December 21 Eternal Life—1 John 1:1-4
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Reflect
We often think of eternal life as the life we will receive when we die and go to heaven. But in this passage, John bears witness to what he and others have seen, heard, and touched concerning the word of life. This eternal life that has always been with the Father has been revealed in Jesus Christ, and that life can be experienced here and now. Jesus draws us into fellowship with God and each other so that we can experience his love, joy, and peace amid our ordinary, everyday, sometimes messy lives. That is good news indeed!
While Jesus has already given us the fullness of this life, experiencing it takes intentionality. The question is not whether we have this life but how we will intentionally choose to live into this eternal life right here and right now. Engaging in personal practices (Bible reading, prayer, worship, etc.), relationships (spiritual friendships, small groups, and other communities), and a variety of experiences (service or mission projects) helps us to grow as followers and to experience the presence of Christ through the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.
We often think of eternal life as the life we will receive when we die and go to heaven. But in this passage, John bears witness to what he and others have seen, heard, and touched concerning the word of life. This eternal life that has always been with the Father has been revealed in Jesus Christ, and that life can be experienced here and now. Jesus draws us into fellowship with God and each other so that we can experience his love, joy, and peace amid our ordinary, everyday, sometimes messy lives. That is good news indeed!
While Jesus has already given us the fullness of this life, experiencing it takes intentionality. The question is not whether we have this life but how we will intentionally choose to live into this eternal life right here and right now. Engaging in personal practices (Bible reading, prayer, worship, etc.), relationships (spiritual friendships, small groups, and other communities), and a variety of experiences (service or mission projects) helps us to grow as followers and to experience the presence of Christ through the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.
Respond
Do you sometimes think of eternal life as something you will have after you die? Does your life reflect the quality of life Jesus says he has given—an abundant life of love, joy, and peace? What is getting in the way of experiencing that life? As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, think about what is getting in the way of recognizing that you already have the greatest gift ever given—an eternal and abundant life in Jesus. Spend time with Jesus, the giver of this life, and praise and thank him for all he has done in giving you this gift. Ask him for guidance as you consider any changes you want to make to live more intentionally into the fullness of the eternal life God has already given you.
Do you sometimes think of eternal life as something you will have after you die? Does your life reflect the quality of life Jesus says he has given—an abundant life of love, joy, and peace? What is getting in the way of experiencing that life? As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, think about what is getting in the way of recognizing that you already have the greatest gift ever given—an eternal and abundant life in Jesus. Spend time with Jesus, the giver of this life, and praise and thank him for all he has done in giving you this gift. Ask him for guidance as you consider any changes you want to make to live more intentionally into the fullness of the eternal life God has already given you.
December 22, Son of God—John 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Reflect
Nathanael is overwhelmed by Jesus's knowledge of him and confesses that he is the Son of God. While Nathanael embraces Jesus’ identity, he has so much more to learn and see. Jesus bridges the distance between heaven and earth; God is made known through Jesus in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
In his book Knowing God, J. I. Packer explains what it meant for Jesus, the Son of God, to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, between God and us:
We see now what it meant for the Son of God to empty Himself and become poor. It meant a laying aside of glory; a voluntary restraint of power; an acceptance of hardship, isolation, ill-treatment, malice and misunderstanding; finally, a death that involved such agony—spiritual, even more than physical—that His mind nearly broke under the prospect of it. It meant love to the uttermost for unlovely men, who ‘through his poverty, might become rich.’ The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity—hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory—because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear.
Nathanael is overwhelmed by Jesus's knowledge of him and confesses that he is the Son of God. While Nathanael embraces Jesus’ identity, he has so much more to learn and see. Jesus bridges the distance between heaven and earth; God is made known through Jesus in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
In his book Knowing God, J. I. Packer explains what it meant for Jesus, the Son of God, to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, between God and us:
We see now what it meant for the Son of God to empty Himself and become poor. It meant a laying aside of glory; a voluntary restraint of power; an acceptance of hardship, isolation, ill-treatment, malice and misunderstanding; finally, a death that involved such agony—spiritual, even more than physical—that His mind nearly broke under the prospect of it. It meant love to the uttermost for unlovely men, who ‘through his poverty, might become rich.’ The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity—hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory—because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear.
Respond
As Christmas nears, reflect on what it means for Jesus to be the Son of God. What are you learning through devotions, sermons, and other reading?
Take time today to be with Jesus. Reflect on the mystery and miracle of his incarnation. Praise him for his goodness and love, and thank him for what he has done for you.
As Christmas nears, reflect on what it means for Jesus to be the Son of God. What are you learning through devotions, sermons, and other reading?
Take time today to be with Jesus. Reflect on the mystery and miracle of his incarnation. Praise him for his goodness and love, and thank him for what he has done for you.
December 23, Redeemer—Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Reflect
Ephesians 1 is one of my favorite passages because it reveals so many truths about us. In Christ, we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Wow! And one of the key words in this description is “redeemer.” The word “redemption” is the English translation of a Greek word meaning “to purchase in the marketplace.” In ancient times, it often referred to the act of buying a slave. In the context of our faith, redemption means Jesus Christ, through his sacrificial death, purchased believers from the slavery of sin to set us free from that bondage.
Redemption always involves moving from one thing to another. In this case, it is Christ freeing us from the bondage of the law to the freedom of a new life in him.
I heard a story in the early days of my discipleship about the little boy who made a sailboat, admired it, and then lovingly placed it in the water. Suddenly, a strong current caught the boat and carried it away out of sight.
A few days later, as he was walking home from school, he noticed in the window of a store a boat that looked just like his. He soon discovered it was indeed his lost boat. When he explained to the store manager that he had made the boat, the manager replied, “Someone brought it in this morning and sold it to me. If you want it, you will have to buy it.” The boy ran home, counted all his money, and rushed back to buy his boat. As he left the store, he said to his boat, “Now you’re twice mine. First, I made you, and now I bought you.”
This is an excellent illustration of redemption. We were created in Christ for Christ. But when we went our own way, Christ paid the price to buy us back. We are twice his, and now nothing can separate us from his love.
Ephesians 1 is one of my favorite passages because it reveals so many truths about us. In Christ, we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Wow! And one of the key words in this description is “redeemer.” The word “redemption” is the English translation of a Greek word meaning “to purchase in the marketplace.” In ancient times, it often referred to the act of buying a slave. In the context of our faith, redemption means Jesus Christ, through his sacrificial death, purchased believers from the slavery of sin to set us free from that bondage.
Redemption always involves moving from one thing to another. In this case, it is Christ freeing us from the bondage of the law to the freedom of a new life in him.
I heard a story in the early days of my discipleship about the little boy who made a sailboat, admired it, and then lovingly placed it in the water. Suddenly, a strong current caught the boat and carried it away out of sight.
A few days later, as he was walking home from school, he noticed in the window of a store a boat that looked just like his. He soon discovered it was indeed his lost boat. When he explained to the store manager that he had made the boat, the manager replied, “Someone brought it in this morning and sold it to me. If you want it, you will have to buy it.” The boy ran home, counted all his money, and rushed back to buy his boat. As he left the store, he said to his boat, “Now you’re twice mine. First, I made you, and now I bought you.”
This is an excellent illustration of redemption. We were created in Christ for Christ. But when we went our own way, Christ paid the price to buy us back. We are twice his, and now nothing can separate us from his love.
Respond
How does it make you feel to know that you are loved by Jesus so much? Which of the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1 do you especially appreciate today, and why? How can you arrange your life to learn more about all that is true of you in Christ? Who might help you to learn and grow in your relationship with the Lord? Is there someone you know who is like a lost boat, not yet found? Plan to reach out to them today to share the good news about Jesus.
How does it make you feel to know that you are loved by Jesus so much? Which of the spiritual blessings in Ephesians 1 do you especially appreciate today, and why? How can you arrange your life to learn more about all that is true of you in Christ? Who might help you to learn and grow in your relationship with the Lord? Is there someone you know who is like a lost boat, not yet found? Plan to reach out to them today to share the good news about Jesus.
Christmas Eve, Christ, Messiah—Luke 2:1-11
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’
Reflect
Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah. Throughout the Old Testament, and especially in the centuries just before Jesus’ birth, there was a great hope for “the Lord’s anointed”—someone filled with God’s power and Spirit who would work some saving miracle on behalf of God’s people. In the Greek and Roman eras, the term “Messiah,” or “Christ,” carried political connotations, as Jews longed for a great leader who could bring about change in their lives and free them from oppression.
We often think of this familiar story of Jesus’ birth as sweet, but in fact, it underscores the harsh reality of Roman oppression. The fact that Mary’s baby was due any day didn’t matter; Joseph and Mary still had to make the four-day journey to Bethlehem to be counted in the census.
The big surprise of the story is that the miracle of God does not come in political might. God comes near to us in Jesus—a tiny, vulnerable human baby. This is the scandal of Christmas: the Lord of the universe comes into the world as a helpless newborn and is laid in a feeding trough. He could have come in any way he chose, but in his humility, he identified with the weak, the helpless, and the oppressed.
Then this good news is announced to the shepherds, who were not regarded highly in their culture. The good news of the birth of the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord, is an announcement of hope to all and a call to humility. The kingdom of God is certainly countercultural, turning our view of God, ourselves, and life itself upside down.
Respond
How do you connect to this story? As Christmas comes, what is the reality of your life? What are your struggles? How do you see God working in your life and bringing good news? How do your Christmas celebration and your life as a whole reflect this hope and humility of our Lord? How will you arrange your Christmas celebrations to keep Jesus at the center, the reason for the season? How does the story of Jesus’ birth turn your ideas about God, yourself, and life itself upside down?
Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah. Throughout the Old Testament, and especially in the centuries just before Jesus’ birth, there was a great hope for “the Lord’s anointed”—someone filled with God’s power and Spirit who would work some saving miracle on behalf of God’s people. In the Greek and Roman eras, the term “Messiah,” or “Christ,” carried political connotations, as Jews longed for a great leader who could bring about change in their lives and free them from oppression.
We often think of this familiar story of Jesus’ birth as sweet, but in fact, it underscores the harsh reality of Roman oppression. The fact that Mary’s baby was due any day didn’t matter; Joseph and Mary still had to make the four-day journey to Bethlehem to be counted in the census.
The big surprise of the story is that the miracle of God does not come in political might. God comes near to us in Jesus—a tiny, vulnerable human baby. This is the scandal of Christmas: the Lord of the universe comes into the world as a helpless newborn and is laid in a feeding trough. He could have come in any way he chose, but in his humility, he identified with the weak, the helpless, and the oppressed.
Then this good news is announced to the shepherds, who were not regarded highly in their culture. The good news of the birth of the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord, is an announcement of hope to all and a call to humility. The kingdom of God is certainly countercultural, turning our view of God, ourselves, and life itself upside down.
Respond
How do you connect to this story? As Christmas comes, what is the reality of your life? What are your struggles? How do you see God working in your life and bringing good news? How do your Christmas celebration and your life as a whole reflect this hope and humility of our Lord? How will you arrange your Christmas celebrations to keep Jesus at the center, the reason for the season? How does the story of Jesus’ birth turn your ideas about God, yourself, and life itself upside down?