Christian Reflection and Prayer

(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)

(Day 19 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read John 1:19-34. There was a man sent from
God, whose name was John. He came as a witness,
to bear witness about the light, that all might believe
through him. He was not the light, but came to bear
witness about the light (John 1:6-8).

What is the most spectacular holiday display in your
area? How did you first find out about it? Unless it
happens to be your or your neighbor's house, or is
somewhere along the way to work, church or school,
somebody must have pointed it out to you. No matter
how bright this display is, we can pass within a block
or two of it without ever noticing it's there.

The same is true of the Child of Christmas. God's
mighty Son, the Light of the world, was lying in a
manger in Bethlehem, but none of the neighbors knew
a thing about it, that is, until some shepherds started
spreading the word that an angel had visited them and
announced His birth. The wise men never would have
started their long journey to Bethlehem to worship Him
unless the light of the Christmas star led them to Him.

That's why we need the witness of John the Baptist,
so we can know that the Baby of Christmas, the Child
in the manger, is God's promised Savior. John's voice
still cries out today, calling us to turn from our
destructive life of selfish preoccupation, so Jesus can
be born in our hearts. Now God sends us as witnesses
to tell our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers
about the most spectacular Light this world has ever
seen.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending witnesses like
John the Baptist to lead me to the brightness of Your
mighty Son. Empower me to be a witness, leading my
friends, family and neighbors to the wondrous Child of
Bethlehem. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)