From: December 25, 2024
Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake” (Revelation 16:15 ESV).
Advent means “coming.” On this Christmas day we celebrate and remember Christ’s coming. Yet, this Christmas season also reminds us that He is coming again. Therefore, let us keep our eyes open. For Jesus has promised to return at a time when people least expect Him, like a “thief in the night” (Matt. 24:43; 1 Thess. 5:2).
So, let us look back to celebrate His first coming while also staying awake to look forward for His soon return.
Merry Christmas!
PRAYER: Dear Father, as we celebrate this day with family and friends, help us to remember the reason for this season. It is our Savior, Christ the Lord. By Your Spirit, help us to keep our eyes open to His presence in our lives today and to look for His soon return at any time. Thank You for Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.
From: December 25, 2023
“…Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23b NLT).
Zechariah’s prophecy described a time when great numbers of people from the Gentile nations would seek the One born king of the Jews, who is known by this description: “God is with you.” Who is this One? It is Christ Jesus. As Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 7:14) and Matthew confirmed (Matt. 1:23), He is Immanuel, which in Hebrew means, “God with us.”
Today, Zechariah’s prophecy has been fulfilled. People from nearly every tongue and tribe have decided to walk with Jesus, who is Immanuel, “God with us.” Today, we celebrate His coming and look forward to His soon return! Merry Christmas!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for sending Jesus to us, our Immanuel, God with us. Strengthen us to carry the message of Your love to every nation, language, and tribe, until everyone has heard that Immanuel has come. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 25, 2022
WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU THIS CHRISTMAS?
In Zechariah’s time, the Jews had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile and were attempting to rebuild the Temple. But the small remnant was overwhelmed with the large size of the project. They felt inadequate in every way, not enough in number nor in resources. But the Lord of Hosts had a question for them to consider: “Is it impossible for Me?”
This was the same question that troubled Mary when the angel Gabriel visited. She wondered aloud, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
After explaining the the miracle of Christ’s divine conception Gabriel replied, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
And Mary believed, replying “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
God was with the exiles in Zechariah’s day and they finally completed the rebuilding of the Temple against impossible odds. God was with the virgin Mary and she bore a son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. He is Immanuel, (God with us). And they named him Jesus, which means “God saves.”
What seems impossible in your life today? Is it impossible for God?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we often feel small and inadequate, but we know that You are with us. We believe that all things are possible with You. Let it be unto us according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 25, 2016
Advent means “coming.” On this Christmas day we celebrate and remember Christ’s coming unto us in the city of David as Savior and Lord. Yet, this day should also remind us that He is coming again. So, let us look back to celebrate His first coming while also staying awake to look forward for His soon return. Merry Christmas!
From: December 25, 2015
The psalmist David looks to God and finds in Him everything, but looks to man by comparison and finds next to nothing. He wonders how God can stoop to know and acknowledge lowly humanity. Yet, God not only stoops to know, He humbles Himself to become… “the Son of Man.” God sent His Son to become like us, so that we might become like Him. This is the gift behind every gift. Merry Christmas!!