Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 22 4th Sunday of Advent)

Scripture:

Read John 5:32-47. He came to His own, and His own
people did not receive Him (John 1:11).

The manger scene is a much-loved symbol of Christmas.
But have you ever stood out by a manger scene on a
cold December night? It's not as comfortable as it
appears from inside a nice, warm car or house. It's cold
and drafty, and it's certainly no place to lay a newborn
baby. So why did Joseph choose such a place?

When it came time for Mary to give birth, Joseph
frantically searched the little town of Bethlehem for shelter,
but he found none. There was no room in the inn, no
homeowner willing to open his guest chambers. He had no
choice but to accept an animal shelter and lay Mary's Son
in that lowly feeding trough.

When Jesus grew up and began His public ministry, we
might expect His chosen nation the Jews to receive Him.
Some did, but most did not. The Jewish authorities rejected
Him, turned Him over to the Gentiles, and called for the
brutal and humiliating punishment of crucifixion. They even
stood by, jeering at Him as He hung from the cross.

Before we come down too hard on them, however, we should
look at ourselves. How often do we refuse to receive Him as
our King? How often do we pick and choose which of His
teachings we will accept and which we will reject? How often
do we demand to live life on our own terms and not on His?

THE PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, it was shameful of Your people to reject
Your Son, but I must admit I have often done the same.
Forgive me and give me a true gratitude and loyalty to the
King who suffered and died on the cross to save me from my
sins. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 21 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Revelation 3:20-21.

He was in the world, and the world was made through
Him, yet the world did not know Him (John 1:10).

Christmas is a big deal in the United States. Drive along
any road this Christmas Eve and you'll see more
shops, stores and restaurants closed than any other
day of the year. It seems like the whole world stops to
recognize and celebrate our Savior's birth.

Isn't that how it was that first Christmas morn? Didn't
everybody stop and rush to Bethlehem to see their
God and Savior sleeping in the manger -- as an infant?
Sadly, the answer is no. Search the texts of ancient
Roman historians carefully and you'll find no record of
His birth. What you will find is a brief mention of His
execution as a criminal under an obscure Roman
military governor named Pontius Pilate. The world was
too preoccupied with its own affairs to recognize
Christ's arrival.

Christmas is indeed a huge deal in our country. But is
our world really that much different than the first century?
How often is Jesus' birth overshadowed by Christmas
specials about St. Nick, snowmen or grinches? Can we
see the torch-lit manger beyond the bright holiday lights,
the shiny sales advertisements, the preoccupying
parties? How often do our own Christmas planning and
preparations push Him off to the side?

That's where we see Jesus' meekness and humility most
clearly. He didn't demand to be born in the best house in
town; He settled for a dusty, smelly feeding trough as His
crib. This Christmas He comes in that same humility,
quietly knocking at the door of our hearts. As the
Christmas carol says, "Where meek souls will receive
Him still the dear Christ enters in."

THE PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, we are so easily distracted by fancy,
shiny things we often miss the truly important things --
 like Your Son sleeping quietly in the manger. Forgive
us and help us to welcome Christ our Savior this
Christmas. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 20 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Psalm 19.  The true light, which enlightens
everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:9).

During the first three days of creation week, the earth
was illuminated by the special light God spoke into
 existence on that first day. On the fourth day we read
"And God made the two great lights-the greater light to
rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night-and
the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the
heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day
and over the night, and to separate the light from the
darkness. And God saw that it was good"
(Genesis 1:16-18). When morning dawned that fourth
day, the earth was bathed in sunlight for the first time.

The centuries before Jesus was born into our world
were similar to the first half of creation week. God
spoke through various men as prophets. Their words
shone through the darkness of sin to show the world's
need for a Savior and to share God's gracious promise
to send His own Son as that Savior. All those who
believed were saved through faith in that promised Son,
including Old Testament heroes like Noah, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, Moses and King David.

But now as the first Christmas draws near, a new light
is about to dawn. God's own Son, the Light of the world,
is ready to burst forth and enlighten every man just as
the rising sun illuminates every forest, hill, mountain
and lake, taking its place in the sky.

The Christmas Child is God's bright Light, casting out
our darkness and illuminating the path to heaven. On
the Last Day, Christ Jesus will return to judge the world,
and we will see Him break through the clouds and be
our Light forever.

THE PRAYER: 

Lord Jesus, shine in my heart and guide me on the path
to heaven. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)