December 26 – Heard and Seen

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  Luke 2:20 (NIV)

Our experience reading and contemplating the birth of Jesus the Christ has been rich with meaning and it will continue on. The suggestion we get from today's verse comes from what we learn the shepherds did. The shepherds had heard the angel's announcement and the host of angels sing of the Glory of God. They had told Mary and Joseph their story of the angel’s message and the choir of angels. This Mary treasured in her heart. Now after seeing the baby Jesus wrapped and laying in a feeding trough, they returned to their place in the fields with their hearts full of praise to God. They expressed their praise to God. We also have heard the songs and the words from the Bible over these past days. Let's be sure that now after Christmas, we also have a song of praise and glory to God in our hearts for all He has done for us through His Son Jesus. Let's be like the shepherds in our verse who were glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It is a good resolution to make for the next years isn’t it?

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December 22 – Hanukkah Begins

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NIV)

On the very night that Jesus, the Son of God was born, an angel was sent by the Father to announce the event to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. God chose the shepherds to be the first, other than Mary and Joseph, to know that a promise had been fulfilled.  He said “a Savior has been born to you.”  The shepherds needed a Savior and they could personally benefit from His birth. Believing the words of the angels, the shepherds went to find the newborn baby.  After seeing and marveling at the event, they returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, exactly as it was told them.  Jesus was born for you and He was born for me, to be our Savior.  Each of us needs a Savior and He came for those in need.  What a great difference this has made in our lives. The promise of His coming was made as far back as the day Adam and Eve disobeyed God.  Let us listen to the angel’s message – “He is Christ the Lord.”

*Hanukkah, also spelled 'Chanukah', is the Jewish eight-day, "festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.  The Story of Chanukah Video 2:15

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December 26 – Continuing the Reason

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  Luke 2:20 (NIV)

We have considered during these days many of the verses, from the Gospel of Luke, that tell the story of the night Jesus was born.  Much of what is recorded in Luke is of the shepherds who had such a special part in the Christmas story.  They heard the news of the birth of Jesus.  They heard the angelic host sing praises and the promise of peace.  They went immediately to see the new-born child and they spread the word to the people they met.  Then they went back to take care of their sheep.  You and I can come to the end of our Christmas celebration this year in the same way the shepherds did.  We can glorify and praise God for all we have been reminded of and are learning.   If we have accepted Jesus as Savior because we have believed in Him, we have experienced the joy of His presence in our lives.  We know some of the promises given to us and we learn more as we read and study the Bible.  The reason Jesus came has been made true in our lives.  As we return to ordinary duties, let us continue glorifying and praising God for all the things we have received from Him and for what we know is true.  

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Please take a moment to share with friends.

December 23 – Born to This Purpose, Born to Us

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (NIV)

We come back to this important announcement in the Gospel of Luke.  We've considered it once before, several days ago.  We do this to think again of the reason for His coming to earth.  The glitz and glamour that surrounds this time of the year as well as the many activities and commercial appeal can too easily cause us to lose focus on why the season is important to all.  The words the angel announced to the shepherds were important for them and they are important for us.  The shepherds response showed that they realized they needed a Savior.  The went immediately to find the baby.  They spread the news of what the angel had said, and the also praised God when they returned from seeing the baby.  Jesus came as a baby because we all needed a Savior.   As we have believed in Him He has saved us from the consequences of sin, the sin of rejecting God.  What a big difference that has made in our lives.  He has brought us to Himself by coming and becoming a human as we are.  He was born to us for this purpose.  We are His today if we have believed this Promise that He is the Messiah, the Lord.

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Please take a moment to share with friends.

December 18 – Extra Special, Hear All About It

“And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.”  Luke 2:17-18 (ESV)

The second chapter of the Gospel of Luke is where we look frequently during this Christmas time.  We've often considered the message the angel gave to the shepherds and the choir of angels' song of praise.  Today we consider how the shepherds passed on this message to others.  After quickly going to where the new-born Jesus was and worshiping Him they could not keep the news to themselves.  We have no idea how many people the shepherds talked to in the town of Bethlehem and on their way back to their sheep.  They of course told Mary and Joseph what the angel had told them about Jesus but evidently they met others in town and told them also.  So the shepherds became preachers and witnesses that night as they passed on this news which was extra special for them.  The news of a Savior is extra special for us too.  When we believe, our lives are changed and we need to pass the news on too.   

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Please pass this on to others.

December 26 – Heard and Seen

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”  Luke 2:20 (NIV)

Now, although Christmas Day for this year is past, our experience has been rich with meaning and it will continue on. The suggestion we get from today's verse comes from what we learn the shepherds did. They had heard the angel's announcement and the host of angels sing of the Glory of God. Now after seeing the baby Jesus in the manger they returned to their place in the fields with their hearts full of praise to God. They expressed their praise to God. We also have heart the songs and the words from the Bible over these past days. Let's be sure that now after Christmas, we also have a song of praise and glory to God in our hearts for all He has done for us through His Son Jesus. Let's be like the shepherds in our verse who were glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

December 25 - Christmas Day

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The good news of the birth of Jesus was for everybody. The following verse, which we read yesterday, explains that the baby would be a Savoir – a very special Savior for He was Christ the Lord. And this Savior was not just for a small group of shepherds. He had come to be a Savior available to everybody – for all the people. The news from heaven was about a great joy available to everybody. We should never forget this. And what is it that brings us joy at Christmas? We should enjoy having time with friends and loved ones. We should enjoy the gifts. But the really greater joy comes from knowing our Savior. So enjoy the eternal life he gives and the assurance of His presence with us. And, if you do not know the Savior, you can right now – believe and receive the gift from God and you will have great joy and eternal life.

December 24 - Beginning of Hanukkah

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (NIV)

On the very night that Jesus was born the angel came to tell the shepherds about the event. God chose the shepherds to be the first to hear personally. He said “a Savior has been born to you.” The shepherds needed a Savior and they could personally benefit from His birth. Believing the words of the angels, the shepherds went to find the newborn baby. After seeing and marveling at the event, they returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, exactly as it was told them. I would like to suggest that each of us can apply that message to ourselves personally. Jesus was born for you and for me, to be our Savior. Each of us needed a Savior and He came for you and for me. What a great difference this has made in our lives. Let us listen to the angel’s message – “He is Christ the Lord.”

*Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

December 20

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 (NIV)

As Christmas Day is approaching, among all that we see and hear, we hear singing of Christian carols that are very appropriate. They remind us of the singing of the angels for a group of shepherds outside of Bethlehem just after the birth of Jesus. The angels knew some of the significance of the coming of Jesus. They may not have understood all – how Jesus was to bring us into God’s family – but they knew it was God doing it. And they knew He was worthy of their praise. There are so many things about Christmas that attract our attention. Let us not let them detract us from the true meaning and from our need to give God the glory!

December 14

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:20 (NIV)

These were the shepherds to whom the angel had come with the good news of the birth of a Savior. They had gone in to Bethlehem and had found the baby in the manger. What they had seen inspired them to praise God and to glorify Him. Shouldn’t that be our reaction, too? Have not we met the Savior? Has not He shown Himself to us – the faithful One meeting our needs? Has not all we have heard about Him become true in our lives? Let us remember what He has done for us and then do as the shepherds did – glorify and praise Our God.