Devotional for Monday, December 25, 2017
“Christmas Isn’t…”
by Dona Hake
“…so the quiet exhale can come right about now, because
Christmas isn’t about getting or do anything big & shiny.
Christmas is about God’s doing whatever it takes to be
with us – and our just doing whatever it takes to be
with Him. It’s all starting to fall now like a hush
of holy communion…”
an excerpt from Ann Voskamp’s “The Greatest Gift”
I love this…Ann Voskamp saying what Christmas isn’t about, and then saying “Christmas is about God’s doing whatever it takes to be with us- and our just doing whatever it takes to be with Him…” Jesus is the eternal gift that we are to cherish every day of our life. Our Gift, our Salvation, He IS our everything! May we live to draw near to Him.
I want to share scripture now from the second chapter of Luke. The shepherd’s were watching over their sheep. It was like any other night but this night ended up being very different. The sky was probably dark with many stars, and just like that something happened. It was unexpected. The angels made a declaration, and they ran to find Him and to be with Him. The King had been born, and after they found Him they ran and declared the wonderful news! Let us read that portion of scripture…
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.” When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in the manger. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them. Then the shepherds went back again to their fields and flocks, praising God for the visit of the angels, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had told them.”
Luke 2:13-20
Luke 2:13-20
I love how the scripture says, “All who heard the shepherds’ story expressed astonishment…” That moment when one is overpowered with wonder or surprise…it is such a wonderful feeling to be blindsided by a blessing. I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to hear such news. Can you imagine being a shepherd standing over the manger with Baby Jesus laying there. I am sure there was awe in their hearts and on their faces! Astonished is such a fitting word!
May we continue to tell everyone what our Lord has done as Father God brought Him near to us so we could draw near to Him. First as a baby, but then He became our Sacrifice. He is the King that reigns forever more, and He lives in our hearts that we may have abundant life and salvation of our souls. May we also continue to tell this wonderful story that people may continue to be astonished as they hear the wonderful testimonies and works of our Lord!
God bless you and Merry Christmas!