Today Daily Devotional

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

— John 1:5

I often feel like the world holds its breath on Christmas Eve. For weeks, we’ve listened to advertisements telling us to get ready for the holiday. Perhaps we’ve done our share of bustling about with our own preparations and parties. But now the holiday is upon us, and most of the preparing is done. Candlelight services held in many churches on this evening add to that sense of stillness and wonder.The gospel account of John opens with a sense of quiet stillness and wonder. The eternal God, Creator of heaven and earth, is about to draw near. Is the world ready? The text offers an invitation to all who would receive him and believe: God’s light and life are here. Amid the darkness and confusion that often cloud our everyday living, a true light shines, enabling us to see clearly where life should lead.But there is also a warning. It’s possible to be so busy bustling about that we miss the wonder of Christ’s birth. So it’s absolutely necessary to stop in wonder and amazement in order to hear the message God wants to communicate to us: sinful humanity can again become part of God’s family.As our busy lives quiet down somewhat tonight, let’s remember that God has made everything ready. Christ has come. God’s light is here. Do you see it?

Word of God, in this quiet moment, let us be still and know that you are the Lord our God, holy and true. Renew in us a sense of wonder that you have come to save us and make us a part of your family. Amen.

He appeared in the flesh. . . .

— 1 Timothy 3:16

The Christmas holiday is nearly upon us. For many people Christmas is a special day filled with family gatherings, gift exchanges, and other holiday traditions. In my own family, we look forward to these times, and we enjoy telling others about all the ways we are celebrating this week.But what are we really celebrating? To answer this question, we might point to all of our traditions, and it’s easy to overlook the big-picture story that provides the whole reason for this holiday. In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy about Jesus’ appearance “in the flesh” and how this should shape our words and behavior as his followers.The great truth of the Christian faith, the reality that shapes our celebration and our living, is that the Son of God has become human, just like us, so that he can save us. Christmas proclaims to the world that God has come near to live among us and restore us to his glory. So, as great as our traditions may be, the work of God provides an even greater reason for celebrating this holiday.Our passage for today challenges us to remember what we actually celebrate. So as we tell people about the traditions we are enjoying this week, let’s be sure also to share about the true reason to celebrate: that God has appeared in the flesh for our salvation.

Glorious God, your great story is what drives our celebration this season. In the midst of our own traditions, may we never lose sight of your goodness to us through Jesus’ birth. Amen.

She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.

— Revelation 12:2

What is the real impact of Christmas?For many of us in the Western world, the story of Christmas has a familiar cast of characters: Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, angels, the wise men, some sheep and cows to complete the manger scene—and, of course, Jesus. Front-yard displays in our neighborhoods might also include Santa, some elves, a few reindeer, and even some Star Wars characters.But the Bible shows that Christmas has a much greater and more serious significance. Christ’s coming into our world spells the beginning of the end for Satan’s power on earth. The devil wants to do all he can to destroy Christ’s coming, or at least to distract our attention from it, because he knows that Jesus has come to break the power of sin and death.If it sometimes seems like a battle to remember Christmas and to focus on Christ as the center of it, we should not be surprised. Our celebration each year has cosmic significance—even eternal significance—and the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” looking to undermine our joy that Christ has come (see 1 Peter 5:8). But we also remember God’s provision in the face of danger. Just as God protected the baby Jesus from human and superhuman enemies, so God will provide for us.

Mighty God, sometimes we must fight to remember what you have done for us. Protect us and guard our hearts and minds so that we may find joy and eternal security in Christ’s coming. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

— Matthew 2:11

What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?A number of years ago, my in-laws gave me a heavy winter jacket and overalls—the kind of warm clothing needed for outdoor work on cold winter days on the farm where they live. My work doesn’t require the same need for warmth on cold winter days, but I have used my “snow clothes” countless times while playing outdoors with our kids in the wintertime.When the Magi found the newborn king, Jesus, in Bethlehem, they presented him with gifts as part of their worship. The presents they brought may seem strange to us, but in that day they were easily used in trade for purchasing everyday things. These gifts were practical and yet costly.For many of us, Christmas involves giving gifts to one another. This is a wonderful tradition, and it can help us to express care for the people around us, just as God does for us. When we receive the gift of Jesus the Savior, though, our response should be to set about serving him and others in both costly and practical ways.An old Christmas carol asks, “What can I give him, poor as I am? . . . What I can, I give him: give him my heart.” Will you present yourself to Christ in worship and service this Christmas?

Lord Jesus, you have given us the greatest gift—your own self—for our salvation. As we enjoy gifts from one another this Christmas, let us also give ourselves to you in worship and service. In your name, Amen.

“As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

— Matthew 2:8

Christmas in the Western world has become a highly secularized holiday. While the celebration still bears the name of Christ, the season marks a time of gifts and parties, lights and decorations. And while many of those themes are relatively harmless, they do not call attention to the worship of Christ that should be at the center of the holiday celebrations.It’s sad that the priests and scholars who knew the prophecy about the Savior’s birth weren’t interested enough to see if it was fulfilled, despite the fact that Bethlehem was only a few miles from Jerusalem. And Herod, who was interested because he felt threatened, didn’t want to hear about the kind of king God desired—a gentle ruler and shepherd (Matthew 2:6). At times, we too have our tendencies to ignore what we know about God’s promises and to try to maintain our own sense of authority and comfort.In just a few days Christmas will be here. Perhaps you’ve already begun your celebrations, and you’re enjoying the traditions our culture has built up around this holiday.As we celebrate, let’s be careful not to let our traditions or attitudes bring about a false Christmas that rejects the worship of Jesus. Instead of staying in our own comfortable palaces, let us go, as the Magi did, to seek God’s promised Savior.

Gracious God, we confess how easy it is to get caught up in our own version of Christmas and miss the wonder of the Savior’s birth. Forgive us, and fix our attention on Jesus. Amen.

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

— Matthew 2:4

Sometime (probably a few months) after the birth of Jesus, Magi from the east came in search of him. These “wise men” had seen a star that pointed them to the birth of a new king. So they came to the regional ruler in Jerusalem to ask about this.When King Herod heard about the newborn king, he was disturbed. And if Herod was disturbed, the people he ruled had reason for concern. He had a reputation for being cruel and was often suspicious of any threat to his throne. Yet at this point Herod needed more information in order to get what he wanted.So he asked the people’s leaders and teachers about this king, and Herod’s inquiries pointed the Magi toward the promises in God’s Word. Centuries earlier, God had said that the Savior would come from Bethlehem, a town in the nearby countryside. The Magi then continued their search until they found the promised child.We often assume today that we can capture something of the “Christmas spirit” in our decorations and ceremonies of the season. This story about the Magi reminds us that the meaning of Christmas arises from God’s promises. Though the devil may try to bring harm in various ways around us, we can trust in the Lord’s promises. In what ways are you looking to God’s promises for direction this Christmas?

Father, direct us to your promises, and may our Christmas be filled with joyful discovery and new life in Jesus. Amen.

They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. . . .

— Luke 2:17

Because our young family has lived far away from other relatives, my wife and I have often tried to find different Christmas activities that our kids can engage in. We’ve discovered annual concerts, live nativity displays at local churches, Christmas light shows, and other goings-on that remind us of the special character of this season. We’ve also found that friends who have lived in the community their whole lives can be surprised to hear of so many local opportunities to celebrate the holiday beyond their family gatherings!Sometimes I wonder, though, whether I am as eager to share the message of God’s work in my life through Christ as I am to share about the entertaining ways I’ve found to celebrate Christmas. Light shows and live nativities have a place, but those experiences pale in comparison to the amazing work God does in our lives and in our world.When the shepherds found the child Jesus just as they had been told, they spread the good news about the Savior. Jesus’ mother, reflecting on God’s work, “treasured up all these things and pondered them.” When we consider that the Lord came to earth to show favor to sinful humanity, we can respond with similar wonder and gratitude.How will you glorify and praise God for the fulfillment of his promises in Christ this Christmas?

Father, thank you for Christmas and for all the ways we can celebrate this season. Help us to express to others the wonder of Christ’s birth, and to ponder with joy all your work for us. Amen.

The shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

— Luke 2:15

My children enjoy making Christmas presents for each other. Especially when they were younger, a big part of our family celebration involved exchanging food containers repurposed into Matchbox car garages, doll beds, and other treasures. As these gifts were opened, we eagerly anticipated the joy of discovering what each child had crafted and given to the others.Like the Magi (see Dec. 16), the shepherds who learned about the Savior’s birth experienced a “joy of discovery.” This kind of joy can lead people to look at what God has done and to wonder what God will do next.The joy of discovery led the shepherds to respond to the angel's message by saying to one another, “Let's go . . . and see this thing that . . . the Lord has told us about.” They were eager to look for more signs and evidence of God's work. They “hurried off” to find things just as the Lord had said they would be.What have you discovered God doing in your life lately? How can you foster an eager expectation that leads you to say, “I wonder what God will do next”?Discovering God's work involves seeking the glory of God in unexpected places—even in a baby placed in a manger because there was no guest room available for him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for surprising us with your goodness and mercy in unexpected ways. May we eagerly respond by seeking Jesus in every aspect of our lives. Amen.

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

— Matthew 2:2

Sometimes the big news story of the day is not the one we think it is—or there is more to it than we realize.As Jesus was born, something else was also happening far away. Matthew tells us about “Magi from the east”—often called “wise men”—who studied the stars. The Magi were astrologers, religious leaders who believed that the movement of the stars and special signs in the heavens could give direction for people’s lives.To the Jews, that kind of study was superstitious idolatry. And yet we see in this story how God was writing an even bigger story than people were aware of at the time. Jesus was, of course, Israel’s promised Savior. But today we can also see that Christ’s birth was a crucial part of God’s plan to draw all nations to himself. Even people who were lost in the confusion of sin and idolatry could see glimpses of God’s invitation to draw near and ask, seek, and find him. In the story of the Magi we see how God can meet us where we are—no matter who we are—and make the good news of Jesus’ birth come alive for us.This Christmas, we might think (or act as if) our celebrations and gifts are the main thing of the season. But God wants so much more. He wants to draw people to Jesus, especially those who don’t know him.How is God surprising you with that invitation this Christmas?

Lord God, help us to understand what is most important in our lives. Draw us near to you, we pray, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

— Luke 2:10

“Do not be afraid.”When we think of Christmas, these are probably not the first words that come to mind. We usually focus on the joy and celebration that come with this holiday.But the reality is that all of us have fears. Concerns about our finances, our health, our loved ones, our work, our safety, national or international politics, wars—all of these and more can weigh on us and unsettle us. I’m sure the shepherds had their own fears that night as they watched over their sheep: concerns about sick animals, or the price of wool, or their families’ needs.Surely God’s coming into our world would bring a sense of relief, right? But in the dark of night the shepherds must have been startled to see a bright host of angels suddenly appear in front of them. Who could think of relief or confidence when the holy God broke into their lives that way?Every one of us is a sinner who rightly deserves God’s judgment. But at Christmas we receive instead the startling good news that God has come with favor and grace to live with us. The announcement of Jesus’ birth came to ordinary shepherds, showing that God cares for us all. And although it can be startling, even shocking, that God would come to us, Christmas joy can replace our fear.

“Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me. . . .” Lord, show us your tender care, and relieve us of our sins and fears, we pray. Amen.