Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.”

What dreams do you hold for the children you know and love?  I remember beginning to wonder about them before they were even born.  What would the look like, who would they become?  It seems likely our parents held these same questions in their hearts about us and their parents before them.  There is a plan for each of us.  Ours may not be announced by an angel of the Lord so we muddle through seeking to follow the plan of our lives.  Mary was clearly told the plan for her child’s life but she probably still wondered about him, just as all parents do.  The angels words would echo in her heart and soul whenever she pondered the future of her son: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.”  Let the awe and wonder of this baby, this king, fill your hearts this season.

Lord,

We know the plan you held for Jesus, babe in the manger, from the very beginning.  He is your Son, the Beloved and we are blessed to know Him.  Help us believe you have a plan for us as well.  We are not born to be King of Israel or of all people but we are born to serve in your kingdom.  Open our hearts to seek your path as we journey toward the birth of the Christ child.  Let this season fill us with new wonder and hope that we can carry forward into each new day.  Amen.

Luke 1:30-31 “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.’”

Have you ever had a dream that seemed so far-fetched and out of the realms of reality that you wondered what instigated it?  I wonder about my dreams when I remember them but sometimes I can’t make any sense out of them.  I set them aside and move on.  Mary didn't dream this visitation from an angel but I wonder if she wished she had.  I wonder if she thought she imagined this crazy scene.  Did she ponder it and then set it aside until she could no longer deny the truth of it?  The bible doesn't tell us that Mary had any doubts but as a young teenage betrothed to a kind Jewish man I cannot imagine she didn't have her doubts.  It would be hard to forget an angel visitation based on what I read about them.  Angels are a force beyond our understanding and yet they come to us on occasion to assist us in some way.  God used them in the bible to help his people and I believe He still uses them for his people.  This story of the angel and Mary is so tender to me.  What a loving message from God “you have found favor with God.”  Through His gift of Jesus we can all claim that message today.  Hallelujah!

Lord,

Thank you for sending your son and thank for the lowly servants you chose to use.  Help us see how you can use us and open our hearts to serve you as you call us to.  Let the Love of Christmas fill our souls so we may go out into the world singing with joy for the Lord has come!  Amen.

Ephesians 2:5-6 “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.”

During this season of Advent I look at Joseph while I ponder these verses.  Joseph has his betrothed Mary and much to his dismay she is found to be with child.  After a dream he received from God, he obeys the directions and keeps Mary as his wife.  He watched this baby grow in her belly and I cannot even fathom the questions and struggles he went through during those months.  He chose to adopt this baby as his own.  He raised Jesus and taught him everything he knew as his own son.  I wonder if he realized, somewhere deep inside him, that this boy, his boy was the Beloved that Paul writes about here.  From the beginning of time, the Christ was destined to break the barriers between God and his children.  Through his birth, life, death and resurrection we can come to the stable and celebrate the birth of our brother and Lord; our King and Savior.  This Christmas I kneel at the manger to gaze upon the one who brings me to God.  He is Emmanuel, God with us!  Amazing grace, indeed.

Lord,

You sent Jesus because you love us.  You know our needs and brokenness and Jesus willing came to heal and bind us to you forever.  Help us embrace the joy of Christmas like children because we are your children.  Through Christ, Amen.

Luke 1:37-38 “‘For nothing will be impossible with God.’  Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’  Then the angel departed from her.”

Does it take an angel of the Lord in all its glory to make me an obedient servant of the Lord?  I get so frustrated with myself sometimes.  I love the Lord, I want to be obedient and follow him in all ways and then my human selfishness creeps in.  Before I am even truly aware, I have stopped listening and followed my wishes instead of God’s commands.  As I think about God’s servants and their stories in the Bible, I am reminded that we all fall short.  We are all human and cannot live perfectly; we are not and will not be perfect in this lifetime.  These verses renew my spirit and call me to strive forward because I believe them to be true.  I believe that nothing is impossible with God.  Amazing things happen when I walk in his path; when I am with God and not against him.  So I come to him on my knees.  I picture Mary, dirty and dusty from her work, young and naive in the world.

Lord,

Bring my heart to the humble place of Mary’s.  Fill it with trust and wonder.  I come filled with humility and your grace to offer myself again.  I am your servant, dusty and dirty from my work, truly naive in the world.  I offer myself to you; use me according your will, for nothing is impossible with you God.  You give me amazing grace and amazing love; thank you!  Amen.

Luke 1:19 “The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.”

How we receive our news has changed over the years.  Today we get text messages, email and phone calls.  Letters were a great tool of communicating news and occasionally we might still get one, but they are unexpected.  I am certain Zechariah was not expecting anyone while he was performing his duties at the temple.  He was simply going about his task of offering the incense to the Lord in the sanctuary which is a solitary task when he is surprised and frightened to see someone there.  He receives the good news that he and Elizabeth will have a baby.  I wonder as I think about this passage, how much news we miss because we are not looking for the unexpected.  If the message doesn't come through on our computer, phone or TV, how often do we miss it?  God is a god of relationships. He might use technology to speak to us but He prefers face time.  As we enter this day in December, I encourage us to keep our eyes and ears open for the unexpected.  God has something to say to us too.   Let’s listen and look, ready to receive what He has for us.

Lord,

Thank you for seeking us out.  Thank you for sending messengers, people and whatever you can to get our attention and hear your messages for us.  Help us be open to receive what you have to say to us today.  Amen.

Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
 
Habakkuk the prophet was frustrated with all the injustice, violence, and evil in his world.  He wondered why God didn't step in and so he went to the Lord to voice his questions.  There are only 3 chapters in this little book but so much to contemplate.  As my children dance and leap around the Christmas tree, they show such excitement for this season of joy.  I want to reach deep into my soul and find that same joy, joy that makes me leap and dance for Jesus. I need to look beyond the injustice, violence and evil in this world. All those years ago, God had not forgotten his people and today He is still amazing us.  There are stories, every day, of unbelievable mercy, love, care ... God is with us.  Emmanuel.
 
Lord,
As I move my home into the season of Christmas, move my heart to be there too.  It is such a busy time of year that I tend to forget the reason I am busy.  My music, church, baking, teaching my kids, all I do is in honor of you, in celebration of your love and your unbelievable gift.  Thank you for Christmas God.  Thank you that I can celebrate the birth of Jesus freely and openly, shouting and singing at the top of my lungs.  Fill the hearts of those who cannot so they can exude your love and joy in actions.  Amen. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful”

I confess that my patience has run thin the last week or two with almost everything.  I have things to do, places to go and people to see and when those are not happening in what I think is a timely manner, I grow impatient.  I see how my kids are with each other and when my eyes are really opened I know they learn some of those behaviors from me.  When I step back in the moments of impatience and frustration and breathe in a breath prayer to the Lord, I am instantly calmer; more peaceful.  If I breathe a few more times, I feel His Love filling me up and I am able to come back to the world in Love.  When I am walking in love, I am patient and kind, I am understanding and humble.  I listen to the voice of others and take their ideas and wishes into my heart.  I release frustration and anger and embrace light and love.  During this Christmas season, keep the hustle and bustle to a minimum and take moments to breathe in Love.  This is the season of Love and when we walk with Him fully, we are love.

Lord,

Please quiet our hearts in your presence this morning.  Let the stillness calm our souls and bring us to a place of deep love.  When we step into the daily routines, help us live in love so we are patient, kind, humble and understanding of all.  Help us spread love and joy in a world of darkness and hopelessness.  I ask all this to your glory Lord.  Amen.