Christian Reflection and Prayer

Christmas Day

Scripture:

"All that came to be had life in him and
that life was the light of men" (John. 1:4).

Have we forgotten the reason for coming
together to celebrate the birth of the Christ
Child? Has our devotion to the cause of the
Prince of Peace come down to the level of
our "just going through the motions?"

We look into the manger and we see a
Baby. We see a Cross. We see danger.
We see risk. We see the clash between
what we are and who we are to become.
We see the struggle for redemption. We
see mercy. We see love. We see hope
for enduring peace...

..CHRISTMAS......" HE IS BORN!"

Please remember this:

The birth of Christ brought God to man;
the cross of Christ brings man to God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY BIRTHDAY
JESUS!

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Scriptures:

Read Romans 16:25-27.

...the mystery that was kept secret
for long ages has now been disclosed
(Romans 16:25b-26a)

Reflection:

Over our lifetime Christmas is a series
of ever-changing mysteries. Our childhood
mystery "What's inside the wrapping
paper?" becomes "Where did they hide the
presents?" becomes "Is this Christmas the
right time to give her an engagement ring?"
becomes "How will we be able to afford
presents for the kids?" becomes "What can
I buy someone who already has everything?"

Is there any Christmas mystery left for you?
Is there anything about the season that
makes you smile in wonder? Does anything
still thrill you and a send a shiver down your
spine?

There is a mystery-a mystery greater and
more wonderful than all the others combined.
And that mystery isn't wrapped in colorful
paper; it's wrapped in swaddling clothes. It
isn't laid under the tree; it's laid to sleep in a
manger. It's the Baby born in Bethlehem.

What's so mysterious about that? It's the
fact that this Baby is the almighty Son of
God, stooping down to become one of His
creatures: a mere human. Why would He
want to expose Himself to all the hurt and
suffering in our crazy world? Why would God
be willing to become our substitute and earn
our way to heaven by His perfect life, and to
 suffer and die in our place on the cross?

That is the greatest mystery, a mystery God
has revealed to the world. It sends a shiver
 down your spine to ponder what kind of love
moved Him to do all of this for you.

PRAYER:

Son of God, Your willingness to be born of a
virgin, to share our life and to be our Substitute
is an incredible mystery to me. Fill me with
wonder, joy and gratitude for Your amazing
grace and love. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Nine-year-old Wally was a hopeful boy, a
natural defender of the underdog, and
well-liked by his fellow classmates. His
parents encouraged him to audition for the
annual Church Christmas play and Wally
wanted to be a shepherd. Instead, he was
given the role of the innkeeper. The director
reasoned that Wally's size would lend extra
force to the innkeeper's refusal of lodging to
Joseph. During rehearsals, Wally was
instructed to be firm with Joseph. When the
play opened, no one was more caught up in
the action than Wally. And when Joseph
knocked on the door of the inn, Wally was
ready. He flung the door open and asked
menacingly, "What do you want?" "We
seek lodging," Joseph replied. "Seek it
elsewhere," Wally said in a firm voice.
"There's no room in the inn." "Please, good
innkeeper," Joseph pleaded, "this is my wife,
Mary. She is with child and is very tired. She
needs a place to rest." There was a long
pause as Wally looked down at Mary. The
prompter whispered Wally's next line:
"No! Be gone!" Wally remained silent. Then
the forlorn couple turned and began to slowly
move away. Seeing this, Wally's brow
creased with concern. Tears welled up in his
eyes. Suddenly, he called out, "Don't go! You
can have my room."