Christmas At The Movies - Week 4 - Day 1
OPENING PRAYER:
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1, (NIV) “because God has said, ‘never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5b, (NIV)
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel! – which means, God with us.”
“For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God is own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so they Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
REFLECT:
Do you ever recall being scared as a little child as you laid awake in your bed at night? It was probably eerily dark and very quiet…quiet enough to hear strange sounds going bump in the night! In those fearful moments we may have pulled the covers up over our heads, believing that this would shield us from any monsters or evil befalling us. However, as followers of Christ, we are never alone. The prophet Isaiah spoke of Christ’s coming in Isaiah 7:14, (NIV) “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” As our passage out of Matthew states, Immanuel means “God with us!” What a wonderful assurance to us as we face fears of COVID-19, economic uncertainty, difficulties with our children or struggles in relationships. When we understand that God is with us, we should realize that, not only are we not alone…but, as the prophet Elisha shared with his servant in II Kings 6:16, (NIV) “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
APPLY:
Be sure to take time this season to gather your family around to read the Christmas story together. Read the story from the perspective of both gospels of Luke and Matthew. If you have young children, be sure to reflect on how God’s love overcame all evil, all despair, all hopelessness to bring the greatest hope of all into the world – Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord! When the Shepherds saw the Angels, in Luke, they were afraid, but what did the angel say? “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11, (NIV). In Luke 1:30, the angel appeared to Mary suddenly, startling her, saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” The story of Jesus’ coming is the greatest story of hope ever told and should remind us more than ever today of God’s provision for everything we need. So, be encouraged just as the Lord encouraged Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, (NIV).
CLOSING PRAYER:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, (NIV)