God sent his Son

The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David's descendants. ~ Isaiah 11:1 (GNT)

But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God’s children. ~ Galatians 4:4-5 (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

God sent his Son.

PRAYER:

Generous Father -- thank you for sending your Son to live among us so that he could set us free from the things which keep us away from you. In spite of such a great gift, though, I continue to return to the things which no longer really have any claim on my life. As I look forward to a new year I want to grow into the freedom that belongs to me as a child of God. I know that I can only do that as you motivate me and give me the power to truly be free. So please help me. Amen.

A sign

He will not break off a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. ~ Isaiah 32:3a (GNT)

This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger. ~ Luke 2:12 (CEB)

KEY IDEA:

Jesus is God present and he gently meets our troubled hearts.

PRAYER:

Father, the thought of coming into your presence can terrify me. Then I remember that you have already come to me -- as a baby in a manger. Let your birth story become a home for my frightened heart, so I may live for the day when everyone will know your great mercy and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel MInistries edition, 172)

World justice

The Lord is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth. ~ Psalm 105:7 (CEV)

The light has come into the world, and people who do evil things are judged guilty... ~ John 3:19a (CEV)

KEY IDEA:

There is nowhere that people can go to escape God's justice. And there is nowhere to go where his justice will not look out for you.

PRAYER:

Indeed, Lord, you are our God. I know that I can count on you and your justice. Save me from the feeling that injustice is so powerful that justice will never win out. That is a faithless way of looking at things. But I am going to trust that your light is powerful enough to illumine all that needs to be illumined. Shine your light of justice on all -- even me. Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 

God, your God, is not to be trifled with—he’s a consuming fire, a jealous God. ~ Deuteronomy 4:24 (MSG)

This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. ~ 1 John 4:10 (MSG)

KEY IDEA:

God's love for us is so great that he has set aside his anger, and sacrificed his Son in order to restore our relationship with him.

PRAYER:

Gracious Father, thank you for sending your Son into the world to fix our relationship with you. That is the best Christmas present imaginable. Unfortunately, we, including me, have reduced that gift to a nice holiday that doesn't really change the way I am. So, my goal this year is to see that change. With your help, I'm going to let Christmas change the way that I think and live. You are so generous. Amen.