Today’s Verse – Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” —Luke 2:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… There is only one proper response for God’s gift of Jesus – our praise and adoration. Heaven’s angels worship with praise and adoration at Jesus’ birth. So should we! God’s love, grace, favor, blessing, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation come to us through the incredible gift of Jesus’ coming to earth. How can we not praise him? How can our hearts remain still and voices remain silent before such an amazing and gracious God? They can’t, or at least they shouldn’t, at least right now! Let’s see our joyous worship of Christ our King as the reminder that we need to reach as many other people as possible so they can join our chorus of praise. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)! Those who welcome that day of salvation will do so because they had bowed and confessed Jesus before his glorious return. So, let’s say it loudly: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace on those on whom God’s favor rests.” Amen. Hallelujah! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, you are glorious. Your grace is marvelous. Your gift of Jesus is magnificent. We give you all of our praise for sharing your glory and grace with us by sending Jesus to earth. Now, we offer our prayer to him who intercedes at your right hand (Romans 8:34), and we offer you and him our praise. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:11
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Look at all the angel reveals in this verse. Jesus is a descendant of David, the king of eternal promise (1 Kings 8:25-26). He is the Savior of all peoples. He is Christ, the Messiah, the promised hope of Israel. He is LORD, ruler of all creation and master of our lives. The real question is not who is this one placed in a manger, but whether we have decided that this Jesus means all those things to us today? If he is not your Savior today, why not ask him to be and seek him? And if he is, then with whom do you need to share his amazing love and grace? My Prayer… Father, I praise you for sending Jesus to be our LORD and Savior. Help us as we seek to share your grace and Jesus’ story with those we love and long to find him as their Savior and honor him as their LORD. O God, the following specific people are on my heart, and I ask you to use the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to Jesus… (Let’s each name specific people we know that need to come to Jesus!) In the precious name of the Savior, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” —Luke 2:10 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Do not be afraid.” That’s what the angel of the LORD tells the shepherds as they see him and the glory of the LORD” shining around them. They were terrified because the angel was unexpected, glorious, and overwhelming. So, what can cast away fear in such a moment of heaven’s glorious radiance? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to end the domination of sin, death, and hell over human existence (Hebrews 2:14-15). God has come himself in Jesus as Immanuel (Matthew 1:23) to end the evil one’s curse and bring salvation for all people. Terror must not master our hearts, only holy fear, a deep reverence and awe as we realize that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace and presence in Jesus. Yes, we welcome this “news of great joy for all the people,” and pledge to share it with the world because the LORD has come! My Prayer… We praise you, Almighty God, for the gift of joyous love that chases away all of our fear.* Fill our hearts with your joy and fill our minds with reverent wonder as we lean close to comprehend your love for us. Stir us with greater concern for those who have not heard of your Son’s coming, don’t understand the power of his love, and have not yet accepted your offer of grace in him. We pray in thanks, joy, and praise for Jesus’ coming and his intercession for us as we pray. Amen. * 1 John 4:18.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:6-7
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 room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:6-7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Despite Jesus’ miraculous conception in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, the LORD entered our world in the most common of ways. The time came to be born, his mother went into labor, she gave birth to her child, the child was welcomed and wrapped in soft cloths, and placed in a crib. Jesus’ birth wasn’t just “normal”; it was common, even below average conditions for his birth. When the Son of God was born, he wasn’t placed in a crib. Instead, he was placed in a manger where animals ate. His room was not in a house, but a stable. No one made room for him in an inn or a house. Neither of his parents’ families opened their homes or hearts to him, even though Bethlehem was also their likely destination for the census. The holy God who created everything enters our world as baby Jesus to share our way of life as one of us in such low circumstances. Why? He loves us and wants us to know we can come home to him no matter our circumstances. Incredible… incredible story… incredible birth… incredible love… because of our incredible God! My Prayer… O LORD God Almighty, how can I ever show you how much the gift of your Son means to me? I am struck with wonder and joy that you should love me this sacrificially and tenderly. Please accept my praise and adoration for both the gift of your Son, Jesus, and your love in sending him. Praise to you, loving Father, for your indescribable gift! In Jesus’ name I thank you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Luke 2:4-5
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. —Luke 2:4-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… For the next few days, let’s journey with Joseph and Mary as they experience the incredible grace of God in the miraculous birth of God’s Son to their family. These verses give us the basics: They took a trip south from their home. The expectant couple went to Bethlehem, which was King David’s home city as well as their own. The two were “betrothed” (legally pledged in marriage), but not yet married. The time for Jesus to be born was quickly approaching. Joseph and Mary were going there to register with the Roman government in Bethlehem as required by the census. Intrigue about Jesus’ biological father hinted at scandal associated with Mary’s pregnancy. Themes of promise and fulfillment from the prophets frame the story, reminding us that this is God’s story. Human faithfulness amid social, religious, and familial storms echoes throughout the story. The Roman census provides a real historical context for real everyday people who journeyed, risked, sacrificed, and welcomed the newborn Messiah. The LORD enters our world very much in a place where we find ourselves. God has chosen to enter our world in Jesus, Immanuel, as one of us. The Messiah born into such a mess is certainly a Savior and LORD we can reach, follow, and love. This Jesus is one of us. My Prayer… Holy and loving God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for entering our messy world with all its contradictions, ironies, and conflicts. Thank you for not being aloof or immune to our struggles, but for sharing in them with us as our Immanuel, “God with us”! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Acts 2:21, 40-41
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. … With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. —Acts 2:21, 40-41 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Call on the name of the LORD to save you! Proclaim Jesus as your risen LORD! Share with him in baptism as the first Christians did. Have God add you to his holy people. Know that Jesus will save you from the corruption that plagues our world and so many of our lives. You see, God sent Jesus to save, redeem, restore, and bless us. Share in the joy of that salvation. Don’t wait! Today is the day of salvation! Rejoice in it. Pass it on to others. Christ our King has come to bring his salvation to all of us who will truly believe! My Prayer… Father, thank you for sending Jesus the first time to die for my sins! Thank you for sending Jesus into my heart to comfort and strengthen me as he works in my life! Thank you most of all for my salvation, which will be fully realized when Jesus returns. So, I pray in Jesus’ name, with anticipation. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Acts 13:38-39
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. —Acts 13:38-39 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Law couldn’t do it. Sacrifices couldn’t do it. Piety couldn’t achieve it. Religious practices couldn’t make it happen. Only Jesus could bring complete salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Only Jesus can make us fully righteous and holy. Forgiveness and righteousness come through him, and faith in him. Jesus is God’s most complete revelation of himself and his grace, and the sacrifice he made for our sins brings us forgiveness and eternal life (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 John 2:2, 4:10). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, God Almighty, I confess that your Son is my Savior and LORD, Jesus the Christ. I thank you, Jesus, for being my LORD and paying the price for my sins. I ask, blessed Holy Spirit, that you fashion more of Jesus’ character and compassion in my life as I pursue him in my daily life and in the Scriptures. In Jesus’ name, I ask you for this grace, and I ask for this blessing. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. —Psalm 80:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In the days of Jesus’ birth, a group of devout and lowly people called the “pious poor” were looking for God’s redemption of his people. We meet some of them in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel – Zechariah and Elizabeth, Anna and Simeon, along with Mary and Joseph. They knew that salvation could not, and would not, come without great cost – not just to themselves, but also to God. Isaiah had prophesied about this redemption in his Servant Songs (Isaiah 53:1-12). They had experienced suffering and hardship in their own history. So with honest hearts, they confessed that they didn’t have the power to bring their own salvation and deliverance. This power had to come from their almighty God. They believed God would release this power for the powerless, yet righteous and devout, people seeking God’s transformation in their lives and waiting for God to console and redeem Israel (Luke 2:25; 24:21). They knew they needed to ask God for it! They knew to seek his face and find his presence in their daily lives. So we join them as we cry out, “Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, God of heaven and earth, Ruler of all creation, I praise you. I praise you for your power and glory. I praise you for your wisdom and creativity. I praise you for your mercy and righteousness. I praise you, because you alone are worthy of my praise. O LORD, you alone can bring full salvation to me, to the lost, and to my brothers and sisters in need. Please, shine your face upon me. Please, make your presence known in our lives and shine your face upon us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 31:9
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. —Proverbs 31:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “No room in the inn!” “Placed him in a manger!” “Take the Child and flee to Egypt!” Those were the kinds of words to describe the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, and our Savior, whose earthly parents were powerless and poor by the world’s standards. Our LORD was born into a world that played favorites and often despised the poor and powerless. So often today, we also play favorites with the rich, beautiful, powerful, famous, and prestigious. Isn’t it interesting that God revealed himself as the defender of the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner (Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:10) and then entered the world as the child of a Jewish carpenter and a young virgin from a small town. God wants us to notice those in need around us. He wants it to be more than an annual good gesture at Christmas. He wants us to be advocates for folks like Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. We’re not just told to be fair; we’re told to defend and to plead the rights of those in need. When we do, we do it for him and to him. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). My Prayer… Please soften my heart as you make me more aware, Holy Father, of those around me who need your love and grace. Please use me as your person of grace to defend the powerless and serve those in need. Open my eyes to see Jesus in the faces of those in need and bless them as I would my LORD. In the name of my Jesus, my Savior, and Savior of all peoples, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Life can be very tough. Eventually, our bodies are going to wear out and die. In the process of living, we’re going to face some challenging circumstances and experience some awful pain. I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but I do want to be real about life in our decaying world. So, as bad as life’s harshest realities can be, we are never abandoned by God (Romans 8:35-39) and are headed for an eternal glory beyond what we can imagine. Life’s difficulties can’t compare to this glory that awaits us (Romans 8:19). Our pain is “light and momentary” when compared to our future glory. The things that cause our pain are temporary. The treatments, the prescriptions, the therapies, the surgeries, the setbacks are all temporary. All these things that we have seen and experienced in our decaying world are passing. At the same time, our eternal glory, that fantastic future that we cannot yet see, is eternal… forever… incorruptible… and reserved for us as God’s precious children! Hallelujah! Let’s focus on what is unseen and eternal! My Prayer… Dear God, my Abba Father, please be with me during the painful and difficult passages of my life. Help me keep my heart fixed on what is unseen. In addition, dear Father, I pray that you will be tangibly present in the lives of the following people I love… (Pray for people personally you love, here!) Please grant them healing. Please pour your love into their hearts through the Holy Spirit and give them rugged perseverance and indestructible hope. Help them see your glory and anticipate the greater glory that awaits them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.