Scripture: Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Thought for the Day: Good morning, Christmas! Maybe you’re not reading this in the morning, but whenever you find yourself glancing upon these words, I pray that they are meeting you in whatever your circumstance. Christmas is not one thing to all people, and for most of us, it is a mixed bag. We can be full of joy while also grieving the death of someone who is not present to celebrate with us; there can be deep loneliness even though you are surrounded by people; there might be a wonderful peace about you even though you are spending Christmas alone; there might be some disappointment because this year is not going to be as good as last year; there could be some real excitement as you hit it out of the park when it came to that gift for that special someone; there might be some new traditions this year because of marriage or a new relationship. The list could go on, but the point I want to make about this day is that you do not need to get yourself to some specific place of perfection in regard to what Christmas should be. Christmas is all about God, Emmanuel, making a way into our unique, less than ideal or even messy Christmas. There has never been a right way of doing Christmas, for it really is something that God has done and continues to do. And God is the perfect gift to us in whatever our life circumstance is on December 25 or any other day of the year.
Prayer: Thank you, O Gracious God, for entering this world centuries ago. Thank you for entering my life again this day, not because I deserve it or did it the correct way, but simply because you are God. Amen.
PRAY FOR PEACE
IN THE HEARTS OF ALL PEOPLE
PRAY FOR PEACE
IN THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD
