Is Something (Someone) Missing?

The stage was set. Everything was in its place. The costumes fit perfectly. So far everything was just as it should be: ox and lamb (check), shepherds (check), announcing angel (check), Mary (check), Joseph (check), the hay and strips of cloth (check), manger (check). Wait, where is the Christ child? Did somebody forget to bring the baby Jesus? Too late now! The curtain opens in five minutes. Let’s add extra cloths to the manger no one will know the difference!

The world’s Christmas is even worse; it seems to have everything except the baby Jesus. Decorations (check), Christmas tree (check), fun activities planned (check), gifts (check), wrapping paper (check), scissors, tape (check), Cocoa, cookies for Santa (check), Trimmings for Christmas dinner (check); everything’s in place. There is no last-minute panic about the missing baby Jesus because there is no thought of the Christ Child. No need to add Jesus to the checklist.

God does not want his Son Jesus to be added to our list, squeezed into our activities, nor an afterthought, but that Jesus should be the center of our attention. Our redemption and salvation made possible through Jesus our central thought. Knowing without Christ there is no true Christmas and no reason to celebrate. Without Jesus our Christmas is incomplete and meaningless. Jesus wants to be in our thoughts, our head, our hearts, and the center of our worship before Christmas, on Christmas, and after Christmas.

A Christmas Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We know the story well, how the birth of Jesus came to be in Bethlehem: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should registered. It was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered—each to his own town and Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem and Mary, his betrothed was with him…and while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

There was no room for them in the inn, but may we make room for Jesus our Lord and Savior in the inner sanctums of our hearts. May Jesus be at the center of our thoughts, and lives. May we have a spirit of worship this Christmas that exults our Savior and may we never grow dull or complacent about the One you sent to save us from our sin.

We praise you O God, we worship you O Christ, we are sanctified by you, O Holy Spirit to worship Jesus, which is Christ the Lord. Amen

Christmas Spirituality

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those who with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:10-14)

  

To My Readers:

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Devotionally Yours during 2022. Your prayers, words of encouragement, monthly and one-time donations have enabled me to continue sharing words of encouragement, daily devotions, and provide counsel for those in need.

I look forward to adding a weekly podcast in 2023.

May the Lord richly bless you and your family as you celebrate Christmas and the start of a brand new year.

Merry Blessed Christmas and a Joyful, Prosperous New Year!

See you in January 2023!

Devotionally Yours, Cheryl-Ann