December 25 N.ow in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. Now …
December 24 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) I was once driving down an old country road. As the rubber tires crunched through the gravel, I looked over and saw a field of sunflowers looking straight at me with their bright yellow manes. It …
December 23 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks …
December 22 “My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 (NASB) Even though we live in a very insecure world, Christmas offers the security of …
December 21 “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37 (ESV) The Gospel of John is known for the extended employment of irony, both by Jesus and by John, …
December 20 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 (NET) The use of the word …
December 19 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1:46 (NIV) Thirty-two years ago, I launched two life-changing experiences. I began a PhD program in Counseling Psychology at Columbia University, and I began attending Tim Keller’s church in New York City. A Keller Christmas sermon from …
December 18 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… Galatians 4:4 (NIV) I’ll admit it…I get incredibly sentimental during the holiday season. I start listening to Christmas music in November (yes, I’m one of those people!), my wife and I watch as many holiday movies as possible after Thanksgiving, …
December 17 “On earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Luke 2:14 (ESV) A lot of Christmas angst is expressed every December. There’s Charlie Brown who ponders what Christmas is really all about, and folks everywhere trying to make this season the most wonderful time of the year. Let’s pause on that …
December 16 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 (NIV)Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. Luke 2:19 (MSG) Moment by moment our emotions and behaviors are shaped by what we allow to capture our attention. Even the seconds you …
December 15 Those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:12 (NASB) Angels are associated with Christmas like turkey is associated with Thanksgiving. Everywhere we turn during the Christmas season we see angels…on wrapping paper, on top of Christmas trees, …
December 14 “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NASB) Our world is well into the third decade of the third millennium. When the decade began, the world sensed new, big optimism. No one expected what happened—with …
December 13 “Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NASB) When you hear “Christmas,” what word comes to mind? Jesus? Mary? Joseph? Bethlehem? Presents? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the word was not “shepherds.” …
December 12 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9 (NIV; see 2:9–12) Man, it’s quiet tonight… I’ve been thinkin’, guys. You know what?…until now. I’m gonna blow this two-bit town.And, here we go. I’m gonna …
December 11 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.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing …
December 10 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for …
December 9 . . . being born in the likeness of men . . . Philippians 2:7 (ESV) Humility indicates lowliness in rank or status. Within God’s creation, humble creatures tend to be smaller and less powerful than others—think the ant vs. the elephant, the hummingbird vs. the golden eagle, or the infant child …
December 8 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (NASB) When my daughter was in preschool, she was absolutely overjoyed to be chosen for the role of Mary in …
December 7 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 (ESV) Oh little town of Bethlehem,how still we see …
December 6 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22–23 (NASB) The path of the Christian journey is full …
December 5 And Joseph also went up from Galilee…to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave …
December 4 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 (NIV) God is with us. An amazing and almost shocking claim. The Creator of the universe, the …
December 3 “And I give unto them eternal life…” John 10:28 (KJV) The humble birth of our Lord hardly was suggestive of the uniqueness of the person who was placed in a manger (royalty enshrined in human flesh, the Savior of humankind). There was no heralding of trumpets, no grand parade, just the sounds of animals …
December 2 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great thingsfor me—holy is His name.His mercy extends to those who fear …
December 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV) The author of …
