Daily devotion – Christmas Day
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a time of gathering with family—opening gifts, sitting down to eat, and enjoying fellowship together. One of the true blessings of Christmas Day is that people step out of their normal routines and take time to talk with one another. Conversations and catch-ups often create the perfect opportunity to unload things we haven’t had time to share, or to comfort someone who has been quietly struggling but hasn’t yet had the opportunity—or confidence—to tell their story in full.
Busyness and the cares of this world, the Bible tells us, actually choke the blessings of God in our lives:
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
— Mark 4:19
“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
— Luke 8:14
In our modern world, many people have lost control of their time—and ultimately their lives—because they have taken on too much. The result is often spiritual unfruitfulness. Busy parents, busy workers, all rushing here and there, until eventually something breaks—and by then, the damage has already been done.
A married couple can become strangers, separated by competing schedules. A child can end up in trouble because their relationship with their parents has been buried under constant busyness. Sadly, by then, the horse has bolted. Often it takes tragedy to make us stop and reassess—but that is not how real change should begin.
So what is the answer?
I could explore many practical solutions, but thankfully the Bible, in its wisdom, always addresses the heart of the problem rather than merely treating the symptoms:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
— Mark 12:30
Busy lives choke out our time with the Lord, and we sadly relegate Christ to moments when we can somehow “fit Him in.”
Jesus also said:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
— Matthew 6:33
Now that Christmas is over, take time to read Matthew chapter 6—especially from verse 33 onward. There we see a wonderful promise: if we get our relationship with God right—and give Him rightful priority in our time—then all the other things we exhaust ourselves trying to manage, Jesus says He will take care of.
Once again, Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we gather together to deliberately make time for the One who was born King.