Moments With God.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Day 5
December 29
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Five Gold Rings
The First Five Books of the Old Testament, the Pentateuch:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's gracious creation of His people.
Please click the Jukebox to select music.
It's awfully difficult for me to focus on Christmas. It's the middle of September, and I'm still trying to recover from the events of the summer—camps, NYC, a mission trip… (I guess I'll write this Advent devotional later.)
It's still awfully difficult to focus on Christmas. It's the middle of December, and I'm trying to recover from the preparations for the holidays—shopping, baking, and parties… (I HAVE to write this devotional; it goes on the web in just a few days.)
Juggling events and schedules, roles and relationships, seems to be the definition of "life as we know it." Undoubtedly, many things we balance are good. No one would dispute that we need to be family to our family, friends to our friends, responsible employees or employers. Certainly, we should be involved in our churches and our communities. Right?
Sure. But just a few steps down the road of rationalization, and I can convince myself that I must do all these things, follow all these rules, and serve all these ways. Sooner or later, I'm left burned-out and useless on the side of that same road.
Is there a better way? YES. That's the message of Christmas. That's what I can't afford to miss. That's why I need to stop and focus on Christmas.
So, for a minute, let's focus on Christmas… together.
The coming of a little child…the coming of the King of Kings. Little children tend to draw our focus. Few are the people who can resist the chance to hold a baby. I know I can't! Yet, this Child wasn't just any child; He is the King of Kings! What could be more important than taking the opportunity to be in His presence and to bring Him glory?
The coming of a Son… the plan of the Divine Father. This baby, born of Mary, raised as Joseph's own, was no accident. Jesus came to earth, that we could know the Father. Wow! What could be more important than taking the opportunity to know Him?
The coming in a moment of time…to provide redemption forever. This child, born in a moment of history, through His death and resurrection, opened the door for eternal relationship with God. By Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God and brought into relationship with Him. What could be more important than accepting His gift of forgiveness and adoption?
Rush… or rest? In the midst of the holiday season, there are a million places to go, things to do, and people to see. But first, let's stop and rest. Let's visit a manger, in a stable, in Bethlehem. Let's gaze on the face of a little Child. Let's bring him gifts—our time, our talent, and our very lives. Let's ponder in our hearts the change that He brings to our lives—the hope, the joy, and the love.
And then, only then, let's meet the rush of our world with the Good News—Jesus is come!
Kim Hersey
Father
Our lives can become so crowded with so many "good" things that we forget the "best things." Thank You for reminding us to slow down and look for Your "best" for our lives.
You took the time to send You Son down to earth so that we might have eternal life. Help us today to reflect back on that event in Bethlehem which so changed the world. Help us find the time to accept the gift that You have sent to us.
We pray that our lives will never be the same as we reflect back on the greatest gift that we could ever receive.
Amen
[Psalms 18: 1-20] [II Samuel 23:13-17] [Revelation 1:1-8] [John 7:37-52]
or suggestions to Yvonne Edwards .
Edited: Dec. 23, 7:00 p.m.
Page designed by: Cecil Wallace
The background set is provided by
Angelic Angie
Copyright © 1999 NazNet
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.