COPACETIC

The Fourth Day of Christmas

PSALM 133:1, 3 (ABP)
Things are wonderful and copacetic when God's people live together in harmony! That's when God's promised blessing, unending life, flows.

LUKE 2:14 (CEB)
“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

THE ESSENCE
Jesus came to deliver the kind of peace that, once it gets going, never ends. 

DAILY FODDER
I used a slightly outdated American English slang word in my paraphrase of Psalm 133:1. "Copacetic" means that things are in such a perfect state that no one can complain. In a sense, Jesus came to deliver a copacetic state to the world. When we align ourselves with him and allow his Spirit to flow through us, that's the beginning of eternal life—the "peace" announced by the angel at Jesus' birth.

PRAYER
Glory to you, the Prince of Peace. I become unsettled by all the turbulence in the world. Fill my heart with your peace. Help me, and believers everywhere, to live in unity and peace. How good and pleasant it is to be members of your forever family. Together we can promote peace as we share the gospel message.  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.

THE MESSAGE

The Third Day of Christmas 

PSALM 71:16 (NCB)
I will speak of your mighty deeds, O Lord God,
and declare your righteousness, yours alone.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:23-24 (MSG)
While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.

THE ESSENCE
Whatever the situation, our core message is the same—the crucified Christ.  

DAILY FODDER
We're all wired differently. Practically speaking, how do you speak about the Lord?  

PRAYER
You, God, are the epitome of righteousness. And I'm grateful that through Christ alone you share your righteousness with us. Forgive us for getting sidetracked with our elaborate thinking or by chasing after miracles. Help me to fully recognize how it is that life revolves around Christ Jesus—what he's said and what he's done. I'm going to declare your goodness, known exclusively through Chrst. 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.

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.