What is Christmas All About

Acknowledgements: Cover Photo: iStockphoto Managing Editor: Anne Cetas Associate Editor: Becky Knapp Editors: J.R. Hudberg, Judy Markham Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. © 2014 Our Daily Bread Ministries • All rights reserved.

Printed in the United Kingdom.

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he First World War began in August 1914. By the time it had ended, entire cultures had changed drastically, borders had moved back and forth several times and millions of lives had been altered forever. Within only a few months of the start of the war, the embattled sides had settled into a system of trench warfare based on a strategy of attrition (where the last man standing ‘won’) and the war trudged on for 4 unrelenting years.

In contrast to the brutality of the First World War, the story is told that on Christmas Day 1914, a soldier popped his head over the top of his trench and looked out across no man’s land. Rather than throw a few grenades across the field of death littered with barbed wire, he instead tossed a couple of tins of corned beef into his enemy’s trench, knowing that both sides of the war lacked most of life’s basic essentials and were nearly always hungry. Within a minute or so, a dull thud in the soil next to him sounded the arrival of a packet of coffee and some sweets, courtesy of ‘the other side’.

Cautiously, men began to emerge from the relative safety of their mud coffins. Within a short while jokes were being translated from German into English and vice versa, food was pooled together for a Christmas dinner, cards appeared on makeshift tables and, finally, a game of football broke out between the two warring armies, amid shouts of delight and good humoured rivalry. The day ended with handshakes, smiles and even prayers for each other.

On 26 December, the commanding authorities on both sides outlawed any repetition of this event under pain of death, and the slaughter began again in earnest. The ray of hope disappeared from the war experience, and most of the participants of that event were dead within a year.

This is certainly a remarkable episode in military history and a marvellous story of kindness and goodwill in a terrible situation. But why did this happen, and why on a Christmas Day? Does this story tell us all we need to know? Are hope in the darkness and the triumph of the human spirit the sum total of the meaning of Christmas? And today, where does that view

of Christmas fit in with presents, debt, Christmas trees, feasting, debt, depression, old films and . . . debt?

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ifferent views

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r o k e n r e l at i o n s h i p s

If you were to ask people about the meaning of Christmas, many would sum it up in ways similar to the story above.

Christmas is about being kind and caring, about doing good and looking out for each other and about setting aside our differences for a while.

The Bible, however, describes the meaning of Christmas in an entirely different way. It tells the story of Jesus coming into the world. According to the teachings of Christianity, the overwhelming point of Christmas is that it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born, the event was announced as a time of “peace on earth, goodwill towards men”—which sounds like the message of those trenches! So how do the two ideas of peace and goodwill meet, and what relevance, if any, do they have for us today?

To begin with, peace and goodwill are the hallmarks of friendship. But friendship is a relationship, and when friends have a falling out, that relationship is broken. For some reason, one or both of the sides do not honour their part of the relationship, or they feel that their expectations or needs have been overlooked or abused. When this happens, what was once a relationship of trust can become a relationship of mistrust, fear

and hostility. Two sides at war—enemies; when before, they had been friends.

How can that broken relationship be restored? In the case of the First World War, one side was perceived as the aggressor and the other side needed to convince them by means of force that what they had done was wrong and must not be repeated.

The aggressors, of course, believed they had a right to pursue their own interests. This resulted in a deadlock and the war continued until one side finally surrendered and peace was restored.

That peace, however, lasted only 20 years before the whole thing started again. Why? To put it simply, the ‘relationship’ had not been put back to what it had once been. All that had happened was that one side managed to subdue the other for 20 years. Nothing had really changed at the root of the issue, so the relationship remained broken.

This reflects a reality at the deepest part of our being.

Human beings (let’s be brutally honest) are deeply selfish and therefore want the best for themselves first and foremost. With this ‘default’ position, the pursuit of self-interest will inevitably result in conflict. Moreover, it will always produce a cycle of conflict after conflict, continually fed by selfish ambition.

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e s t o r at i o n n e e d e d

The Bible tells us that, long before the birth of Jesus Christ, this selfishness first showed itself when the human race decided to disobey the God who had created them and ‘go it alone’. Humanity’s strong desire to live on our own terms broke the relationship with God and, in the words of the Bible,

we ‘died’. This was not an immediate physical death, but an inevitable certainty of death brought on by time, decay and the effects of wrongdoing (which the Bible calls sin). So, having been made in God’s image and destined to enjoy the friendship and care of God forever, humanity, through selfish rebellion, suddenly became dying creatures. The human race was now destined to suffer the effects of being outside the constant protection and intimate friendship of our Creator.

Additionally, since God had given humans authority over the earth, the poor decisions of Adam and Eve (the first people) affected both their own personal lives and the world itself. Today, the same kinds of choices that ruined humanity’s perfect relationship with God so long ago continue to be repeated by all of us in our own ways—with similarly destructive consequences.

At this point you might think that, since it was humanity that severed the bond of friendship, then it must surely be humanity’s job to make things right—to make amends. We expect this in our day to day life: the one at fault must put things right.

But we have a dilemma. How can flawed creatures like us, with all of our selfish desires, possibly put right a problem with the infinite Creator God? How can mere mortals repair all of the things we have done to cause that relationship to be broken? It’s impossible.

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esus arrives

Enter Christmas. Or more precisely, enter Jesus at Christmas time.

Christmas is the beginning of God’s answer to this problem.

God knows that mankind cannot make peace with Him—no matter how hard we try. Put another way, the only way to restore the friendship is to make it as if humanity had never broken it in the first place. Again, this is impossible for us to accomplish.

So God sent His Son to do the job instead. In the familiar Christmas story, angels appeared to shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth and declared, “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.” This is not the peace that ends all wars between nations or individuals. It is the peace that means humanity and God no longer must be separated from each other. It is an offer of true peace that lasts forever. God has offered the solution to our human problem—to our mistakes—because we can never fix it ourselves. Jesus entering the world is like the first expression of love, concern and compassion sent from that muddy trench on Christmas Day 1914. But Jesus went even further.

By entering the world as a helpless baby, Jesus, God’s Son, stepped into a messed up world to give everyone the chance to get right again with God—to get back into the relationship that was broken when humanity decided to go it alone. Rather than us having to try to claw our way back into God’s good favour, God freely offered the way back by stepping down to our level in order to lift us back up to Himself.

The arrival of Jesus into the world brought with it His plan to live a perfect life on earth, to show humanity the way back to God the Father and ultimately to die in order to pay the price for all of our selfishness, pride and wrongdoing. He made the way for the trenches of our failure to be wiped away and for all those who were dead and dying to live again—forever.

That is what Christians celebrate at Christmas: the arrival

of real peace on earth and the goodwill of God Himself towards a race that was, by its own deliberate choice, His enemy. The arrival of Jesus showed that God still loved us and made a way for us to get right again and live forever with Him. For Christians, that goes so much further than festive meals, sharing presents and hoping against hope that the world will somehow be a better place next year.

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e a c e i s ava i l a b l e

On Christmas Day 1914, someone whose name has been lost to history decided to make the first move. That unknown soldier acted to restore a relationship horribly and bloodily broken by the trauma of the Western Front. Others followed his example, and friendship and affection reigned at least for one day. It was more than most had believed possible.

For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus stepped down from the glory of heaven to become a man, endured all that living in the ‘mud and trenches’ of a broken world could throw at Him and then paid the price for all the things that the human race has ever done. The difference between His decision and that of the soldier in the trenches is that Jesus’ solution can last forever, not merely for a single day.

The true message of Christmas, then, is that because Jesus came to save people from their sins, all those who put their trust in Him can be put right with God. They can enjoy a living, meaningful and vibrant friendship with Him, eventually culminating in everlasting life with Him in heaven. Now that’s a gift to be celebrated!

Maybe you now understand for the first time your broken relationship with God and the incredible things He has done for you, and sincerely would like to put things right with Him. As with all broken relationships, we begin to restore them by admitting the problems we have caused and genuinely saying we are sorry. If we want to put right our relationship with God, then we need to tell Him we are sorry for our wrong choices and rebellious self-interest, and how grateful we are for all He has done to show His love for us. If you would like to do this, then you might want to use your own words, or use a prayer like this: Dear God, I am deeply sorry for all the ways in which I’ve tried to build my life without You.Thank You so much that You love me in spite of my sin.

Thank You that You sent Jesus to die for the sake of my sin and to give me a relationship with You. Please help me to live for You with my whole life from this day forward.

If you really mean those words, then you have started on a journey with God. It’s only the first step, and it won’t always be an easy path. There are things you will continue to struggle with and fail at, but now you are not alone. He will help you and guide you. When you are in relationship with Him you become a new person—not a perfect person, but a new and forgiven one. 

Reflections

10 reflections from

Our Daily Bread

®

The following Bible reading notes are designed to help you in your spiritual journey.

Each article has been selected to help you understand more about God’s love for you, and we hope that through these pages you will find encouragement, comfort and true joy this Christmas.

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Day One

Celebrate The Baby

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hy do we celebrate Jesus’ birthday so differently from other birthdays? When it’s time to honour historical figures who have a day set aside for them, we don’t think about them as The Saviour— babies. We don’t ever see cute picyes, the Messiah, tures of Sir Winston Churchill as a the Lord—has baby! No, we remember him for his been born today in Bethlehem, leadership as an adult. the city of David!

It is proper, though, that we celLUKE 2:11 ebrate Jesus as a child. Think about it.

When He was born, shepherds came to honour Him (luke 2:15-16). Later, wise men from the East brought Him gifts (matthew 2:8-12). These people had no idea what Christ would eventually accomplish as an adult. But they were right in doing what they did, because Jesus’ birth was the most remarkable event in human history.

How amazing! God in human form. The Creator of the universe visiting this planet. Let’s never hesitate to celebrate this baby at Christmas. Marvel at His incarnation. Stand in awe of the tiny baby who had created His worshippers. Then step back in wonder, for the story gets even better. This baby grew into manhood, lived a perfect life and willingly died for your sins and mine.

Celebrate the baby and trust the Saviour. That’s how to make Christmas complete. —Dave Branon

Wise men today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but also the Man of Calvary.

Today’s Bible Reading

Luke 2:8-14

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born

today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognise him by this sign: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Day Two

If Christmas Isn’t Merry

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ne Christmas I saw a cartoon that showed a boy gazing into a shop window at a sign that read: Have the Best Christmas Ever!

Thoughtfully he said, “It’s pretty Mary kept all these hard to top the first one.” things in her heart Years ago my husband and I had and thought about them often. an experience that drew our attention LUKE 2:19 to that first Christmas. In mid-December I gave birth prematurely to a much wanted son. As our ‘Tiny Tim’ struggled for life, he was rushed to another hospital. Then, miles away from us, he died all alone. Christmas that year was not jolly but grievous.

In our grief, however, God gave us a moving glimpse of His original Christmas. We saw that God also experienced empty arms, but in a much greater way. His baby Son had been born to die—a death that would bring eternal life to us all. Like Mary, we thought deeply about these things in our hearts. Slowly, the unhappiness that had threatened to diminish the meaning of Christmas enlarged it instead. In time, that Christmas became the most meaningful one we’ve ever had.

Once again, Christmas this year will be unavoidably sad for many people—perhaps for you. But be encouraged: Christmas needn’t be merry to be meaningful. It’s the Christ of Christmas we celebrate, not Christmas itself. Focus on Him! —Joanie Yoder

To put meaning into your Christmas, give Christ first place.

Today’s Bible Reading

Luke 2:21-33

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.

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The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people.

32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.

Day Three

Weighed Down At Christmas

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uring a December visit to an art museum, I paused to

admire a magnificent Christmas tree. It was covered with angels and surrounded at its base by an elaborate 18th century nativity scene. Nearly 200 figHe has sent me ures, including shepherds, the Magi to proclaim that and a crowd of townspeople, looked in captives will be anticipation towards the manger or released, that the blind will see, gazed up in awe at the angels. that the But one figure appeared different oppressed will from the rest—a barefoot man, who be set free. carried a heavy load on his back and LUKE 4:18 looked at the ground. It struck me that this man, like so many people today, was so weighed down that he couldn’t see the Messiah.

Christmas can be a difficult time for those who carry the burden of hard work, stressful family situations and personal loss. But we should remember that Christ came into our world to lift up all those who are bowed down. Jesus used the words of Isaiah to announce His God-given mission on earth: “To bring Good News to the poor. . . . To proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free” (luke 4:18).

Jesus came to lift our burdens so we can raise our eyes to welcome Him at Christmas. —David McCasland To find true joy at Christmas, look to Jesus.

Today’s Bible Reading

Luke 4:14-21

14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.

15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.”

20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant and sat down.

All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.

21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Day Four

Anytime, Anywhere

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hen Mike Marolt is out of town, he remotely

accesses the computer and files in his office. On a recent overseas trip, Marolt answered emails and kept in touch with his clients by using Now all of us his laptop through a satellite phone can come to the hookup. This time, however, he was Father through sitting in a base camp tent at 21,000 feet the same Holy Spirit because of what on the side of Mt. Everest. These days Christ has done even that doesn’t surprise us because for us. we have become used to the technolEPHESIANS 2:18 ogy that provides access to the rest of the world anytime, anywhere.

We can easily develop a similar lack of amazement towards prayer. Talk to God? “Of course.” We don’t have to wait in line, enter a building or wear nice clothing. We can pour out our hearts to the Lord anytime, anywhere.

The apostle Paul always seemed to marvel at the door opened wide into the presence of God. “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ,” he wrote. “Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us” (ephesians 2:13,18).

The door is open for everyone. God welcomes all who come by faith. Through Christ we can enter His presence— anytime, anywhere. Amazing! —David McCasland There is no place or time we cannot pray.

Today’s Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:11-19

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders.

You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke 11

down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility towards each other was put to death.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

Day Five

Grandpa’s Tree

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hen I first saw the twisted Christmas tree, I wished Grandpa were alive to fix it. He could make any tree beautiful. No matter how bad it looked when we gave it to him, it was beautiI am certain that ful when he gave it back.

God, who began He would get out his saws and the good work clippers and begin cutting and shaping. within you, will When he was done, the tree looked as continue his work until it is finally if it had been grown in a greenhouse finished on the day where a caring gardener had watered, when Christ Jesus returns. pruned and protected it from storms, drought and nasty bugs.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 Then Grandpa would turn the tree over to the rest of the family to finish the job. We added lights, ornaments and tinsel, and the imperfect tree was ready for a perfect celebration. What a transformation!

Life is like that crooked tree. Each of us comes to God bent and misshapen from the effects of sin. But when we put our faith in Christ as Saviour, God lovingly begins His work in us, transforming us from the inside out (philippians 1:6). Then He puts us into the care of His family, the church and they continue His work by adding the lights of truth (ephesians 4:15), the ornaments of encouragement (2 timothy 4:2) and the tinsel of love (1 peter 4:8). What teamwork!

The message of Grandpa’s tree is this: under God’s loving care, a life marred by sin can become beautiful! —Julie Ackerman Link

What sin has twisted, God’s grace can straighten.

Today’s Bible Reading

Philippians 1:1-11

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

7 So it is right that I should

feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favour of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation —the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Day Six

The Smells Of The Stable

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stable? What a place to give birth to the Messiah! The smells and sounds of a barnyard were our Saviour’s first human experience. Like other babies, He may even have cried at the sounds of the They will call him animals and the strangers parading Immanuel, which around His temporary crib. means “God is If so, they would have been the with us”. first of many tears. Jesus would come MATTHEW 1:23 to know human loss and sorrow, the doubts His brothers and family had about Him and the pain His mother experienced as she saw Him tortured and killed.

All these hardships—and so much more—awaited the baby trying to sleep that first night. Yet from His very first moments, Jesus was “God with us” (matthew 1:23), and He knew what it meant to be human. This would continue for over three decades, ending at His death on the cross.

Because of His love for you and me, Jesus became fully human. And being human allows Him to identify with us.

Never again can we say that no one understands us. Jesus does.

May the Light that entered the world that night cast its brilliance into the deepest corners of our souls this Christmas, giving us the peace on Earth of which the angels spoke so long ago. —Randy Kilgore

Jesus understands.

Today’s Bible Reading

Luke 2:15-20

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem!

Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone

what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Day Seven

Because Of Love

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received some nice Christmas gifts last year—a ski suit, a bracelet and a Kindle. But what I enjoyed the most were the gifts of time with people: playing with nine grandnephews and grandnieces; having a niece and her husband and their 18 month old [Mary] gave birth her first child, a daughter attend our church’s Christ- to son. She wrapped mas Eve service with us; visiting a him snugly in retired co-worker and his wife who are strips of cloth and laid him in a suffering with some health issues; celebrating the season with old friends; manger, because there was no reading the Christmas story with lodging available loved ones. These were all special gifts for them. because of the love we share.

LUKE 2:7 God the Father, because of love, sent a gift to this world 2,000 years ago. Jesus was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger (luke 2:7). The shepherds knew He was an amazing gift because an angel announced His birth to them in the middle of the night while they were in their fields (vv.8-14). They rushed to see Him and then couldn’t help but share the news of this Gift with others (vv.16-17). Yet many later rejected Him, and He was crucified for our sins and buried. But He rose from the tomb and now offers salvation to all who receive Him. Thank You, God, for the Gift You gave—because of love.

—Anne Cetas

God’s gift to the world is the life giving Saviour.

Today’s Bible Reading

Luke 2:1-7

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.

4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.

He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son.

She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Day Eight

Learning To Walk

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remember those days long ago when our children were learning to walk. Initially they showed their readiness by pulling themselves up and taking a tentative step or two.

My wife and I would reach out our hands and encourage them to walk towards us. We held them up I myself by their hands. We praised every effort taught Israel and encouraged every attempt. We how to walk, never grew discouraged, nor did we leading him along by the hand. give up until they learned to walk.

HOSEA 11:3 So it is with our heavenly Father: He “taught Israel how to walk” (hosea 11:3). He took His children “by the hand” and led them along with “ropes of kindness and love” (vv.3-4).

Our heavenly Father stands before us with outstretched arms, encouraging us towards holiness, eager to catch us when we stumble. He picks us up when we fall. He is never discouraged with our progress, nor will He ever give up. The more difficult we find the process, the more care and kindness He expends.

George MacDonald put it this way: “God will help us when we cannot walk, and He will help us when we find it hard to walk, but He cannot help us if we will not walk.” Even though you fall, you must try again. Your Father holds you by the hand. —David Roper

God helps us walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

Today’s Bible Reading

Hosea 11:1-4

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 But the more I called to him, the further he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols.

3 I myself taught Israel how

to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him.

4 I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love.

I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.

Day Nine

Truly Amazing

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read these words on a young woman’s personal website: “I just want to be loved—and he has to be amazing!”

Isn’t that what we all want—to be loved, to feel cared for by someone? And so much the better See how very if he or she is amazing! much our Father The one who fits that description loves us, most fully is Jesus Christ. In a display for he calls us his children, of unprecedented love, He left His and that is what Father in heaven and came to earth as we are! the baby we celebrate at Christmas 1 JOHN 3:1 (luke 2). Then, after living a perfect life, He gave His life as an offering to God on the cross in our place (john 19:17-30). He took our place because we needed to be rescued from our sin and its death penalty. “Christ [died] for us while we were still sinners” (romans 5:8). Then 3 days later, the Father raised Jesus to life again (matthew 28:1-8).

When we repent and receive Jesus’ gift of amazing love, He becomes our Saviour (john 1:12; romans 5:9), Lord (john 13:14), Teacher (matthew 23:8) and Friend (john 15:14). “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 john 3:1).

Looking for someone to love you? Jesus loves us so much more than anyone else possibly could. And He is truly amazing!

—Anne Cetas

The wonder of it all— just to think that Jesus loves me.

Today’s Bible Reading

Romans 5:6-11

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in

God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Day Ten

A Message From God

I

n 1971, Ray Tomlinson was experimenting with ways people

and computers could interact. When he sent a message from his computer through a network to a different unit in his office, he had sent the first email. Now Long ago decades later, more than a billion God spoke many times and in emails are sent every day. Many contain important news from family and friends, many ways to our ancestors through but others may carry unwanted adverthe prophets. tising or a destructive virus. A basic rule And now in these final days, he governing email use is: “Don’t open it has spoken to us unless you trust the sender.” through his Son. God has sent us a message in the HEBREWS 1:1-2 Person of His Son, and we can trust the Sender. In the Old Testament, God spoke to His people through the prophets and many rejected God’s Word. But it was all leading to this: “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe” (hebrews 1:1-2).

We may be awed by the inexplicable mystery of Almighty God entering our world as a baby, yet remain hesitant to embrace Christ fully and place our lives in His hands.

Christmas is the unforgettable message of love, redemption and hope sent by God. Will you trust the Sender and His message today? —David McCasland God’s timeless message of hope is waiting to be received.

Today’s Bible Reading

Hebrews 1:1-9

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:

“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” 6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”

7 Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”

8 But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.

9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”

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