Today's Verse - Luke 2:20

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

—Luke 2:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Can you imagine the shepherds returning to their flocks after the night they had? They had seen God's glory. They had experienced the presence of the angel of the LORD. They had seen the newborn King, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. It was just as they had been told by the holy heavenly messenger. As amazing as the angel's words of announcement had been, they were gloriously fulfilled. Jesus the Christ was newly born; he was also the absolute answer to God's greatest promises and the greatest assurance that God keeps his word. Incredibly, God had chosen shepherds, unnamed to us and unimportant to their peers, to be the first human witnesses and participants in God's glorious story of salvation in sending his Messiah. I believe Luke wanted to remind us that no matter who we are or where we seem to be on the social pecking order, Jesus came for us. Joseph and Mary were peasants. The shepherds were young and outcasts. Simeon and Anna were old and devout frequenters of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The Magi were foreigners from Persia. The coming of Jesus to our world tells us immediately that Jesus came for all people - young and old, insider or outsider, powerful or powerless, influential or inconsequential in influence. Jesus came for us... for you... for me!

My Prayer...

LORD God Almighty, I can only imagine what it was like for those shepherds who experienced your glory. However, dear Father, I do know how much Jesus means to me. I praise you for loving me and reaching my heart with your grace. In Jesus' glorious name, I offer you my life and praise. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

—Luke 2:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

There is only one proper response for God's gift of Jesus - our praise and adoration. Heaven's angels worship with praise and adoration at Jesus' birth. So should we! God's love, grace, favor, blessing, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation come to us through the incredible gift of Jesus' coming to earth. How can we not praise him? How can our hearts remain still and voices remain silent before such an amazing and gracious God? They can't, or at least they shouldn't, at least right now! Let's see our joyous worship of Christ our King as the reminder that we need to reach as many other people as possible so they can join our chorus of praise. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is LORD to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)! Those who welcome that day of salvation will do so because they had bowed and confessed Jesus before his glorious return. So, let's say it loudly: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace on those on whom God's favor rests." Amen. Hallelujah!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Father, you are glorious. Your grace is marvelous. Your gift of Jesus is magnificent. We give you all of our praise for sharing your glory and grace with us by sending Jesus to earth. Now, we offer our prayer to him who intercedes at your right hand (Romans 8:34), and we offer you and him our praise. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Luke 2:11

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

—Luke 2:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Look at all the angel reveals in this verse. Jesus is a descendant of David, the king of eternal promise (1 Kings 8:25-26). He is the Savior of all peoples. He is Christ, the Messiah, the promised hope of Israel. He is LORD, ruler of all creation and master of our lives. The real question is not who is this one placed in a manger, but whether we have decided that this Jesus means all those things to us today? If he is not your Savior today, why not ask him to be and seek him? And if he is, then with whom do you need to share his amazing love and grace?

My Prayer...

Father, I praise you for sending Jesus to be our LORD and Savior. Help us as we seek to share your grace and Jesus' story with those we love and long to find him as their Savior and honor him as their LORD. O God, the following specific people are on my heart, and I ask you to use the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to Jesus... (Let's each name specific people we know that need to come to Jesus!) In the precious name of the Savior, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.