ENLIGHTENED AND RADIANT

The Second Day of Christmas
(St Stephen's Day)

PSALM 19:8 (MSG)
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.

ACTS 6:15 (CEB)
Everyone seated in the council stared at Stephen, and they saw that his face was radiant, just like an angel’s.

THE ESSENCE
On the first Christmas, the Light of the world became one of us human beings. To follow him and his instructions leads to enlightened eternal living. 

DAILY FODDER
It is revealing that the church commemorates St Stephen, the first follower of Jesus martyred, on the day after Christmas. While Jesus' presence and instruction is truly enlightening, many resist enlightenment and even feel threatened by it. How do we handle pushback?

PRAYER
Lord God, your word revives me, imparts wisdom, gives joy, and enlightens my heart. Thank you for your commandments that provide guidelines for my journey of faith. Forgive my lack of diligence and focus. Open the eyes of my heart to the beauty and wonder of life in Christ. May others see the light of Christ in me. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

A SAVIOR IS BORN

Christmas Day

LAMENTATIONS 5:21 (ABP)
Repair our relationship, GOD! Allow us back into your life — back to the glory days when we were together.

LUKE 2:11 (NLT)
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

THE ESSENCE
The arrival of Jesus into the world opens the door for a restored relationship with God.

DAILY FODDER
He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
 — Charles Wesley (1728), And Can It Be

PRAYER
Thank you, Christ Jesus, for leaving your heavenly throne to come be born as one of us. You are the Savior of the world! Empower me to share this good news and invite people to receive your salvation today and every day. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

THE BIRTH OF RIGTHEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, LOVE, AND FAITHFULNESS

Christmas Eve

PSALM 89:14 (GNT)
Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice;
love and faithfulness are shown in all you do.

JOHN 1:14 (MSG)
The Word became flesh and blood,
   and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
   the one-of-a-kind glory,
   like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
   true from start to finish.

THE ESSENCE
Through the birth of Jesus, God came into his world to reveal his righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness.

DAILY FODDER
How are you planning to keep the focus on the arrival of Jesus during your Christmas celebration?

PRAYER
Glorious God, I join the world in celebrating the arrival of your Son as one of us. Through his words and deeds he revealed your righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness. Forgive us for mindlessly celebrating the holiday without even thinking of these qualities. Ring a bell in my head and wake me up to what you're doing through the Word who became flesh and blood. Because of his neighborly presence I can have a part in his world-shattering kingdom. 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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.

DON'T HESITATE

HAGGAI 2:4 (ABP)
Step up! Don’t hesitate to throw yourself into the work because I, GOD-All-Powerful, am with you.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 (CEB)
What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.

THE ESSENCE
When it comes to doing the work of God's Kingdom, don't hesitate to throw yourself into it, even though you don't see how all the details are going to work out.

DAILY FODDER
There is an idiom in English, "He who hesitates is lost." The point is, if you fail to act definitively the opportunity will disappear. Likewise, when God tells us to do something, if we hesitate or delay (for whatever reason—good or bad), the opportunity to participate in what God is doing in that moment will be gone and we’ll  miss out.

PRAYER
God of abundance, thank you for countless blessings. I know you are always with me. Yet I am often hesitant about getting involved in service and ministry opportunities. Give me courage to sow my small seeds of faith. I trust you to multiply those seeds into a bountiful harvest. May all I do give glory and honor to you. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

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 will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.