Christian Reflection and Prayer

Read Luke 2:1-5. TEXT: In those days a decree went out
from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered
(Luke 2:1).

Advent     When we last saw Mary in our story, she was
returning to her home in Nazareth, since Elizabeth was ready
to give birth. Luke moves us a few months forward to the
circumstances of Jesus' birth.

The prophet Micah announced that Jesus was to be born in
the southern town of Bethlehem, not in Mary's northern town
of Nazareth. To get her in the right place at the right time, God
works through an edict of the Roman Emperor Caesar
Augustus to bring her to Bethlehem to fulfill Micah's prophecy.

It must have been strange and a little scary for Mary and
Joseph to leave their familiar haunts to travel to Bethlehem.
But move they did, and from the events that followed Jesus'
birth, it seems probable they planned to stay in Bethlehem to
raise Jesus. In fact, they only left when warned in a dream to
flee (see Matthew 2:1-13). Even after the death of King Herod
who sought Jesus' life, Joseph may well have returned to
Bethlehem, until the Lord directed them to return to Nazareth
(see Matthew 2:22).

The paths of our lives can take some strange and frightening
turns. But no matter what doubts, fears and uncertainties may
be in your path, you don't travel it alone. The Christ Child came
into this world to assure us we will never be alone; He will be
with us wherever we go.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding the course of Jesus'
life--and ours. Give us confidence that You will never leave us
nor forsake us, that we may live in peace and confidence. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Reflection:

One common refrain in the Christmas holiday season
is a call for peace. And yet is there is a more chaotic
time of year?  We rush about to get to the stores in
time "while supplies last" battling for parking, and
hoping to stay within the budget by getting the
"best deal". Some of us fall into depression and
despair.  All this does not seem peaceful at all.
     In this passage, Paul had every reason to be
stressed out.  He was in prison,not knowing what his
fate might be.  And yet he encouraged the Philippians
to find joy again and again and again (v.4).  He had
a deep sense of the nearness of his King to his
condition (v.5).  He understood the power of prayer
and praise to overcome anxiety and stress (v.6).  He
found a peace that defied the chaos and pain of his
surroundings, transcending conventional understanding
(v. 7)

Prayer:

Dear Lord my gracious King.  I pause right now from
whatever I am doing to thank you for your provision,
your presence and your peace. AMEN

(Covenant Home Altar author,Quaime Lee)

Read Luke 1:76-80. TEXT: (Zechariah said) "And you, child,
will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go
before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of
salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins"
(Luke 1:76-77).

Advent     Now Zechariah turns to his little son John. In
excited tones he sets out God's grand purpose for his young
life. John's mission is to teach people why they need the
Savior to come for them. He will teach what they need to be
saved from. As chapter one of Luke's Gospel concludes,
John is growing, preparing for the day when his ministry will
begin.

It's hard to enjoy the full celebration of Christmas and the
coming of the Christ Child if you have no idea why you need
Him to come. John made that clear years later when he
began preaching in the wilderness around the Jordan River.

"... 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? ... Even now the axe is laid to the root of the
trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire'" (Luke 3:7b, 9).

All the evils that happen in the world clearly show mankind
has failed God's perfect plan. And our own sins and the hurts
we have inflicted on others shout out to God for vengeance.
But the Christ Child has come to step into the breach and
take the full impact of that wrath in our place.

That's why His earthly life, which begins in a lowly feeding
trough, will end on a rough wooden cross. But as John points
out--there is salvation from that wrath in the forgiveness of
sins Jesus wins by that sad suffering and death.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us sufficient warning
of the wrath to come. We flee to Your Son Jesus for
protection and salvation. Thank You that for His sake we
need fear no evil. Amen.

( Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries)