In step

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Galatians 4:4-7

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . .
Galatians 4:4

Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seemed to them like an awfully long time to wait for Christmas after putting up decorations in early December—particularly when presents under the tree caught their attention!

For many long years, God’s people waited in hope for a Savior to come. God had given the people his law, filled with rules and guidelines about how to live as his people. But the law was not enough to bring the people closer to the Lord, and they longed for a deeper relationship. God also promised that he would raise up a leader from his people who would “do what is just and right” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6). And they learned that God would fill their hearts and minds with his will so that they could live more closely with him (see Jeremiah 31:33).

It must have seemed like forever to wait for God to keep those promises. But the Bible tells us that this happened at just the right time. God sent his own Son, Jesus, into the world to fulfill the law so that all who would believe could be saved from sin and freed by his Spirit to live with him, sharing his love and grace with others.

This Christmas, look for ways in which God’s Spirit is changing you because of Jesus’ birth.

Holy God, sometimes it seems hard to wait for you. But your timing is always right, and your promises are always rich! Help us wait faithfully for you, and make us your people in Christ. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:1-4

I . . . decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:3-4

The Christmas story is familiar to many people throughout the world, wherever the message of Christ has spread. In various parts of our world today, though, the Christmas season has become a time when focusing on Jesus competes with shopping, holiday parties, and a frenzied rush.

In the book of Luke, the story of Jesus begins with a reminder that can help us even today in our world of competing ideals. Luke writes to a reader called Theophilus (“friend of God”) so that this person may know deep-down that the story of Jesus is certain and true.

God wants the Christmas story to inspire a kind of certainty in us. This is not intended to promote pride or superiority, as if to suggest that we know God better than anyone else. Instead, this is to instill wonder at the reality of the birth of Christ and what it means for the whole world (see John 3:16).

Do you feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season? Do the holidays remind you of stresses and hurts from the past that have not healed? In this season, turn again to the story of what God has “fulfilled among us”—the promise to provide a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. See how Jesus changes the lives of all who come into contact with him, and let his birth renew in you the certainty of God’s love for us all.

Spirit of God, thank you for sharing the story of Jesus with us. May the wonder of this story sink into our hearts, giving us certainty and hope in you. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:8-25

Zechariah asked . . . “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Luke 1:18

Zechariah and Elizabeth had grown old waiting for a child. But then one day, when Zechariah had an opportunity to burn incense in a holy, inner room of the temple, an angel of God appeared and said that their prayers had been heard. They would soon have a child!

But it seemed too good to be true. Zechariah didn’t believe the message at first, so the angel told him he would not be able to speak anymore until the child was born.

When we wait for a long time for something to happen, it’s easy to let our doubts and fears overshadow God’s promises. Sometimes we feel more secure in clinging to our sinful habits and our broken dreams. “You expect me to talk about what God is doing in my life? With people who know me all too well? No thanks,” we easily say, “not me.”

In some ways the story of Christmas seems too good to be true. Can sinful human beings really have a relationship with the holy God? Can people searching for purpose in life really discover the call of God on their hearts?

Yes! God promises that we too can be part of the story he is writing—about humanity being redeemed and restored to live in favor with the One who made heaven and earth.

Thankfully, not even our doubts can cancel God’s plans. And, in Jesus, God comes into our world offering new life for us all! Can you believe it?

Lord, show us that your patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:9), and help us to believe your promises even when it seems to take a long time for them to be fulfilled. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:26-38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:38

Surprise is a part of many stories people tell at Christmastime. Lots of folk stories, novels, and movies with Christmas themes include fun twists and surprises. And often the most-loved tales are those with a surprising, happy ending.

The Christmas story itself includes surprises. But while the result—Jesus’ birth—is certainly a joyful and happy one, some of the surprises along the way can bring mixed emotions.

Mary was not expecting to be at the center of this story. She was quite young, probably in her early teens, when an angel came to her with news that totally changed her life. It would be scandalous to be a pregnant, unmarried woman in a culture that prized sexual purity. Yet Mary embraced this news from God with humility, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

What surprises has God placed in your life? Sometimes God delights us with good news we never saw coming—like a new job or an unexpected friendship. Other times God’s surprises are hard to bear—like life-changing illnesses, mental-health issues, or financial struggles. Our surprises can also stem from sins we have committed, and we wish we had not done those things.

God’s Christmas promise is that he is with us in all of our surprises: the good and the difficult. God invites us to watch for his power and to find his saving grace in Christ.

Will you humbly embrace him this Christmas?

God of surprises, help us to trust in you. We need you always. Fill us with your love and grace, we pray, in Jesus. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:39-45

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:45

In many ways Mary’s surprise pregnancy was not welcome news. Though she had accepted God’s will, it must have been puzzling. God’s way of working in her life was rather shocking and scandalous in the society she lived in. Though she would be called “blessed,” Mary probably did not enjoy much support from her local community at the time.

How do we find space to process what God is doing in the hard situations of life?

Mary wisely sought out the counsel of her relative Elizabeth, who was also pregnant through a miracle of God’s grace. The journey there would not have been easy, taking Mary about a week during a time in her pregnancy when she might have been very tired. But Mary likely sensed in Elizabeth a kindred spirit who could help her think through the surprising things God was doing in their lives.

Christmas can encourage us to seek out godly wisdom as well. Maybe we are in a difficult, unexpected situation. Maybe we feel abandoned or even shunned by a community we thought would support and encourage us.

Who are the people who can help us trust in God’s promises even amid such puzzling, challenging times?

Alternatively, how can we be a friend who points out God’s work to others?

Heavenly Father, it is a blessing to believe your Word to us. May we believe that you will fulfill what you have promised. Open our eyes to Jesus’ coming into our lives. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

“The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”
Luke 1:49

One danger we can slip into at Christmastime is discontent. Maybe we long for “the perfect gift” from someone. Or we hope for the perfect family gathering with “just the right people” around the table. Or perhaps we want Christmas worship to go “just so.” And then we grow ill-tempered or even cranky when things do not go as we dreamed.

We can also slip into complaining about what we do not get from God. Or maybe there are injustices we face, or our life hasn’t worked out the way we planned, or there are some sins we can’t quite shake—and we wish God would take those problems away.

Yet, as Mary’s song celebrates, God’s mercy shows up not only in answers that we expect from our prayers. Sometimes God’s mercy shows up in our difficult situations. The angel’s surprising, even shocking, announcement to Mary upended her world. Yet she still recognized God’s saving grace in the promised birth of Jesus.

Mary’s song reveals something else too. She sees the power of God to lift up people who recognize their need for grace. In the world’s eyes, the rich and powerful seem to have all they need in order to manage their lives. But people who recognize their own weaknesses will find that Jesus the Savior brings divine power to their struggles. May we join with Mary in humble gratitude for the gifts of God’s mercy and strength.

Lord God, you are merciful and mighty beyond our wildest imagination. Open our eyes to the great things you have done—and to your mercy to us in Jesus. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:1-24

. . . and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Matthew 1:16

Christmas often brings families together for celebrations. In many ways this can be a wonderful time of celebration and encouragement. But families can be complicated, so at times our holidays can come with baggage we can’t escape.

The book of Matthew introduces the story of Jesus by sharing his family tree. Some names in this list can be found in the Old Testament; others are lost to history. The Christmas story bears the imprint of kings and commoners, some who wanted to live for God and some who did not.

Most notable are the people whose stories include pain or even great sins but who came to experience God’s grace and healing. Jacob was a schemer who wrestled with God (Genesis 32:22-32). Tamar (Genesis 38) and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12) were victims of abuse. Rahab (Joshua 2-6) and Ruth (Ruth 1-4) were foreigners who would have been looked down on in Israel. Manasseh was a wicked king who only repented late in life (2 Chronicles 33). Jesus’ human lineage was anything but pure and holy. Yet the Son of God chose to enter the human race through this collection of imperfect ancestors.

If your Christmas celebrations include imperfect people, or you feel wounds from your own imperfect past, give thanks that Jesus the Messiah chose the same kind of family through which to bring salvation to the human race.

Jesus, thank you for coming into our imperfect lives to bring your perfect love to us. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:18-21

Joseph . . . had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:19

Having looked at Luke 1 already this month, we know about the angel’s announcement to Mary and the miraculous conception of her son, who would be named Jesus.

But Joseph did not know all of this at first. To him, Mary’s story must have sounded ridiculous: Really? A virgin birth?

Joseph knew that the law was on his side and that he had every right to end his pledged relationship with Mary. But he was also righteous enough to understand grace.

Righteous people understand the need to protect others despite the apparent circumstances. Joseph intended to do the best he could with a bad situation. He felt he had to confront what he saw as Mary’s sin while also living with as much integrity as one could muster when his world had turned upside down.

Have you been there? We all face difficult decisions at times. Even seeking to live righteously does not guarantee a life free from hard choices.

But God, in his grace, revealed to Joseph that Mary’s child was part of a bigger plan. In fact, God invited Joseph to be part of that plan: to let the world know of forgiveness through Jesus’ birth. Grace invited him into that story. It can do the same for you.

God of truth, in a sinful world our vision of righteousness is sometimes cloudy, and our obedience is imperfect. Give us the courage to follow you even when faithfulness is difficult. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23

Joseph is sometimes an overlooked character in the Christmas story. He never speaks in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. Instead, he considers the events of his life carefully in order to try to do his best to obey God.

The circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy brought a 700-year-old prophecy from Isaiah to the gospel writer’s mind: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son . . .” (see Isaiah 7:14). At a time of national crisis in Isaiah’s day, God had pointed his people to the birth of a child that would show God was present with them, despite the troubles they were facing. With a reminder of that assurance, Joseph gained the courage to keep his pledge with Mary.

In the coming of Jesus, God calls our attention to the larger story of his work in the world, a story that assures us of his presence with us. Our human weakness and sin keep us from obeying God and experiencing his presence. But God’s power breaks into our broken lives to rescue us from sin and inspire us to faithful living. God has transformed our stories by becoming a part of them himself.

Perhaps Joseph’s greatest strength was his quiet willingness to watch for God’s word to be fulfilled. This Christmas, may we also see the fulfillment of God’s promise to us as we consider the birth of his Son.

Thank you, Lord God, for being with us. As we focus on Jesus’ birth, may we see your word fulfilled in our lives, bringing salvation and peace to our troubled souls. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:67-80

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. . . .
Luke 1:67

Opening gifts is a big part of our family’s Christmas celebration. Each year, our kids are excited to see what they’ll receive. But one important part of all this is learning about gratitude. So when they receive a gift, our kids have learned to say, “Thank you!”

In response to the birth of John and filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah offered praise and thanks to God. He recalled how God had fulfilled his promises to deliver his people. God had graciously invited his wayward people to love and serve him, and through those people God was bringing forth a Savior (“Jesus”), the promised Messiah (“Christ”), who would bring salvation, forgiveness, and peace.

Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son, John, would play a unique role in preparing people for the coming of Jesus—and this Savior, Jesus, who is also the Son of God, is the greatest gift we receive at Christmas.

When we see this gift, what do we say? Do we too respond with gratitude for God’s deliverance and his invitation to serve him? Do we encourage our neighbors and families to see their role in God’s plan?

May the gifts you give and receive this season remind you of the greatest gift of God’s presence in Jesus Christ. And may we all give thanks and grateful obedience in response.

Thank you, gracious Father! You have given us so many gifts. And, what’s more, your Son has come to bring us forgiveness and eternal life. We give ourselves to you in response. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 1:57-66

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
Luke 1:58

The story of Jesus’ birth is intertwined with another miraculous birth—that of John, who was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. Though Zechariah did not believe at first that this could happen, God fulfilled his promise. And when Zechariah named the child John, as the angel had instructed, he was able to speak again (see Luke 1:11-20; Dec. 4). The name John means “God is gracious.”

While we might be used to thinking of God’s grace in the birth and life of Jesus, we may also ask about other ways we see God’s grace at work in this season. Maybe you have seen a strained relationship restored, or an illness healed. Maybe you have seen temptations lifted, or fears relieved. Can we name such gifts as illustrations of God’s grace?

Not only did Zechariah and Elizabeth receive God’s mercy; they invited their neighbors and relatives to share in their joy in what God had done for them. During the Christmas season, many of us have opportunities to gather with family and friends. Do we also take time with others to share with them our experiences of God’s mercy to us?

Christmas is a season for reflecting on God’s grace and mercy to his people. May you name, and celebrate, that mercy today.

Holy God, you surprise us again and again with your grace. Open our eyes to what you are doing, and loosen our tongues to speak of your faithfulness. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:1-5

Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
Luke 2:1

The Christmas story is shaped, in part, by a government decision: a census. People in Palestine likely griped about Caesar’s decree—and, according to tradition, a Jewish citizen was expected to register in their own ancestral town. That made things inconvenient for Joseph and Mary, who was near the end of her pregnancy. They had to travel about 90 miles (145 km) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a weeklong journey by donkey.

Caesar thought he was counting subjects, but God had a bigger plan. Joseph’s ancestral town, Bethlehem, was also known as “the town of David,” and prophecies stated that the Savior would descend from Israel’s King David (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-10) and be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God used a government regulation to prepare the way for Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.

It’s not uncommon today to hear criticisms about governments. Whether it’s taxes, policies, trade regulations, or extra paperwork, people get frustrated with government leaders and their demands. But the Christmas story shows that God works even through government inconveniences to make his salvation known. Jesus came to bring the presence of God to sinful humanity, despite the inconvenient circumstances into which he came.

In what ways can you see the Lord working today, despite situations that may be difficult or inconvenient for you?

Almighty God, you reign over all things. Open our eyes to see your presence and work, even in situations that we find difficult. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. . . .
Luke 2:6

Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us, especially if our schedules are full. For many of us in North America and other places, there are parties to attend, decorations to put up, presents to purchase, carols to sing. In such a busy time, Christmas Day can seem to come and go quickly, and it can seem that we have barely enough time to notice.

Luke describes the birth of Jesus in very simple terms. It’s worth noting that he spends five verses describing the timing of Jesus’ birth, and only two verses on the birth itself. “The time came for the baby to be born,” writes Luke, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.”

When the Lord comes to us at Christmas, he comes into the ordinary events of life. We might have grand expectations, but Christ comes in simplicity. Luke may talk of emperors and world powers, but when God’s Son comes to live among us, we see a manger in a cattle stall, cloths, and a baby.

Maybe it’s good that Christmas can sneak up on us, because we need it to shape and transform the rest of our lives. It doesn’t take a special day or event to invite Christ into our lives. He comes simply because it’s time.

Are you watching for him today?

Lord Jesus, we live in a busy world. Thank you that Christmas does not depend on our timing, but that you step into our lives when the time is right. Help us to receive you. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:8-14

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:10

“Do not be afraid.”

When we think of Christmas, these are probably not the first words that come to mind. We usually focus on the joy and celebration that come with this holiday.

But the reality is that all of us have fears. Concerns about our finances, our health, our loved ones, our work, our safety, national or international politics, wars—all of these and more can weigh on us and unsettle us. I’m sure the shepherds had their own fears that night as they watched over their sheep: concerns about sick animals, or the price of wool, or their families’ needs.

Surely God’s coming into our world would bring a sense of relief, right? But in the dark of night the shepherds must have been startled to see a bright host of angels suddenly appear in front of them. Who could think of relief or confidence when the holy God broke into their lives that way?

Every one of us is a sinner who rightly deserves God’s judgment. But at Christmas we receive instead the startling good news that God has come with favor and grace to live with us.

The announcement of Jesus’ birth came to ordinary shepherds, showing that God cares for us all. And although it can be startling, even shocking, that God would come to us, Christmas joy can replace our fear.

“Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me. . . .” Lord, show us your tender care, and relieve us of our sins and fears, we pray. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:2

Sometimes the big news story of the day is not the one we think it is—or there is more to it than we realize.

As Jesus was born, something else was also happening far away. Matthew tells us about “Magi from the east”—often called “wise men”—who studied the stars. The Magi were astrologers, religious leaders who believed that the movement of the stars and special signs in the heavens could give direction for people’s lives.

To the Jews, that kind of study was superstitious idolatry. And yet we see in this story how God was writing an even bigger story than people were aware of at the time. Jesus was, of course, Israel’s promised Savior. But today we can also see that Christ’s birth was a crucial part of God’s plan to draw all nations to himself. Even people who were lost in the confusion of sin and idolatry could see glimpses of God’s invitation to draw near and ask, seek, and find him. In the story of the Magi we see how God can meet us where we are—no matter who we are—and make the good news of Jesus’ birth come alive for us.

This Christmas, we might think (or act as if) our celebrations and gifts are the main thing of the season. But God wants so much more. He wants to draw people to Jesus, especially those who don’t know him.

How is God surprising you with that invitation this Christmas?

Lord God, help us to understand what is most important in our lives. Draw us near to you, we pray, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.