Daily devotion – our Christmas Guest!
Preparing for Christmas 2023 –
Mat 1:22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
Mat 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Many people are busy preparing for Christmas. Presents being purchased, Christmas lights and trees going up, food being bought, yards being cleaned and invitations sent out – all in preparation for Christmas 2023.
Is there anything else we could do to make this Christmas a little different than previously?
In Matthew’s Gospel, our Heavenly Father had everything prepared as planned for the birth of Jesus the Saviour of the World in Bethlehem. Everyone was in their place and everything pointed to Jesus!
Around your house consider some other items other than lights and decorations – have in the centre of the main meeting room, a good-sized Bible opened up at either Matthew or Luke’s Gospel to the birth of Christ Scriptures. Maybe purchase a small blackboard and write a new Christmas related Scripture each day, perhaps having the children select it and another carefully write it out for all to see.
Choose a music playlist that has Christmas carols that glorify God and His coming. At the table being prepared for the main feast – write out a welcome card for each family member seated with a selected verse of the Bible for each, or a Christmas verse declaring the reason for Christ’s birth. Plan to pray before eating and give thanks not only for the food and your guests, but importantly for Christ’s birth.
Consider inviting someone who you are aware has no family or company to gather with this Christmas who otherwise was going to spend it alone.
Christmas in your home is a perfect opportunity for the worship of God and thankful hearts to permeate the atmosphere of all who enter your house – where Jesus is the Guest!
Maybe your husband or wife does not follow the Lord, no matter, be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove and seek God’s help for His blessing to flow through you to them, who know not the Lord, so that at this time, God’s grace and His love is shared with those especially, in a planned and beautiful way.
Christ came to save us and to bring joy into our lives – let us celebrate His coming with thankful and thoughtful hearts this 2023.