December 14:
B.C. verse: Luke 2: 6-7
A.D. verse: I Peter 1: 13-16
Christmas hymn: “Silent Night”
Hymn for today: “He is With Us” by Love and the Outcome
My nephew and his wife are just days away from becoming new parents. Mandi
is due on December 22, but if looks are an indicator, that baby should arrive
any time (and Mandi hopes it is sooner rather than later).
Their baby will be the first grandchild and great-grandchild on our
side of the family, so to this child’s birth has been anticipated would be an understatement.
Just as soon as the pregnancy was confirmed, plans for the arrival
began in earnest. The young couple purchased a fixer-upper farm place in June
of 2012 and has spent the last year in completing various home improvement
projects, one of which was the baby’s nursery.
For many months, the crib has been ready and waiting to be filled. The
walls are pink as it has been confirmed that “Baby K” is a girl. The décor has established
that Baby K will like owls as the critters have been thematically included in
every facet of her room. Not surprisingly, Baby K’s closet is already filled to
bursting with frocks and frills meant for little girls. Strollers,
pack-and-plays, and other equipment stand at attention, awaiting the special
cargo that will fill them.
The planning and preparation is complete. Hurry up, Baby K; there are a lot of people waiting for you.
Long ago, there was another baby who was long-anticipated and
eagerly-awaited. However, the preparation and supplies for this baby were not
as elaborate and overwhelming as Baby K’s. “[Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son.
She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because
there was no lodging available for them “(Luke 2:7).
The birth of “Baby K” signals the start of a new generation, the birth
of a new era. The birth of “Baby J” signaled much the same thing in terms of a
spiritual family. “Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you
when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world” (I Peter 1:14).
Rather than be born in a royal palace, the King of the World, the Joy
of our Salvation, the Mighty God entered simply and humbly. There were no grand
preparations or celebrations; it occurred exactly as He ordained – in a stable
with a trough for a bed and rags for clothes. His birth is his first lesson to us as He begins
his interim as a human, for, like him, his birth was holy, which means “specified or set apart for a religious purpose.”
Thus, our thoughts and actions should be
likewise. “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose
you is holy” (I Peter 1:15).
Just as Christ’s birth was humble and simple, so should our faith be.
We don’t need frilly theology, elaborate devotionals, or well-prepared prayers;
we just need a humble heart, a willing spirit, and undiluted faith.
Daily Challenge: Mail a handwritten note or card to the first person
you thought of when you read this.
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