At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:25-28

Christmas Day. The moment in time we set aside to acknowledge the birth of the Saviour of the world. And we live in a world quick to acknowledge a Deity yet reluctant to accept His Son. A world saturated with cults and all matters of religious views. A planet populated with people suffering from oppression, hurt, addiction, desperate for purpose.

And God knew this world was seeking Him unable to find Him through the noise. So, on a silent night, He sent His Son in the image of His children to save His children.

Jesus offers us something that no other religion, sect, or cult can offer. Himself as a sacrifice. There are no policies nor rule books that change for unlike any other religion in the world, Christ’s message has never changed. Perhaps this is because Christ came to abolish the rules and heretic of our religious speak offering us a personal relationship with God through Him instead. He came for freedom, and mercy, and purpose.

So when we’re feeling overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of our own making, stressed by the emotions that pull us in different directions, or lost in the chaos of it all, let us take the moment and remember why we set this day aside from all the others.

It’s not Christmas Day but Christ’s Day.

Father, thank you for hearing our hearts cry over the noise of the world and sending your Son to love us. May we stop this day to give praise for all you do in our life. In Jesus name, amen.

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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

King Herod was furious that the Magi had not returned to him with news of the baby who was being called King of the Jews. He felt duped and in retaliation ordered an infanticide of all young male children in Bethlehem and surrounding vicinities. Every little boy slaughtered by the hands of Herod’s army so that he could keep his throne.

An angel appeared to Joseph giving him instruction to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt. Fear would grip them in their humanity not knowing how God would spare this child, but peace and perseverance would guide them as they heeded in obedience to God’s instruction. By the light of the moon they escaped therefore fulfilling the promise and prophecy in scripture that the Messiah and Son of God would be called out of Egypt as recorded in the book of Hosea.

We live in a time in history where there exists many still escaping under the cover of night in order to spare their lives. All matters of war including genocide have eradicated the innocent lives of millions. Trials and troubles saturate this world in a way nearly inconceivable to most. And we live in a time of history where the hope of a Messiah is so desperately needed. Souls are hungry for the blessing of God’s mercy and grace. Souls are struggling to find happiness when what they need is joy. And souls are sinking in impatience and disappointment.

Christ understands it all for He Himself has lived trails, troubles, and inconceivable pain. But He came to overcome it so our character may be refined sending a message to the world that there is joy to be found in the suffering. He freely pours His love and stands before the throne of God justifying our heart. To Him be the glory.

Father, though I may not understand your ways, I thank you for your gift of freewill to love your Son. May I seek Him in my sufferings and persevere in my pain. In Jesus name, amen.

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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-8

When Christ was a small child, Mary and Joseph were visited by a gathering of wise men called a Magi sent by King Herod. Herod was ruler at the time having a reputation of being ambitious yet incredibly suspicious man. Having received word of a birth of a baby boy who would be called King of the Jews, Herod grew desperate to hold onto his throne. So, he sent these wise men out to find this supposed king claiming a desire to locate him so that he may worship this new King.

We must be wise ourselves knowing that God is not ignorant to the motivation of our heart. The scriptures tell us that when the wise men found the star that was to guide them to Jesus’ whereabouts they were filled with joy. Most likely a nearly indescribable joy they may not have ever experienced. This joy in seeking the presence of the come King prepared the hearts of these men to receive a message from God warning them in their dreams to not return to King Herod with news of the child.

Biblical scholars estimate the wise men found Jesus when he was around the tender age of two or three. We can imagine Him nestled at His mothers feet, such peace evident within the spirit of a small boy. These great men laid before Jesus gifts of great worth. Gifts not useful to a small child but mighty and powerful for they symbolize the posture of their hearts before the King.

And when we seek the presence of Christ, our hearts are prepared to receive from God. The attitude of our hearts before Jesus is not unknown to Him for He knows us better than we know ourselves. Do we come before this King offering everything we have of worth and value at His feet? For when we do it symbolizes the posture of our hearts before the King.

Father, may I give you all that I have for your purposes and glory. Search my heart and make it clean so I may seek Christ’s presence and receive from you. In Jesus name, amen.

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The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 3:31-36

Limitless. How lofty a goal and desire bred within our soul. How successful would the world see us if we achieved that which had no limit? Our potential, our bank accounts, even our success itself. But the only thing that God promises us that has no limit is God Himself- His love, His Spirit, His Son. Everything good, holy, and righteous which is poured out upon us comes from God therefore is God.

If we seek Christ above all else in life then nothing else will matter all that much for our hearts will be full. Full to overflowing. We will have it in abundance we are promised. And forever.

It is difficult to imagine in our somewhat limited vision just what eternal means especially when we think of life as everlasting. The truth is that we were never promised an easy life nor one void of pain or discomfort. Each and every one of us must live the days we are given and then we will pass from this world. Step within the sliding glass doors of any hospital or visit the remote fields of any third world country and you will witness this reality. Life is fragile.

Christ promises that with Him we will overcome the sting of death and live forever in glory by His side. No more pain, no more suffering. It is when deaths sting makes its mark upon our tender soul that makes the difference between one who is submitted unto Christ believing in faith, and one who is not. Christ did not come to help us avoid the storms of life but carry us through them. When the rains come and we feel their tell-tale stinging, it is the come Messiah- the Prince of Peace- who settles the storm from within without limit for His power has none. And we do not have to understand it but simply accept it.

Father, please fill me with your presence and Spirit to the point of overflowing. May I not seek to understand the complexities of life and its fragile nature, but find peace knowing you’re in the centre of it all. In Jesus name, amen.

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.’

John 3:16-21

As little children, many of us are taught the bible verse of John 3:16. We may have barely been able to reach the top of the kitchen table, but we could recite that verse off the tip of our tongue and missing front teeth.

But tucked deep into this chapter is a promise we are challenged to hold tightly with both hands. The world around us is a complex and complicated vortex. There exists an enemy of our soul and he is hard at work to confuse us any which way he is able. We may all live in different cultures, one as unique as the next, but at the core of our humanity we are all the same born with a beating heart and set of lungs. And, without fail, each of us question our very being, our existence, our purpose, and most importantly… our value. The more our common enemy is able to confuse us, the more difficult it is to discern the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

God did send His Son, the Messiah, to save us. He did this because of His great love for us. This love is one that we simply cannot comprehend in our shared humanity. And God knew such a complexity would be beyond our mind and emotions. So, perhaps that is why He promised that if we lived by the truth, letting go of the darkness by coming into the light of the Spirit, we would see plainly our being, our existence, our purpose… and our value.

The trial has happened. Jesus stood on the stand, a rumble spread through the courtroom. And the scriptures declared a verdict was in: light has come to the world. Jesus is the light we must seek so the darkness does not cause us to stumble. If we continue to seek the light, allowing Christ’s Spirit to illuminate from within, we need not fear the dark.

Father, light my path and lead the way so I may know who I am in your Son, Jesus. When the enemy is trying to confuse me or cause me to stumble, help me to see plainly your truths. In Jesus name, amen.

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Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:5-17

In the Epistle to the Romans, Apostle Paul writes with great passion out of his concern for his people. His letter to the churches in Rome is a strong plea for them to understand that their faith alone in Jesus Christ the Messiah is what will save them. He is quick to reference Moses, encouraging his people to not disregard the Torah but continue to uphold the laws written by the Lord. Paul had spent approximately ten years travelling and preaching the gospel before he wrote the epistle. His penned words were to prepare the hearts of the people to receive him and the good news he was bringing in his preaching.

Paul is firm in teaching us that it is not enough to just believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, but one must confess with their mouths this truth. This is because there is great power in the spoken word. We all have the ability within us to speak words of life or words of death from our very being. Our words are like tiny seeds scattering from our mouths. Where they land, the fertilize. And over time that which birthed forth will multiply. Life begets life; death begets death.

When we hear a soul profess faith in Christ Jesus, a small spark is lit within. For those whom the Spirit dwells, a rejoicing of sorts warms our heart. For those who live in darkness from the Spirit, a flicker of curiosity ignites. How can one learn of the saving grace of Jesus if they have not had the opportunity to hear of His power?

Though the first words by Mary in the gospel of Luke were a questioning of the seemingly impossible, she spoke words life scattering tiny seeds of faith when she declared that she was the Lord’s servant accepting the fate before her. May we, too, scatter seeds of faith when the circumstances of our life may not seem hopeful for there are always eyes watching and ears listening. In heaven and on earth.

Father, may I be your servant, confessing of your power, scattering seeds of faith, hope, and love for the glory of your kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.

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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:1-10

It is difficult to comprehend the idea of one being alive in flesh and bone, blood pumping under soft pink skin and lungs breathing in air, yet being dead inside. Lifeless. Lost in a purgatory of sorts between life and death. But without Christ’s Spirit, dead is exactly how the scriptures describe us.

In the Greek translation, the word dead is Nekrós. Its literal meaning is “what lacks life”; figuratively it means one “not able to respond to impulses, perform functions, and is unresponsive to life-giving influences or opportunities; inoperative to the things of God.” (-Strong’s Greek).

There is much evidence of good being done in the world by many who do not have the Spirit of Christ at work within them, but works alone do not save us from this world. Works alone do not write our name in the reservation book nor save us a seat at God’s banquet table. Perhaps it is because without the Spirit of Christ at work within us we are unable to effectively respond to our moral compass for the Spirit’s impulses would be silent. Our hearts would be unresponsive to life-giving opportunities uniquely planned for us. And if one is without Christ’s Spirit, then who fights the war within our soul between good and evil? Sin has a sneaky way of snagging the spotlight.

Ask any soul obedient to Christ’s call, seeking the Spirit at work in their life, and they can tell you there exists a great divide between spiritually dead and alive. It is a dawning of sorts in their heart and mind that what once was dormant now stirs with passion. And this passion is faith in action. The scriptures are clear to remind us that it is not our works that save us because one of the greatest struggles we face in our humanity is our pride.

Christ greatly desires to save us from our ourselves so we may know without doubt that we are all loved with the same affection and sacrifice. We are as uniquely loved as we are created, both Jew and Gentile alike.

Father, may your Holy Spirit continue to point me in the right direction so I may fulfill all that you have ordained for me to do in this life. When I am tempted to do good works for myself, remind me of who I serve and why… for my hearts desire is to serve you well. In Jesus name, amen.

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But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:21-31

During the festive Christmas season one can flip on a glowing television screen and find an abundance of Christmas movies all created to warm the soul. One of the most popular movies of all time is the classic 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street. A department store Santa is put on trial to not only prove his credibility as a functioning member of society, but to determine of he is indeed the real Kris Kringle.

Many doubted his claims. Many refused to believe. But the main character of the story and her young cherub-like daughter grew to believe he was indeed who he claimed to be. And their faith and belief caused them to witness miracles by Kris Kringle himself rewarding them with the desires of their hearts.

Now let us remove Santa and put Christ before a judge and jury. He was scorn for His claims and put on trial to prove His credibility and determine if He was indeed the Son of God. Many doubted His claims. Many refused to believe. But for those of us who have grown to believe that He is who He claimed to be, well, we are some of the main characters in this incredible redemption story. His birth, trial, and slaughter by the hands of those to refuse to believe was all for us. He came for both Jew and Gentile alike.

We know Santa is a mere tale and figment of a child’s imagination, but there is not one of the world’s major religions that deny the existence of Jesus. Both Judaism and Islam agree that a man named Jesus was born. He was a prophetic teacher and man of good deeds. He stood strong on issues of morality and goodness. But they are the ones who sit in the jury box doubting His claims as the Son of God and prophesied Messiah.

We are the ones in the audience of the courtroom knowing that because He sat in the trial seat, we don’t have to for justice was served on our behalf. It is our faith and belief in Him alone that will make us witnesses to His miracles rewarding us with the desires of our hearts. For when we are obedient to Christ, it is His desires that become our own.

Father, thank you for your Son who stood trial so I may be justified before your throne. May I not only bear witness to His miracles, but share with others His mercy and goodness. In Jesus name, amen.

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What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”
“Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Romans 3:9-20

If we were to put a camera before our face each and every day and watch the footage of our words and actions, not one of us would witness an unblemished soul. Our humanity is tainted by an enemy desperate to shift our attention from the One who came to wash us clean. There exists no one among us- neighbour, friend, or foe- who has not fallen short of God’s perfect glory.

Christ came not to make us perfect but perfect us for His kingdom and glory. Sometimes we may feel as though we have been tipped on our axis leaving us disoriented in the direction of our life’s plan. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit at work within us to govern our moral compass pointing us towards Christ. He has good works for us to accomplish for His purposes but our works do not make us worthy of His love. And our works and good deeds do not make us holy in God’s sight.

God desires us to love Him, submitting unto His Son our Messiah, because we want to not because we have to. There is nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven for our sin will always get into our way. Christ not only came to save us from this broken world… but to save us from ourselves. This righteous King who came swaddled in cloths knows our heart greater than even us. And He knows the sin embedded root deep into our souls.

It is Jesus that takes our sin cleansing us so we may stand before God. It is Jesus who makes us worthy, righteous, and holy. It is Jesus who gifts us blessing and favour simply because we choose to have faith in Him. And it is Jesus who helps us rise above the power of sin bringing awareness to our desperate need for Him in this world.

Father, though my sin separates me from your presence, thank you for your Son who stands before your throne as my defender. May you reveal to my heart that which is unpleasing to you freeing my soul from the bondage of sin. In Jesus name, amen.

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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 Saviour 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 favour 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 to 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.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2:8-21

While sheep were nestled into soft grasses, the dark of night a cloak over their wool, shepherds gathered amongst the evening noises watching over their flocks. The bible tells us an army of sorts appeared with an angel to these unsuspecting fellows in the fields. And laced within the words of this heavenly host was a promise given by God- the Creator of the heavens and earth.

Peace would be given to those whom Christ’s favour rests. Peace, the knowing that no matter the situation or circumstance, no matter the condition or chaos of our world, no matter our emotions or struggle, because we have put our faith in Christ alone and are obedient to Him we have His favour upon us.

When the shepherds encountered the child they encountered His mother as well. Her body racked with exhaustion and soreness, a child just born from her loins. She listened to these shepherds as they professed the truths spoken from an angel. The scriptures tell us that she pondered their words treasuring them in her heart- her heart a storehouse for precious things. The words of the angel weighed heavily upon Mary. She could not have known how the Lord’s will for this child would unfold, but she chose to receive the words in faith.

And we too must receive God’s promises in faith. We too must ponder allowing them to weigh heavily upon our heart and soul treasuring them so we may be ready for the unfolding of His plans and purpose. And praise Him. Praise the come Messiah, amazed at all He has already done in our life.

Father, may I treasure your promises holding tight to your word and way. When I am tempted to waver, my wayward heart struggling with the world, give me your peace blessing my life with your favour. In Jesus name, amen.

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