Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:.
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

At the birth of Jesus, amidst the dirt and straw of a stable,
millennia of promises, prophecies, and hopes were fulfilled.
In the birth of a child, something that happens every single
day all over the world, something happened that would
change the world. Everything the faithful were anticipating
took shape. It was the alignment of all that was meant to
be. But the birth of Jesus has that power and significance
only if he really is who he said he was.

The shepherds heard, they saw, and it was all just as they
had been told. In a perfect conjunction of heaven and earth,
God came to earth, connecting the two for his eternal
purposes. Years later, Jesus would tell us in so many
different ways, “I have come into the world as a light”
(John 12:46); “I have come that they may have life and have
it to the full” (John 10:10); “For this reason I was born and
for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth,”
(John 18:37).

So…

When we are sensing the dirtiness of life in this world, we
can focus on the purity of Christ.

When we feel weak, we can lean on the power of Christ.

When we are ill, we can remember that he is the great
physician.

When we are confused, we can turn to his words to get
our bearings.

When we are damaged, we can remember that he said
that he would not break a bruised reed nor snuff out a
smoldering wick.

When we know we have sinned, we can know his
forgiveness.

When we are wayward, we can remember he called
himself “the way.”

When we have been lied to, we can remember he
called himself “the truth.”

When we feel like our energy and our enthusiasm is
waning, we can remember that he called himself “the life.”

And so, we can pray:

Thank you Lord Christ for humbling yourself and taking
the form of man. Thank you for pushing back the darkness
of this world and of my life. Thank you for fully living before
us so that we can see just how much life we can have. Let
me live for the next 52 weeks in the light of your ongoing
presence and power in this world. And then let me celebrate
Christmas again—with joy.

(Mel Lawrenz)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out
a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should
be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius
was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.And so it was, that, while they
were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were
sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

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, good
will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let
us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which
is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it,
they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.

MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS

"Just as being too busy gives you nightmares…"
Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLT

Christmas slippers

While we are called to work hard, we must
make sure that our work doesn't so preoccupy
us that we endanger our health, our relationships,
or our time with God.1

A woman died, leaving behind her husband and
one daughter. The little girl soon became the very
apple of her daddy's eye. He loved to spend time
with her, but because he had to work, they had
only their evenings together. After dinner each
night they would talk and play games; sometimes
she sang for him. He treasured every moment.

One night the little girl announced, "Daddy, I
need to go to my room early tonight. I have
something I have to do!"

He felt very disappointed, but he let her go. She
continued this pattern for a solid month. Finally,
Christmas Day arrived, and early in the morning
she burst in on her daddy and proudly displayed
a pair of crude crocheted slippers she had made
for him. It was this project that had taken her away
from her father for every evening that month.

Her father thanked her warmly and gave her a big
hug, but then he said, "Honey, I would rather have
had you with me all those lonely evenings than to
have these slippers, as beautiful and comfortable
as they are."

[As in the story of Martha and Mary], God wants
our presence more than our slippers. He wants our
devotion more than our work. It really is a matter of
balance.2

(Gods Daily Promises)