I was asked to lead our prayer time this week at UWM. With it being during Advent what better than to do a devotional from Billy Graham’ Advent devotional, Hope for Each Day; Morning and Evening Devotions.
The First Christmas Morning
So [the shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. — Luke 2:16
It would have been logical to expect God to tear open the Heavens and descend to Earth in majesty and power on that first Christmas night — but He didn’t. Instead, on that quiet night in Bethlehem, a virgin mother lay her newborn Baby in a manger designed to feed cattle. The lowing cows, the sweet-smelling hay, and the dark sky illumined by a magnificent star provided the setting. Humble shepherds joined the carpenter husband to witness the miracle and praise God.
The most significant drama of the centuries was unfolding — the drama of salvation that would ultimately take this Child to the cross.
Truly, God works in mysterious ways. The wheels of His mercy and justice move quietly, but they do move. The birth of Jesus Christ — the Son of God, our Savior — went unnoticed by the vast majority of the world that first Christmas night, but no event in human history was more significant. May His birth — and all it means — not go unnoticed in our lives!
Remembering that first Christmas I can’t help but to think how God is at work today in my life in BIG and small ways. His finger prints are all over me and His best is just waiting on me to take hold of it today. This reminds me of something a good friend of mine, the incredibly talented Chris Kincaid (If you are needing a new Christmas album you will want to get this one And Winter) said, “Father gives us enough faith to see your grace in our lives”. Look for Him to day, He is ready to blow you away with His goodness! Our God is a father that stands ready to give, love, bless, rescue, heal, and care for you like no one could ever do for us. He is just waiting on you.
Take a deep breath this Christmas season, slow down, and fix your eyes on the Father.
The Rousehouse 