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Christmas Reading Plan | Week 4 | Day 4
Prayer
God, today is a beautiful reminder of how much you love us, help me to remember that today.
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-20
Read these verses three times slowly.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Reflection & Questions
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hopefully your day is going to be filled with joy, lots of presents and of course too much food than you know what to do with. If you think about it, the Christmas story was anything but calm and cookie cutter.
The census sparked a mass migration that was very inconvenient for a nine-month pregnant woman. There was no room anywhere for someone to sleep in a cozy bed for the night. There was only a little room in a barn that had a manger. As much as we try to make our own Christmas’ ideal, the original Christmas Day was anything but. However in the midst of that scary imperfect chaos, God was working something perfect in the world. Jesus the perfect Son of God was born. Don’t forget about those angels from heaven who declared His arrival to shepherds. The most perfect part of it all, was that God ultimately got the glory for it!
Whether your Chrismtas is ideal, or chaotic, remember that Jesus came in the middle of the chaos to offer hope for all people. That’s a powerful story. That’s THE Christmas Story.
- Which type of Christmas are you having or are you going to have? Are you in chaos right now?
- What at the end of the day try and answer this question, “What good did God bring to my day today?” then thank God for it.
Prayer
God help me to find your good in the chaos, and help me to thank for all the good I see today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
