Devotions
Christmas Devotions
Jesus, the light of the world
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Isaiah 9.2)
Genealogy of Jesus
There are parts of the Bible that are just quotable, perhaps because they are beautiful or inspire confidence. And there are parts of the Bible that we will read and think to ourselves, “mm, yes… that is God’s inspired Word. I know that in theory, but when I read it, I don’t necessarily feel very inspired.” I think one such passage would be the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Emmanuel, God with his people
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Emmanuel, God with me
Within me I have a hunger, a longing so strong that it’s like a pain I feel within the deepest part of myself. It’s the longing not to live anonymously, as if I were a ghost that temporarily haunts the earth and then disappears forever like a morning mist. I want to be real. I don’t want to just be, I want to be, meaningfully.
Forgiveness - He broke the cycle of vengeance
Human vengeance is the opposite of God’s justice. God’s justice is final, but vengeance is perpetual and endless. God’s justice is fair, it renders each their due, but human vengeance is unbalanced and disproportionate.
The Bells Of Christmas Day
Imagine that. Observing Christmas after a year that the world’s just had. Getting excited about a birth in a year when we’ve seen so much death. Celebrating life and light in a world plunged in darkness.
The Incarnate Deity
How can the infinite touch the finite? How can the eternal break into the here and now? The Creator of everything, the one who sustains all of life, makes it rain, waters the fields and makes plants grow, the King of heaven and earth made his dwelling place among humankind. Can our minds even handle such a thing?
God And Sinners Reconciled
If Christmas is about God the divine coming into the world through Jesus Christ the Son of God, there’s a basic question that floats through the air. The question is, “With what purpose does he come to our midst?” What is he here to do? Does he come in peace or does he bring a sword?