“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43b-45, NLT)
I have seven nativities scattered around our home, not to mention our nativity Christmas tree ornaments. My Christmas newsletter’s 7-day devotion “A Savior Was Born for You,” begins with Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
I find that leading up to Christmas, I focus on the birth of Jesus, the Son, the Child, and I neglect the government on His shoulder and why the Son was given. Instead, I think of Mary’s and Joseph’s devotion to God and His plans even though they didn’t fully understand them. I think of the miracle of the virgin birth, the angels proclaiming Jesus’ birth, the shepherds watching their sheep and then adoring the Great Shepherd. I smile and remember the wise men coming from the East bringing gifts and worshiping the All-Wise King.
Beautiful stories of God’s love, His goodness, and His glory. Beautiful stories and promises made possible by the self-sacrifice that was to come.
What if we started the Christmas story by telling the Resurrection story?
Eternity wraps the Christmas and Resurrection stories in victorious love.
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From Eternity to Eternity
Our King of Kings is coming soon. (Revelation 22:7)
Eternal Life conquered death. (1 Peter 3:18)
Our Savior brought peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
The Anointed One brought forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
Our Redeemer paid the price for the sins of the world. (1 Corinthians 6:10)
Our Friend gave His life for a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
The Son of Man washed dirty feet. (John 13:1-17)
Our Wonderful Counselor taught us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
Our Mighty God calmed the winds and the sea and fed thousands. (Matthew 8:26; Matthew 15:38)
Our Everlasting Father raised the dead, healed the sick, and blessed the children. (Matthew 11:5, 19:14)
Our Prince of Peace reconciled our relationship with God. (Acts 10:36)
The 12-year-old Son of God astonished the teachers in the temple. (Luke 2:41-52)
The Messiah received gifts from wise men. (Matthew 2:1-12)
The Lord was adored by shepherds. (Luke 2:8-20)
His birth was proclaimed by heaven’s angels. (Luke 2:9-15)
The Son of the Most High lay in a manger. (Luke 2:7)
The Holy became a man and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
The Word was with God, was God, and was Creator. (John 1:1-3)
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)
Everlasting Father, Your lovingkindness embraces the world with Your amazing gift of Jesus. Like the shepherds, the wise men, and all those who encountered Your own dear Son, we bow down in worship before You. You have captured our hearts and minds. Fill us with greater understanding of Your gift and cause us to walk in Your way, Your truth, and Your life. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.
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