Daily Devotion for December 14

INTRO

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

OBSERVATION

The Angel said in Luke 2:10; “Behold! I bring you good news of a great joy....” Christmas is coming! Days from now, ready or not, it will happen. NO matter how much we are prepared or not prepared Christmas will happen. The first Christmas came, prepared or not prepared. Hence, “there was no room for them in the inn.”

In other ways, the first Christmas was not fully prepared; it was not only a stable, but a manger and not a cradle. There were animals at the birthing scene and not midwives. One may even wonder if the straw was sterilized before the birth like in modern birthing rooms.

Then there was the baby shower and all those gifts....

If they were that unprepared for the first Christmas, then how shall we prepare? Got the cards in the mail? Gifts for all family, friends, acquaintances purchased? Cookies baked? Christmas tree decorated? Lights and other outdoor Christmas decorations properly displayed? I can see, that once again, I am not prepared. And like every Christmas: ready or not, here it comes!

SCRIPTURE TO PONDER

First Corinthians 13, Christmas Version (submitted by Catharine Philips)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.