It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Is your heart prepared? Oh, I pray so! Today, let’s reflect on all that we’ve read over the last 11 days and prepare ourselves for Jesus’s birth which we’ll celebrate in a few short days.
DAY 12 READING
Today’s reading is from the night Jesus was born. It’s Luke’s account of Jesus’s birth and what took place the glorious night. I’m sharing it all here so you can read through it today.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
There we have it, the night Jesus was born and the night that changed it all. Imagine what Mary must have been feeling knowing she just gave birth to our Messiah. Imagine what Joseph must have been feeling knowing he was witnessing a divine miracle right before his eyes. No fancy decorations, no elaborate production, just a baby swaddled in a manger filled with hay, a baby who would grow up and one day stretch his arms out on a cross to die for us. Only God.
The world waited for this miracle. Hearts rejoiced and hope restored. Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. He has come, Immanuel.
DAY 12 CHALLENGE
Take 10 minutes today to do today’s challenge.
Write a letter to yourself talking about all you have accomplished this year, all the hard things you went through and overcame, all the joy you experienced. At the end of your letter, sign it, “With grace, God.” Because he did those things, friend.
I hope your Christmas is blessed beyond measure, and may your heart be a little stronger for having completed the 12 Days of Grace. Grace lives in always. Never forget it.
Merry Christmas!
Xoxo,
Kristy
