Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 11, 2022
Read John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being 4 through the Word was life, In the Word was life and the life was the light for all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. 9 The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. 10 The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. 11 The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him. 12 But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, 13 born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Good Morning, Today we light the candle of Joy!
Joy! Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, proclaims Gabriel! As God called me into new service, I made a conscious decision to choose joy as the foundation of my new life. I believe that we have many opportunities in our lives to change directions both within the earthly context and the heavenly context.
We are God’s children and we are blessed by the arrival of Jesus. Each year as we prepare for his birth we do many things: secular and religious. We decorate, shop, gather, sing, cook, and celebrate. Sometimes these activities can become our focus and we quickly grow tired and can’t wait for the “season” to end. For some, it seems to be a necessary or required distraction from the normal routine.
The arrival of Christ in human form isn’t just a day we celebrate once a year. His birth is a life-changing event for those who believe. In one moment, our lives are forever changed. The celebration of Christmas shouldn’t be a drudgery or an inconvenience that we must endure.
Christmas is the beginning of a new life, an everlasting life. Through this child that we celebrate, we receive the unimaginable gift of salvation from God who loves us. No matter what is happening at this moment, we are blessed beyond measure. All who proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior are saved: right here, right now, no matter what.
For me, there is only one logical response to this gift. I choose joy! We must be careful when we pack away all of the decorations and throw out the trash so that we don’t put away Jesus. The mission of Jesus is just the beginning. The good tidings of great joy are available every day to those who choose a journey of faith.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. How can we thank You for your gift of love? Help us choose the joy that You promise. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I can find joy in Jesus all year long.
Choose Joy! Pastor Liz