Week 1, Day 2 ; Read Luke 2
Luke 2:8-11 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. (NIV) Think about how Jesus came…a helpless little baby born in a stable, yet a King. God in flesh, our Savior. Imagine how quiet the night was for the Shepards when the angels came. The announcement of Jesus’ birth to them is a reminder of the joy that comes with this news. This joy is for everyone; to be shared with others and it is to transform you. The shepherds spread the word about what they had been told and like them, we are called to be witnesses of Christ’s love and truth. Remember the humility of how Jesus came, allow that to show you how to share the good news of Jesus. Luke 2:43-45 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (NIV) Imagine this: You’re finishing up your vacation, stop halfway then back on the road. Time goes by and realize someone is missing. Panic sets in, you turn around, praying you find them safe. That’s exactly what happened to Mary and Joseph. They lost the Son of God…as a parent I find relief knowing that I have messed up so many times, but I didn’t lose Jesus. All funny aside; They weren’t careless parents. They just celebrated the Passover and during activities, they lost track of Jesus. We can serve, do all the right things, but can drift and lose sight of Jesus. Busyness in ministry is not the same as being close to Jesus. We drift, don’t realize it; just going through the motions. They traveled for a day before they realized Jesus wasn’t with them. How long do we allow ourselves to drift before we notice?
By Tammy Nall
Week 1, Day 1 ; Read Luke 1 Luke 1:5-6
In the days of Herod, king of Judah, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughter of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. (NASB) Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, are first mentioned by name in the New Testament, but they are alluded to in the Old Testament as the parents of the one who would be the forerunner of Christ. What strikes me about this part of scripture is that the parents of John the Baptist are identified as righteous and blameless. It makes me think, what words would my friends, children, and grandchildren use to describe me to others? My hope and prayer is that they would describe me as having something to do with being righteous or blameless or a Christ follower, or something spiritual in nature. My heart would break if, at the end of my days, my final description of me was that he liked golf, or he liked to hike, or even that he loved his family. I want to be known as someone who is righteous or blameless or someone who loves Jesus. Not because that is the hope, but because that is the reality.
By Dean Osuch