After those days Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.” – Luke 1: 24 – 25

Elizabeth was passed the age when women would normally have children. She had undoubtedly heard and felt the whispers and condemnation that a childless woman would have received in that culture and time. Perhaps, someone would even as gone so far as to say that God was punishing her.

But Elizabeth never stopped hoping and praying that she would someday have a baby. At the same time, she accepted things as they were. When things don’t go your way, it isn’t easy to keep hoping and praying.

God has the power to give us what we need most; a taste of eternal happiness and contentment today.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, I trust that you know what’s best for me and I rely on your judgment and timing. Help me to be content no matter what my circumstances. Amen.

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. – Isaiah 40: 2 – 5

Isaiah is sometimes called the prophet of the Advent season. His writings had a wonderful way of stirring up hope in the people of Israel while at the same time challenging them to give up their sins and turn back to God. He spoke of a kingdom of peace, steel swords being turned into blades of plows, and about a coming king who would bring mercy and justice.

We have the advantage over Isaiah; we know that Jesus came and redeemed us by the cross. We treasure the words of Isaiah because he reminds us to prepare the way of the Lord. Jesus is going to come again in the fullness of time, and God.

Today’s Prayer
Father, your Word reminds us of the promises you have made. May we listen to them and remember they are true. May Isaiah’s words help us as we prepare to welcome the Lord. Amen

The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—’God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” …Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream. – Matthew 1:18 – 21, 24

Joseph was a good man. At first, he had not wanted to care for a child that was not his own, but when he learned that Jesus was the child of God, Joseph agreed to do God’s will.

It took a lot of courage to change his plans when God’s messenger told him to let go of fear and take Mary as his wife.

The great heroes of our faith are like Joseph, ordinary people who were willing to do what God wants, no matter what the cost to themselves. May we listen to God’s messengers in our own lives and faithfully do what God asks.

Today’s Prayer
Holy Spirit, you speak to our hearts through Scripture and through the example of the good people in our lives. Help us to listen to your voice and do as you ask. Amen.

Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[f] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel”. – Isaiah 7:13-14

Jesus is also called “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us”. More than any other sign, Jesus himself is proof of God’s love for us. And no greater sign of that love can be found than Jesus dying on the cross to free us from the grip of sin and death.

All the blessings we enjoy, all the good people we know, all the stories from the Bible and all the teachings of our faith—these are all signs of God’s love, and they strengthen our faith.

And let’s not forget our family: in our love for one another, we are a sign to one another, as well as the world, of God’s great love.

Today’s Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for all the signs you give us, miraculous and ordinary. They remind us of your great love for us. Amen.

The Son of Man came…to give his life a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28

At Christmas, our focus is the baby in the manger. But that isn’t the end of the story.

Jesus knew that eventually he would give up his life so that we might live. And as his followers, aren’t we called by Jesus to give up our lives in loving service? “If any wish to become my followers, let them …take up their cross…and those who lose their life for my sake will save it”. Luke 9:23, 24

During this Christmas season, we will have many opportunities to give in a variety of ways. Perhaps this season, you can give up all your expectations of the “perfect Christmas” and show grace and mercy to family members who are hard to get along with. You may be able to give money to help meet the needs of someone less fortunate than you. You may have the chance to give the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

Take time today to think about the giving opportunities that are all around you.

Today’s Prayer
Jesus, You gave everything that I might have life. I want to be more like you each day. Help me to give up what I need to that I might be a servant to others in your name. Amen.

And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. - Luke 2: 17 – 18

The shepherds were so excited about what they had heard from the angels that they had to go check it out for themselves. It would have been easy for them to stay by the warm campfire and justify their inactivity with the need to stay with the sheep.

Not only did they leave their sheep to see the Child with their own eyes, but then they had to go tell others what they had experienced. We don’t seem to have any trouble telling others about the great bargain we got on shoes. When we see a great movie, before we ever leave the theater we are thinking about co-workers or family that need to see it.

Why then, do we have trouble telling others about the greatest person in our lives, Jesus Christ? During the Christmas season is one of the best times to share the Good News of Jesus.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, it is easy to give in to fear about telling others about you. Help me to be bold and make the most of every opportunity that you orchestrate in my day to share the Good News. Amen.

For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah). For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord – Luke 2: 11

Jesus should have come as the king He rightly was. Surely the Creator of the universe deserved to be born and live in the most beautiful, the biggest, and the best that this world had to offer. He should have made himself only available to the rich and famous of his time.

Instead He came to a manger, a place that was dirty and common. His clothing was not the fancy, decorated robes of royalty, but cloths. The first to receive the Good News of His birth were not the rich and famous. Instead it was the shepherds that the angels brought glad tidings; to the lowest station of occupation in that time for they were dirty and smelled bad.

The Good News today is that He is still making Himself available to all.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, thank you for being available to all. Help me let others know this Good News. Lead me to those hear need to hear about you in this Christmas season. Amen