December 24, 2018
Luke 2:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)
Immanuel—God with Us—wants to be born in each one of us so we may live out the Light of His agape love in a world that prefers darkness. Allow our reading for today to fill you with gratitude, because God so loved the world he sent Messiah. As well, allow this word to prepare you to be flesh and bones over Immanuel. Like the shepherds, discover Messiah anew today. He is coming again soon to harvest his children of love. Invite the Spirit to help you get ready for the Lord’s return.
Luke 2:1-14 The Birth of Jesus
2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being born in me. Thank you for helping me be flesh and bones over your perfect agape. You are always teaching me how to live in expectation and wonder as I discover more about you and your plan for me as your daughter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
NOTE: I will be taking time all day tomorrow to be with family and friends as we celebrate God’s precious gift to us: to be reborn in love from above. So, our daily devotions will pick up on Wednesday. Merry Christmas to all!