KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE GOD

ISAIAH 44:6 (NLT)
I am the First and the Last;
there is no other God.

MATTHEW 6:9 (ABP)
Pray in this way, Our Father in Heaven, we hold your name in the highest regard.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God is so unique that he doesn't have a peer group.
 
DAILY FODDER
How can you know God if he is so far out there that he is unknowable within our realm of experience?

PRAYER
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Thank you for revealing your unique self to us through Christ Jesus the living Word. When I get frustrated by my inability to take it all in, redirect my attention to him. I can know you through him. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

CHRIST OUR SAVIOR HAS COME BEARING GIFTS

ISAIAH 60:16 (MSG)
You’ll know that I, GOD, am your Savior,
your Redeemer, Champion of Jacob.

2 TIMOTHY 1:10 (CEV)
Now Christ Jesus has come
to offer us God's gift
of undeserved grace.
Christ our Savior defeated death
and brought us
the good news.
It shines like a light
and offers life
that never ends.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Christ our Savior has come bearing gifts.
 
DAILY FODDER
What is the best Christmas gift you received?

PRAYER
Glorious God, we continue to celebrate with gratitude and faith the arrival of Christ our Savior into the world. Such a gift! I admit that at times my celebration is pretty shallow. But I'm looking to you to deepen my salvation. I'm expecting Christ to shine through me, drawing others into the life without darkness or end. Amen. 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN

Christmas—the Feast of the Nativity

ISAIAH 38:14 (CEV)
My eyes are red
from looking to you, Lord.
I am in terrible trouble.
Please come and help me.

LUKE 2:11 (NTE)
Today a savior has been born for you—the Messiah, the Lord!—in David’s town.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the Savior who has come to rescue us.
 
DAILY FODDER
How would you explain to an 8-year-old that Jesus is a savior and how his unique arrival is significant?

PRAYER
Savior Jesus, I join with the angels and all creation in celebrating your unique arrival into the world. Forgive me for allowing the story to become so routine that I fail to encounter the good news of it all. Restore the wonder and renew my faith so that I can experience your salvation 365 days a year. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

LIGHT SWALLOWING THE DARKNESS

Christmas Eve

ISAIAH 60:2 (MSG)
GOD’s bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
all people sunk in deep darkness,
But GOD rises on you,
his sunrise glory breaks over you.

LUKE 2:15-16 (MSG)
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Jesus is the light swallowing the darkness.
 
DAILY FODDER
How have you seen the affects of Jesus' light already making a difference in history and your life?

PRAYER
Glorious God, I'm grateful that with the arrival of Jesus, your light has invaded the world. Forgive me for running scared each time I see darkness. Crank up your light in me so that people can join it by embracing the baby. I'm in awe of the incredible gift—light that swallows darkness. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you would protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.