LHM Daily Devotions - UNTO YOU

"UNTO YOU"

Dec. 26, 2018

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

~ Luke 2:10-12 (ESV)

Have you ever been left out of anything? Remember back in your school days—the classmates who would gather together, whispering and laughing, but when you came close, suddenly the conversation ended. Or maybe there was a party you didn't get invited to. Even now you may be facing adult versions of this—and it hurts. It hurts a lot.

The shepherds would have known about that. Their status was low, and religious people often looked down on them. Taking care of sheep made it difficult to get to worship or Bible study!

But suddenly here comes an angel, a messenger of God, and he says to them, "I bring you good news ... for all the people ... unto you is born a Savior."

Unto you! Unto you, poor shepherd, smelly and ignored and uneducated as you are. Unto you, disabled or shut-in or aging or living with chronic pain. Unto you, you with the bad reputation, whether you earned it or not. Unto you, you with the outwardly wonderful life, but inside you still feel lonely and troubled and wonder if anyone would want you if they knew the full truth about you. And unto me, even me, too.

Jesus is born to us as our Savior. What does that mean? It means that God wants you—wants you so much that He is willing to come into this world as a tiny baby lying in a manger. It means that God wants you personally, you yourself, just as you are—because this baby will grow up to suffer and die for you, you yourself. It means that God wants you forever, because this baby Jesus will one day rise from the dead, and for what? To share that everlasting life with you, you whom He loves, so that you can be His forever.

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior. Praise God!

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You that You want me. I want and love You too. Keep me with You. Amen.

The Coming King REFLECTION QUESTIONS!

• What groups tend to be looked down on and excluded in our world today?

• What experiences have you had with being an outsider, unwanted and alone?

• How do you know when someone wants you? What does it mean to you to know that God really wants you, now and forever?

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
What groups tend to be looked down on and excluded in our world today?