The Spirit of God is on Me because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2
There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said, “Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised. For my eyes have seen Your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples – a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.” His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed – and a sword will pierce your own soul – that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:25-35
My words…
In a world where I console the baby, You sent a baby to console me. Jesus’ birth, His first coming, is You placing Your cool, tender hand on the burning hot forehead of the world. Comfort, at last. The cries of the infant Jesus were trumpets, heralding an end to sin’s bondage and oppression. His laughter was a sweet bell, a joyful peal to announce the only way to true freedom. Simeon longed to see and hold Your comfort, and You sustained him until he could. The throngs who daily visited and worshiped at the temple had no idea that Simeon held the Salvation of the World. The One whom they prayed would come, holding a sword, reeking havoc on Israel’s enemies, brought instead comfort to Israel, to the Gentiles, to the world forever. A little Baby. A Comforter. Amazing. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise, with all my heart I praise Your holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise, His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity. Micah 5:2
Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough – because there was no room for them at the lodging place. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! Luke 2:4-14
My words…
Father, every detail of this blessed event was determined by You before creation. You entrusted Your prophets with select details to bring hope to Your people. And then, late one clear, starry night, in the most humble dwelling in Bethlehem, the first of many prophesies was fulfilled. In the midst of the dirt, bugs, and manure, Your Son came into the world. Mary’s painful cries were heard only by her husband and barn animals. The infant’s arrival set in motion a wave of joyful praise heaven could not contain. It was as if the angels had to tell someone. But who? Who should be the first to hear about the coming of the Savior of the world? It was only fitting that the chosen angel, clothed in Your glory, appear not to the elite of Israel, but to a group of weary, humble shepherds working the night shift. What an honor! The shepherds arrived at the stable, not having to worry about removing their shoes or changing their clothes. They presented themselves to Your Son just the way they were – covered in dirt, covered in sin. I can see them in my mind’s eye, surrounding the trough, some standing, some kneeling, some with their faces to the ground. How long did they linger? I would have stayed all night. I can only surmise that this band of shepherds described the scene of this holy night to their children who then shared it with their children and so on through the generations. You raise the humble. You honor the lowly. You lovingly offer Hope to the hopeless. I praise You, Father, with my whole heart! I praise You and thank You for willingly sending Your Son away from Your side to a place so unworthy of Him. Glory to the newborn King!
And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him. He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever. Luke 1:46-55
My words…
The expressions of praise and gratefulness which flowed from Mary’s heart nurture and strengthen my soul. She was the one chosen among many. She would carry the child on which the hopes of her entire nation rested. The Messiah. The Anticipated One. The Hope of Israel. This most excellent honor was not bestowed upon a famous woman, a woman of means, or any woman expecting it. No. You elevated the lowly peasant girl engaged to a working class carpenter. No worldly “fluff” floated in front of her eyes. She saw You clearly as one who spoke with You often and thought about You the rest of the time. She understood how You work: You bless those who fear You. You are just: You satisfy those who have nothing. You are mighty: No earthly power can stand against You. Mary knew that You were preparing to bare Your arm, to reveal Your powerful love in the form of You with skin. She knelt before You, opened her heart and her mouth, and magnified Your name for me to read all these years later. No one else but You would have chosen her for the job. She knew You. She knew how to love You. Even now, she helps me praise You.
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Luke 1:26-33
My words…
Father, my spirit rejoices during this Christmas season. No other event in the history of Your creation fills my heart with joy more than the arrival of my Savior on earth. The advent, intended from ancient times, disrupted the balance of heaven, for the Son left the presence of His Father to endure life as a baby, as a boy, as a man. Did Gabriel fall at Your feet in praise when he learned he would be the one to announce the Savior’s birth? Did the host of heaven remain silent as Gabriel shared his message with the young virgin of Nazareth? Did Mary know that this conversation would be remembered and recited for centuries to come? As soon as Gabriel stopped speaking, everything changed. The beautiful source of pure love, redemption, and grace began to grow in the womb of the one favored by You. The Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity, could only be brought forth from a virgin womb. The plan of salvation by the death of the Lamb is a perfect, virgin plan, never before conceived by any god or man. Jesus lived the only truly virgin life – One unspoiled by the dirt of sin. Then, at Jesus’ resurrection, the world was handed a free gift – the gift of a spotless, virgin life with You eternally. And it all began with an angel’s visit to an apprehensive young Galilean virgin. Hallelujah! Praise to the Father who endured separation from His Son. Praise to the Spirit who miraculously brought life from Mary’s womb. And Praise to the Son who humbled Himself and willingly left the glory of the heavenly realms to dwell on earth. Joy to the world! The Lord has come!
Then God said, “Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. He also created every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:20-21, 24-25
Do you give strength to the horse? Do you adorn his neck with a mane? Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread its wings to the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make its nest on high? Job 39:19-20, 26-27
My words…
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise
Lord, Your boundless creative might flowed across the sky, rivers, oceans, deserts, forests and plains and produced creatures that fly, swim, crawl, and run. Not just skin, but scales, feathers, and fur. Not just hands, but paws, talons, and fins. I have two eyes, but the giant clam of the South Pacific has thousands! The tiny wax moth can hear 150 times greater than I. In order to beat a cheetah in a race, I would have to get in my car and drive 62 miles per hour on an open road. What creatures! What a creator! My knowledge of your creatures is so limited: I could study them the rest of my life and not learn a fraction of what is to be known. Yet You hear the song of each bird and know the lyrics. You know exactly what each elephant remembers. You know why the wolf howls. You give strength to the horse and adorn his neck with a mane. You understand the flight of the hawk, and command the eagle to soar. You, oh God, receive the praise of your creation: the dolphin’s whistle, the lion’s roar, the falcon’s screech – all of Your creatures know their creator and worship You! What a symphony of praise You must hear every day! Thank You – thank You, Lord – for the endless variety of creatures, each proclaiming Your creative majesty.
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years. They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights – the greater light to have dominion over the day and the lesser light to have dominion over the night – as well as the stars. God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, to dominate the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:14-18
Can you fasten the chains of the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion? Can you bring out the constellations in their season and lead the Bear and her cubs? Do you know the laws of heaven? Can you impose its authority on earth? Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you? Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Do they report to you: “Here we are?” Job 38:31-35
My words…
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
You appointed the celestial bodies a place in the sky, a place where they would never move. You would not let darkness prevail on earth; even when the earth revolves away from sun, there are lights to dispel darkness. When I fail to see Your presence in my daily view of the world, I need only to wait until nightfall and look upward. I see a dipper! Did You do that on purpose? And the sun! What a joy-bringer! Its rays of light and warmth chase away malaise naturally. Last week I gazed upon a “supermoon.” When the next supermoon is visible, I will be looking at it with 75 year old eyes or looking at it in Your company (dark side and all!). Beyond the beauty and grandeur of the stars, sun, and moon is the way they act as timepieces, for when You set them in place, “the clock” started ticking. I celebrate a birthday and an anniversary because You appointed a place for the stars. I observe special days and holy days based on the cycle of the moon or a specific day of a specific month. All of this and so much more exist because of what You created on the fourth “day.” What a “day!” Thank You for setting in place a spectacle of Your majesty and power in the sky for my eyes to behold each day and each night. Only You can fasten the chains of the Pleiades and loosen the belt of Orion. I turn my face skyward and thank You and praise You.
Then God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water. So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky.” Evening came and then morning: the second day. Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land “earth,” and He called the gathering of the water “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Where were you when I established the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7
My words…
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
I praise You and thank You for revealing the spectacle of creation in a way that accommodates all levels of awareness and intellect of humankind throughout the ages. Although Your creation is a balance of energies beyond my cognition, You knew it need not be revealed so. Could I, using every molecule of my brain, comprehend what You spoke into existence? Never! Separating sky from water and water from land – a simple act for You! How much more glorious that as You spoke, Your heavenly angels shouted for joy and praised Your name! I often wonder: Did You have fun? I enjoy my time creating small works of art – a birthday card or a throw pillow, none of them perfect. But You! How fulfilling to just express an idea and have it happen before You, perfectly. You fixed the dimensions of the earth – You know its exact weight to the milligram. You limited the expanse of the seas, and You need not count the drops within, for You know the number. And the sky – sweetened by Your breath when You called it good. You are Boundless Wonder, Immeasurable Might, Loving Creator – my God.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and He called the darkness “night.” Genesis 1:1-5
Where is the road to the home of light? Do you know where darkness lives, so you can lead it back to its border? Are you familiar with the paths to its home? Job 38:19-20
My words…
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
God, You never intended for Your creation to live in darkness, so Your first creative demand was, “Light, be!” And it was. Scholars and scientists have speculated for centuries the nature of this light apart from the sun. (I often wonder how You react to the incessant blundering of those who insist on capsulizing the power of The Divine. Do you laugh or cry?) I am not troubled by this query. For me, it’s simple: Where the Father, the Spirit and the Logos exist, light prevails. As You know, I am no scientist, but I have learned that light is extremely complex, consisting of an electromagnetic spectrum of stuff I cannot comprehend. You willed it, and it happened. Only You may personify it as having a home. How uniquely amazing You are! My favorite definition of light is the absence of darkness. And that is what You are. No wonder You spoke it into existence first. Again, I chide myself on my inability to use the vessel of language to share my gratitude for who You are and what You have done for me. What a barrier my flesh is! But my spirit takes over, and the intents of my heart pass from my spirit to Yours, and I am refreshed. God of Light, please accept this prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ – which is far better – but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Philippians 1:21-26
My words…
Praise
Because of You, Lord, I know that life after death will be far better than life before death. Your plan from the beginning was to gather the faithful to Yourself to live a new life with You. Your Apostle Paul boldly proclaimed this truth and believed it without a hint of doubt. He summed up his life in one word: Christ. And he summed up his death in one word: gain. In life he preached Christ. In death he is with Christ. What a gain! There is no other place more beautiful than the place where You are.
Prayer for me
Lord, I know that to die is gain. I know it. But I still cling, white-knuckled, to this earthly existence. Grow my faith to see death as gain. I will gain comfort from what hurts me. I will gain understanding of what confuses me. And most of all, I will gain presence with You. I pray that this truth will guide what I do, say, and think from this day until I see You.
Forgive me
Forgive me for not living Christ as I should. I am not an apostle like Paul. Forgive me for using that as a reason for not sharing You with those who think there is no gain in death.
Prayer for others
Lord, I just read another report of more Christians murdered in far away lands – killed by machetes or burned in their homes. I waver between being sad for their shortened earthly lives and joyful that they are now with You. They have gained. Those who kill think they have won, but it’s those who have been killed who are victorious. I don’t know what they are doing now with You – I just know it’s far better than what they were doing here.
Thank You
How hopeless and sorrowful our lives would be without Your promise of being with You someday. Thank You for loving me so much that You have made plans to be with me. Some describe death as loss. Thank You that I may describe my death as gain.
More praise
Unlike Your holy angels, I am unable to praise You in a way worthy of Your Being. I haven’t the voice, the intellect, the wisdom, the purity. But You are the One who accepts what I do have – one small voice saying, “I love You, Lord.” I pray it makes You smile.
When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky – for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord. These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. And Noah fathered three sons: Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness. God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth. Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore, I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him. Genesis 6:9-14, 22
By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7
My words…
Praise
Father, I know you don’t have eyes with retinas, but You see. You don’t have ears with cochleae, yet You hear. Your heart doesn’t pump blood through ventricles, yet You experience heartache – like when You watched the depraved acts of Your beloved creation as they abandoned their devotion to You. They debased themselves and wallowed in the most despicable of sins. So You made the decision to destroy what You had once called “good.” (I can almost hear Satan saying, “Darn. Now I have to start all over again.”) Noah lived as the lone voice of righteousness, and he was given a task that would put his outstanding faith to the test. He began to prepare for an event that had never taken place before. He had no idea what it would look like, yet he prepared for it with his whole, faith-filled heart. He pleaded with his neighbors to turn from their way of life before the torrent of water destroyed them all, but they only hurled insults and taunted him: “A flood? Why would we believe a crazy idea like that?” Your Spirit worked mightily in Noah, for he never stopped working until You closed the door of the ark he had made. And the cleansing water fell, washing away the grime of sin. You are a long-suffering Lord, waiting until only one godly man remained before pronouncing judgement on the unrepenetant wicked. You are the God who provides a way of escape for those who walk with You.
Prayer for me
You have said, and I believe, there is a great day of judgement approaching – a date only You know. A world-wide cleansing will take place. For thousands of years, Your word and Your people have proclaimed this event will occur. I have no idea what that day will look like, for there has never been a day like it. But like Noah, I am preparing for it nonetheless, living in a world that taunts and hurls insults: “Why would you believe a crazy idea like that?” It’s a walk of faith. Some days I skip along the path, confident in what I believe while other days, I shuffle along, pummeled by naysayers who don’t care about me and gently jabbed by those who do. I pray for a faith like Noah, a faith that will keep me walking with You.
Forgive me
Forgive me for my lack of faith – for the days when I actually take the time and energy to lend an ear and a part of my mind to scoffers, unbelievers, pessimists. Forgive me for allowing their venom to sting my heart.
Prayer for others
Noah’s enemies assaulted him personally, face-to-face. In my society, I am assaulted via the internet by anonymous nonbelievers who spout profanity, blasphemy, and hatred. Their hearts are made of granite. But Your Spirit can penetrate any soul, so I pray for those who view You as mythological, judgmental, or egotistical. How Your name will be glorified when one of them abandons his former way of thinking and joins You on the walk that leads to faith like Noah.
Thank You
How blessed are the faithful! You provide for those who follow Your ways – You provide in ways seen and unseen. The lives of the faithful are not always filled with earthly wealth or public recognition, but You grant us what we need to continue in our lives of praise and faith. You have provided for me my whole life. I have never gone hungry, lacked a pillow for my head, or feared for my life. How blessed am I! Thank You, Lord God!
More praise
You are the God who opened the earth below and skies above, purging the earth of those who refused to obey Your word through Noah. You are the holy judge of earth – now and forever. Your judgment is righteous. Your discernment is true. Your ways are perfect. Amen.
