Today Daily Devotional

She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. — Revelation 12:2 What is the real impact of Christmas?For many of us in the Western world, the story of Christmas has a familiar cast of characters: Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, angels, the wise men, some sheep and cows to complete the manger scene—and, of course, Jesus. Front-yard displays in our neighborhoods might also include Santa, some elves, a few reindeer, and even some Star Wars characters.But the Bible shows that Christmas has a much greater and more serious significance. Christ’s coming into our world spells the beginning of the end for Satan’s power on earth. The devil wants to do all he can to destroy Christ’s coming, or at least to distract our attention from it, because he knows that Jesus has come to break the power of sin and death.If it sometimes seems like a battle to remember Christmas and to focus on Christ as the center of it, we should not be surprised. Our celebration each year has cosmic significance—even eternal significance—and the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” looking to undermine our joy that Christ has come (see 1 Peter 5:8). But we also remember God’s provision in the face of danger. Just as God protected the baby Jesus from human and superhuman enemies, so God will provide for us. Mighty God, sometimes we must fight to remember what you have done for us. Protect us and guard our hearts and minds so that we may find joy and eternal security in Christ’s coming. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew 2:11 What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?A number of years ago, my in-laws gave me a heavy winter jacket and overalls—the kind of warm clothing needed for outdoor work on cold winter days on the farm where they live. My work doesn’t require the same need for warmth on cold winter days, but I have used my “snow clothes” countless times while playing outdoors with our kids in the wintertime.When the Magi found the newborn king, Jesus, in Bethlehem, they presented him with gifts as part of their worship. The presents they brought may seem strange to us, but in that day they were easily used in trade for purchasing everyday things. These gifts were practical and yet costly.For many of us, Christmas involves giving gifts to one another. This is a wonderful tradition, and it can help us to express care for the people around us, just as God does for us. When we receive the gift of Jesus the Savior, though, our response should be to set about serving him and others in both costly and practical ways.An old Christmas carol asks, “What can I give him, poor as I am? . . . What I can, I give him: give him my heart.” Will you present yourself to Christ in worship and service this Christmas? Lord Jesus, you have given us the greatest gift—your own self—for our salvation. As we enjoy gifts from one another this Christmas, let us also give ourselves to you in worship and service. In your name, Amen.

“As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” — Matthew 2:8 Christmas in the Western world has become a highly secularized holiday. While the celebration still bears the name of Christ, the season marks a time of gifts and parties, lights and decorations. And while many of those themes are relatively harmless, they do not call attention to the worship of Christ that should be at the center of the holiday celebrations.It’s sad that the priests and scholars who knew the prophecy about the Savior’s birth weren’t interested enough to see if it was fulfilled, despite the fact that Bethlehem was only a few miles from Jerusalem. And Herod, who was interested because he felt threatened, didn’t want to hear about the kind of king God desired—a gentle ruler and shepherd (Matthew 2:6). At times, we too have our tendencies to ignore what we know about God’s promises and to try to maintain our own sense of authority and comfort.In just a few days Christmas will be here. Perhaps you’ve already begun your celebrations, and you’re enjoying the traditions our culture has built up around this holiday.As we celebrate, let’s be careful not to let our traditions or attitudes bring about a false Christmas that rejects the worship of Jesus. Instead of staying in our own comfortable palaces, let us go, as the Magi did, to seek God’s promised Savior. Gracious God, we confess how easy it is to get caught up in our own version of Christmas and miss the wonder of the Savior’s birth. Forgive us, and fix our attention on Jesus. Amen.

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. — Matthew 2:4 Sometime (probably a few months) after the birth of Jesus, Magi from the east came in search of him. These “wise men” had seen a star that pointed them to the birth of a new king. So they came to the regional ruler in Jerusalem to ask about this.When King Herod heard about the newborn king, he was disturbed. And if Herod was disturbed, the people he ruled had reason for concern. He had a reputation for being cruel and was often suspicious of any threat to his throne. Yet at this point Herod needed more information in order to get what he wanted.So he asked the people’s leaders and teachers about this king, and Herod’s inquiries pointed the Magi toward the promises in God’s Word. Centuries earlier, God had said that the Savior would come from Bethlehem, a town in the nearby countryside. The Magi then continued their search until they found the promised child.We often assume today that we can capture something of the “Christmas spirit” in our decorations and ceremonies of the season. This story about the Magi reminds us that the meaning of Christmas arises from God’s promises. Though the devil may try to bring harm in various ways around us, we can trust in the Lord’s promises. In what ways are you looking to God’s promises for direction this Christmas? Father, direct us to your promises, and may our Christmas be filled with joyful discovery and new life in Jesus. Amen.

They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. . . . — Luke 2:17 Because our young family has lived far away from other relatives, my wife and I have often tried to find different Christmas activities that our kids can engage in. We’ve discovered annual concerts, live nativity displays at local churches, Christmas light shows, and other goings-on that remind us of the special character of this season. We’ve also found that friends who have lived in the community their whole lives can be surprised to hear of so many local opportunities to celebrate the holiday beyond their family gatherings!Sometimes I wonder, though, whether I am as eager to share the message of God’s work in my life through Christ as I am to share about the entertaining ways I’ve found to celebrate Christmas. Light shows and live nativities have a place, but those experiences pale in comparison to the amazing work God does in our lives and in our world.When the shepherds found the child Jesus just as they had been told, they spread the good news about the Savior. Jesus’ mother, reflecting on God’s work, “treasured up all these things and pondered them.” When we consider that the Lord came to earth to show favor to sinful humanity, we can respond with similar wonder and gratitude.How will you glorify and praise God for the fulfillment of his promises in Christ this Christmas? Father, thank you for Christmas and for all the ways we can celebrate this season. Help us to express to others the wonder of Christ’s birth, and to ponder with joy all your work for us. Amen.