A COMMON NAME WITH A NEW MEANING

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

TEXT: "And at the end of eight days...He was called
Jesus." (Luke 2:21)

New Year's Eve was exciting when I was a kid. We
say goodbye to the old and ring in the new. With each
New Year came all kinds of exciting opportunities,
hopes and dreams.

Jesus has now reached the age of eight days and
something new is about to happen. Every Israelite boy
who reached the age of eight days was required to be
circumcised and receive his name. As we saw earlier
in the naming of Zechariah and Elizabeth's son John,
names were important to the people of Israel.

Mary and Joseph have already been told the Name that
God has given for His Son. So in obedience they gave
Mary's Child the Name of Jesus. It was a common name
at the time. It means "The Lord is salvation" or "The Lord
saves." In the Old Testament the names Joshua and
Hosea are variants of the name Jesus. Every other
Israelite boy carrying this name in effect reminded people
to turn their attention to God, who is their salvation.

In the case of Mary's Son it was completely different,
however. In His case the Name pointed to Himself as
Lord-the One who is now present to save His people from
their sins. Many years from now His enemies will hurl His
Name back at Him in mockery, as He hangs on the cross:
"He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He trusts in
God, let God deliver Him now, if He desires Him. For He
said, 'I am the Son of God'" (Matthew 27:42-43).

But there on the cross Jesus was fulfilling His Name-the
Lord saving His people from death and hell by suffering for
their sins.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You truly are the Lord who saves His people.
Receive our thanks for being the Savior Your name said
You would be. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

WHO NEEDS A SAVIOR?

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 2:11-12

TEXT: "Unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

I remember being devastated one year when
mom and dad took down our Christmas tree
early. They said it had gotten too dry, but I
never saw any danger. Years later our youth
group had a Christmas tree bonfire. In seconds
the tree exploded into flames, lighting up the
entire field. We all were forced to step back
from the intense heat. In that moment I realized
what great danger we had been in, and how
mom and dad had saved us.

If the shepherds were anything like most people,
they felt no danger sitting out in the fields that
Christmas night. Then in an instant the angel
appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them. In that horrifying moment they saw the
darkness of their sinful lives in the holy light of
God, and they were gripped with terror of His wrath.

Each of us will experience that moment someday-
either at our death or at Christ's return. We will be
immersed in the bright light of God's glory, as we
stand before Him for judgment. God will not weigh
out your good deeds versus your bad deeds, or
compare you to other people. Instead, He will look
deep into your thoughts, desires and attitudes. If
you committed one sin, one single wrongdoing at
any time during your life, you will stand condemned.

But that is why Jesus came as our Savior. He took
every sin to the cross, where He suffered God's fiery
wrath in our place. When we trust Jesus as our Savior,
all our sins are taken away, and we can be confident
we will be able to stand spotless before His judgment
seat.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my place and
suffering for my sins. Guide me to show others why
they need Your salvation too. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

FEAR TURNED INTO JOY

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 2:10

TEXT: "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not,
for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.'"



The days before Christmas were anxious times
of worry for me. What if I ended up with a stocking
full of coal? And of course there was always the
dreaded children's Christmas program! But the
days after Christmas were simply glorious: playing
with our Christmas toys, listening to Christmas
music, eating Christmas cookies. Life was good!

When the shepherds first saw the brightness of the
angel, and the surpassing brightness of God's own
glory, they were gripped with fear. But as the angel
announced the birth of God's Son, their great fear
gave way to greater joy. Life was good!

Life was really good for our first parents Adam and
Eve. God created them perfect and good. They knew
God loved them, and they knew they could depend
on Him to faithfully provide all their needs. Fear didn't
enter the picture until they disobeyed His command
and ate the forbidden fruit. At that moment, their
perfect knowledge of God was replaced with fear and
dread of His wrath and punishment.

We still live under that fear too. It's a fear that comes
from not knowing God perfectly or trusting Him
completely. When times are bad, when troubles come
upon us we find it difficult to lean completely in His
hands. But that's why Jesus came, to take our guilt
upon Himself and pay the penalty for our sins, in His
suffering and death on the cross. With all sins removed
and death completely conquered in Jesus' death and
resurrection, there is nothing left to fear. Life is good
indeed!


Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You sent Your Son to
remove our fear by taking upon Himself the punishment
we deserve. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts
forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

CHRISTMAS

Scripture:.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things they had heard and seen, which were just
as they had been told. -Luke 2:20

At the birth of Jesus, amidst the dirt and straw of a stable,
millennia of promises, prophecies, and hopes were fulfilled.
In the birth of a child, something that happens every single
day all over the world, something happened that would
change the world. Everything the faithful were anticipating
took shape. It was the alignment of all that was meant to
be. But the birth of Jesus has that power and significance
only if he really is who he said he was.

The shepherds heard, they saw, and it was all just as they
had been told. In a perfect conjunction of heaven and earth,
God came to earth, connecting the two for his eternal
purposes. Years later, Jesus would tell us in so many
different ways, “I have come into the world as a light”
(John 12:46); “I have come that they may have life and have
it to the full” (John 10:10); “For this reason I was born and
for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth,”
(John 18:37).

So…

When we are sensing the dirtiness of life in this world, we
can focus on the purity of Christ.

When we feel weak, we can lean on the power of Christ.

When we are ill, we can remember that he is the great
physician.

When we are confused, we can turn to his words to get
our bearings.

When we are damaged, we can remember that he said
that he would not break a bruised reed nor snuff out a
smoldering wick.

When we know we have sinned, we can know his
forgiveness.

When we are wayward, we can remember he called
himself “the way.”

When we have been lied to, we can remember he
called himself “the truth.”

When we feel like our energy and our enthusiasm is
waning, we can remember that he called himself “the life.”

And so, we can pray:

Thank you Lord Christ for humbling yourself and taking
the form of man. Thank you for pushing back the darkness
of this world and of my life. Thank you for fully living before
us so that we can see just how much life we can have. Let
me live for the next 52 weeks in the light of your ongoing
presence and power in this world. And then let me celebrate
Christmas again—with joy.

(Mel Lawrenz)

THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out
a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should
be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius
was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child.And so it was, that, while they
were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were
sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let
us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which
is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,
and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it,
they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.

MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS

ANOTHER BUSY CHRISTMAS?

"Just as being too busy gives you nightmares…"
Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLT

Christmas slippers

While we are called to work hard, we must
make sure that our work doesn't so preoccupy
us that we endanger our health, our relationships,
or our time with God.1

A woman died, leaving behind her husband and
one daughter. The little girl soon became the very
apple of her daddy's eye. He loved to spend time
with her, but because he had to work, they had
only their evenings together. After dinner each
night they would talk and play games; sometimes
she sang for him. He treasured every moment.

One night the little girl announced, "Daddy, I
need to go to my room early tonight. I have
something I have to do!"

He felt very disappointed, but he let her go. She
continued this pattern for a solid month. Finally,
Christmas Day arrived, and early in the morning
she burst in on her daddy and proudly displayed
a pair of crude crocheted slippers she had made
for him. It was this project that had taken her away
from her father for every evening that month.

Her father thanked her warmly and gave her a big
hug, but then he said, "Honey, I would rather have
had you with me all those lonely evenings than to
have these slippers, as beautiful and comfortable
as they are."

[As in the story of Martha and Mary], God wants
our presence more than our slippers. He wants our
devotion more than our work. It really is a matter of
balance.2

(Gods Daily Promises)

THE IMPOSSIBLE GIFT

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:18

TEXT: "How shall I know this?" (Luke 1:18)


The impossible gift: for some children, it's a
pony; for us, it was a pool table. Every Christmas
we asked for a pool table and ended up
disappointed. Finally, one Christmas we sat
around the tree after opening all our presents.
Figuring there would be no pool table, we resigned
ourselves to look more closely at the presents we
had received. That's when mom and dad brought
out one last present for each of us. One brother
opened a triangle; another opened a box of pool
balls. We were all running downstairs before the
other three gifts were unwrapped.

That's what happened to Zechariah. But instead of
running downstairs to see the pool table, he sat on
the floor asking "How shall I know this?" Long ago
he had given up the dream of having a child. So
even though an angel stands before him giving this
tremendous good news, Zechariah finds it
impossible to believe.

God's great promises often greet us when we are
beaten down, discouraged and depressed. A
cynicism often seeps in that keeps us from enjoying
God's gifts as we should, but those gifts are still
offered whether you believe it or not. The baby is still
in Bethlehem's manger for you. Will you pass it by
just because you've been discouraged by the events
in your life?

Christmas is really all about God stepping into our
world of disappointment, heartache and failure. He
came to share our life of pain and sorrow; He came to
give us His life of joy, peace and bliss.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, come to me in my disillusionment and
pain. Reassure me of Your power to heal my pain,
provide all my needs, and lead me to unending joy
in Your presence. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

FLESH

The word became flesh, and made his dwelling
among us. – John 1:14

“The word became flesh.” It means that the Son
of God became human—really, truly human—
with the exception that he had no sin. Christmas
is a time of awe because the best news the human
race ever received was that its Creator had so
much love, that he joined the human race to save it.
He is a savior who experienced real hunger, real
fatigue, real sorrow. He faced temptation when the
Evil One tempted him in the wilderness with very
“fleshy” things like power, wealth, and authority
(Luke 4:1-13).

Jesus knows us, because he was one of us. Real
flesh, but perfect. So on those days when we are
so disappointed with ourselves because we are
having a hard time controlling the flesh, this is the
kind of savior to turn to.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to hear “the Word” this Christmas.
Help me to see you for who you are in all your glory.
Thank you for humbling yourself.

(by Mel Lawrenz)

STAR

They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the
east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place
where the child was. When they saw the star, they were
overjoyed. – Matthew 2:9-10

In Psalm 19, David gives voice to the stars:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim
the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth
speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is
no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the
ends of the world. (Vss. 1-4)

If you have ever stood outside at night and looked up at
the canopy of stars, away from the city, away from noise,
you may have seen that the stars have a message. In
silence they speak, and their voice is thunderous.

The star of Bethlehem, a sign in the sky noted by the
Magi, may have been a miraculous event, matching the
miraculous entry of the Savior into the world, or it may
have been a natural astronomical phenomenon, used by
God as a sign. In either case, the heavens were speaking
in a unique way about a unique world-changing event.
Should that come as any surprise?

But note that only the observant recognized the sign, and
in this case, they were outsiders. God drew outsiders
toward Bethlehem with a word that he had placed in the
sky. Don’t ever doubt that God is speaking to the “outsider,”
and that those who seek will find. Christmas is both for
believers, and for those who have yet to come to faith. In
those days, it was a celestial sign that attracted the
attention of outsiders. Today, there are many signs that
Jesus accomplished something unique in the world, acts
arise out of and point to his holy character.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for putting your clear markers into this
world and into our lives so we can know that you are real,
and what you intend to do. May this Christmas be a new
marker for me.

(by Mel Lawrenz)

A MIGHTY GOD!

And he will be called…Mighty God. – Isaiah 9:6

In the Old Testament, some of the prophecies
about Christ are mysterious statements. They
were so bold and so large that they were
treasured through the generations, until they were
fulfilled and finally understood. Isaiah’s oracle
about a son who would be born—Wonderful
Counselor, Prince of Peace, and all the rest—was
one of those landmark prophecies. In that moment
of inspiration, Isaiah revealed he would be Mighty God.

After Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension,
his followers would piece together what he said and
did, and conclude that Jesus really was one with God
the Father in a way that is appropriate to call him divine.
The doctrine of the Trinity would be defined later, but in
Isaiah’s prophesy about the coming one are the seeds
of this truth.

In the Jewish tradition, nothing was more important
than belief in the “oneness” of God. Not two gods, not a
thousand gods, but one and only one God. So what
could happen when, in Bethlehem itself, Magi from the
east came bearing gifts fit for a king, but who also
worshipped him? Why did Jesus allow fishermen in a
boat worship him after he calmed a storm? Or Mary
falling at Jesus’ feet in worship in the garden after his
resurrection? Or the disciple Thomas falling at his feet,
saying, “My Lord and my God?”

Nobody at the start of Jesus’ life, nor during his adult
ministry, even hinted at anything suggesting there is
more than one God. But because of who God is;
because God is higher than human comprehension;
because God said “us” from the very beginning:
“Let us make man in our image” (Gen. 1:26); because
the coming one would be called Immanuel, “God with
us,” (Matt. 1:22-23) we can believe that Christmas
represents the true entry of God into human affairs.
The same God who created humanity, took humanity
on himself when it suited his purposes—to save that
same humanity. The God who created the world,
entered it through a human birth in the town of
Bethlehem.

Not any kind of god would do that. Only the one, true,
Mighty God.

Prayer:

Lord I believe you are mighty. I believe you can do
whatever you wish. I believe you came in the flesh
in Jesus.

( by Mel Lawrenz)

GODS GREAT PLAN

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:14-17

TEXT: "Many will rejoice at his birth, for he will
be great before the Lord." (Luke 1:14-15)


Stringing up Christmas lights is hard work,
especially when you are up on that ladder on a
cold, windy day in December. But it's all worth it
when evening comes. You summon your children
and have them stand far enough back to take it
all in, and then ... you throw the switch. Those
bright lights bring them such joy; it's a joy many
of your neighbors will end up sharing too.

How wonderful it must have been for Zechariah to
hear that the child for which they had waited so
long will bring them great joy, and not great
heartache. But it's even bigger than that. Their
son will not only be a great joy to them, he will be
a source of great joy to many other people as well.

He will be great because God will set him apart
and fill him with the Holy Spirit, even from his
mother's womb. The Spirit will equip him to
accomplish his great God-given mission. As the
angel tells Zechariah, "He will turn many of the
children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will
go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah ...
to make ready for the Lord a people prepared"
(see Luke 1:16-17).

John will expose our selfishness and show us why
we need a Savior, so we will trust in the promised
Son of God. It is He alone who will work out our
salvation in His perfect life and innocent suffering
and death. Clearly, it was worth waiting all those
years to have such a son as John.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for sending Your
Son into our world, and preparing people like
Zechariah and Elizabeth to be parents of His
forerunner John. Give me courage to walk with You
in faith as You order my steps. In Jesus' name,
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

BUSY SHOPPING

It's that time of year again-the time of busy
shopping days, holiday baking, and twinkling
lights. The time when schedules overflow with
parties and events. The time to send out cards
to family and friends. It's supposed to be the
season of "holiday cheer." But in the weeks
before we celebrate our Savior's birth, so often
we feel anxiety and stress instead.

Years ago, Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World,"
the well-loved hymn often sung during this busy
Christmas season. Ironically, Watts never
intended his hymn for Christmas use. Instead,
he simply intended to paraphrase the words of
Psalm 98: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth
...for he comes. . ." (vs. 4, 9).

Amidst his poetry about Christ's second coming,
however, Watts also provides fitting words for our
Christmas frenzy: "Joy to the world! the Lord is
come . . . Let every heart prepare him room."
Prepare him room-significant words for any time
of year. Yet perhaps we need to hear them the
most at Christmastime, when so many things can
distract us from our faith. .

This year, during this hectic Christmas season, take
the time to prepare your heart. Remember Christ's
first coming, as a humble King and Savior. Reflect
on the certainty of his return, as Judge over all. And
as you think on these precious truths, you'll probably
experience the best holiday feeling of all-the joy of
knowing "the Lord is come" into your heart.

(2011 Center for Church Music)

A LONG FORGOTTEN PRAYER

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:13

TEXT: "Do not be afraid Zechariah, for your prayer has
been heard. And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son."
(Luke 1:13)


A few days ago I heard a Christmas song I hadn't heard
since I was a teenager. It reminded me of something I
had long ago forgotten-how desperately I wanted to be
married at that age. For more than 20 years I kept
praying for a wife, but that prayer went unanswered.
There were times I was convinced I would be single all
my life. Then I finished seminary and went to my first
call in Missouri. Within a month I was dating the woman
who would become my wife.

For decades Zechariah had prayed for a child. But when
no child came he eventually gave up-but not God. On
the very first day Zechariah prayed God marked that
prayer in His memory. Decades later God vividly
remembers every detail of that prayer, including the
urgency Zechariah felt when he first poured out his plea
to God. Now as the clouds of incense rise from the altar
to symbolize God's acceptance of His people's prayers,
the angel brings Zechariah the answer to the prayer he
had long ago forgotten.

Have you been raising heartfelt prayers to God for years
and years, only to find things get worse-finances,
employment, health, family strains? Does it seem God
is against you-that He just doesn't care? We learn the
truth in this angel visit. The first moment we offer a prayer
in faith to God, He in His great wisdom and care chooses
the best way to answer that prayer as well as the best
time to answer it. Sometimes, like Zechariah, we just
have to wait until God's time is right, and He has made
everything fall into place.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, fill me with confidence that You mark all
my prayers, and will answer them out of Your Fatherly love
for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

A HIGH POINT IN LIFE

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:8-10

TEXT: "He was chosen by lot to enter the temple
of the Lord and burn incense." (Luke 1:9)

Do you have Christmas memories that are so
strong you can close your eyes and see, hear,
feel and smell them? For me one of those vivid
memories is singing "Silent Night" by candle light
in church on Christmas Eve. I can still smell the
hot wax, feel the warmth on my face, see the
flicker of the candle's flame, and hear the voices
blending together in beautiful harmony.

That's how clear Mary's memories were. She
remembers Herod was king of Judea at the time.
She can even name from which of the 24 divisions
of priests Zechariah belonged. Each of these
divisions worked two weeks out of the year at the
Jerusalem temple. Each afternoon the priests cast
lots to see who would enter the temple alone to
burn incense.

Mary recalls the day the lot fell to Zechariah. It may
have looked like luck or chance to us, but Zechariah
knew better. God was inviting him into His presence.
As Zechariah smelled the clouds of sweet, fragrant
incense rising to heaven, he knew God was pleased
with the prayers His people were offering to Him.
These were prayers which rose from hearts that
believed His ancient promise to send their Savior.

At Christmas we are often invited to other people's
houses. Sometimes we get the tremendous honor of
a special invitation. But God extends a much higher
invitation to us. Like Zechariah we can enter His
presence in His house. And not just once in a lifetime
can we do this, but every week. At the same time
He promises to make His home in us. What a great
privilege and honor to sit in God's presence and learn
about His saving love.

Prayer: Lord what a tremendous honor You give when
You invite us into Your house. Thank You for coming
to us and making Your home with us. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

IMMANUEL

Scripture:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said
through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” -
Matt. 1:22-23

My wife and I have only seriously lost track of our
daughter once. We were walking through a crowded
tourist town and the streets were lined with shops.
It was evening and the crowds were dense. Suddenly,
I noticed that neither my wife nor I had our
eight-year-old daughter by the hand. We spun around,
unable to spot her. With candy stores beckoning
children indoors, and winding side streets all around,
she could be anywhere.

A few minutes of running around, and somehow I
spotted her, a far way down a side street. The look on
her face was unforgettable: “Where were you?” she
asked, but her eyes said, Thank God, you are with me
now. I am never going to leave your side again.

“With us.” There is hardly a more central promise that
God has ever made to human beings. The alternative is
just too horrifying to imagine. If God has abandoned us,
and that is why so many bad things happen in life, then
what does that say about God? What does it say about
our destiny? If God oscillates in and out of our lives,
willing to be with us only as long as we don’t get too
obnoxious, coming and going like a father who grows lax
in his responsibility—where does that leave us? If God
cannot be with us, then we would have to conclude that
we will never reap the benefits of divine presence, and that
words like grace, mercy, love, and truth have no meaning.

Jesus was born, but he was also sent, and Immanuel was
one of his names. Immanu-el: “with us [is] God.” “God with
us.” His body among us, his message from the heavens.
He turned life upside down with the divine truths he
presented. But he also left people with the sense that they
had never been closer to God than when they were with him.

We don’t need to stay lost. God is not indifferent to our
condition. And he came to us in the most radical way, by
taking our flesh, our humanity, on himself.

Prayer for Today:

Dear Lord, I need to know you are with us. Help me, this
Christmas, to know, more than I have ever known before,
that you have come and that we can always live in the
conscious enjoyment of your presence.

(Biblegateway.com, Mel Lawrenz)

CONFUSION

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:26-29

TEXT: "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent
from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin."
(Luke 1:26-27)

Frustration is sitting on the floor with six or seven
strings of Christmas lights all tangled together.
After a short struggle we usually gave up and
handed them back to dad, giving him a more tightly
tangled mess of lights than they were before. That's
when his patience and five years in the Navy came
in handy; in no time he had them untangled and
ready for the tree.

As Mary shares her memories of the first Christmas,
she leaves Zechariah for the moment and jumps
forward six months. The same angel Gabriel was
sent on another mission. She recalls the angel's
kind greeting and how he told her God had chosen
her, and was with her. But she was confused,
perplexed and greatly troubled. A debate began
raging back and forth in her mind, as she considered
what the greeting meant.

There is so much confusion in life. Just like Mary we
try to pick through the pieces and see if we can make
any sense out of them. Our minds go back and forth
from one point of view to another, from faith to doubt,
from confidence to uncertainty, from comfort to fear.

Thankfully, nothing is a mystery for God. He arranges
everything according to His loving plan. He assures us,
"I know the plans I have for you ... plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"
(see Jeremiah 29:11). The most important part of that
plan was starting to fall into place right now. God's own
Son is becoming human, so He can live a perfect life
and suffer on the cross in our place to win eternal life for
all of us.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, life can be very confusing. In
such times remind me to cast my cares into Your hands
so I may live in peace and quietness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

CHRISTMAS CAN WE BE SURE?

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:1-4
TEXTIt seemed good to me...to write an orderly account for you...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught." (Mark 11:1-2)

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas this year? I always did. I'd hope and pray, but most years I'd look out the window and only see the same old, brown grass and bare trees. Sometimes we feel that same disappointment in our Christmases. We get our hopes up; we make all our preparations, but then we feel disappointed when the day rolls around.

Maybe our problem is building our Christmas excitement on uncertain things-a white Christmas, the perfect presents, everyone getting along at Christmas time. Luke had something different in mind when he wrote about the first Christmas.

Luke wasn't your typical writer in the Bible though. Unlike Matthew he wasn't one of Jesus' 12 disciples; he never met Jesus face to face. He wasn't even Jewish; he was a Gentile physician from Antioch in Syria. He got his information by interviewing people who saw and heard Jesus, people who lived with Him, ate and drank with Him. Being an educated man, Luke didn't get swept away by the ramblings of dreamy-eyed followers of Jesus. He made sure to ask for historical details and evidence from his witnesses.

When it came to researching Jesus' birth, what better source could he have than to interview Mary His mother? Sitting at her feet Luke gathers so much important information it ends up taking two of the 24 chapters of his book.

Pull up a seat with Luke as Mary shares her memories of the first Christmas.

Prayer: Almighty God, I want to learn more about the first Christmas. Thank You for leaving us a record in the words of Jesus' own mother Mary. Help me learn why Jesus was born and why that matters for my life now. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

A SPECIAL APPEARANCE

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read Luke 1:11-12

TEXT: "There appeared to him an angel...Zechariah was troubled when he saw him." (Luke 1:11-12)


Did your family have a Nativity scene in the front yard? Was it set up under your tree or placed on a table? I remember staring at the angel and imagining what it would be like to see one of these beautiful creatures face to face?

As Mary continues her recollections of the first Christmas, Zechariah the priest is in the temple. He's laying the incense on the altar. Suddenly through the clouds of smoke, an angel of the Lord appears. But it isn't the wonderful, thrilling scene I imagined so long ago-not at all. Zechariah is struck with terror, shaken to the core.

Zechariah wasn't alone. That first Christmas an angel would appear to Mary and the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night. And they all would have the same reaction; they were instantly filled with fear and terror. You and I would be too.

No matter how good a person you are, coming face to face with the holiness of an angel shows you your failings, and fills you with dread and fear. How much more terrifying will it be to look into God's face, when He comes with His angels in great power and glory to judge us on the Last Day?

That's one of the truly wonderful things about Christmas. The promised Savior did not come as a fearsome, mighty warrior to strike fear and terror into each of us. Instead, He came as a tiny baby lying in a manger. He didn't come to terrify us; He came to take away our sin and guilt and assure us of God's love and forgiveness.


Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to live among us and save us by Your perfect life, Your innocent suffering and death, and Your glorious resurrection. Calm my heart when I'm gripped with fear and fill me with peace and joy. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

ANGEL

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:20-21

Angel: 1). A spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God (Oxford English Dictionary).

What did Mary see when the angel Gabriel appeared to her? What kind of being came with foreknowledge of a supernatural conception and with words that would change her identity forever? “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Lk. 1:28). How would the shepherds have described the angel with the glory of the Lord shining about? How could they encapsulate “a great company of the heavenly host,” whose voices poured out a sudden tidal wave of sound, a booming chorus?: “Glory to God in the highest!” (Lk. 2:14). How would Joseph his own encounter with the angel? Or what would Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, say about their messengers? In the days leading up to the birth of Jesus, supernatural appearances and utterances were occurring like they never had before—an electric buzz of Heaven’s voices among us.

The real meaning of “angel” is simply, “messenger.” This reminds us that Christmas is about a message. It is a gospel, good news. The best news. And paving the way were powerful spiritual messengers whose very presence struck fear and awe in people (no pudgy, winged cherubs here). Their mission and their message transformed humankind—and we have never been the same.

This year, any one of us can probably think of a dozen cases in which we would like to hear a personal message from God. We have that message. It is a message individually suited to each of us, because it was sent to all of us. As the angel said to Joseph: “[Jesus] will save people from their sins.” The angels’ message from that cold night continues to ring through the atmosphere—centuries later, and it is as true as in its first utterance. In this mortal world that is at once be full of wonders, yet seized by sin and darkness: We have been saved.

Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for your message of hope and renewal, for your son. Let my heart receive this message new every day, and may my eyes be opened to your continued presence in this world.

PEACE

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:13-14

Peace is a noble aspiration at any time. In times of war or in times of harmony. When you find yourself at odds with someone, or when you are feeling pretty good about your relationships. When you feel in harmony with God, or when you feel a discord. It is always important to pursue peace.

Peace is so much more than the absence of conflict. Maybe you can lay your head on your pillow tonight and thank God that you experienced no conflict, but that is not the same thing as experiencing peace. If a husband and wife get tired of shouting at each other and both slip into an icy indifference, that is not peace.

In Hebrew, the word for “peace” is shalom, a well wishing that says it all: may you be healthy, whole and complete. May you know where you fit in the universe, and may you find tranquility there. Augustine said that peace is “the tranquility of order.” When you know where you fit into God’s world—that you are higher than the animals, but less than God—that is the sense of order that brings tranquility.

Therefore, we pray for peace at Christmas. We pray that both others and we discover the Christmas shalom—the confidence that when God’s favor, his undeserved grace, rests on us, we will know a peace that goes beyond understanding. The peace gifted to us because Christ came into the world and put things in order, beginning with his birth, and completed in his sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection.

Prayer for today: Dear God, let your favor rest on me, and let me stand in the peace that Christ has made possible.

JOY

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:10-11

Great joy? Is it almost too much to hope for?

Where did all the Christmas joy go? How did things get so complicated? So rushed? So squeezed and cluttered? A non-stop buzz of Christmas lights and weary shoppers, boisterous television specials and pleading children. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can choose to step aside, step into a quieter moment, and read the angel’s words that came on the night that changed the world: “I bring you news of great joy!”

It was just another night of work in the field for shepherds. A chill in the air, calm and the soft bleating of their flocks. Another night of work, a night like those thousands of nights before, even thousands of years before—when the shepherd David was still a boy and stood watch in the same fields. Life hadn’t changed in a millennium. But this night, everything changed.

When the angel appeared, bathed in a glorious light, the shepherd men and boys, who were used to fending off wild beasts to protect their sheep, were filled with terror. Were they convinced by the simple words: “I bring you great news of great joy”? Probably not. Joy would have to come later. They would have to see proof.

That’s the way it works with joy. Real joy is never something that originates from within: it must come from without. Searching for joy within you is like searching for the ocean within a droplet of water. Perhaps this is why so many of us have a difficult time finding joy at Christmas. Bite into a Christmas cookie, and you might enjoy it. Open a shiny package, and you might delight in what you find inside. But joy itself—true and pure—is so much more than enjoyment.

Joy is the startling realization that God has claimed territory in this world. He has taken back what belongs to him. Every day, we can remind ourselves of this revelation: reignite this joy again and again. Joy is a thirst that doesn’t want to be quenched; a hunger that knows it will go on and on. It’s a good thing, to never get enough of God.

This “great joy,” God come into the world, is “great” because it is everywhere. A joy “that will be for all the people”—is here. Now. Let us delight in this tremendous news today.

Prayer for today: Dear God, turn my fear into great joy.