Be Open

Luke 2:8-9

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

The shepherds were doing in their regular work by watching their flocks by night.  They were not expecting such a supernatural visit in the midst of their workday.  They were afraid at first but then received the news and ended up seeing God, the Son, in person.  When we go about our daily tasks we would do well to remain open to the voice of the Lord directing us and speaking to us.  Our daily jobs often seem mundane and often take on a sense of routine that might very well drown out the unexpected spiritual encounters the Lord might have for us.  Let us be open to any leading or messages the Lord has for us as we 'watch our flocks by night'.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Gen 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

As soon as man sinned, the promise of the Messiah baby was given.  The seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, was going to bruise Satan's head.  This is wonderful news.  Christmas was promised immediately after the fall of man and Satan was informed of his inevitable defeat.  He is the seed of the woman and He has bruised the head of Satan with a fatal blow. Joy to the world, the Lord has come.  He was born to save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray - o, tidings of comfort and joy! 

He was Laid in a Manger

Luke 2:7

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

She laid him in a manger.  A manger is a feeding trough.  The place where the animals eat.  Jesus Christ was place in a manger where food was given to the animals.  Jesus is the Bread of Life.   He is what we need to continue strong and sustained in our lives.  He wants us to eat His flesh and drink His blood.  He wants us to know that in Him is what we need to move, live and have our being.  We need to feed on His faithfulness.  We need to take in His Words as our daily bread.  We need to know that in Him we have life.  This little manger should speak to us that truly apart from Him we can do nothing.

Being Led Another Way

Matt 2:12

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

These wise men were educated, esteemed and driven.  They had been told by Herod to come back and report when they had found Jesus.  They most likely verbally agreed to do this.  Then, they had a dream.  Did all of them have a dream?  Did only one and he told the others?  We don't know.  We do know though that these wise men were open to going 'another way' home because God has given them a warning.  They didn't take the most logical or easiest way home.  They took another way.  They took the way that would cause them to obey the Lord and not return to Herod.  We can learn from these wise men.  The most logical or practical path may not be the Lord's path.  We would do well to remain open to the Lord's warnings about our courses and the directions we would take.  Let us remember that no matter how much we know, no matter whether we have seen the Messiah,we are dependent on the leading of the Holy Spirit to cause our steps to be ordered by the Lord.

Finding Him with Friends!

Matt 2:2

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Something I am enjoying about the Christmas account is the repeated instances where fellowship promotes and encourages seeking.  The shepherds told each other in Luke 2:15m, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."  Then, we have the wise men telling Herod, "WE have seen his star in the east and we are come to worship him.".  The WE factor.  Both the shepherds and the wise men sought the Lord together resulting in encountering Christ and worshiping Him.  Do you have these fellow seekers in your life that encourage you to pursue the Lord?  Consider whom you hang out with.  Do they spur you on to seek the Lord, find Him and worship Him?  If not, consider asking the Lord for new friends or perhaps pray that your current friends begin to be these types of friends.  Both the shepherds and the wise men had other people with them as they discovered the Lord and enjoyed finding what the Lord was leading them to.  I pray you have these kinds of relationships and that your Christmas season is filled with fellowship that results in great finds!

Seeking and Worshiping

Matt 2:11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: 

These wise men from the East came and worshiped this child - Jesus Christ.  They didn't just find Him and mark off their accomplishment of finding what they sought.  When they found Him, they worshiped Him.  We are only to worship the Lord!  Jesus is Lord!  They were esteemed, wealthy, wise men and yet they knew that Jesus was to be esteemed higher than any other.  Their act of seeking and worship is worthy to be emulated.  When we are seeking the Lord about something and He leads us to what we were looking for we should fall down and worship Him.  When was the last time you physically got on your knees and bowed in the presence of Jesus?  Sometimes a physical act of worship helps us see how worthy He really is.  This Christmas season, let us continue to seek Him and bow before Him worshiping Him.  Don't let 'Christmas tasks' distract you from your devotions, church attendance or any other discipline you have that keeps you in a place of seeking and worshiping.

Wise Men Worship Him

Matt 2:1-2

...behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

KJV

The wise men had studied the stars, holy books, Jewish prophecy and most likely many things to cause them to be esteemed.  We see here that these wise men were not satisfied with knowledge.  They weren't satisfied with just finding the King.  They desired to worship Him.  Some people substitute worship with words.  Some people substitute doctrine for devotion.  Some people substitute seeking for salvation.  Let's learn from these wise men that in all our gaining of knowledge, is it producing the worship of Jesus?  Be careful dear saint.  Knowledge CAN puff up.  Let's be sure that the knowledge we acquire propels us to our knees rather than exalt us in our own minds and understanding.

Christmas Friends

Luke 2:15

 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

These shepherds were blessed with each other. They were watching their flocks at night together.  They experienced the angel's message together.  They heard the praises of heavenly hosts together.  Then they concurred among themselves and spurred each other on to investigate and seek out these things.   They provoked each other to seek the Lord and as a result they found Him and had the wonderful experience of seeing the Messiah together.  Then they went and told everyone what had happened together.  Oh that we would have these kind of relationships in our lives.  Relationships where we experience God and cheer each other on in hastened obedience.  Lord, make us like these shepherds to our friends and bring these kinds of friends to us! 

The Baby Was Going to Destroy the Devil

Heb 2:14

 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

This verse is telling us that, just as we are flesh and blood, Jesus took on the form of a human body.  When Jesus came to us as a baby, He came in a human body.  This verse explains that He did this so that He would destroy him who had the power of death - the devil.  When we see that baby in a manger, remember that Jesus was knit together in Mary's womb so that He could destroy the devil.  That human body was truly the tabernacle He was to dwell in order to destroy the devil.  Thank you Lord!

Learning From Elizabeth

Luke 1:45

 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, proclaimed this encouragement to Mary when she had come to visit.  The baby in Elizabeth's womb, John the Baptist, leaped when Mary greeted Elizabeth and this exhortation came out of Elizabeth's mouth.  What neat women!  These ladies were not just relatives but women who were both being used to bring forth God's plan.  Elizabeth had been waiting a LONG time to give birth but must have been believing and saw the miracle of her conception.  She reassures her cousin that the things Mary had heard from the angel would come completely to pass.  She encourages Mary to keep believing.  Elizabeth is further along in her pregnancy than Mary and has had more time to process and accept this wonderful pregnancy she was given.  Is there anyone in your life that is at the beginning of a road that you have traveled on much further?  Could you call, text or Facebook them today and encourage them in their journey?  Be open to being like Elizabeth.  Older women, teach those younger women to love their husbands, love their children and be keepers at home.  It is a great source of strength to be cheered on by those who have experienced God's faithful love.

Matt 1:19-20

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

KJV

Joseph was going to end the betrothal to Mary when he found out she was pregnant.  He didn't realize that she was still a virgin and the baby she was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  He didn't rush right into his plans though.  He thought on these things.  While he thought an angel appeared and gave him more information.  This stopped Joseph from carrying out his plans.  This is a great lesson.  We must not be hasty with our 'righteous' fixes for situations.  We might not have ALL of the information.  It was key that Joseph be the one who was Mary's husband.  It was Joseph who was from the line of David resulting in Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem when the census was ordered.  This fulfilled the prophecies that stated the Messiah was going to be born in Bethlehem.  Joseph had a key role in the birth of the Messiah.  It was a good thing that Joseph seriously weighed his actions before doing them, allowing him to receive further clarification and direction from God!  Let us follow his example and don't be hasty to fix things until we hear from the Lord!

His Will - Details and the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:35

 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mary didn't know how the Lord was going to bring about His plans for her life.  She was open to this amazing news that she would be the mother of the Messiah but the details were absolutely impossible for her to figure out.  She asked and the angel told her how it would happen.  There is nothing wrong in asking God how He plans to do something if our intention is to obey.  He might answer us.  He might not.  Here, Mary was going to have an experience with the Holy Spirit and as a result God's plan was going to be birthed.  Jesus was God's plan.  Let us learn from Mary.  Let's be in a place where we are cooperating with His plans and seeking to be in line with how He wants to do things. Let's let the Holy Spirit overshadow us today and bring to birth things only He can.  

Jesus - God's Salvation

Luke 2:30

 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,...

Simeon spoke this as he held baby Jesus in his arms.  When Simeon saw this baby, this helpless baby, he called Jesus - God's salvation.  It wasn't when he looked at the cross or the empty tomb but when he looked upon the baby Jesus.  The Messiah came in the package of a baby and it was this human body He must possess to be God's salvation."In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Heb 9:22 NIV)  The blood that flowed in this human body was the only sinless blood that ever existed.  Because Christ took the form of a human He could make the everlasting sacrifice that would cleanse our sins rather than cover them.  The high priest would enter the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. (Heb 9:25)  But Jesus, this little baby that Simeon was holding, "has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Heb 9:26)  Simeon proclaimed this baby as God's salvation.  The human body Jesus dwelt within was that which the Father prepared so that the sinless blood that flowed through His veins could eventually be shed and forgiveness of sins would be available to all who believe upon Him.  Merry Christmas - Jesus is God's salvation!

Unto You!

Isa 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:

Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem as foretold by the prophet Isaiah.  This verse tells us that He was born unto US. He was given unto US.  How special!  This birth, this gift was for US!  This Christmas Season we would do well to personally enjoy the gift of Jesus.  God had you and me in  mind when He sent His Son.  He sent Him as a baby that could be held.  Jesus couldn't talk at first.  The Word that was made flesh - couldn't articulate one word.  We were to receive Him initially, NOT as a teacher, but as a gift to be held and protected.  Receive the gift of Jesus today and know that it was unto you that He was born, unto you His Son was given.

Hear and See

Luke 2:20

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

After the shepherds heard from the angel to go to the city of Bethlehem and look for Jesus who would be in a manger, they went.  When they went, they found the Lord as they were told.  After they heard these things and saw these things, they went back to work glorifying and praising God.  Do you know that the Lord wants to speak to you and wants you to find the Lord as well?  When we allow ourselves to be 'interrupted' in our work schedule, as these shepherds did, to listen and come before the Lord, we will return to our task with great joy and praise.  Maybe take that time at lunch to open your bible or meet with that Christian co-worker to pray.  When the kids go down for a nap, position yourself to hear and see what the Lord has for you.  You and I should return to those tasks at hand glorifying and praising God for all we have heard and seen!

Little Without Him - Renown With Him

Mic 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

This was a prophecy about where the Messiah would be born.  Bethlehem was not a noteworthy city and was just one of many towns and villages scattered throughout Judah.  The Lord speaks of Bethlehem's size and reputation and then proclaims that out of Bethlehem the ruler of Israel would come forth.  Most people would have been looking for the birth of the Son of God in a much more developed and respected city.     We, like Bethlehem, are each one person among so many that have existed.  If you visit a large cemetery and look at grave marker after grave marker, you start to see your 'insignificance' in the contextual understanding of human existence.  But, like Bethlehem, we may be little among 'thousands', but Jesus Christ wants to be birthed in our bodies by receiving Him as Lord and Savior.  We then have the ruler of Israel, the One whom the angels praised, the One whom the shepherds hastily came to see, the One whom the wise men gave gifts, giving us a place on the map of human existence.  Accept your smallness apart from Him and receive the greatness He gives as He dwells in your heart by faith.  Not many mighty, not many wise according to this world's wisdom have surrendered their lives to His purpose and plans. Know that your are His Bethlehem and He has made you renown.  

Manger Experiences

Luke 2:7

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Joseph and Mary most likely presumed they would be staying in the inn.  They most surely did not plan on having their firstborn in a manger.  What they might have planned on experiencing that first Christmas did not come to pass due to circumstances beyond their control.  There were too many people and the rooms ran out.  When we approach our culture's Christmas celebration we, like Joseph and Mary, could very well have an idea of how things are supposed to go.  Chances are, circumstances beyond our control, could redirect our lives into our own 'manger' experiences.  We look at the precious manger scenes now with great fondness and romanticism.  What may have been an abrupt and unexpected turn of their lives appears to us as God's perfect plan that evokes greater meaning to Jesus' birth than if it had been in the inn.  Can we approach our Christmas season this way?  Are we open to things going in a completely different direction and trusting God is truly directing our paths?  Let us receive the challenge to learn from Joseph and Mary and go with the flow.  Let us take those 'manger' experiences this season and enjoy them, making the most memorable experiences from them.  Let's not be 'control freaks' having to have a room in the inn and demanding that our plans, however noble they are, have to come to pass.  Let us embrace the manger experiences and trust God to use them for His glory and our good.

Jesus is Lord!

Luke 2:11

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Christ is the Lord.  He is not just a prophet, teacher or example.  He is the Lord.  As the Lord we are to worship Him, preach Him, learn from Him, receive correction from Him, live for Him and obey Him.  He is our Savior BECAUSE He is the Lord.  If He weren't the Lord He wouldn't be able to save us.  God, the Son, became flesh and when He was on that cross became sin, so that we who are flesh might become the righteousness of God in Him.  When was the last time you told Jesus that you love Him?  When was the last time you used His name in worship?  Have you gotten away from Jesus Christ and begun to worship a more abstract concept of the Lord?  Take time today to worship Jesus Christ as Lord and praise Him for being the Savior that was born unto you.  

Learn From the Angels

Heb 1:6

And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

When Jesus Christ was born an angel appeared to the shepherds who were watching their flock at night.  After the angel announced the birth of Jesus, a multitude of heavenly hosts suddenly appeared and in a chorus-like manner declared glory to God and peace to men.  They were worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ and the glory of the fact that God, the Son, had entered the human world, clothed in human flesh.   Jesus is far above the angels and He is worthy to be worshiped.  His birth announcement that day was by multitudes of heavenly hosts.  A host of angles means a large amount of a militarily ordered number of angels.  There were MULTITUDES of these hosts. The angels are our example of the enthusiasm and joy with which our God would have us celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Join with the angels and give glory to God for His unspeakable gift and thank Him for the peace that is available through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Starting, Friday November 25th

Come on back Friday November 25th for the first of your seasonal devotions to keep the main thing - the main thing!