Prior Days Devotions
DECEMBER 22 – MATTHEW 2:11B
Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
If there’s one thing we associate with Christmas, it’s giving gifts. Big gifts, small gifts; gifts planned for half the year, gifts bought at the last moment; gifts that are just right, and gifts… Well, let's say it's good that gift receipts are a thing.
Jesus, it has been aptly said, is the greatest gift of all. He is exactly what we need. He is our peace, our comfort, and our joy. He is wisdom and righteousness from God for us. In Him we find joy and gladness that far surpasses anything that comes in a box or an envelope. The treasures He brings are lasting, and they will never end.
In response, we give Him our best. The wise men didn't stop at the dollar store or the flea market on the edge of town (not that that's anything wrong with those places!) But they wanted the very best and costliest gifts - ones for for a King.
Gold, it was prophesied, would be given to King Messiah when He came. Isaiah said that "the wealth of nations" would be brought to Him. Frankincense was used in worship to make clouds of sweet smelling smoke that rose up as the prayers of God's children ascended. Some still use it for that purpose today. Myrrh was used as an ingredient in lotions and cosmetics, and in anointing the dead. St John records that the men who buried Jesus used a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Thus even in His early infancy, we reminded that Jesus came to be our substitute and die for sin.
The wise men brought Jesus their best. What do we bring to Jesus? Let it always be the best of what we have - the best of what he has blessed us with. Amen.
O King of the gentiles and their desired One, the cornerstone that makes both one: come, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
DECEMBER 21 – MATTHEW 2:11A
After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him.
Faith is far more than people realize. It's not just knowing the facts about the Christian faith. It's not being able to rattle off definitions of theological terms or scads of Bible passages at the drop of a hat. Faith, at its heart, is trust: a conviction that He is telling you the truth, that what He says will come to pass, and that come what may, He will never lie to you.
This means that faith will sometimes do things that look very odd in the eyes of the world. Faith makes choices that seems silly or out of line when compared with natural human reason. But that's okay, because faith is always borne out by God's faithfulness. It's always proven true in the end.
Take these wise men. They traveled across the Middle East, in a day and age when travel was not a walk in the park. They left behind their official duties and their comfortable, well off lives to go chasing after an ancient prophecy and something they thought they saw in the sky. They interacted with cadgey, bloodthirsty monarchs, and risked their very reputations as wise men - for what? For a Child, sitting on His mother's lap.
Yes, and what a Child! Here is the living, breathing fulfillment of all God's promises. Here is their peace, their joy, and the fulfillment of all their hopes. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life were theirs, because Jesus made it so.
He has also done so for you. So when your faith looks foolish or out of step, or when people nod and smile condescendingly, or want to find fault and pick at your faith, don't let it bother you. We shouldn't expect someone who doesn't share our faith to understand. As long as we have Jesus the truth, we know that we are blessed. Amen.
O Dayspring, Brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
DECEMBER 20 – MATTHEW 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy.
Starting about the middle of October, we are bombarded with images of CHRISTMAS. Most of them revolve around buying things. Joy, peace, and togetherness come in a box. Everything you want - your hopes and dreams, your longing for human connection, your desire for purity and safety and love - is all for sale. But we all know that buying things won't fix your soul, or take away your guilt, or set you free from sin.
Jesus does that. He alone is our help, our deliverance, and our joy. The wise men were overjoyed not only because they had found the Savior - at this point they had not yet met Jesus face to face - but because God had removed their doubts by giving them the Bethlehem star to guide them. In their place, He had given them joy.
Joy does not depend on getting exactly what you want, either wrapped up under the tree or getting the exact right affirmation and love from the people in your life. It does not depend on an unbroken string of good days, or more good days than bad days. It does not depend on being good enough for God. Joy depends on Jesus, who is eternal and ever faithful in His mercy. Let Him be your joy as well. Amen.
O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: come, and lead forth the captive who sits in the shadows from his prison.
DECEMBER 19 – MATTHEW 2:1
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, when Herod was king, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem.
The wise men are a familiar part of the Christmas story. But who were they, really? They were men who studied the heavens and tracked the motions of the stars and the planets. Then they advised the king and others in government service about what they witnessed overhead. In a time where science, philosophy, and religion had not yet diverged, they dabbled in some of each discipline. We might liken them to modern-day scientists who work on top-secret government projects, people who toil away investigating arcane fields that might one day give their country an edge. Because of their specialized knowledge, they enjoyed special prestige and influence. No doubt they were handsomely compensated for their service. Thus these wise men might have seemed to have everything, humanly speaking - but something was still missing. They still understood that they needed a Savior, one who was to come and free them from their guilty consciences and take away their sins.
We find ourselves in a position very similar to the wise men. Our society prides itself on being very highly advanced, on understanding the workings of science and the human mind and body in great detail. Technology allows us to peer into the womb or into deep space. It lets us talk, in nearly real time, with someone on the other side of the world - maybe the entire world (or at least the part of it on social media, or with an internet connection) at the same time. Yet for all our smart phones and microwave popcorn and fancy sneakers, we still need the same things. We need Jesus. We need forgiveness, comfort, peace, and security with God. We need a Savior.
It’s been said that “wise men still seek Him.” Undoubtedly a cliche - but like most cliches, it’s a cliche for a reason: because it’s true. Christ is the wisdom of God, and when we have found Him, we have found the highest good our souls can seek or crave. To Him be all power, wisdom, knowledge, and authority, now and forever. Amen.
O Root of Jesse, Who dost stand for an ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall keep silence, and unto Whom the Gentiles shall make their supplication: come to deliver us, and tarry not.
DECEMBER 18 - LUKE 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Some sights leave an indelible impression on us. I think of watching a thunderstorm slowly make its way across a northern Wisconsin lake as a friend and I watched. The flashes of purple-white lightning illuminated the rolling thunderclouds, lighting up the night. I can recall many similar times in the woods, experiencing sights of natural beauty. It’s not only nature - life events like the birth of a child, even your favorite team winning a championship, can stick with you as if it were yesterday.
You see that same reaction in the shepherds. They had been accosted by the heavenly hosts, received the best news anyone has ever heard - and then when they sped to the manger, they came face to face with God in the flesh. The culmination of all God’s promises, “the hopes and fears of all the years”, the Desired of nations – right in front of them! Here is their forgiveness, their hope, their joy, as real as real can be. This is your forgiveness, your hope, and your joy too, no less than theirs.
Note also why they rejoiced: because God’s Word to them had come true. What the Lord had said had come to pass, and once again God had proven Himself true. No word of His has ever fallen to the ground - nor will it ever fail. His Word is just as true for you. He has proven His Word to be true, over and over again. The eternal Word is ever true, and as many times as we return to it, we find new facets of the truth. Jesus, the Truth of God, is ever faithful.
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the Law on Sinai: come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.
DECEMBER 17 - LUKE 2:16-17
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they told others the message they had been told about this child.
God’s promises always prove true. This has been seen time and time again. On matters big and small, from lost donkeys to deliverance in battle, from the level of oil in a jar to the fate of nations, God’s Word never fails to come true. Unbelievers mock, the ignorant gape at the evidence in front of their eyes, and the devil rages, but God’s Word always prevails.
You see that most clearly as you look into the manger. Who is it? - a baby. Not just any baby! The promised Savior, the Son of God, the Word made flesh. The One who said, “I AM the Truth,” then proceeded to back it up with a spotless life. The One who succumbed to a shameful death, orchestrated with lies - and then proved the truth of His own words, and the hollowness of His enemies’ words, when He rose from the dead. When you know Jesus, you know the truth. If you know Jesus, you know the most important thing. If you don’t know Jesus, there’s nothing else a person can know that will make up for the lack.
Note carefully what those shepherds did with the truth they knew: they shared it. They did not hold it to themselves, in case someone else ruined it or mistreated it. If that were so, why has God given it to us, who too often are false and easily tempted by sin and false ideologies? No, He wants His truth to get out!
The bare facts of God’s message are well known - so well known as to be a punchline in the eyes of the sinful world. The world views them as threadbare cliches not worth the time. But the facts of God’s message are just that, facts – deeply important, immensely powerful; as powerful as God. What those facts mean for an individual makes an immense amount of difference. You know people who need to hear God’s truth again. Now may be the time that the Holy Spirit had in mind for you to tell them. Share that news far and wide, whenever you get the chance!
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me Your gospel. Give me opportunities to testify about You. Amen.
DECEMBER 16 - LUKE 2:13-14
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”
What’s your favorite song? Maybe it’s one that makes you want to get up and dance. Perhaps it’s one that played at a crucial moment in your life - like on the evening you met your significant other, for example. Or maybe it’s just one you remember from “way back”, that helps you remember how you felt once and appreciate how far you’ve come.
This song might not be a lot of people’s first choice for a favorite - even for a lot of Christians! They might go for a beloved hymn or a tune off the radio first. But when you look at the words, it becomes apparent what a great song this is. “Glory to God in the highest” – isn’t that what every pious Christian heart wants? The dearest wish for every Christian is that God is glorified. For Him to be glorified in the highest means in totality, by all heaven and earth, all creation. And “peace, good will toward mankind” - what better news could there be! That God has laid His wrath by, and instead has chosen to demonstrate His love towards the world by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful man - that spells peace and God’s good will indeed!
That’s why the Christian Church has gravitated towards using this song of the angels in the liturgy. Whenever it is sung, we are reminded of our Lord’s incarnation for us. This song announces to all who hear that here, in the Divine Service, gathered around the Lord’s altar, we find peace - because we find Jesus. We can count with utter certainty that Jesus is where He promises to be, and one of those places is in, with, and under the bread and the wine in the Holy Communion.
So the next time you hear the angels’ song, join in and belt it out. Give God the glory, and enjoy the peace that His Son brings! Amen.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us Your peace. Amen.
DECEMBER 15 - LUKE 2:12
And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
“Give me a sign, God!” Have you ever pleaded like this? Maybe you wished for direction on whether or not to go to a certain school, or if you should accept a job offer or not. Maybe you were wondering if you should ask that special someone to marry you (or what you’d say if he “popped the question.” Maybe you were responsible for a loved one’s care, and you weren’t sure what would be best. Or maybe you simply felt the need for God’s guidance as you tried to navigate the choppy waters of your life.
God has already given you a sign. This sign is the greatest possible sign of all, one that will never be undone or shouted down; it is a sign that no one can argue with, and it’s unmistakably true. The sign is our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Here, the angel names the conditions of His lowly birth as the sign: a baby, wrapped, lying in a manger. The baby Himself is a sign too: “the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and bear a child, and you are to call His name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14). Jesus is a walking, talking, living, breathing sign from God. Even when He wasn’t doing anything in particular, nothing spectacular or “churchy”, He was still a sign to all people.
It’s fair to ask: what is Jesus a sign of, exactly? He is the sign that God intends to be gracious to sinners. He is the sign that forgiveness, full and free, comes to all who believe in His name. He is the sign that everything needed has been done for your salvation, and there’s nothing left you need to do or give God. He is the sign that God has eternal life for all those who trust in the promises of God.
Jesus guarantees all of this because of who He is: both true God and true man. He guarantees it by what He did, in trusting God perfectly, living perfectly according to God’s standard, and dying and rising. He is the guarantee of God’s grace to you. That’s some sign!
Lord Jesus, grant me true faith in You. You are my sign from God. Amen.
DECEMBER 14 - LUKE 2:11
Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.
There have been many saviors in the course of world history, or rather many who wished to be saviors. Some of them craved the approval of the crowds. Some coveted power. Some of them only began to think that they could be saviors when they listened to their followers and began to believe their own hype. None of them were able to live up to the high expectations that come with being a messiah figure.
That's why Christ is different. He is uniquely suited to be the Savior because of who he is. He is true man, so He is not unable to sympathize with our weakness; rather, He understands and forgives. He is true God, so His power and wisdom have no limits. He is able to embrace the great task of being the Messiah for the whole world, and able to see it through to the very end. In those first very few breaths He drew in this world In His mother's arms, and as he lay a helpless infant in the manger, Satan's doom was already written. God's great plan of salvation was coming to fruition. The Savior is here, and He is here for you. Amen.
Lord Jesus, help me put my trust in you at all times. Amen.
DECEMBER 13 - LUKE 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people:
On the face of things it appears that we have perhaps less to be afraid of than any other time in history. We don't usually spend our days running away from saber tooth tigers or defending ourselves from violent crime. War, poverty, and starvation are not a day-to-day reality for us. And yet, it's striking that so many are struggling with anxiety and depression, and fearful of what the future holds.
"Do not be afraid," the angel said. This was certainly due to the heavenly glory with which the angel was surrounded, but it's more than that. Because of the good news the angel brought, you don't have to be afraid of God's wrath. You don't have to be afraid that God will judge you for your sins. You don't have to be afraid that the future will somehow spiral out of control, and you or the people you love will get hurt. You don't have to be afraid to die.
Why not? Because the good news that the angel brought is that God's Son is born for you. He bears your sin and your shame, and in their place he gives you life and health and peace. That little baby guarantees that God is not angry with you; in fact, that He smiles on you. The Christ child is the reason you never have to be afraid ever again. Of course, you will still be afraid at times - but you don't have to. Jesus is with you, and he promises to be your helper and defender. That's the best possible news of all.
Lord Jesus, thank You for taking away my fear. Give me faith instead. Amen
DECEMBER 12 - LUKE 2:9
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified!
"The glory of the Lord" is a phrase that many folks often skate right by as they contemplate this passage. It shouldn't be passed over lightly, for it is a very significant phrase.
Abraham saw the glory of the Lord, when the Lord renewed His covenant promises to him. Along with Abraham's sacrifice of animals, he saw a "burning oven and a flaming torch" - thus the Lord showed His glory to Abraham (Gen 15). This is the same sight as the pillar of cloud and fire that guided and shielded the children of Israel during the Exodus. The Lord's glory filled the tabernacle at its dedication. The same thing happened when Isaiah saw the Lord's glory fill His temple when the Lord called him in a vision. Ezekiel saw the Lord's glory depart from the temple, which was a terrible judgment - but then he saw it return later. We see the glory of the Lord in the Transfiguration, as Jesus pulls back the curtain just a little and shows us His glory. And we see it here, bathing the shepherds in holy radiance as the angel delivers its message.
The glory of the Lord signifies that He is with His people, not for judgement but for blessing. It was meant to be a comforting, reassuring presence for those who saw it, the Lord graciously showing that He was drawing near, coming to help and to heal.
This glory has come to stay with you, for God has shown us His glory in the face of Christ. If we want to see what God is like, who He is, His power and yes, even His glory, we look at Christ. A baby in a manger; a man hanging on a cross; the Son of God reigning forever victorious over sin and the grave. This Christmas, rejoice as Jesus shows you His glory. Amen.
Lord Jesus, let me see Your glory. Amen.
DECEMBER 11 - LUKE 2:8
There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night.
I don't know if you know this, but shepherds were not highly regarded in Jesus' day. The profession was seen as one that often attracted dishonest or untrustworthy characters. Shepherds had a lot of potential for cheating their employers as they were left alone with the valuable livestock most of the time, and theft or loss - what businesses sometimes refer to as "shrink" - was difficult to catch or prove. Shepherds were not even allowed to testify in court, their reputation was so bad. We have professions today that have similarly abysmal public images (how many lawyer jokes have you ever heard?).
And yet, these are the individuals God chose to broadcast the news of the birth of His Son. Why would God choose people whom He knew would be viewed with suspicion or more easily disregarded? Well, why did He choose you? The answer is the same: because of His grace. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 For 12:9). "But God chose the foolish things of the world to put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are strong, and God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to do away with the things that are, so that no one may boast before God" (1 Cor 1:27-29).
The Lord wanted to demonstrate the power of His Word yet again, by choosing human messengers that to human thinking are substandard and ineffective. When they proclaim God's Word - when they share what God gave them to share - and the Word does its work and has its effect, as it inevitably does, then it is clearly seen before all the world that God has done it, and no other. His will, His power, His grace have accomplished it all, and He gets the glory and the praise - just as it should be. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for doing everything I need to be saved. Amen.
come you into the heavenly mansions, for His own dear sake. Amen.
Lord Jesus, let me be Yours forever. Amen.
DECEMBER 10 - LUKE 2:7
And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The birth of a baby, it hardly needs to be said, is very often celebrated and welcomed. And for those few exceptions where a child is not wanted, very often grandparents or other relatives are still overjoyed. The coldly logical or curmudgeonly might well wonder what there is to celebrate. For those who only see the folly or stupidity of life in this world, the prospect of another little person adding to it is hardly gratifying. Just another mouth to feed, some might say; just more care, worry, and bother.
And yet this baby is none other than God in the flesh. He does not come to be a burden, but rather to ease our burdens and take them away. All of God's promises are Yes and Amen in Christ. So when we look into the manger and see that little baby, even before He has fought the devil and overcome, or destroyed the power of death, we have tremendous reason to hope. God's Word continues to come true even today as Christ continues His reign. The Child born as the son of David is our King - our Lord, as well as an infant.
And yet there was no room for them! One would think that so illustrious a child would have no problem finding lodging with his family. Sadly, this was not the case. The entire town was full of Mary and Joseph's relatives - everyone visiting there was from the same family line due to the Roman census. Any one of them could have taken the Holy Family in- and yet they were forced to spend the night in the ancient equivalent of the garage.
Friends, make room for him in your heart! Welcome the dear Christ Child and do not turn him away. He brings eternal blessings for those who welcome Him in faith. Welcome Him into your home and into your hearts; not only at Christmas time, but all your days. He will welcome you into the heavenly mansions, for His own dear sake. Amen.
Lord Jesus, let me be Yours forever. Amen.
DECEMBER 9 - LUKE 2:6-7
And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Time! Is there anything else we wish we had more of during the month of December? Even more than cash, time is at a premium. We spend our Decembers running ourselves ragged, perhaps barely on time as we rush from one thing to another. We wish we had just a little more time to do a little extra cleaning; a little more time to put the finishing touches on the snacks for the Christmas party; a little more time to shop for the perfect gift. (Or maybe a little more time to make sure that package shows up on our doorstep before Christmas eve!)
Or maybe your thoughts of time are more meaningful. Maybe you wish you had more time with someone you love, who is slipping away from you in the twilight of life’s end. Maybe you wish you had more time with someone who’s no longer here to celebrate Christmas. Or maybe you wish you had enough time, and enough of the right words, to mend a shattered relationship with someone you wish you could spend Christmas with. If only we had that kind of time.
The eternal God knows how your heart aches, and why, at this time of year. So in the fullness of time, He sent forth His Son. At exactly the right time, God’s Son was born for all the world. God never has to rush. He’s never late, nor even early. This little baby, born in time of His mother, the Virgin Mary, and yet eternally begotten from the nature of His Father, is the hinge of human history. He’s the central pivot point of all stories that will ever exist or be told, as long as time goes on. He’s the Creator of time itself, and when the time was fully right, He sacrificed Himself to atone for all the ruptures and the heartache and the damage sin has caused - even death itself. Then, on the third day - the time the Scriptures said - He rose from the dead. He will nevermore die, for all time and eternity. This precious birth, this wondrous incarnation, gives meaning to all the time we have. It makes holy all our days.
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming at just the right time, for me. Amen.
DECEMBER 8 - LUKE 2:4-5
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
It’s no secret that modern life is becoming increasingly fragmented and atomized. Where before communities, neighborhoods, regions saw themselves as a cohesive whole, now we have a diverse and fragmented collection of individuals. Our view of families reflects this as well. In the modern age, we tend to view our families as the generation immediately preceding us and the generation immediately following us, if that demographic has any members in our family. Unless we have an especially illustrious family member - someone who fought in a war, for instance, or someone who is famous or semi-famous - we tend not to think about previous generations, or those to come, too much.
Christmas is a time where people often pay special attention to their families, or lack of them. That’s fitting because at the center of the Christmas story, there’s a family: a loyal, faithful foster father; his bride, a mother who’s also a virgin; and a little baby - God in the flesh, as well as true man. Their story is as unusual as it is famous. St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary were betrothed - legally married, but not living together as man and wife yet. Thus it threw St. Joseph for a loop when the angel told him that Mary was pregnant. But because God is the one who places us into families, St. Joseph accepted the Word of the Lord, and the Virgin Mary bore the Word incarnate. That’s why they were in Bethlehem, the City of David. The rest, as they say, is history.
It’s your history, and your salvation too: salvation history come to pass. Our families are not only for enjoying at Christmastime, or for experiencing blessings the year round; they are part of the means that Jesus uses to keep His story going. So as your family gathers at Christmastime, don’t forget why. You’re part of God’s family because of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord Jesus, bless me and my family as we celebrate Your birth. Amen.
DECEMBER 7 - LUKE 2:3
And everyone went to register, each to his own town.
When you’re a kid, you imagine that being a grownup will be GREAT. You’ll be able to do whatever you want, whenever you want; stay up late, not have to go to school or do chores, eat whatever you want. The future sure seemed rosy, didn’t it - doing exactly what you want.
Yeah, right.
The sad truth, which you know just as well as I do, is that one’s obligations do not cease when one attains to adulthood. Quite the opposite - we find that more people are depending on us to do what we should, when we should, regardless of how we might feel about it on a given day. Over time we can come to embrace this. Perhaps we can even learn to give thanks for the chance to do our duty and fulfill our obligations, because in this way God cares for the world - it’s through us that He feeds, clothes, teaches, and cares for those around us.
St. Joseph may or may not have looked forward to loading up a few possessions and his pregnant wife, just to make a trip for a Roman census. Scripture does not record for us his thoughts about the matter. But he went. And in his going, God’s plan took another step closer to completion, for in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son. The events of your everyday life are much more than they seem - the endless tide of mundane happenings, big and small things adding up to fill your days. They are more than they seem. Each of your days, so similar and yet so different as they flow by, are sacred, because they are given by a gracious God, and they are full of opportunities to serve Him - even if it doesn’t look like it. So look for those opportunities, and grab them as they go by. Amen.
Lord Jesus, help me to serve You in all I do. Amen.
DECEMBER 6 - LUKE 2:1
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
All things serve God’s purposes. This statement, which any Christian would wholeheartedly ascribe to, is not always so obvious in practice. It’s not always clear what, if any, part a given person or entity has in God’s plan. It’s only in hindsight that the threads of God’s providence can be woven into a coherent, recognizable pattern, and we can see and give thanks for what our God has done, as He holds the reins of human history and directs the course of human events.
The masses of people who had to uproot their lives and those of their families, travel long distances in arduous conditions, and wait patiently to enroll their names on the Roman tax rolls, never imagined that their lives were being directed by God for one specific purpose. God used Caesar’s decree of a census to ensure that the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph were where they needed to be, when they needed to be there, so that the prophecies were fulfilled; so that His Word came true, as it always does; so that the Christ would be born of the Virgin Mary in “Bethlehem Ephratha”, as Micah foretold (5:2).
Caesar, whoever or whatever he is nowadays, imagines that he is in charge - that what he says goes. He’s wrong. The Lord God rules over all.
If God engineered events in the Roman Empire that way, what wonderfully unexpected things do you think He’ll do for you?
Lord Jesus, thank You for guiding human history for the benefit of Your people. Amen.
DECEMBER 5 - LUKE 1:38
Then Mary said, “See, I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
What was Mary’s response when the Lord, through the angel, told her that she was to be the mother of the Savior? This is all she said - but surely not all that she had in her mind and heart. The news that she was to bear the Savior of the world was earth-shattering, tremendous in its impact. What was left for her to do? Simply to agree - to assent. And to follow the Lord’s plan, wherever it led and whatever it asked of her. The Lord had promised to work the miracle of bringing the Son of God into the world, in human flesh. Mary had her part to play in that, and we need to recognize it for what it is.
We shouldn’t make too much of Mary, at the expense of her Son - which she herself would not want. Just check what she says in John chapter 2: “Do whatever He tells you.” That says it all. Nor should we minimize her role in salvation history as if Christ’s conception and birth were something shameful, or a mere prelude to the real events involved in God accomplishing our salvation - on Good Friday, for instance. Neither approach - too much of the wrong kind of honor, or pushing her out of the picture - does justice to the Virgin Mary as a person and a child of God. Nor does it do justice to God’s plan.
Instead, the Virgin Mary’s thoughtful words here are a model of faith for every child of God. Some day - perhaps someday soon; perhaps already now - the Lord will ask you to do something hard, painful, or unpleasant. Maybe it will be something that requires sacrifice and putting others first. Almost certainly it will involve dying to yourself, and choosing between pleasing your flesh or following the Lord. When that choice comes, take a deep breath and say in your heart, or even out loud: I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me as you have said. God grant it, Amen.
Lord Jesus, make me trusting and willing to carry out Your will. Amen.
DECEMBER 4 - LUKE 1:32
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” our Lord once asked the Pharisees. They gave the simple, natural, Jewish-Sunday-School answer: “the Son of David.” Every Jew who was at all serious about that religion knew the answer. It had been prophesied again and again: the Messiah to come was to be the Son of David - so much so, that the very term “Son of David” itself became synonymous with “Messiah”. Thus when the angel Gabriel announced this to the Virgin Mary, the news surely must have hit her square between the eyes. Not only that she would have a child - that was amazing enough! - but that her child would sit on David’s throne, would rule with absolute authority, justice, wisdom: just like David once had, but infinitely greater. This was truly the promised Messiah.
This royal Son was to be both God and man. True man, because He was descended from David’s family - true God, because He was the Son of the Most High, not merely of any earthly king. The children of the rich, famous, and powerful often are in the public eye, whether they like it or not. Sometimes famous parents make determined efforts to shield their children, but that’s not always possible. This Child was to have the greatest Father of all: the Father of our spirits, God the Father, the First Person of the holy Trinity. Yet He is not remote from you in your weakness and lowliness; quite the contrary. Jesus was going to live your life, to atone for and undo your sins, to bring you eternal life. How unlike the high and mighty of this world, insulated by their wealth and their influence in the media. They rarely seem to have a concern for the “little people”, a phrase some of them use quite derisively. Jesus is not like that, not at all. He’s the greatest King of all, and His care for you makes you great along with Him. Worship Him in His greatness.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my great and good King, and my Savior. Amen.
DECEMBER 3 - LUKE 1:31
Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus.
How old were you when you learned about “the birds and the bees”? Chances are, you already had somewhat of an idea how that part of life worked by the time your parent or another trusted adult sat you down for “the talk.” It often turns out that way. For myself as a parent, I found an unexpected blessing to broaching the topic as I catechized my own children. We hit that part of the Second Article where it says “He was conceived by the Holy Spirit” - and I suddenly got a bunch of pointed questions about what “conceived” exactly meant!
But isn’t that the point? It is a mystery! - it isn’t supposed to happen that way! And how like our God to do something so completely extraordinary, so unfathomably miraculous. Just the mere fact of our Lord’s conception alone is worth pondering for a long time - to say nothing of why He chose to do it that way. The clue is in the holy, saving name given to the Child -- Jesus. Savior. This is who He would be - who He is! This is the “only name given under heaven, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Nobody else bears any sort of name that can save us, because nobody else put behind that name what the Son of God has: perfect purity; perfect obedience. Unbroken holiness. All for you - to redeem the corruption that creeps through all your members; to destroy the power of death that holds us captive. All hail King Jesus!
Lord Jesus, thank you for Your holy conception and birth, the antidote for my inborn sinfulness. Amen.
DECEMBER 2 - LUKE 1:30
THE ANGEL SAID TO HER, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, MARY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD.
The approval of the people we love is a powerful thing indeed. A parent’s approval or seeming rejection of a child, for instance, can shape that child’s whole worldview and mindset. Either that child will feel loved, valued, and cherished - or he or she will feel unloved, unwanted, never good enough. There’s a world of difference between approval and rejection, or just plain indifference. To be approved of is to be loved. If you’ve had unconditional regard and approval from the people closest to you, it’s hard to imagine living any other way. If you haven’t had it, it’s exceedingly hard to fathom what that must be like.
If no one has said it to you yet today, let me be the first: God loves you. God approves of you. He welcomes you as His child, forgives your sins, and bestows His grace on you. Please take a moment and reread that as many times as you need. What the angel said to the Virgin Mary, God says to you every day: you have found favor with God! And He says this because of the Child that the Virgin Mary carried. Jesus is the reason God smiles on you. He is the one the Father loves most and best of all, and He has done everything perfectly to earn God’s approval. All of that comes to you by faith in Him.
The Virgin Mary found God’s approval not because she was so pure on her own, or because she was a better sort of person than we are. She met with God’s approval because of her faith in her Son - in the Holy One to be born of her. You have the approval of almighty God for the same reason. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for accepting me as Your child, even though I don’t deserve it. Amen.
DECEMBER 1 - LUKE 1:26
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth …
America’s landscape has changed. Many small towns have become places you drive through, and only stop if necessary. Our society no longer seems to value the close-knit feeling of community and slower pace of life that small towns often have. One can’t help feeling we’ve lost something that way.
Even though small towns often are underrated by the world around us, some of the biggest events in human history have happened in these modest, quiet places. Take our verse for today. This angel, Gabriel, was bringing not mere news - he came with the Word that bore God’s Spirit, the Spirit that overshadowed the Virgin Mary and by which she conceived. What a miracle! Nothing like this had ever happened before in human history - nor ever would again! The Son of God chose to enter this world not at the height of His powers, surrounded by hordes of sycophants and yes men or cheering, uncomprehending crowds. He chose to take on human flesh and human nature and be born, just as we are. His conception took place hidden away from all prying mortal eyes, but it happened just as God had foretold long centuries before. God’s promises came true as that angel visited the Virgin Mary.
Those promises come true for you, every day. They are true for every person you come into contact with, whether you live in a small town, a suburban bedroom community, or a thriving urban center. Be on the lookout for chances to share the wonderful message of God’s promises kept with the people around you - wherever you may be.
Lord Jesus, open my lips, and let me show forth Your praise. Amen.
NOVEMBER 30 - MATTHEW 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
They immediately left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
I don’t know about you, but I find calendars to be fascinating things. Not just the ones with pretty pictures that we get at the local bakery or hardware store for free, or the ones with pictures of classic cars or beaches that friends or family members give us - the very concept of a calendar draws me in. To think that it’s possible to tell, maybe even far in advance, when certain holidays will fall, or whether Easter will be early or late, for example - I find that to be neat. With so much that’s uncertain about the future, at least we can measure out what time might look like as it comes down the pike at us.
What the calendar on the wall can’t tell us is what will occupy those neat little rows of blank squares. Will it be tragedy or comedy, joy or sadness? Will we be bored out of our minds, or experience confusion, sheer terror, or even a bit of happiness? Who’s to say? Andrew the fisherman certainly never considered that as he showed up for work on the day described in Matthew 4. However, that day was anything but an ordinary day at work! That was the day that his Lord said, “Follow Me” - and Andrew, along with Simon, James, and John, listened. They laid down their nets and followed Jesus - and their lives would never be the same. Because Andrew listened and followed the Lord, along with Jesus’ other apostles, he found himself on the path of service to the Lord Jesus. It took him far and wide - nations as diverse as Georgia, Malta, Cyprus, Romania, and Spain all claim some link with him - and ultimately resulted in his being martyred.
Your life would never be the same either. The Word that Andrew preached has changed your heart and forgiven your sins. Your Lord Jesus has drawn close to you through that Word. He still says, “Follow Me,” to you - and every day, you get another chance to do just that. Each little square on the calendar, whether it fills up faster than you’d like or whether it’s distressingly empty compared to what life used to be, is meant to be used for Him. Every year, Advent begins on the Sunday after St. Andrew’s day. As we turn another page on the calendar, as we draw near to another season of Advent, let’s make each day count for Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus, grant me grace to follow You, whatever the cost, just as Andrew and Your other disciples did. Amen.
NOVEMBER 29 – PSALM 24:3-5
Who may go up to the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
whose soul is not set on what is false,
who does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God who saves him.
Remember about a year and a half ago, when all of a sudden having clean hands began to seem like a matter of life or death? All at once, the urgency of having hands free of bacteria or viruses moved to the forefront of folks’ minds and stayed there. We began to count the number of seconds we took to wash our hands. Experts recommended a minimum of twenty seconds. People devised ways to remind themselves to wash their hands for long enough. My personal favorite was to recite the Lord’s Prayer as you stood at the sink and washed your hands. With all the fuss paid to hand washing, it makes you wonder how many people had actually been washing their hands the right way to begin with, and how many were just starting to make a habit of washing their hands for the first time in their lives!
The sad truth is, washing your hands may keep you from catching something, but it doesn’t touch your heart. I’m not talking about the cardiac muscle in your chest that moves the blood - I’m talking about your thoughts, attitudes, emotions; your mind and will, your inner thought life. In short, it’s who you are on the inside - what makes you, you. Our hands may be clean through use of soap and water, or copious helpings of hand sanitizer, but our hearts are not pure. We know that by what comes out of them. Angry words; selfish actions; the kind of sinful thoughts we’ve learned to keep to ourselves, but we still think them. Too many times, we have been false to what is true. We have not kept faith with Christ, who is the Truth.
That’s why Christ has ascended to the “hill of the Lord”. He has gone to the heavenly Mount Zion, where ten thousand times ten thousand angels sing in joyful assembly; where there is the “church of the firstborn”, those who are His by baptism and through faith in His blood. Yes, our Lord Jesus has “gone to the Father”, as He says so many times in John’s Gospel: He has gone through His degrading suffering and His undeserved death, all the way to eternal life. His hands were clean and His heart was pure - always! Christ has received blessing from the Father. He has brought “life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Because of Jesus, you have that blessing too. Clean hands and a pure heart - forgiveness and life - to be right with God, forever. Thanks be to Christ! Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your clean hands and pure heart - for Your righteousness for me. Amen.
NOVEMBER 28 – JEREMIAH 23:5-6
Listen, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
who will reign wisely as king
and establish justice and righteousness on earth.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will dwell securely.
This is his name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteousness.
Politics are a perpetual distraction in America. It seems that no sooner has a candidate gained office, then that person begins planning his or her re-election campaign. Increasingly, campaign season is creeping outward in the calendar, until one begins to wonder if there’s even a point to drawing a distinction like “campaign season” in the first place.
A King is coming. He will not be like earthly leaders: all talk and no do, all promise and no substance. His rule will be undeniable, and you will benefit. In fact, you already have, and Jeremiah pinpoints why: “This is the name by which He will be called: the Lord Our Righteousness.”
Jesus is your righteousness. He brings you forgiveness, grace, and joy before God. When your guilty conscience wants to know, “What are you going to do about your sin? – Yes, that one!” You can boldly say, “Jesus paid for it! It’s gone!” He is the answer when the devil smirks at you, “Guess God doesn’t feel like helping you. Where is your God now?” You can declare, “The Lord is with me! Jesus has delivered me.”
It’s not only at Christmas that we celebrate a coming King. We look forward to His return at the end of time, every day. The King is coming, and He is our righteousness.
Lord Jesus, my King, my Savior, and my Lord, come quickly and deliver Your people. Amen.
All Devotions Written By Pastor Kurt Hagen
