Daily Devotional for Wednesday 27th December
Day 3 - Jesus
This week the devotionals are focussed on people who were there at the first Christmas. We will follow a simple pattern:
1. Read the bible. Hear God’s word to us.
2. Reflect on an aspect of the passage with a focus on a person.
3. Pray. We will pray the same prayer at the end of each day’s devotional.
Our aim is that the simplicity and repetition will help us draw closer to Jesus this Christmas whatever we’re going through at the moment.
We pray that we’re built up and encouraged in our walk with Jesus – whether that’s in our: sadness or happiness, busyness or quietness, in the company of others or loneliness.
Read: Luke 2:21-24
Time to reflect…
We might be tempted to skim over passages in the bible like this that narrate what happened to people, but bearing in mind 2 Timothy 3:16, we approach this passage today praying that God would teach us, correct us, and train us in righteousness through it.
What are we to learn from it?
Mary and Joseph follow some very important Jewish customs in these verses, customs that were there to point to God’s faithfulness to his people, marking them out as holy, set apart.
Their obedience in naming Jesus and bringing him to Jerusalem shows their attitude of trust and obedience to God and his message through the angels.
When I wonder if I’m doing the right thing as a Christian, one trustworthy, simple hymn often comes to mind: Trust and Obey. I find that it’s a good way to check where my heart is at and bring me back to simple trust in God:
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
(John H Sammis, 1887)
How can you show your trust in God and obedience to Him today?
“Have a Mary (& Joseph) Christmas!”
Pause to pray…
Heavenly Father, we pray that as we reflect on the people who were there at Jesus’ birth, you would prepare us by your Holy Spirit for Jesus’ return.
We pray that we would be so amazed by your grace and love for us that our praise and thankfulness would overflow this Christmas time, so that those around us would learn of your love for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
