dozen or so male infants and toddlers are murdered. This fulfills the sad prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 of mourning by the Jewish mothers in this geographic area. Historians cannot locate proof of this act by Herod, but you can see that it is both consistent with Herod’s wicked character and might not have involved enough deaths in a small village to draw much outside attention.

People will hate Jesus during His years of ministry through His crucifixion. He warned us that people will hate us too because of Him (Matthew 10:22). Persecution is to be expected for His followers. Paul went even further and told us to “glory in our sufferings” (Romans 5:3). This is a man who knew persecution and pain more than most ever will.

There will always be enemies of Christ. Satan will always target God’s people, especially those who are making advances for God’s kingdom.

In fact, I dare to propose this to you: if you are not experiencing some measure of hardship, perhaps you’re not doing enough for the Lord. The devil may be more preoccupied with others deemed a greater target. So, take stock of your life and what you are doing for Him.

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December 27 Have Dream, Will Travel Read: Matthew 2:13–15, 19–22 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

Matthew 2:19 We saw yesterday that Joseph was given another dream (there are a total of four, all of which are recorded in Matthew). The first was to tell him of the miraculous conception of Jesus. The second instructed him to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod the Great’s killing spree. This journey fulfilled the prophecy of Hosea 11:1. Just as God had called His children, the Hebrew people, out of Egypt under Moses (another famous child spared from a murderous ruler), He now calls His Child out of the same land.

At this time, Egypt is still the location of large Jewish colonies. Joseph, Mary, and the Child likely find Jews sympathetic to their situation.

I would even take it one step further and believe that God moved in various people’s hearts there to aid the family of the Messiah.

Now, back to the story. Within two years, Herod dies of a dreadful disease, described by some as similar to gangrene. His area of rule is divided up among some of his sons. Herod Philip II gets Iturea and Traconitis in the north; Herod Antipas is tetrarch of Perea to the east and Galilee in the middle; and Archelaus gets the area south of Galilee, which includes Samaria, Judea, and Idumea.

The angel tells Joseph in a third dream that Herod is dead and that they can return to Israel. In Herod’s place, one of his sons named Archelaus now reigns over the region Joseph originally fled. This news bothers Joseph, as Archelaus has a reputation for being a tyrannical ruler, killing thousands after he first took power. He will be removed from power 10 years later.

The town of Nazareth can be found 15 miles from the Sea of Galilee and 20 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. It is a place with a Roman military presence and is near active caravan trade routes. This area falls under Herod Antipas’ rule, and he rules for much longer than Archelaus

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in his respective region. Instead of returning to his ancestral homeland of Bethlehem, Joseph settles his family in Nazareth. This directive to go to the region of Galilee is seemingly due to a fourth dream that closely follows the third dream.

It is interesting to note that it is Antipas who later has John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:1–2). He also seeks to kill Jesus (Luke 13:31) and eventually plays a role in Jesus’ journey to the cross (Luke 23:7–11).

Herod’s grandson, Agrippa, later has James, the brother of Jesus, executed and has Peter arrested. Needless to say, the house of Herod has not been viewed favorably by Christians through the centuries.

Many of us wait weeks, months, or years for God’s direction in our lives. Should we change jobs? Should we move so our children get a better education? What is the Lord telling us to do?

When He does speak, we need to act in swift obedience. He may do so through a dream, through a godly messenger such as a family member or friend, through faithful prayer, or through His Word. So, as we sit on the edge of the start of another year, ask the Lord afresh to direct your steps with each passing day.

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December 28 The Nazarene Read: Matthew 2:23, Luke 2:39–40 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

Luke 2:39 Joseph and Mary do everything they are supposed to do as spelled out in the Mosaic Law, which is recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament. The threat from Herod the Great is over.

Matthew and Luke tell us that, once relocated to Nazareth, Jesus is raised there. Specifically, Matthew 2:23 refers to the prophets foretelling that Jesus will be called a Nazarene. What does this mean, because no one in the Old Testament directly called Jesus a Nazarene? Or did they?

The answer is yes! The prophet Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch coming out of the stem, or stump, of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). One of the Hebrew words for branch is netzer. And where did Jesus grow up, but in Netzeret, the place of the Branch. This is only the tip of the iceberg studying this word, but we must move on.

I love how Luke ends his account of this phase of Jesus’ life: “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him” (Luke 2:40). This verse is the only information we have on the next decade or so of the young Messiah’s life. After that, we only know of one episode in Jesus’ childhood: when the family visits the temple during Passover when He is around 12 years old.

We know that through at least these first 12 formative years in Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth, Joseph is alive. Luke’s glimpse paints a positive picture of these early years. We can assume that Jesus is like a normal child in many ways, yet without sin.

We can also conclude that Joseph slowly but surely begins to teach Jesus and His brothers the ways of his trade. This likely involves not only carpentry, but also stonework, because so much was constructed of stone in the first century. The Greek word for carpenter is tekton, which could be a craftsman or builder. Later in life, Jesus will be identified as the carpenter or carpenter’s son.

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Unfortunately, Joseph is not directly mentioned in the years of Jesus’ ministry, and most assume he dies prior to this point. Jesus does have sisters, but their names are not mentioned. His brothers, however, are: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Now that’s a big family!

As we conclude today’s devotional and also our study on the birth of Jesus, let’s focus on our own children. Wouldn’t we all as parents want it said of our children what is said of Jesus? We want our kids to grow up healthy and strong, to be full of wisdom beyond their years, and for God’s grace to be on them. Make that your prayer for your children today.

Christmas is a time to celebrate new beginnings. One of those beginnings can be you becoming a better parent, a better spouse, and a better follower of Christ. Life is too short to live selfishly and to let friends, TV, the internet, etc. be the primary influence in your child’s life. God can use them in the days ahead in spite of you, but why not give parenting your all for His glory?!

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December 29 Christmas Conclusion For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17 I hope you have been blessed by this in-depth look at the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. Perhaps you’ve been able to further understand and appreciate the genealogies, prophecies, and intertwined lives of Jesus and John the Baptist.

We cheat ourselves and our witness to the world when we focus on certain aspects of the narrative and compile them into one starry night of fabricated details. In actuality, our study this month has looked at the conception of John the Baptist to Jesus at 40 days old to the visit by the Magi and so on—a span of up to or even beyond three years.

While this journey is worthwhile, it is interesting to mention again that the early church did not celebrate Jesus’ birth. Rather, His death and resurrection were deemed far more important to commemorate. It’s true: coming in bodily form was only the first step for God Incarnate. Jesus’ death on the cross was the act that crucified our sins and His resurrection defeated those sins for eternity. And because of His ascension, He gave believers the Holy Spirit to guide our daily living until either our heaven-going or Jesus’ Second Coming.

Having said this, I do think it is perfectly okay for us to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Let me encourage you going forward to do so keeping in mind the broader context of all that He was, is, and ever will be.

As I mentioned in the introduction, we don’t need to focus too much on the different theories and opinions over actual dates or unclear details of His birth. However, I will share one interesting possibility with you for the purpose of focusing one last time on the Messiah, Christos.

For reasons too long and laborious to list here, there are those who believe that Jesus was actually born on the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the most celebratory of the Jewish feasts, occurring over eight days in September of each year. The Jewish people would erect booths (somewhat like canopies), celebrate the harvest, and make offerings to the Lord.

Would it not be an appropriate occasion in history for this glorious day

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of Jesus’ birth to occur on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles and culminate on the eighth day when Jesus was named and circumcised?

What a glorious week!

Regardless of whether Jesus was born on December 25th or not, here’s the point: the birth of Jesus is the arrival of Immanuel, God with us.

Christ came to earth to tabernacle with mankind. As we’ve already read in John 1, Christ “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” He will do so again for a second and final time. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

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December 30 The Post-Christmas Blues Read: Philippians 3:7–16 But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

Philippians 3:12b Okay, don’t read the partial verse quoted above and think I am asking you to apply this to Christmas. However, judging by how quickly everyone moves on after the 25th, that is what has happened. Christmas is quickly forgotten. Personally, I am in the so-called Christmas spirit until January 2nd after New Year’s celebrations are over.

I’ve also found that people are a little blue and depressed once Christmas Day is in the rearview mirror. Maybe it’s because all of the presents have been opened (with plans to return some of them), families are saying goodbyes until the next holiday, and most of us are returning to work, with school back in session just around the corner.

Instead, during this window of time, I hope you will focus your mind and heart to do some pre-resolution soul searching. We will look at socalled New Year’s resolutions in our final time together tomorrow.

Today, we once again take a look at our hearts. We’ve spent the month taking the journey from pre-conception to toddler and all of the miraculous events surrounding this portion of Jesus’ life. Hopefully, this has brought greater depth to your biblical knowledge and a new appreciation for our celebration of His birth. There are practical and spiritual applications to be made. Let’s bundle all of this together and narrow down our focus to producing real heart-change in ourselves.

This passage in Philippians is a great reminder of the perspective we should have 365 days a year. Paul tells us that no matter what we can brag about in life, everything pales in comparison to knowing Jesus. And as imperfect as we are, with a godly perspective and passion we press on toward a closer relationship with Him and His will.

Paul’s message is certainly an encouraging motivation, but it is also quite easy to get caught up in our failures, our scars, and our present problems. “Forgetting what lies behind” is a discipline that most of us

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find wearisome to maintain. The damage already done and the daily challenges of life rob us of our focus and our joy in the Lord. Don’t let this Christmas and New Year’s season pass without a fresh effort to reach forward and press on through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Looking for a daily prescription to fulfill this Bible passage in your life? Read what are perhaps the three most succinct Bible verses on the matter from Paul: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

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December 31 It Came upon a New Year’s Eve Read: Proverbs 6:6–11 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

Proverbs 6:6 The start of another year is perhaps the most popular time in our culture to make life changes. We call them New Year’s resolutions. These changes are seemingly all for the better, so from this standpoint, making them is a good thing. However, New Year’s resolutions can also be a scapegoat the rest of the year, allowing you to avoid making a needed or overdue change. For example, why would I wait until January 1st to lose weight when it’s June and my doctor says I should try to lose it now?

As we have looked this month at the events surrounding the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, let’s look to their teaching to guide us into the new year. Specifically, I am referring to being resolute in bringing needed change to our lives, so that we are a better reflection of a righteous and holy people.

John the Baptist told the religious leaders of his day to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Repentance goes beyond forgiveness and means altered behavior to prove the forgiveness has taken root.

Jesus certainly doesn’t want anyone to delay in obeying His word. He said, “leave your life of sin” to the woman at the well (John 8:1–11). This is the standard for which we are to aim. In the first verse of Hebrews 12 we are also admonished to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” It is imperative that we turn from our sinful ways.

I bet that Zechariah learned his lesson and was a changed man after doubting God’s wonderful news through Gabriel, but it was a painful journey. Better for him and us to be ready to spring into action with our faith, don’t you think?

As today’s passage in Proverbs encourages, let us be like the ant and avoid complacency. Let’s do the work and ask God the Father to give us power through the Holy Spirit to bring about needed change. This includes normal resolutions like exercising, reading more books, watching

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less TV, doing less internet streaming, and abstaining from unhealthy eating habits. This is also true for more spiritually based resolutions like spending more time with family, being faithful with daily prayer, and pledging to share Christ with others.

While we should be ready to change for the better at all times of the year, since we have arrived on the doorstep of a new year, let’s make a resolution together. Let’s make this the last time that the turn of the year is when we pledge to make needed spiritual change. Instead, let’s make the transformation that God desires in us when it is needed and not a day later. We don’t need a special day to do this. Every day is a gift from the Lord and we need to take advantage of it. Amen!

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The

Greatest Christmas TREE Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

God sent Him to save everyone on earth.

The wise men came and brought Him presents, We also give gifts to siblings, friends, and parents.

We put our presents under a Christmas tree.

But there is another tree important to you and me.

Jesus died on a cross made from wood.

He gave us the gift that is really good.

He died so that we can have eternal life.

And when He comes again He will end all strife.

This Christmas, will you ask Him into your heart?

This greatest gift will give you a brand new start!

by Abby Williams

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