Day 14 | Brienne Raines
Luke 2:13-18
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom
he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14)
As he (Jesus) was drawing near—already on the way down
the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples
began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all
the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the
King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:37-38)
Our church focus in the book of Matthew has been on the
Kingdom of God. What it means to live for the King and be
a citizen in his Kingdom. If we are truly citizens of this
Kingdom, our response must be PRAISE. At the birth of the
King a multitude of the heavenly host, an angel army,
praised God. By the time Jesus made his triumphal entry
into Jerusalem, the multitude of disciples began to rejoice
and praise God. Let us reflect how the good news of great
joy of a Savior, was meant for that bunch of shepherds and
for us. As a multitude of believers, let us with loud voices
praise God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest!” Where is
your own heart today? Is your response to the King and his
Kingdom praise?
Would you help us Jesus to become people of praise, marked
by obedience to this command? Would you lower our sense
of self and increase our understanding of your greatness?
Would you loosen our lips to sing your praise?
Day 13 | Nora Laughinghouse
Luke 2: 8-12
The Listening Shepherds
Why would the Lord send his holy angel to the shepherds?
The shepherds were nothing to worry about because they
had what people thought of as the “lowest and dirtiest
jobs”. Yet, God sent the most important news to them first.
One reason I would think God chose them to hear first is
because not only were they not distracted, but their ears
were open and listening. Sometimes we miss things because
we are so busy, but the shepherds had time to focus and
spend time with the Lord and listen. This might be part of the
reason they were blessed with seeing the newborn king
Jesus! Even though it was frightening, they were soon to be
filled with awe at the good news, and that joy filled their
hearts.
Let God fill you with great joy as he speaks to you this
Christmas, and don’t let your ears be closed to what he has
to say!
Day 12 | John & Julia Bouldin
Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the
first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of
Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own
town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the
town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his
betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were
there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave
birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling
cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no
place for them in the inn.[c]
Over the years as we have read this passage, various parts
of the picture stand out or certain words are highlighted to
us. This year, it’s the second half of verse 7 “because there
was no place for them in the inn.” May this advent season
lead us to renew our commitment to have room in our
hearts for Jesus and lead lives that draw others to him. We
came upon a new hymn (an old hymn that is new to us)
that starts with ‘no room for thy holy nativity’ and leads
through Jesus’ life on earth, death on the cross, and his
second coming to call us home to his side where ‘there is
room for thee’.
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
- Emily E. Elliott
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
*O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But in lowly birth Thou didst come to earth,
And in great humility.
*
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
*
When the heav’ns shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
Day 11 | Matt, Kacey & Sadie Bowman
Luke 1: 34-38
No Turning Back
In this passage, the angel of the Lord shares with Mary
God’s plan for bringing the Messiah to earth. God’s power is
displayed through Elizabeth conceiving, as well as Mary
conceiving but immaculately. Mary responds to God’s plan
by simply saying that she is a servant of the Lord. Mary was
young and unmarried, but she had no concern about the
social and cultural implications of becoming pregnant. She
was willing to give up everything about her current life
(reputation and relationships) to do what God was asking
of her. Jesus has the same expectation of us, that we would
be willing to give up everything to follow Him.
(Additional reading: Luke 14:25-33, Matthew 16:24-26).
Take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to
you an area in your life that you need to turn over to the
Lord.
Day 10 | Eileen Steele
Luke 1: 26-33
Surprise
Everyone is familiar with surprises. Sometimes they are
good, sometimes not as good, and sometimes they are just
that surprising. Mary received the ultimate surprise, and it
impacted the entire world. We know Mary’s surprise was
Jesus, the promised and long-awaited Messiah; the Savior
of all mankind. Many years after the initial surprise,
Ephesians 2:14 (ASV) says, “For He is our peace, who made both
one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,”
We are all surprised at something sometime in our lives, but
we can be assured that God is never surprised by what
happens. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
During this advent season, how can “surprises” to you bring
glory to the Lord?
Day 9 | Liz Hogan
Isaiah 9:6-7
“Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given.”
These prophetic words are inscribed on Christmas cards, preached and sung during the Christmas season. They
embody the joy felt by Christ’s followers during this season, and they often imbue hope in those who still need to meet
Him. They represent the anticipation of the joy of a relationship with the one true God and His promises to us.
Isaiah’s verses depict the magnificence of the God and Savior this child will become. How blessed we are to have a
God that is phenomenal, who desires to be our defender, who is mighty, who will be our father forever, and who is a
sovereign that brings peace to His people. The “zeal” of our God will establish a kingdom that is governed by His justice
and dominated by His peace. Those who love Him will live in that eternal kingdom.
Wow! Why do I waste time in this joyful season worrying about what dessert to bring to an open house or what
color sweater I should give my sister? I need to allow my mind to dwell on these beautiful truths of the most High
God, and the love he has for mankind. In total humility, I need to bask in the fact that His love extends to me.
How precious is this Lord who cherishes us and loves us. He is my God and yours because:
“Unto us a child is born; unto to us a son is given.”
