Christmas Devotion

Luke 2:6-14 (NKJV) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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!”(IMAGINE THAT!! NOT ONLY WAS THERE AN ANGLE AND THE GLORY OF GOD SURROUNDING THEM BUT THERE IN THE DARK, HEAVEN OPENED UP AND A MULTITUDE OF ANGELS DESCENDED TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION!!) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Why would God, the Creator of the Universe… share this news with a few men in a field?  It says that they lived in the field…they spent their lives tending to the sheep…Don’t you think they felt forgotten by their families and friends? We’ve all felt that way at times. I’m sure there’s some of you that feel that way. But those where the very ones God went to when He wanted to share the greatest news of all time! You see, with God we are never forgotten! We have a Father who greatly desires sharing time and information with His children. 

Psalm 25:14 (TPT) There's a private place reserved for the devoted lovers of YAHWEH, where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises.

He enjoyed spending time and communicating with Adam and Eve in the Garden. They walked and talked together…until sin was chosen over obedience. This created a chasm between man and God. It came in the form of a veil where His presence and Glory remained hidden behind. Only the High Priest at a chosen time, could go behind it to where the Glory of God was. Our Father desired that His union with His children be restored…so much so that He sent His one and only begotten son to be born and one day brutely beaten and murdered for one purpose…to restore His relationship with YOU! 

So, as He surrounds these men with His presence…He’s saying…My son…The one who will live and die to restore my relationship with you and give you eternal life, has come!! He couldn’t wait to share this information with His children!

Matthew 1:21-23 (NLT) And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘GOD IS WITH US.’”

That’s what God desired in sending His Son…That His very presence could be with us! When Jesus died on the cross, rose again and went to heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father…He sent His precious Holy Spirit to continue to be not only with us but within us!

Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Wow! From the birth of a child in a manger to the Spirit of the Living God abiding with you and living within you! How incredible is that!?

Romans 5:8-11 (NKJV) But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

IMMANUEL!! GOD WITH US!!!! He did it all just so He could be with YOU now and for eternity!! Even if you feel alone this Holiday Season, know that He's right there and desires your time and presence! A 2-sided intimate relationship where you can actually interact with your Lord and King! You are incredibly loved and desired!

Give Him your heart, life, time, praise, and worship... be the gift HE is waiting for. He can do so much more with you than you could ever do or imagine… SURRENDER ALL AND BE HIS GIFT TODAY!

Merry Christmas!