LUKE’S CHRISTMAS GOSPEL OF JESUS: A 30-Day Christmas-Time Devotional.

Blessed Christmas Day!

Christmas Day, 0 AD. 

Luke 2: 7-20 (MsgB)

[7] She (Mary) gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. [8] There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. [9] Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. [10] The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: [11] A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. [12] This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” [13] At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:[14] “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.” [15] As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” [16] They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. [17] Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. [18] All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. [19] Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. [20] The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told.

The day has finally arrived.

Christmas Day. December 25^th.

Yes, it’s true that scholars can’t pinpoint the exact day or hour of this historic event. Just the fact that our earthly calendars are different from those used back then is reason enough for some of the confusion.

Some believe the birth of Jesus might have occurred earlier, in what we would call 3 B.C. Others say the date might have been as late as 6 A.D. Most scholars agree that the actual birth was in the late summer rather than the midst of winter. While few disagree on Bethlehem as being the location of His birth, many don’t agree on the manger setting as our traditional Christmas cards depict.

The long list of uncertainties is certainly there.

Yet, despite all the unknowns and uncertainties, aren’t you glad for the greater ‘knowns’ and ‘certainties?’

We know, for example, that God, our Creator King, planned this unique incarnation of His Redeeming Son long before time began. We know, as well, that this unique time of His birth was surrounded by great God-activity where men, women, and children, rich and poor, common and uncommon, Jew and Gentile, were touched supernaturally by the finger of God, awakening them to His on-going Kingdom purposes on planet earth. We also know with great certainty that the birth of this child, Jesus of Nazareth, brought something onto this planet so expansive and influential that even to this day, our calendars and watches are set to reflect the day He was born!

Oh sure, there are many today who dismiss the historical accuracy of the first Christmas, letting it pass them by without any awareness of the great works of God going on behind the scene.

That’s always been true and always will be true.

As I see it, that’s why Jesus was constantly prodding people with the question, “Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear?”

Aren’t you glad today, that God has sent His Holy Spirit to us, opening our eyes and ears to the wonder and great significance of Christ’s birth?

As we celebrate yet another Christmas, now into our third millennium of doing such, may His glory and honor increase in and through our lives, as we bow in adoration before our Eternal King.

From the very first Christmas, until today, and forever!

O come, let us adore Him!

My prayer: Thank You, God, for Your gift of Christmas. Without it, our still-fallen world would be so dark and lost in sin, we wouldn’t even recognize it as being the same planet we live on today! Because of Christmas, we all now can have a legitimate hope for the future. Hope has come! And with it, my life has now begun! For Your name’s sake. Amen.

My questions to ponder: So, with all the secular hub-bub surrounding this traditional holiday, do I really, truly believe in the miracle of Christmas? They say that seeing is believing. Yet in Kingdom theology, believing is seeing. How can I become more child-like in my believing, especially today, allowing the miracle of Christmas to better guide my seeing?

So what is God speaking to you today? Are you practicing the Kingdom presence of God?

We hope you have enjoyed these 30 blogs that walked you through 30 days of Advent (Nov 26 – Dec 25). Here’s the homepage for the entire series.

May you and yours have a Blessed Christmas!

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