Quote for the Day

“Glory to God in the highest…”

Today's Prayer

This week pray that God gives you the ability to see what He has done for you. Ask God to allow your heart and your thoughts to be fixed on Him. Pray that the actions and activities you are involved in bring glory to God. Continue to pray for those that may have to travel during this busy week. Ask God to let them focus on Him and not the concerns of travel.

Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.4So Joseph also went up from the town of in to , to the town of , because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14″Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Message

This week’s passage is the familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ from the gospel of Luke. I would like to look at two things as we meditate on this passage. First is the condition of Joseph and Mary. They were, just as we are, travelers on this earth. They had just completed a journey of over 70 miles by foot and on donkey, with Mary being nine months pregnant. I know we can all relate to the trials of travel, but I am certain that the situation we see here rivals even the worst of the frequent flyer stories any of us can recall. Even with this as the background, we see the work of God at hand. Later in the text, we read about the angels announcing the Christ and the shepherds’ visit to Joseph, Mary, and the newborn baby. And the message in it all: “Glory to God in the highest!” As we are in the midst of “the holiday season,” as it is now so affectionately referred to, let us fix our minds on Christ Jesus. Not only the Baby Jesus of the manger, but Christ the King, and let us remember that we need to give all glory to God and God alone. This week focus on how you can give God glory no matter what the circumstances. This week bow before the Creator and give Him your worship.