Christian Reflection and Prayer

It's that time of year again-the time of busy
shopping days, holiday baking, and twinkling
lights. The time when schedules overflow with
parties and events. The time to send out cards
to family and friends. It's supposed to be the
season of "holiday cheer." But in the weeks
before we celebrate our Savior's birth, so often
we feel anxiety and stress instead.

Years ago, Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World,"
the well-loved hymn often sung during this busy
Christmas season. Ironically, Watts never
intended his hymn for Christmas use. Instead,
he simply intended to paraphrase the words of
Psalm 98: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth
...for he comes. . ." (vs. 4, 9).

Amidst his poetry about Christ's second coming,
however, Watts also provides fitting words for our
Christmas frenzy: "Joy to the world! the Lord is
come . . . Let every heart prepare him room."
Prepare him room-significant words for any time
of year. Yet perhaps we need to hear them the
most at Christmastime, when so many things can
distract us from our faith. .

This year, during this hectic Christmas season, take
the time to prepare your heart. Remember Christ's
first coming, as a humble King and Savior. Reflect
on the certainty of his return, as Judge over all. And
as you think on these precious truths, you'll probably
experience the best holiday feeling of all-the joy of
knowing "the Lord is come" into your heart.

(2011 Center for Church Music)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:13

TEXT: "Do not be afraid Zechariah, for your prayer has
been heard. And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son."
(Luke 1:13)


A few days ago I heard a Christmas song I hadn't heard
since I was a teenager. It reminded me of something I
had long ago forgotten-how desperately I wanted to be
married at that age. For more than 20 years I kept
praying for a wife, but that prayer went unanswered.
There were times I was convinced I would be single all
my life. Then I finished seminary and went to my first
call in Missouri. Within a month I was dating the woman
who would become my wife.

For decades Zechariah had prayed for a child. But when
no child came he eventually gave up-but not God. On
the very first day Zechariah prayed God marked that
prayer in His memory. Decades later God vividly
remembers every detail of that prayer, including the
urgency Zechariah felt when he first poured out his plea
to God. Now as the clouds of incense rise from the altar
to symbolize God's acceptance of His people's prayers,
the angel brings Zechariah the answer to the prayer he
had long ago forgotten.

Have you been raising heartfelt prayers to God for years
and years, only to find things get worse-finances,
employment, health, family strains? Does it seem God
is against you-that He just doesn't care? We learn the
truth in this angel visit. The first moment we offer a prayer
in faith to God, He in His great wisdom and care chooses
the best way to answer that prayer as well as the best
time to answer it. Sometimes, like Zechariah, we just
have to wait until God's time is right, and He has made
everything fall into place.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, fill me with confidence that You mark all
my prayers, and will answer them out of Your Fatherly love
for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:8-10

TEXT: "He was chosen by lot to enter the temple
of the Lord and burn incense." (Luke 1:9)

Do you have Christmas memories that are so
strong you can close your eyes and see, hear,
feel and smell them? For me one of those vivid
memories is singing "Silent Night" by candle light
in church on Christmas Eve. I can still smell the
hot wax, feel the warmth on my face, see the
flicker of the candle's flame, and hear the voices
blending together in beautiful harmony.

That's how clear Mary's memories were. She
remembers Herod was king of Judea at the time.
She can even name from which of the 24 divisions
of priests Zechariah belonged. Each of these
divisions worked two weeks out of the year at the
Jerusalem temple. Each afternoon the priests cast
lots to see who would enter the temple alone to
burn incense.

Mary recalls the day the lot fell to Zechariah. It may
have looked like luck or chance to us, but Zechariah
knew better. God was inviting him into His presence.
As Zechariah smelled the clouds of sweet, fragrant
incense rising to heaven, he knew God was pleased
with the prayers His people were offering to Him.
These were prayers which rose from hearts that
believed His ancient promise to send their Savior.

At Christmas we are often invited to other people's
houses. Sometimes we get the tremendous honor of
a special invitation. But God extends a much higher
invitation to us. Like Zechariah we can enter His
presence in His house. And not just once in a lifetime
can we do this, but every week. At the same time
He promises to make His home in us. What a great
privilege and honor to sit in God's presence and learn
about His saving love.

Prayer: Lord what a tremendous honor You give when
You invite us into Your house. Thank You for coming
to us and making Your home with us. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)