For most of us Christmas is over, the presents have been unwrapped, the family has departed, the feasting is done. It may be a time when a feeling of disappointment or sadness has replaced the expectation that you felt just yesterday.
Now is the time to remember that the blessings of Christmas did not end with the birth of Jesus. That was just the beginning.
Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple, when He was 8 days old. They met a old man named Simeon who would not see death until he saw the Messiah. When he held baby Jesus he knew that
Jesus was One who the Holy Spirit had promised. Simeon said in Luke 2:30 “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”
Today be encouraged, Jesus came to bring us salvation and give us joy and peace in our hearts.
Encouragement from Simeon
December 26, 2013Merry Christmas Christ the Savior is Born
December 25, 2013May God bless your day today. From a Christmas program many years ago, a little 3 year old boy.
I’m not very big
Or very tall you see
But to the dear Lord Jesus
I give all of me.
The best gift you can GIVE today is yourself to the Savior.
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The Wise Men
December 24, 2013The wise men came a long distance to find the new King. They had seen a star and followed it until they came to the house where Jesus was, then worshiped Him, brought Him costly gifts, and obeyed when they were warned to go back a different way because Herod wanted to kill Jesus.
There is a phrase that is often repeated, “Wise men still seek Him.”
Our prayer is that as you celebrate Christmas you are seeking Him. If you do not know Jesus personally, He is waiting for you to come to Him. If you do know Him, worship Him, that is the greatest gift you can give to Him.
Matthew 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:and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
The Shepherds
December 23, 2013Shepherds were just ordinary people, doing a lowly job, keeping watch over sheep. Why them? The greatest message of all time and God chose the average working man to hear the good news.
God is not a respecter of persons. Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords came to all people regardless of position, prosperity or power.
The angel gave this message to the shepherds.
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
No Room
December 22, 2013No room in the inn. The town was crowded because of the many people coming to pay their taxes and there was no room for this young woman who was great with child. Did you ever wonder what the innkeeper thought after the birth of Jesus? He is never mentioned in scripture but surely there must have been a lot of talk about a baby born in the stable.
No room. Today, there are people who say the same thing, no room in their hearts for Jesus.
Christmas is a few days away and let us make sure that Jesus is the main focus in our heart and in our home.
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.
The Miracle Baby, John
December 21, 2013God’s miracle preformed in Zachariahs and Elizabeth’s baby, John. A child conceived in old age but chosen to go before The Lord to prepare his way. We see John in later scripture doing that as he preached and Jesus came to him to be baptized.
Can God preform miracles today? He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Zachariahs, Lesson in Prayer
December 20, 2013Zachariahs had prayed for many years that his wife would have a child. Now in their old age all hope was gone. Then the angel of The Lord came to him and he did not believe that it would be possible in his old age.
How many times in our lives do we pray and then when the answer comes we are surprised that our prayer was answered. A great lesson here. God’s timing is always best and we must wait on The Lord for His timing.
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias:for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Elizabeth, a mother in old age
December 19, 2013Elizabeth was well beyond child bearing age but God gave her a child in answer to many years of sadness and grief because she was barren. He used miracle baby to be the forerunner of Jesus.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Mary, Humble and Pure
December 18, 2013Mary was humble, pure and willing to do what God asked of her. She was young woman with the same emotions and feelings that we all have and God chose her, blessed her and honored her. She still knew she needed a Savior. Her conversation with Elizabeth in Luke gives us great insight into who Mary was and what she believed. A good passage of scripture to study at this time of year.
Luke 1:47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Mary, Fear to Faith
December 17, 2013Mary was afraid when she first saw the angel but she listen to his message and then had faith to believe what he told her. Her fear turned to faith in what she though was impossible because she had never been with a man.
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.
