The glorious event of the birth of Jesus teaches many lessons beyond the traditional tales of Christmas. This devotional takes a closer look at some of the events surrounding that holy moment and discusses how we can leverage the opportunities from the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ beyond the seasonal celebrations and into our everyday living.
Wisdom Truth Ministries
Day 1
Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38, Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 3:5
Bonus Blessing
When Gabriel revealed the good news that Mary was to have a baby, the news shocked her, practically speaking it didn’t make sense and she didn’t know what to think about it. She had been confused, disturbed, even fearful at the arrival of the angel – but she didn’t let these emotions get the better of her, instead, she pushed her feelings aside and lined herself up with the news from God that was being revealed to her. She pressed the angel for more information and got more than she bargained for – not only will she conceive and give birth to a Holy Baby, but her cousin Elizabeth was also with child and would soon be delivered.
The news about Jesus was a mind-blowing miracle. Something that had never been seen before was set to happen to her, and this news of Jesus came with a bonus blessing that would touch and bless those in her immediate surrounding.
The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ is a reminder that:
- He is a God of miracles and is able to do things far beyond your expectations that will blow your mind. When Jesus is involved, first-class miracles happen and these miracles are topped with bonus blessings
- It is normal to be fearful when God does or says something, but we must rise beyond the flesh, push any questionable feelings aside, engage our faith, and agree with the Spirit of God.
- God is a God of love. Not only did He look favourably upon Mary and give His Son for us all that we may be saved, but in giving His Son, He also blessed others. Elizabeth’s pregnancy is a demonstration of the love of God
We must trust God to do what He says He will do. He always will. He never fails. He is an unchanging God, and in His unchanging nature, He is still able to blow your mind with miracles beyond measure.
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 2:1-3, Job 1:9-11, Matthew 5:14-16
Shine Bright
Have you ever noticed that when things start to go well for you and everything appears to be working in your favour that is when someone somewhere is not happy for you?
Perhaps you are experiencing unexplainable joy, and you sense that you are right where God wants you to be, walking in your purpose – and then you get negative news that feels like it’s going to crush you?
This might not be your everyday experience but it is certainly a common occurrence that cannot be denied.
For example: Consider Job – all things were going well for him until Satan sought to bring him down and destroy his relationship with God. Similarly at the birth of Jesus, the star in the sky shined brightly, attracting the wise men, but equally, news of that same light caused great concern for Herod (and everyone in Jerusalem), sparking a wild goose chase with Herod doing everything in his power to try to bring about a premature end to the promised reign of King Jesus.
It’s so very easy to fade into the background of where God wants us to be, especially when you consider the uncountable pressures and the weight of the world that threatens to steal our joy; but will you stop for a moment and consider Jesus? His light shined for all to see when He was born, and it shined so brightly that the people were filled with joy.
Light always shines brightest in the dark, and in shining, it will attract those who will support and encourage you, but it will also attract the enemy. The latter is not your business, your business is to stay focused and to shine your light ever so brightly – God is able to magnify the brightness of your light to the point that it blinds the enemy from finding you or succeeding in putting out your light.
We are the light the world needs to see, whether they welcome it or not. Yes, we live in a dark world, but we can make a difference by shining our light in the corner of the world where we are situated. He calls you and I today to shine our light in the here and now.
Will you shine your light for Jesus?
Day 3
Scriptures: Matthew 2:11, Psalms 95:1-6, Psalms 103:1
Just Worship
Worship is a heart response to who God is. It is the right and appropriate response to Jesus Christ, the Son of God – who Himself IS God.
The wise men caught this revelation when they found and worshipped the Child Jesus – clearly, this would have been strange behaviour towards any child; but this Child was special. This Child was and still is, in the man Jesus, the King who reigns forever.
These men had no questions, they had come a long way, following the star from the east, but when they got to the house where Jesus was, these intellectuals had no question. It didn’t matter where they were coming from or what sorts of terrain they had to pass through to get there. All that mattered was that they were there and Jesus was at the centre of it all. In the beauty of that moment, that house became their tabernacle, their temple, as they bowed to worship this King
How you respond to God in worship, in spite of your circumstances and in spite of anything that you stand to lose or gain is evidence of your revelation of Him and your relationship with Him. When you are in His presence the best response, without question is always worship. Worship before any requests, worship even before your gifts or offerings (the wise men worshipped first before the presentation of gifts). Worship without music, worship without words, worship when you feel like it, and worship when you don’t – it is a matter of the heart to worship and to do so in spirit and in truth.
The wise men worshipped the Child Jesus. Their worship was not reserved for Sunday, or for the temple, or even the “right” surroundings. In the midst of it all, they brought their worship from a pure heart.
Don’t allow anything or anyone to limit your worship. Worship God whenever and wherever. Worship Him when you feel like it and even when you don’t. Engage God in worship every single day.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 2:9-11, 2 Samuel 24:24, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, John 3:16
Treasured Gifts
One thing that makes celebrations such as Christmas, birthdays, christenings and anniversaries extra special is when you get (or give) a gift. When Jesus was born, the wise men followed their worship with the presentation of gifts; in fact, the act of gift-giving was in itself worship, but it didn’t start with man.
In the beginning, God gave light, God gave water, God gave vegetation, God gave mankind, God gave in abundance. Have a look at Genesis 1 to see the surplus of gifts that God gave. And even though man fell and sinned, God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a gift to restore us back to Himself.
God is the greatest giver – you simply cannot out-give God. In so giving, God teaches us a great lesson. Both King David and Apostle Paul are amongst the great men of the bible who were wise enough to understand this and act upon it. David refused to give something to God that he hadn’t worked for, and likewise, Paul admonished the church to give generously, especially to the poor because in so doing, they are giving to God (since the people will, in turn, give glory to God).
The NLT tells us that the wise men “opened their treasure chests and gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”, the woman with the Alabaster Box also gave of her treasure.
What are you giving to God today? Is He deserving of your treasure?
The presence of Jesus is a catalyst for joy, bonus blessings, and enables you to shine brights. In His presence worship flows unhindered and the one opportuned to enjoy such a presence gives freely. I pray that as we conclude this devotion today, that the presence of the Lord will surround you bringing you unspeakable joy and transforming you for good in Jesus’ name.