The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, December 29, 2019 — 1st Sunday after Christmas—5th Day of Christmas

The Escape to Egypt

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, January 5, 2020 — 1st Sunday after Christmas

5th Day of Christmas

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

Opening Statement

The psalmist puts it well: "Hallelujah! Praise God from the heavens, praise God in the heights! Praise God, all you angels; praise God, all you multitudes in heaven! ... Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of God, for God's name alone is exalted" (Psalm 148:1-2, 12-13a, The New Testament and Psalms, an Inclusive Version). What better words to welcome the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of God? Praise for all creation! Praise for God come among us! Praise in the carols we sing throughout this Christmas season!

Opening Prayer (Psalm 148)

Holy Creator, loving God, we thank you for the special gift of your child Jesus. Generous Creator, giving God, with the moon and stars, and all that lives, we join in praise and thanks! Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Matthew 2)

Like King Herod before us, we hunt down that which threatens our way of life, and we want to kill. When we feel tricked by those who outsmart us, we fly into a rage and want to destroy that which threatens us. Forgive us, O God. Give us sight and insight to set aside our fragile egos, and to flee into your loving and protective arms, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Release the burdens of the past. Relinquish control from that which is only in God’s hands. Allow the peace of God to dwell in you. You are forgiven. Accept the gift. Relax in the warmth of God’s embrace.

Prayer of the Day

O Lord God, you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers. As you protected the infant Jesus, so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading

Isaiah 63:7-9

(Israel saved by God’s own presence)

God’s Mercy Remembered
7  I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
     the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
   because of all that the Lord has done for us,
     and the great favor to the house of Israel
   that he has shown them according to his mercy,
     according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8  For he said, “Surely they are my people,
     children who will not deal falsely”;
   and he became their savior
9    in all their distress.
   It was no messenger or angel
     but his presence that saved them;
   in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
     he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Psalm 148

(God’s splendor is over earth and heaven)

Praise for God’s Universal Glory
1  Praise the Lord!
   Praise the Lord from the heavens;
     praise him in the heights!
2  Praise him, all his angels;
     praise him, all his host!

3  Praise him, sun and moon;
     praise him, all you shining stars!
4  Praise him, you highest heavens,
     and you waters above the heavens!

5  Let them praise the name of the Lord,
     for he commanded and they were created.
6  He established them forever and ever;
     he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

7  Praise the Lord from the earth,
     you sea monsters and all deeps,
8  fire and hail, snow and frost,
     stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9  Mountains and all hills,
     fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle,
     creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
     princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike,
     old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
     for his name alone is exalted;
     his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
     praise for all his faithful,
     for the people of Israel who are close to him.
   Praise the Lord!

Second Reading

Hebrews 2:10-18

(Christ frees humankind)

2:10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying,

   “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
     in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

13 And again,

   “I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

   “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Alleluia. (Col. 3:15, 16)

The Gospel

Matthew 2:13-23

(The slaughter of innocent children)

The Escape to Egypt
2:13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants
16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
     wailing and loud lamentation,
   Rachel weeping for her children;
     she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

The Return from Egypt
19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

Here end the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Benediction

May the birth of Jesus be renewed in our lives.
May the Spirit of Jesus guide our words and thoughts.
May the life of Jesus inspire us to follow in the way of hope. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Daily Lectionary for SUNDAY, January 5, 2020 — 1st Sunday after Christmas—5th Day of Christmas
Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

“NOW WHAT?” The Sermon for SUNDAY, December 29, 2019 — 1st Sunday after Christmas

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 1st chapter of John, beginning with the 1st verse.

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.

—Matthew 2:13-23

All mighty God, we thank you for your word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you've done for us in Christ. Now as we open that word we pray that your spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your spirit through the reading and proclamation of your word this day. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

“NOW WHAT?”

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Another year is quickly drawing to a close. The holiday season is just about over. The rush of preparation has culminated in a few hours of quality time spent with friends and family, but now that’s done. The gifts have been opened, the food has been devoured. Now what?

The hectic pace of the holiday season can leave us longing for a break. It can also leave us with a sense of melancholy, a sense of sadness. The tinsel and the glitter, the lights and the decorations, the smells and the sounds of Christmas—everything is replaced now, with the mundane sameness of life. Many people struggle with the post-holiday-blahs. Now what?

I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt some of those same things. The excitement of the Son of God being born that night, the visit of the shepherds, some time after that—the visit of the Magi from the east, bringing gifts. But now what? Those things are done—in the past, distant memories for Mary and Joseph. Now they set about the task of raising a family, making a living—the excitement of the moment is gone. Did they struggle with the post-holiday blahs?

God didn’t let them, did he? He didn’t allow the holy family to live a peaceful and quiet life in Bethlehem for very long. Things couldn’t be peaceful and quiet, because the baby they were raising was the very Son of God, the Savior of the world. Satan would try to assassinate the Savior. Mary and Joseph would have to be placed into God’s witness protection program for a little while. Eventually, they would move back to their small hometown up north after things settled down. There was no time for Mary and Joseph to get comfortable in Bethlehem.

For you and I as Christians living in the 21st century, the events we are looking at today have a great deal of significance. As we sit here, at the end of the year, as all the holiday-type things come to a close, and we ask ourselves, now what? God answers that question this morning, through his Word. There is much ahead, much to think about, much to look forward to, and he shows us what those things are today as we focus on these early days in the life of our Savior.

It was the middle of the night, and Joseph was sleeping, when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” The wise men from the east had just visited Jesus. They had told King Herod that they were on their way to visit the one who was born King of the Jews, and this bothered Herod. He was the King of the Jews, or so he thought. He wondered if this newborn child would be a threat to his throne. The wise men didn’t return like he thought they would, and this upset him. Any threat to his position of power must be eliminated. And so very soon, maybe even the next day, Herod would send his soldiers into Bethlehem to massacre all boys under the age of two. “Get up, Joseph,” the angel said. “Get out of here as fast as you possibly can.” Satan was behind this whole thing—this was his first attempt to assassinate the Messiah. And so Joseph got up in the middle of the night, and he and Jesus and Mary made their way to Egypt, where they stayed until the death of Herod.

Do you see the two things that happen here? Satan loses, and a prophecy is fulfilled. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When the prophet Hosea wrote that, he was referring to the nation of Israel, God’s Son, being called out of the slavery of Egypt into the promise land. But here, the Holy Spirit teaches us in Matthew that this also applies to Jesus—just as God called the nation of Israel out of Egypt, so also God called his son Jesus out of Egypt.

Now what? Joseph, Jesus, and Mary are living with a group of Jews in Egypt, but not for very long. Herod dies, and an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph again, and tells him that it’s safe for him to go back to the land of Israel. So Joseph and Jesus and Mary return to Israel, but something is wrong—Herod’s son, Archelaus, was in charge now, and he was just as bad as his father. Now what? Once again, Joseph was warned in a dream to leave the area. He moves north, to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, and that’s where he stayed.

Do you see the two things that happen here? Once again, Satan loses—the Messiah is safe, and a prophecy is fulfilled. And so was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” The prophets of the Old Testament never wrote this prophecy down, but it was understood that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene, a despised person from a small town in the middle of nowhere.

The Devil went to work right after Jesus was born. But his plans didn’t work. Instead, he loses, and prophecies are fulfilled. The Devil is still at work today, and right after Christmas, it seems that he works extra hard, especially on Christians. He wants you to not only put your decorations away, but to put your joy away, and your faith away. “You can stop being religious now,” the Devil says. “You can stop being joyful now. Christmas is over.” It’s time to get back to the regular things of life.” The Devil attacks us with these thoughts, and unfortunately, we sometimes listen. We become melancholy—the birth of Jesus Christ fades into the past. Our desire to worship goes down with the lights. Our joy disappears with the wrapping paper.

Maybe our joy and desire disappear because we have bought into the world’s thinking more than we realize. Perhaps we believe the equation: happiness = material things, more than we think. If lasting happiness could be found in having material things, and in being able to indulge ourselves in whatever we wanted, then most of us in America should be delirious with joy, and happy beyond description, all the time. We should be producing books and poems that describe our state of unparalleled bliss. Our literature and art should rival that of the ancient Greeks and Romans and Renaissance craftsmen.

Instead, we find high rates of suicide, depression, child abuse, and other personal and social problems beyond description, especially during the holidays. We find people, and sometimes ourselves, struggling to stay joyful, because deep down inside we have been let down by the lies of the world—that happiness is found having all we want and being able to get more.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The Word of God for today teaches us two things—Satan loses, and prophecies are fulfilled—and this goes on even after Christmas is over. Throughout Jesus’ life, Satan lost, and prophecies were fulfilled. Think about what happened about 30 years after these events—really, the opposite of our story for today. Instead of Jesus fleeing from harm, Jesus would walk right into harm’s way. Instead of fleeing from Herod and the Roman government, Jesus would allow himself to be executed by the Roman government. Instead of God the Father protecting Jesus, God the Father would punish Jesus—the opposite of our story for today. But even there, Satan loses, and prophecies are fulfilled. The prophecies that foretold that the Messiah would someday suffer and die to take away the sins of the world. All of our sins—even those moments when we buy into the lies of the Devil—all of our sins have been washed away by Jesus on the cross. Satan loses, and prophecies are fulfilled. That’s why Jesus was born. And that’s what brings us joy, and keeps our joy alive, even after Christmas is over. These two small victories of Jesus, recorded in our verses for today, are just a taste of the big victory that Jesus would someday win for us at the cross, and at the empty tomb.

And so now what? How do I respond to the grace of God? How do I say thank you? How do I glorify the God who has done all this for me? I can live my life like Joseph lived. What was the pattern of Joseph’s life? He listened, and he obeyed. The angel told him to go to Egypt, so he went to Egypt. Go to Israel, so he went to Israel. Watch out for Herod number two, so he moved to Nazareth. Joseph listened, and obeyed. He wasn’t a self-made man, Mr. Independence, I’ll-do-my-own-thing-kind-of-guy. He listened, and he obeyed. That’s how he responded to the grace of God. That’s how he glorified the God who had sent the Savior into his very own family.

You and I can do the same thing. Today, God reveals himself to us not in dreams, but through his written Word. We can listen, and obey. We can be modern-day Joseph’s—people who do not rely on themselves, but listen closely to the Word of God, and obey. Throughout our lives, Satan will continue to lose, and God will continue to keep all the promises he has made to us—that pattern will never change. May God bless you with a joy and love for him that lasts long after the Christmas season is over.

Let us pray: Father I thank You that You desire to speak to me every day—guiding me in spirit and in truth to obey Your Word and enjoy an abundant life. I thank You that You have called me Your friend and that I may come boldly to the throne of grace to find help whenever I have a need in my life.

Lord, Your Word says that when we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. So, I draw near to You today. I seek Your face, Your truth and Your word for my life. I want to know You more, hear You more and obey You more. 

Your Word says Your sheep know Your voice and we will not follow the voice of a stranger. Help me to know Your voice and not be deceived by any other voice. Help me to guard my heart from the influences of this world and the people around me. Help me not to be deceived by the devil and his lies, but to view all thoughts and decisions through the lens of righteousness.

As I seek to hear You today for instruction, correction and guidance, help me to confirm Your voice through Your Word. You said if I ask for wisdom, You will give it to me liberally, so I am asking for wisdom to hear You clearly and consistently today and every day.

Help me to feel confident in knowing that I hear Your voice.

I praise You and thank You for it, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)® Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Sermon contributed by Rev. Don Schultz.
Early in Jesus’ life, Satan loses, and prophecies are fulfilled.  So it goes throughout Jesus’ life, and in our lives today.

The Daily Prayer for SUNDAY, December 29, 2019

The Daily Prayer

SUNDAY, December 29, 2019

Origen of Alexandria, a third-century Bible scholar, wrote that “as we—by our prayers—vanquish all the demons that stir up war, and lead to the violation of oaths, and disturb the peace, we in this service are much more helpful to the kings than those who go into the field to fight for them. None fight better for the king than we do. We do not indeed fight under him, although he demands it; but we fight on his behalf, forming a special army of piety by offering our prayers to God.”

Lord, what you call compassion, others call weakness. What you call conviction, others call dissidence. What you call love, others call mixing with sinners. We pray that we too might be found weak, dissident, and in bad company, especially if it means we are closer to you. Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, December 29, 2019

John 14:1-3

(Jesus said,) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Read all of John 14

Listen to John 14

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Domingo 29 de Diciembre de 2019

Ningún ritual te acerca a Dios

No adores a otros dioses, porque el Señor es muy celoso. Su nombre es Dios celoso.

—Éxodo 34:14 (NVI)

Faltan dos días para fin de año y es triste ver cómo hasta algunos cristianos tienen muchísimas creencias que más que honrar a Dios lo entristecen… ¡y yo diría que lo enfurecen!

Por tradición, y durante años, la cultura te lleva a que hagas cosas que te imaginas que influirán para que tu nuevo año sea lleno de dinero, éxitos, viajes y no sé qué otras cosas más. Desde usar ropa interior de color amarillo, hasta salir con una maleta y darle no sé cuántas vueltas a la cuadra. ¿Te estás identificando?

Quiero que sepas que nada de esto determinará tu vida ni el éxito. Dios es el dueño de tu vida y es el único que conoce el futuro. Incluso, sabe lo que tú y yo viviremos en los próximos años. Además, solo Él puede cambiar nuestro destino.

Así que todo lo que hagas, como la lectura de las cartas y de las manos, las visitas a los brujos y psíquicos, los baños con aguas para la suerte, las comidas o magias, TODO es pecado. Esto lo dice la Palabra de Dios y lo aclara bien en varios pasajes. Por eso ahora te invito a que investigues sobre lo que Dios piensa de los brujos y hechiceros.

En realidad, solo la oración tiene poder y nada que hagas fuera de la voluntad de Dios tendrá su bendición.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Faltan dos días para fin de año y es triste ver cómo hasta algunos cristianos tienen muchísimas creencias que más que honrar a Dios lo entristecen…

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, December 29, 2019

SAMUEL AND HIS CRIPPLED SON

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…

—Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

Samuel was a schoolmaster in a small city in central China. One night he overheard his head teacher praying, “Lord, please help Samuel to love his son. It’s so sad the way he treats him so cruelly, cutting him off, refusing to spend time in the home, ashamed of his crippled boy. Lord, we don’t know what goes on in the mind of his son, but we do know he is very sad. His wife says the boy weeps all the time when the father comes in and leaves. He may not know much, but he does know he’s not loved, and doesn’t know why.”

Deeply moved by the prayer, Samuel went home late that night and sat beside his sleeping son for hours, just stroking his hair and whispering, “Forgive me.”

Every night after that, Samuel stayed late at his son’s bedside, reading him portions of the Bible—a book he had found at school. When he had finished a page, he would signal to the boy, who loved to help by turning the page. They felt warm together. Soon his wife joined them for the readings, and the family grew closer and closer.

Samuel sensed new feelings of love well up inside him as he read the truths of the Bible. He felt a power to love his son more and more. That’s when tragedy struck. His boy was run over by a truck and badly injured. There was nothing the medics could do. They took him home to nurse him through to the end. Christians came and prayed for his healing, but the boy continued to deteriorate. By this time Samuel was praying to God, and crying out for Him to spare his son’s life. But in December, after a sudden power failure, the boy finally died.

Samuel asked the Christians to hold a service for his boy. A pastor came and prayed, saying, “Lord, you knew this boy was going to die. How kind of you to reconcile father and son before he died. Thank you for your work of grace. And we thank you for your eternal work too. You watched your son, helpless in flesh, die and grow cold—all because you knew we could not love you otherwise, as we are so blind in our selfishness.”

Samuel pondered the meaning of this prayer. He didn’t understand it all. But he did get this: God had lost a son too. Unlike Samuel, God lost a son He had cherished, a son that was perfect. How much harder for God. He went to church the following Sunday in a nearby community where they were celebrating an event unknown to Samuel, called “Christmas.”

Samuel testified on that very Sunday, “I see that I see that I went through what God went through. He had a Son He loved, and watched Him die that life may come to everyone. I too had a son, but I did not love him. Then God broke my heart, so that I could love him. Then He took him.

“But I have life now, life that will last so long that one day I know I will be reunited with my son. And he will not be lame. And we will fellowship together, not in freezing rooms of fear and pain, but on beautiful planets of peace and harmony. I can love again, and this is the joy of Christmas for me. Even in my grief, with my son gone, I can love again. We can all love again!”

RESPONSE: Today I will express my love for God even in the midst of any pain and loss.

PRAYER: Pray for people who have suffered deeply and may feel God cannot forgive them.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions December 29, 2019 - REJOICE AND BE GLAD

"REJOICE AND BE GLAD"

Dec. 29, 2019

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!"

—Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)

I love these angels. They are just so extremely happy about this wonderful Gift God is giving the human race—the Savior, Jesus, Christ the Lord. It's as if they can't control themselves, and once the lead angel has given his message clearly and carefully to the shepherds, they all burst onto the scene, celebrating and singing and praising at the top of their lungs. It's party time!

And they are right to do it. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die …" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Well, and so there is also a time to party, a time to be glad and celebrate—and this is it. This is not a time for sour faces, not a time to pick over old grievances or worry about the future.

That's a reminder I can use. By nature I am a worrywart. I can find something to be anxious about on the happiest occasion. And if I'm not anxious, I can become anxious about the fact that I'm not anxious! It's like an emotional snake swallowing its own tail.

To this God says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ... The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:4-5). Oh yes, Jesus is definitely at hand—as a tiny baby sleeping in a manger; as the Lord of life who died and rose again to save us; as the One who has promised to come at the end of time and take us to be forever with Himself. This is good news!

And so we gladly say, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (Isaiah 25:9).

THE PRAYER: Lord, I am so glad You have come. Thank You for that. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you remember any times when someone was cranky or pouting at a party?
• What kinds of worries steal your joy in the Lord?
• What might you do to remind yourself to take time to enjoy God's goodness and celebrate?

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).
Do you remember any times when someone was cranky or pouting at a party?

CPTLN devocional del 29 de Diciembre de 2019 - ¡Alégrense!

ADVIENTO—NAVIDAD 2019

¡Alégrense!

29 de Diciembre de 2019

En ese momento apareció, junto con el ángel, una multitud de las huestes celestiales, que alababan a Dios y decían: "¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas! ¡Paz en la tierra a todos los que gozan de su favor!"

—Lucas 2:13-14 (RVC)

Me encantan estos ángeles. Están extremadamente contentos con el maravilloso regalo que Dios le está dando a la raza humana: el Salvador, Jesús, Cristo el Señor. Es como si no pudieran controlarse a sí mismos y, una vez que el ángel principal ha dado su mensaje con claridad a los pastores, todos irrumpen en escena celebrando, cantando y alabando con todas las fuerzas de sus pulmones. ¡Es tiempo de celebrar!

Y tienen razón en hacerlo. El libro de Eclesiastés nos recuerda que "Todo tiene su tiempo. Hay un momento bajo el cielo para toda actividad: El momento en que se nace, y el momento en que se muere" (Eclesiastés 3:1-2). Bueno, entonces también hay un momento para festejar, un momento para alegrarse y celebrar, y este es el momento. Este no es un momento para rostros amargos, no es un momento para resolver viejas quejas o preocuparse por el futuro.

Esto es algo que debo recordar, porque por naturaleza me preocupo. Puedo encontrar algo por lo que estar ansiosa aun en la ocasión más feliz. Y si no estoy ansiosa, ¡me pongo ansiosa porque no lo estoy! Es como una serpiente emocional que se traga su propia cola.

"Regocíjense en el Señor siempre. Y otra vez les digo, ¡regocíjense! ... El Señor está cerca" (Filipenses 4:4-5). Claro que sí, Jesús está definitivamente cerca, como un pequeño bebé que duerme en un pesebre; como el Señor de la vida que murió y resucitó para salvarnos; como Aquél que ha prometido venir al final de los tiempos para llevarnos a estar para siempre con él. ¡Estas son buenas noticias!

Y entonces decimos con gusto: "¡Éste es nuestro Dios! ¡Éste es el Señor, a quien hemos esperado! ¡Él nos salvará! ¡Nos regocijaremos y nos alegraremos en su salvación!" (Isaías 25:9).

ORACIÓN: Señor, me alegra que hayas venido. Gracias por hacerlo. Quédate siempre con nosotros. En tu nombre. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

• ¿Qué tipo de preocupaciones te roban el gozo en el Señor?
• ¿Qué podrías hacer para acordarte de tomar tiempo para disfrutar de la bondad de Dios y celebrar?

© Copyright 2019 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.
¿Qué tipo de preocupaciones te roban el gozo en el Señor?

Unser Täglich Brot - In Liebe gewaschen

In Liebe gewaschen

Lesung: Jakobus 2,14-26 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: Sacharja 9-12, Offenbarung 20

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Ihr seht also, dass ein Mensch nur dann, wenn er auch handelt, vor Gott gerecht gesprochen wird und nicht allein aufgrund seines Glaubens.

—Jakobus 2,24

Eine kleine Gemeinde erkannte die Möglichkeit, Gottes Liebe praktisch auszudrücken. Angehörige der Gemeinde trafen sich in einem örtlichen Waschsalon, um für diejenigen zu waschen, die finanzielle Nöte hatten. Sie wuschen und falteten gemeinsam Kleidung und manchmal erhielten die Empfänger auch ein warmes Essen oder eine Tüte mit Lebensmitteln.

Einer der Freiwilligen entdeckte, dass die größte Belohnung der „tatsächliche Kontakt mit den Menschen war . . . und ihre Geschichten zu hören“. Aufgrund ihrer Beziehung mit Jesus, wollten diese Freiwilligen ihren Glauben durch liebevolle Worte und Taten ausleben, die halfen, wirkliche Beziehungen aufzubauen.

Der Apostel Jakobus bestätigt, dass jede gute Tat eines Gläubigen ein Ergebnis des aufrichtigen Glaubens ist. Er sagt, „Glaube ohne Taten ist tot“ (Jakobus 2,14-17). Auszusprechen, dass wir glauben, macht uns zu Kindern Gottes, aber wenn wir ihm dienen, indem wir anderen dienen, dann handeln wir als Gläubige, die vertrauen und Jesus nachfolgen (V. 24). Glaube und Dienst sind so eng miteinander verbunden wie Körper und Geist (V. 26), ein wunderbares Bild für die Macht Christi, der in und durch uns am Werk ist.

Nachdem wir persönlich angenommen haben, dass Gottes Opfer am Kreuz uns in der perfekten Liebe reinwäscht, können wir mit dem Glauben antworten, der sich im Dienst an anderen zeigt.

Wie hat dir jemand geholfen, damit du offener dafür wurdest, Jesus persönlich zu kennen? Wie kannst du deinen Glauben an Jesus durch liebevolle Worte und Taten zeigen?

Jesus, überflute unser Leben mit deiner perfekten, reinigenden Liebe, damit wir diese in das Leben anderer gießen können.

Von Xochitl Dixon

© 2019 Unser Täglich Brot
Aufgrund ihrer Beziehung mit Jesus, wollten diese Freiwilligen ihren Glauben durch liebevolle Worte und Taten ausleben, die halfen, wirkliche Beziehungen aufzubauen.