Thursday (Day 12)

VERSES:  Luke 1:46-56 and 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

All too often, Christmas is a season when we compare ourselves to others.  As kids, we compared our presents to those of our siblings or friends.  As adults, we compare the decorations we place on the outside of our homes with our neighbors.  As workers, we may compare end of year bonuses with other employees.  Sadly, the Christmas season can be a time of comparison.

All comparisons must have a point of reference.  If a gift is said to be inexpensive, we must ask, Inexpensive compared to what?”  If we say our house is plainly decorated, we must ask, “Plain compared to what other home?”  Our point of reference matters.

In today’s reading, we see Mary’s response to the news that she is pregnant with Jesus.  This is not her initial reaction … we got that in Luke 1:38, which we read two days ago, when she said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  In today’s reading, we get her reaction after reflection … several weeks later as the baby is growing her womb.  Her response is called the “Magnificat” (Latin for “magnify”) which is what Mary is doing as she responds to her circumstances.  But what is Mary magnifying?

Was she magnifying the challenges that she and Joseph had to work through as she was pregnant with Jesus?  Was she magnifying the sideways looks she must have been receiving at the marketplace as a pregnant woman not yet married?  Was she magnifying the discomfort that comes from carrying a child?  No, Mary was not magnifying any of those things.  Instead, Mary was magnifying the Lord.

Mary’s point of reference was God Himself.  And compared to the greatness of God, Mary’s problems were relatively small.  By magnifying the Lord, Mary found joy and mercy in the midst of trying circumstances. 

Will we also follow Mary’s example?  May we find in the Lord our God a reference point on which to assess all circumstances?  God has done great things for us in Jesus. THAT is a big gift!  Spend some time magnifying the Lord today regardless of what circumstances you are facing.

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Wednesday (Day 11)

VERSES:  Luke 1:39-45 & Galatians 6:2

There is power in community.  When we share an experience with someone else, we receive a type of encouragement that is like an oasis in the desert, water for our thirsty soul.  At our church, we host groups for widows and for those grieving the loss of a loved one.  All the members of these groups are dealing with similar issues and find comfort in fellowship with others walking the same road.  Like a heavy piece of furniture that needs to be moved, the task is easier if more people are grabbing and helping share the load.

Maybe you have experienced something like this in your life …

At the end of yesterday’s reading, the angel Gabriel told Mary that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant, even though she was well past child-bearing days (Luke 1:36).  This was shared to encourage Mary that God can do impossible things (Luke 1:37).  Now, what was more impossible: Elizabeth conceiving through natural means yet as an old woman, or Mary conceiving through supernatural means as a young virgin?  While both are miraculous, Mary’s situation was even more improbable, but Gabriel still used Elizabeth’s example to encourage Mary of what God can do.

In today’s verses, we see Mary head to Elizabeth’s house to spend time with Elizabeth and Zechariah while their babies were still in utero.  The interaction was super encouraging for both, and that should not surprise us.  These two women were the only two women in the world who understood what it meant to have a miraculous pregnancy! 

Mary did not have daily dialogues with Gabriel … he visited once.  I am guessing that somewhere along the way, Mary might have wondered, “Did I hear the angel correctly?”  How did God minister to her during the time of her pregnancy?  It seems God cared for Mary the same way He cares for many of us … through the warm embrace of a friend who is going through something similar.

Do you need care today?  Like Mary, move in the direction of Christian community and help bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Tuesday (Day 10)

VERSES:  Luke 1:26-38, & Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8

In life there are times when we earn an outcome.  We work all week in order to get a paycheck on Friday.  We save every month so that we have a downpayment for our home.  Some things come in response to our efforts.

Still, other things in life come to us as a gift we did not earn.  We were fed by our parents when we were babies.  Friends give us gifts for our birthdays.  Sometimes we are simply surprised and/or blessed by the generosity and care of others. 

In today’s reading, we see Gabriel (the same angel who visited Zechariah in the Temple) call on Mary at her home in Nazareth.  Mary was a virgin who was engaged to Joseph.  Gabriel tells Mary that she is “favored” by God.  In the original language, the word used is “graced.”  Gabriel basically says to Mary, “Greetings ‘graced’ one!  The Lord is with you!  Do not be afraid, for you have been graced by God.” 

“Grace” means gift, something given not earned.  Mary did not earn the right to be the mother of Jesus, she simply was “graced” by God.  God would do for Mary the impossible.

Transitioning now to our lives, many world religions imagine salvation as something we earn.  Work all lifelong and do more good than bad and earn eternal life.  Biblical Christianity is different.  Instead of salvation coming as a wage we earn, it is a gift God gives.  Jesus came and died for our sins while we were still sinners.  What we “earn” is judgment and death, but what God gives (to those who trust in Jesus Christ) is forgiveness and life. 

Such generosity may sound improbable to us, but let us not forget, what is impossible for us is possible for God.  The virgin was with child … and that child would ultimately die on the cross for our sins so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.  It is by grace we have been saved!  God comes to us with a message of hope and life at Christmas … like Mary, will we receive it?

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Monday (Day 9)

VERSES:  Luke 1:5-25

All people have a birth story.  We all have parents.  We were all born at a particular time and into a particular context.  The details of birth stories are something that get recorded in baby books and told over Thanksgiving dinners so that individual families continue to remember the tribe that they are a part of. 

Certain births, however, are even more significant.  Not only is their story shared at their Thanksgiving table, but it is widely known among all within a society.  The birth and childhood of George Washington is taught in elementary schools, and the early life of Martin Luther King Jr. is a part of all his biographies. 

Given this dynamic, when we see a detailed account of the birth of a child in the Bible, we should ask ourselves, “Who is this, and why is their birth so significant?”  In today’s reading, we read about the conception of John the Baptist.  This conception was natural (he had a mom and a dad after all), but it was also supernatural (John’s folks, Zechariah and Elizabeth) were old at the time John was conceived.  To top it off, the angel Gabriel foretold John’s birth while Zechariah was at work in the Temple.  This is one birth story we all need to know!

The significance of this birth, of course, was the role that John was born to play.  Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son would be the one who would go forth “in the spirit and power of Elijah” to pave the way for the Messiah’s entrance into history.  As we saw yesterday, this was to make good on the promise of God to have a forerunner to the entrance of the King of Kings.

John’s role was unique, but his mission is also our mission.  John was to call hearts back to God and prepare them for Christ.  In a similar way, we are to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all we come into contact with and invite men and women to believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  You have a “re-birth” story … born again in Jesus for an important role and to invite others to follow Him as well.  Who can you invite to follow Christ this Christmas season?

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

WEEK 2:  In the home of Elisabeth

Sunday (Day 8)

VERSES:  Malachi 4:5-6, Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 1:16-17,  Matthew 17:11-13

At the very end of the Old Testament, in Malachi 4:5-6, we see an intriguing prophecy.  Before the “great and awesome Day of the LORD comes,” Elijah will appear and serve a prophetic role of preparing people for the arrival of the Day of the LORD. 

A few questions must be asked of this passage.  First, what is the “Day of the LORD”?  In the Old Testament, this spoke of the day when Messiah would come and judge the earth and establish His Kingdom reign. 

Second, we might ask, is the Old Testament prophet Elijah, really going to come back to life and have a second go ‘round of ministry BEFORE Messiah establishes His kingdom?  It seems the answer to this is “not exactly,” but that one would come in the “spirit and power of Elijah” to fulfill this role before Messiah comes.

Third, we might ask, who this Elijah-like person was or will be?  Studying the Scripture from the vantage point of the 21st century, we are blessed with a perspective not had by the Old Testament authors.  We know that Messiah was going to come not only once, but twice!  Jesus, the Messiah, came once to die on the cross for our sins, and He will come a second time to establish His Kingdom on the earth.  Since Jesus came/is coming twice, there actually are TWO instances where someone runs ahead of Jesus preparing the way for His arrival. At His first coming, it was John the Baptist, and at His second coming, it appears to be the two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-13.  Interestingly, both sets, like Jesus Himself, would/will be martyred for their faith.

So, why do we get into all this today?  Well, in Luke’s Gospel, where we get the most information in the Bible about Jesus’ birth, we also get an extended section on the birth of John the Baptist.  Why?  Because Luke goes to great lengths to show that our God is faithful to His promises and prophecies.  God said that Elijah would come, and indeed John the Baptist came in an Elijah-like role before Jesus began His public ministry.  God’s Word is true about all it speaks … including the future! 

Over the next few days, we will see more of the birth of John and the interactions between John’s mother Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Saturday (Day 7)

VERSES:  Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:3-6

The Old Testament holds many promises and prophecies about the coming Messiah.  The Messiah would be the savior of the world and would bring blessing and shared victory to all who trusted in Him.  Yesterday, we saw some of the victories that Messiah would bring as we reflected on Isaiah 9:1-7. 

In Micah 5:2, we see a prophecy that tells us where the Messiah will be born – in Bethlehem Ephrathah.  Ephrathah was an ancient name for the territory around the town of Bethlehem.  The savior of the world would be born in this little town.  Micah’s prophecy, written 700 years before Jesus’ birth, was clearly understood by the people of Israel.  After all, when the Gentile wise men arrived in Matthew 2 and inquired where the Messiah was to be born, Herod’s advisors quickly confirmed Bethlehem as the birth place of the King of Kings, quoting today’s verse, Micah 5:2.

To you and me, this makes sense.  We have ALWAYS associated Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Son of God because we are so familiar with what took place there at Jesus’ birth 2000 years ago.  But at the time of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem was not a thriving metropolis.  It was a very small town, so insignificant that it does not even show up in the list of towns in Judah in Joshua 15 and Nehemiah 11.  But, this was the place that God had ordained for His birth.

Micah 5:2 continues to say that His “coming forth is from of old, from ancient of days.”  This is a reminder that the Messiah would not begin His existence at His birth, but that He would appear in Bethlehem like the sun appearing in the sky as the clouds part after a rainy day.  The sun was always there, we just could not see it until the clouds parted.  In a similar way, Jesus has always existed as the eternal Son of God, but became visible to humanity as He humbled Himself and was born in Bethlehem.

You may be familiar with the term “Advent.”  This is a term used in connection with the Christmas season in many churches.  “Advent” means “appearing.”  At Christmas, we celebrate the Son appearing in Bethlehem, advancing His mission to reveal God to mankind and reconcile mankind to God. 

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Friday (Day 6)

VERSES:  Isaiah 9:1-7

We live in a world at war.  Each generation faces its own battles and, though the faces and locations of the conflicts vary, what remains constant is the presence and threat of military battle.  This is one of the lingering affects of sin in this world.

Isaiah 9:1-7 is one of the most famous passages in all of the Old Testament . . . and for good reason!  What a blessed hope it promises.  From the land of Galilee, a small rural province in northern Israel that often drew the first attack from invading armies because of its northern exposure, a leader would emerge that would bring glory and peace to God’s people.  This leader would be a bully-buster who would establish peace on the earth and eliminate the need for trillions of dollars to be spent on national defense.  Surprisingly, though, the leader who would quell the bullies would not be a bigger bully, but a child.  What a contrast!  The mighty Assyrian army (in Isaiah’s day) would be stopped by God working through a little child.  The terror of the terrorists would be silenced from the crib of Bethlehem’s manger.  This child, of course, was Jesus who would grow up and reveal Himself as Mighty God.  Seven hundred years after this prophecy was given, Jesus would be born as a child, clothing Himself in humanity, to set in motion a plan to bring lasting peace to the earth.

What is amazing about reading this prophecy from Isaiah at Christmas time, though, is that the accomplishment of this prophecy has not yet fully taken place.  The gifts of Isaiah 9 are still wrapped under the Christmas tree of Christ’s second advent.  When Jesus returns to the earth at a future time, He will put an end to war and He will rule the world in peace.  One day war will cease, and the bullies will be stopped.  The One who was born a Child will return in glorious triumph and shine His light throughout our world.  That is one present I cannot wait to be unwrapped.

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Thursday (Day 5)

VERSES:  Isaiah 7:10-16 & Matthew 1:18-25

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, His conception was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14.  This verse from Isaiah is referenced in Matthew1:23 as being fulfilled at the birth of Jesus. 

This prophecy would have a DOUBLE fulfillment.  It came true TWICE.  At least in a sense.

In Isaiah 7, the King of Judah, Ahaz, has turned to the hated Assyrians to find protection against two other warring kings intent on Judah’s conquest.  Rather than trusting in God alone, Ahaz was trusting in men (the Assyrians).

In Isaiah 7:10-11, God speaks to Ahaz and dares him to trust in God alone for deliverance.  God says to Ahaz in 7:10-11 (paraphrasing), “Try me!  Try trusting in Me alone and see what I can do for you!  I will deliver you and to prove it, pick a sign and I will make it come true to show you I will deliver you as promised.”

Ahaz fails to answer, so God responds in 7:13-16 and says, “I will pick the sign for you.  Right now, there is a virgin in Israel who will soon be married.  She will get married and have a child by natural means who will be named Immanuel.  Before he is weaned and eating solid foods, the kings you fear will fall and you will be safe from their threat.”  God was saying, within a few short years I will deliver you without the help of the Assyrians.  This prophecy was given in 735 BC … and God indeed delivered on this promise with the deaths of the rival kings by 732 BC!

So, the first fulfillment of Isaiah 7 was almost immediate … but in Matthew 1:23, the prophecy is shown to have a second fulfillment; indeed, a BETTER ONE. Through miraculous means and supernatural power, Mary conceives of a child without physical contact with a man.  The Holy Spirit comes upon her and the virgin gives birth to a son – Jesus, the Son of God.  This miraculous birth is a sign of the supernatural deliverance that God would provide –  not from enemy armies, but from sin and death.

This prophecy dares us to trust in God alone for our salvation.  Are you trusting in yourself, your family, or your friends for your salvation, or are you trusting in God alone?  He is worthy of our trust!

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Wednesday (Day 4)

VERSES: Isaiah 53:1-12

I have grown up playing a lot of basketball.  Though I played my fair share of organized basketball games in leagues and for schools, I have played MORE games on playgrounds, in front yards, and at rec centers where two captains “pick sides.”  On these less formal courts, captains do not always know the ability of those they are selecting, so superficial appearances lead to who is picked first.  Since I am not 6’5” and could never jump high enough to touch the rim, I often slid down the draft board when teams were forming.  Man looks at appearances – a lesson I learned at the YMCA at an early age.

Yesterday, we saw that though David was not the oldest or the tallest (two characteristics his culture looked for in a king), he was the one picked first by God to be the King of Israel.  Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart.

As we have seen, Jesus Christ comes in the vein of King David.  In Isaiah’s prophetic words about Jesus (written 700 years before Jesus was born), Jesus is described as “one without form or majesty that we should look at Him.”  In fact, Jesus became a “man of sorrows” who was “pierced for our transgressions.” 

Praise God that Jesus, our King of Kings, was not the kind of king who majored on pomp and circumstance during His earthly ministry.  He humbled Himself to give us what only He could offer … forgiveness and eternal life. 

Because Jesus looked “normal,” He did not glow at His birth.  The shepherds who came to visit Him on that first Christmas night identified Him as one lying in a manger, not as one having a halo floating over His head. 

The God who looks at the heart, sees your heart today.  We cannot fool God through our religious performance.  He knows who we really are.  Thankfully, He chose us first.  He was willing to be pierced for our transgressions and to cleanse us from the inside out. 

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org

Tuesday (Day 3)

VERSES:  1 Samuel 16:1-13, John 10:10-14

Yesterday we saw that through Boaz, Ruth was redeemed and had children.  One of her children was a man named Obed.  In due time, Obed married and had a son named Jesse.  And, years later, Jesse married and had several sons, one of whom was named David.  That’s right, King David was born in Bethlehem, and was Boaz and Ruth’s great grandson.

But, when David was born, he was not born in a palace.  Certainly God had plans for David, as it was God’s idea to anoint David as King (David did not apply for the job!), yet David did not begin in royalty, he began on a farm.  There, tending sheep, David learned how to shepherd, and God would use that experience to guide and care for Israel after David ultimately (through God-ordained events) ascends to the throne.

David was not the tallest or oldest of Jesse’s sons, but God saw in the heart of the one tending the sheep in their stables a King.

One thousand years after the time of King David, another King was born in Bethlehem.  This King was more than simply the King of Israel, He was the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.  As David’s descendent, Jesus had a rightful claim to the throne, and as the Son of God, He would have a Kingdom that would know no end.

Jesus would be called the “Good Shepherd” who cares for His sheep.  As King, He reigns on high, and as the Good Shepherd, He guides and cares for us, His sheep. 

Bethlehem is the town of the Shepherd Kings.  What an amazing combination!  Jesus is mighty and He is gentle.  He reigns over all and cares for the least of these.  Will you find your home in Him this holiday season?

You can find the full devotional in pdf here.

You can find more information about our church and Christmas programs by visiting wildwoodchurch.org