Christian Reflection and Prayer

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host ... (Luke 2:13a).      Read Luke 2:13-14.

 

One of my favorite Christmas presents was my army men.
Those little, green guys could go anywhere. One of the best
places was in my younger brother's toy parking garage
(remember that big box I claimed as mine?). The soldiers
with flame throwers and bazookas were pretty easy to hit.
But no matter how you threw the Lincoln Log bombs, you
could never pick off the sniper hiding in the elevator. Having
control of that army was amazing.

 

The shepherds saw an army that first Christmas too. After
the angel made his magnificent announcement, a multitude
of the heavenly host suddenly appeared. Luke described it
as an angel army. The eternal Son of God, now lying as a
Baby in Bethlehem's manger, had created each and every
one of them. He was their Lord, commanding them like a
brilliant general.

 

Throughout the Old Testament He sent this angel army to
shield and protect His people from their enemies. Now they
have come to sing the praises of their Holy Commander.
They call on all the inhabitants of heaven to give glory to
God for keeping His promises and revealing His grace by
sending His Son as a Man.

 

Jesus' coming to earth fills heaven with glory and pours
out peace upon the earth. That peace is offered to each and
every man, woman and child. Jesus won that peace with
God through His perfect life and His atoning sacrifice on the
cross. Sadly, many will reject this greatest Christmas gift,
and the peace and protection He came to bring.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your angel armies who protect
us but, more importantly, thank You for winning our peace
through Your life, death and resurrection. Grant me faith to
never take Your salvation for granted. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Read Luke 2:11-12.

 

I remember being devastated one year when mom and
dad took down our Christmas tree early. They said it
had gotten too dry, but I never saw any danger. Years
later our youth group had a Christmas tree bonfire. In
seconds the tree exploded into flames, lighting up the
entire field. We all were forced to step back from the
intense heat. In that moment I realized just what great
a danger we had been in, and how mom and dad had
saved us.

 

If the shepherds were anything like most people, they
felt no danger sitting out in the fields that Christmas
night. Then in an instant the angel appeared, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them. In that horrifying
moment they saw the darkness of their sinful lives in
the holy light of God, and they were gripped with the
terror of His wrath.

 

Each of us will experience that moment someday --
either at our death or at Christ's return. We will be
immersed in the bright light of God's glory, as we
stand before Him for judgment. God will not weigh out
your good deeds versus your bad deeds, or compare
you to other people. Instead, He will look deep into
your thoughts, desires and attitudes. If you committed
one sin, one single wrongdoing at any time during your
life, you will stand condemned.

 

But that is why Jesus came as our Savior. He took
every sin to the cross; there He suffered God's fiery
wrath in our place. When we trust Jesus as our Savior,
all our sins are taken away, and when He returns we
will be able to stand spotless before His judgment seat.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my place and suffering
for my sins. Guide me to show others why they need
Your salvation too. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring
you good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10).
 
The days before Christmas were anxious times of worry
for me. What if I ended up with a stocking full of coal?
And of course there was always the dreaded children's
Christmas program! But the days after Christmas were
simply glorious: playing with our Christmas toys,
listening to Christmas music, eating Christmas cookies.
Life was good!

 

When the shepherds first saw the brightness of the
angel, and the surpassing brightness of God's own glory,
they were gripped with fear. But as the angel announced
the birth of God's Son, their great fear gave way to
greater joy. Life was good!

 

Life was really good for our first parents Adam and Eve.
God created them perfect and good. They knew God
loved them, and they knew they could depend on Him to
faithfully provide all their needs. Fear didn't enter the
picture until they disobeyed His command and ate the
forbidden fruit. At that moment, their perfect knowledge
of God was replaced with fear and dread of His wrath and
punishment.

 

We still live under that fear too. It's a fear that comes
from not knowing God perfectly or trusting Him completely.
When times are bad or when troubles come upon us, we
find it difficult to fully lean on Him. But that's why Jesus
came, to take our guilt upon Himself and pay the penalty
for our sins in His suffering and death on the cross. With
all sins removed and death completely conquered by
Jesus' death and resurrection, there is nothing left to fear.
Life is good indeed!

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You sent Your Son to
remove our fear by taking upon Himself the punishment
we deserve. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts
forever. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)