While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Years back, my wife and I took our young son to a nearby farm looking for a Christmas tree. The huge farm was unkempt, having been neglected over many years. The trees were overgrown and had been picked over for years, so only the less desirable ones were left.  Walking over the farm, we saw trees that were crooked, washed-out, and full of dead limbs. Others were poorly shaped, infected with insects, and had trunks too large for the tree holder. As we continued to search for a suitable tree, I overheard a young woman tell her husband, “I have never seen so many trees with something wrong with them!”

This statement reminded me of a contrast. While families desire a near-perfect tree at Christmas, Christ accepts us as we are, warts and all. Christ is not particular. He welcomes the poor and the wealthy, the disabled and the robust, the downtrodden and the acclaimed. He embraces thieves, abusers, and sinners of all descriptions. He embraces you and me. It’s impossible not to qualify for Christ’s love. His grace and forgiveness is available to all — if we only ask.

Strengthen our faith, loving God, as we rely on your grace. Amen.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:31-32

We’ve all heard of high-profile celebrities donating large amounts of money to charity. And in our minds, a $1 million gift to a charity is an enormous gift—something many of us can’t imagine. Yet, the generosity we see in those times pales in comparison to the generosity of God. We cannot even fathom the generous nature of our Creator!  That is the point of this passage in Romans 8. If God willingly gave his only Son for you, what would he possibly keep from you?  We all have areas that we are tempted to worry about. And during those times, the evil one is doing his best to get us to doubt God’s provision for us. But when you realize the power behind God’s generous gift of his Son, you will begin to see that God has a plan to provide for all of your needs, no matter how big or small we may think they are.

Dear Father, It is so easy to get caught up in the worries of life. Please help me to trust in you and your promise to me that you will give me the provisions I need. Thank you for the generous gift of your Son, the greatest blessing I could ever receive. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

Everywhere I look this time of year, I see lights: flashy lights adorning the mall and streets, the steady glow of candlelight during our Christmas Eve service, and the dazzling lights of outside decorations.  Of all the lights at Christmas, however, I am most drawn to the white, twinkly lights on our Christmas tree.   A tradition I’ve enjoyed for years is to sit in my favorite chair in the darkened living room with only the illumination of the Christmas trees lights. I let the trees’ lights remind me of the brightest light of all, Jesus Christ.   The Bible includes numerous references to light.  As you read these verses, think about how Christ has been a light this past year, or think about what kind of light you need this Christmas season.  Let Christ’s light chase away any darkness as you bathe in the splendor of His light.

 As the creator of light, allow God to create light in your life. (Genesis 1:3)

When you are fearful, let His light make you brave. (Psalm 27:1)

 If you need direction, His light will show you the way. (Psalm 119:105)

 When you are in a difficult situation, God’s light makes the rough places smooth. (Isaiah 42:16)

 Do you feel ashamed or guilty?  Accept Christ’s light of forgiveness. (John 3:19)

 Chase away the darkness of hopelessness, loneliness, despair, aimlessness, confusion, hurt, or anger as you follow Christ, the Light of life. (John 8:12)

 Be a witness to Christ’s light by the way you live your life. (Matthew 5:16)

 Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Light.  Renew my hope, joy, and trust in You, as all the Christmas lights remind me that You are the Light of the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy . . . be glory, majesty, power and authority.  Jude 1:24-25

During the holiday season, I sat down and put together a 1000-piece holiday puzzle. I took pleasure in assembling the colors and pictures to resemble the image on the box. To my dismay, when I was trying to finish my puzzle, I discovered one piece was missing. The puzzle was flawed. I was so disappointed that I was ready to throw it away, to abandon the puzzle and to start another one. But then I looked at it again and decided to keep it. It was still a beautiful picture, and I was not going to throw it away because it was not perfect.

I think God sees us in the same way. Each of us has the potential to become who God intends us to be, but we come up short. We are all flawed. I am thankful that when I sin or fall short of God’s hopes and expectations, God does not become discouraged and abandon me. God still sees our value and refuses to throw us aside. Rather, God saves us through Jesus Christ!

Loving God, thank you for overlooking our flaws and for loving us despite our shortcomings. Amen.

How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?   Romans 10:14

ONE December day several years ago, my friend’s six-year-old daughter, Alisha, selected an unusual Chrisatmas gift for her Mom. It was a huge candy cane the size of a lawn ornament. Alisha would not change her mind, despite her ad’s and brother’s insistence that she consider something else. When Christmas arrived, her Mom opened her present from Alisha.  Six months later, Alisha died.

Two thousand years ago, God sent us a gift, a poor child laid in a manger and surrounded by unlikely people and even animals. God’s unlikely gift was Jesus. We still celebrate his strange and beautiful entry into our world that he came to save.

Each Christmas season as I look at the candy cane hanging in a place of prominence at their house, I remember that unlikely gifts can have great significance. Jesus truly is the best gift we can give or receive.

God, help us to remember you not only on Christmas Day but on every day as we interact with other people. Amen.

“Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, ‘God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.  Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? … You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.'” Luke 1:42-45

Have you ever said “yes” to God for what you believed was the assignment of a lifetime?  When you said “yes” did you know you would never be the same again? I love the story of Mary – young, sweet, innocent Mary – who accepted the assignment of her lifetime.  I can only imagine what she was thinking when the angel Gabriel announced she would give birth to the Son of the Most High.  Mary was also given details of how this son would be conceived.  Without hesitation her response to this assignment of a lifetime was, “May it be to me as you have said” Luke 1:38.

Mary did what most women do when something “big” happens, she ran to tell a gal pal. I wonder if she ran out of fear or excitement about what she had just experienced. Perhaps she ran to hide until she could get a handle on the situation. Or maybe she needed a hug from someone that loved her and could assure her that everything was going to be all right.

Scripture tells us she “hurried” on a 5-6 hour trip to Zechariah and Elizabeth’s house – a  place of refuge. When she arrived at their home, her cousin Elizabeth’s words confirmed that Mary indeed had been chosen to give birth to the long awaited Messiah. “In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!'” Luke 1:42-44.   This was Mary’s moment.  All that she believed of what the angel had spoken was affirmed.  In response, Mary praised God, saying, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” Luke 1:46-49.  Has something like this ever happened to you? Has the Lord spoke to you through His Word and prayer and in your spirit you sensed Him telling you something that seemed outrageous? Has He asked you to say “yes” to an assignment that would change your life forever? You shook your head to loosen the cobwebs and push out anything possibly obstructing your hearing. You walked around bewildered for a couple days, wondering if you really heard right.  You replayed the scenario in your mind to get a clearer picture of the experience, but still could not get a handle on it.  Then out of the blue you received confirmation. God used a pastor, scripture, song, friend, family member, or a situation to confirm the word He spoke to your heart. If so, like Mary, have you responded with a song of praise to the Lord?

Is God speaking to you today about accepting a divine assignment? Is this devotion confirmation of your own “Mary moment”?  Or, maybe you are still waiting on your lifetime assignment.  God gives each assignment in His perfect timing.  Let’s stay close to Him and His Word so we will be ready to say “yes” when He speaks.

Dear Lord, I celebrate with You the assignments you have for me, big and small. I reflect today on the “Mary moments” I’ve had.  With fear, trembling, and excitement, I wait on the next one.  You are a right-on-time God.  Thank You for choosing me to be part of Your story.  With each assignment, help me to respond like Mary by saying, “May it be to me as you have said.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18

EVERY year during the holidays, many people visit homeless shelters to serve the poor. If these servers are like me, they leave with soaring spirits and a new perspective on their material blessings. For years I was blessed to serve monthly dinner at a shelter, smiling and pouring drinks for the guests. But I needed more; I hungered for relationships with people in crisis.

Back when I could, I began worshiping at the shelter several times a week; we sang and prayed together, hugged, and shared our pains. Through these encounters the Holy Spirit blessed me profoundly. These people are just like me, and they came to realize I was just like them. We are a family of believers and seekers with many of the same obstacles to faith and grace, though we look very different. We find great comfort in knowing we support one another through our daily trials.

During his short time in ministry, Christ called us to be humbled by our sins and weaknesses but also to put into action the gifts God has given us, for God’s purposes. We are to love our brothers and sisters as Jesus loved those in need — up close and in person.

Heavenly Father, may the situations and people that break your heart, break our hearts. Amen.

The grace of God that brings salvation . . . teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives . . . while we wait for . . . [our] Savior, Jesus Christ.  Titus 2:11-13

THIS Christmas season our family members have baked and bought and wrapped and donated. We have also volunteered time with those in need. And we plan to put aside family differences to enjoy Christmas Day together.  The time is coming to eat all those cookies, unwrap the presents, and enjoy a few precious days off work with family and friends. But is that all? Our reading for today is not a let-down-your-hair message of celebration. Instead Titus speaks of renouncing impiety, of self-control, of redemption, and of zeal for good deeds.

We come together this holiday season to celebrate the grace of God become flesh — a God who humbly took the form of an infant, born among animals in a strange and unwelcome place. As we rejoice in the appearance of our Lord and Savior, we are called to renounce our worldly passions and to seek redemption and purity — living godly lives for the least and the unwelcome in our communities. May our observances this year display to everyone around us not only our joy and generosity but also the purity and righteousness of Christ who lives in us.

God of life, transform my zeal for worldly goods into passion for your people and your world. Amen.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1-2

Have you ever heard someone say, “There has to be more to life than this”? That statement is generally spawned from those who are struggling to climb the corporate ladder or trying to keep up with the Joneses. Yet, that statement fails to encompass the reality that there is much more to life.  Even if your life is going great, God has a better, more beautiful life out there for you. And it begins when you realize that life is elevated through giving, not getting.  Nothing you accumulate can ever take the place of the excitement and joy that is derived from giving. It is exhilarating and energizing. 

When you give generously, you are imitating the very nature of God. You are being conformed into the image of Christ. And you are embracing a quality that has the power and potential to change the world.

Dear Father, I know that there’s more to life than what I have. Please help me to not be concerned about my material wealth or social status. Instead, I want to focus on imitating you, utilizing this life-changing power of generosity, so that I can help others as you have demonstrated to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

You were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.  1 Peter 2:25

Sheep roam over the hills in Germany. Do they belong to someone? If you ask a local shepherd, he will say, “All the sheep on this side of the hill belong to me. They’re a hardy breed. They stay out in all kinds of weather, and they find their food up in the hills. They are brought down for dipping, worming, lambing, and shearing.”  “But what if they wander off?”  “They don’t. They’re heafed to their leader’s hill.”  Heafed is a new word to me. Even without fences, these sheep know their own patch of ground. The mother sheep teach each generation of lambs where they belong.

 I wandered far from God because it is my nature to stray. But when I came to Jesus Christ, he “heafed” me to himself. Now, when I am inclined to wander, the shepherd’s voice speaks to my heart, calling me back.

Lord, we are glad that you are our shepherd. Help us; change our hearts so we never want to stray, as we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”* Amen.