Sunday Devotional

My husband has given me many nice gifts over the years, the best one being a tiny dog that fit into the palm of my hand. The first time I laid on eyes on him I proclaimed, “Max is here!”

And just like that, he was Max.

Max has proved to be a lot of things over the years, loyal buddy, compassionate friend. Not once has he failed to forgive my every fault. In his eyes, I am perfect. Best of all, Max has given me one very special gift: his undying love. From the depths of his heart, he showers me with his affection.

All the more reason to be sad that I won’t be spending Christmas with him.

Every year, this displaced Yankee travels over the river and through the. . .terminal, to grandmother’s house. Max seemed to sense my sadness as we packed our things and got ready to go. He sulked through the house, head lowered, depressed to think that we would go through the entire holiday without him.

Which got me to thinking. There’s been such an uproar this year about the use of Happy Holidays over Merry CHRISTmas. It made me aware that many people with cross jewelry around their necks or tattooed on their forearms would spend Christmas without Jesus. Good people. Kind people. But lost people.

Which is why, of all the gifts I will receive this Christmas, I am most thankful for the one I do not deserve. God’s most precious gift, the shining example of His undying love, was given to me years before I drew my first breath. In His sovereignty, God looked down from heaven and had compassion on me. Without reservation, He gave me His son. Without stipulation, He showers me with His affection. And I am so humbled.

Best of all, He offers the same gift to you.

Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

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 Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, 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.

The Shepherds and the Angels

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 David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] 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 Bethlehem 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.