Here are my notes to correspond to this devotion for your family. Enjoy!
• Joy to the World
• Away in a manger
• Amazing Grace
Before reading: ask yourself or family:
Ask: what are the first things that come to mind when you think of Christmas?
Bible Reading: read the following passages. Consider having different family members take turns reading.
Read Luke 2:25-35, but here are the essential verses:
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Read Luke 2:25-35, but here are the essential verses:
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Read Matthew 2:9-11,
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Remember back to the answers you gave to the question above. Most images of Christmas are warm, romantic, joyful, touching, and possibly, we think of the manger scene under the Christmas tree.
Most of us don’t immediately think of death, the cross, and burial. But that’s what these passages speak of: Simeon foretold the piercing of Jesus and the Magi gave the gift of myrrh (a burial ointment foretelling Jesus’ death).
The key thought in these passages is that Christmas or the Nativity of Jesus is really about the amazing Invitation of God to introduce all mankind to Himself, and give Himself in death so that we could truly know God.
An amazing quote: The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God.
Jesus was born to give His life for us, born to die.
“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, NCV.
This is the message of Christmas: God became a man like us, to rescue us from our guilt, pain, and condemnation, and to offer us a new life in Him forever.
Before continuing: ask yourself or family:
Ask: how do we receive gifts? How do we receive the gift that Jesus came to give?
Ask: how do we receive gifts? How do we receive the gift that Jesus came to give?
Simply, by accepting His gift of life through Jesus Christ, who gave His life to purchase ours. The Son of God became the son of man so that the sons of man could become the sons of God.
To receive: accept in faith, believe in Jesus Christ, obey His teachings and Word.
If we lack, it’s because we have not received TODAY!
To receive: accept in faith, believe in Jesus Christ, obey His teachings and Word.
If we lack, it’s because we have not received TODAY!
Ask: what do you need to receive from God today?
Are you having trouble holding a grudge?
Struggling with someone at work? Maybe even your spouse or other family member?
Does anger destroy your peace?
Do the smallest things set you off?
Before continuing: ask yourself or family:
Ask: what do you do with this gift now that you have received?
Jesus came to give. And the response of all who receive? Give what they’ve received away to others.
What do we do with this idea of Christmas? The generous gift-exchange of God, priming our souls with an abundant supply of forgiveness, hope, life, and love?
The challenge of Christ’s gift to us is that it’s not ours to keep. God’s abundant love, forgiveness, hope, purpose, and life are like water in a funnel, poured in to pour through to others. He gives so that we can be the instrument of giving to others.
What do we do with this idea of Christmas? The generous gift-exchange of God, priming our souls with an abundant supply of forgiveness, hope, life, and love?
The challenge of Christ’s gift to us is that it’s not ours to keep. God’s abundant love, forgiveness, hope, purpose, and life are like water in a funnel, poured in to pour through to others. He gives so that we can be the instrument of giving to others.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life (The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life, Msg).” John 4:13-14, NCV.
Don’t let it grow stagnate! Have you ever seen or smelled stagnated water?
Many peoples’ relationship with God is like that- stale or stagnate. They received at from God at one time, but it just sat there.
What causes stagnation? A source without an outlet. Water flows in, but doesn’t flow out. Because the water sits unused, bacteria and disease fester. Instead of becoming a nourishing fountain, it becomes a dangerous cesspool for the diseases of doubt, discouragement, disunity, frustration, and anger.
Like a stagnate pool of water, when God pours into our lives, but we don’t release the life of God into others, our faith grows stagnate and diseased.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.”
Offer love, forgiveness, concede the right of way in life, be a word of encouragement. Let the life of God flow in you and through you to nourish the parched soul of those around you. Give what you receive!
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