Christian Reflection and Prayer

Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. — Psalm 100:2

 

Few things bring us greater joy than serving our Creator.
When we are serving God, we are focused on what we
can give and not on what we are lacking. We focus on
what is good in our lives and not what is wrong. When
we contribute to God’s world we feel good about who
we are instead of upset about who we could or should
have been. When we bring joy to others, we can’t help
but light up with joy ourselves.

 

What’s more, serving the Lord is something that we can
do anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstances. In
times of abundance, we can give. In times of scarcity,
we can have faith. When things are easy, we can sing
out praises to God. And when times are tough, we can
call out to Him in prayer. In our homes or in our
workplaces – there is always someone to help or God’s
Word to share. The possibilities are endless.

We can always worship God, which means that we can
always be happy. No matter what! We don’t have to
pursue happiness. We just have to stop running away
from it – and serve the Lord today.

 

Try this ancient advice and think of how you can serve
the Lord today. How can you worship Him throughout the
day? Dedicate just one day – or even better – one week,
to give of yourself to God, to His children, and to His
world. You will be happy you did!

 

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.
And the favor of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40).
Read Luke 2:39-40.

 

Today we take down our Christmas tree, the lights, and all
the decorations. Finally, our house is getting back to normal.

Luke's account of that first Christmas is drawing to a close.
After completing all the tasks God's Law laid out for them to
do, Joseph and Mary left Judea and returned to Nazareth,
where they would raise Jesus. We know from Matthew's
account the reason the couple first left Bethlehem was
because Herod sent soldiers to murder the Christ Child, after
the wise men had come to visit. After spending some time
in Egypt, they returned to Nazareth.

 

Luke tells us that in Nazareth Jesus grew physically,
experiencing the normal development of a human being. But
he also accumulated the knowledge, wisdom and discretion
He would show throughout His adult ministry. In our Lenten
devotions in March, we will listen to Jesus' own wonderful
message of forgiveness, peace, salvation and eternal life,
and we will follow Him as He courageously faces bitter
opposition and a cross to save us from our sins.

 

In a sense life was back to normal for Mary and Joseph.
They were home now and Joseph could go back to his
carpenter's shop. But then again, once the Christ Child was
born their lives would never really be the same. This is true
for us too. Even though the trappings of Christmas are gone
for another year, the Christ Child has come into our homes,
and our lives will never be the same either.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into our world that first
Christmas, and coming into our hearts this Christmas. Keep
us strong in faith, filled with peace and joy until the day
You return to earth. Amen

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Simeon said) "And a sword will pierce through your own
soul also ..." (Luke 2:35).          Read Luke 2:34-35.

 

If you have lost a loved one in death, then you know the
pain the following Christmas when you feel that person's
absence so keenly. But what if you had known the year
before that would be the last Christmas you would spend
with them?

 

After blessing God, Simeon turns to Mary and says
something strange. She will see the nation of Israel reject
its Messiah and speak against the One God has sent to
them. This is something Mary has never heard before,
and probably never imagined would happen.

 

The angels only spoke of God's gift of salvation to all
people, of His love for the whole world in sending His Son.
But Simeon warns that when He is grown and begins His
ministry, there will be Jews who reject the salvation He
came to bring.

 

But Simeon tells her it will get worse. She will feel as if a
great broadsword is piercing her own soul. This is the
connection between our Advent devotions coming to a
close and our Lenten devotions beginning March 1. Mary,
the virgin mother who laid her Child in the manger, will
watch that same Son get nailed to a cross.

 

In all the Christmas memories Mary stored in her heart,
this may be the first cloud that appeared over her thoughts.
She will not only remember the moment when Simeon
prophesied it, but she will stand beneath the cross of her
beloved Son Jesus Christ. But the cloud will quickly pass
three days after His death, when her mighty Son rises to
life again -- victorious through all eternity.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, You loved us so much You sent Your
Son to die in our place on the cross. Thank You for saving
us through faith in Him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)