Advent 24, 2018: Merry Christmas!

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). 

It was all too amazing, so awe inspiring, only Adonai could have arranged such a thing.  She looked down at her baby, nestled in cloths, warm and secure, sound asleep on her still enlarged belly that previously held the long-awaited Messiah.  Just amazing! 

She let great tears of joy flow freely as she thought back to the night before and the shepherds who had been Luke 2: 8 “living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Mary relived the proclamation the angelic messenger gave to the shepherds.  “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.” 

The Son of the Most High.  The throne of his father David, forever. 

Oh, Joseph, wasn’t it was all too wonderful for words? 

So for now, she’d treasure this in her heart.  It’d be a lifetime in understanding what she’d heard prophesied by Isaiah and seen fulfilled in her time. 

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

This little baby.  The Messiah.  A Miracle whose name is Jesus.

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Their Story, Your Story: 

1. Mary treasured the proclamation of the angelic messengers, high and holy, delivered to her through the words of shepherds, the lowest of the social scale in her time.  Do you treasure the proclamation less because of the messengers from whom you’ve heard the good news? 
2. Will you welcome the Christ Child into your heart today?  He wants to be good news in Scripture and in your life.  He’s no longer a baby, but He’s still looking for room to come in where doors have been shut.  Revelation 3:20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”  The invitation is there, please friends, open your heart to Jesus this day.

Self-Reflection topic: Treasuring the Messiah

Prayer:  Father God, I pray that if anyone reading has yet to welcome the Christ Child, the Son of God, the Perfect Lamb of God sacrificed for human sin, that today You would show them how great the Gift and how lovely the Giver that You would send Jesus to save the world.  I praise You, Lord Jesus, for coming –clothed in the flesh of humanity–to make God approachable and to help us understand who You are and the immensity of God’s love for us as His image bearers.  On this Christmas Day, we reflect on the message of this Story which is truly timeless.  “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.”  Thank You, Lord Jesus for being a Miracle in our midst and creating miracles by giving us new birth by faith in You.  We praise You, Father, and we celebrate with all the angels “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”   Amen!

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This concludes the Storyteller Advent devotional series and I sincerely thank you for your readership.  May this Christmas Day find you blessed and surrounded by the joy of men and angels who celebrate the birth of Christ.  Merry Christmas!  In His love, Barbara <><