Devotion
The birth of our Lord
David Jacobs
At first glance, these verses may seem a bit disjointed and lead to some questions: Why are we told about the Roman tax laws right before learning about the birth of Christ? How would that be possible considering that Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth and not Bethlehem?
Prophets had stated for centuries that a virgin would give birth to the Messiah in Bethlehem. God shows that he has dominion over even non-believers. Caesar Augustus orders a royal decree changing the tax situation forcing people to return to their homelands to pay taxes. Through divine intervention, God asserts his power even over a head of the most powerful nation on Earth, over the most powerful man on Earth, Caesar. As a result of this sudden decree, you can probably figure out where Joseph and Mary are forced to return: Bethlehem. What may seem out of place becomes a clear message: God rules the entire world and everyone in it.
The final verses we may have heard at some point. Jesus is born, to a virgin mother, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. The Son of God is born to the most humble of circumstances, teaching us a valuable lesson: blessed are the meek. He made Himself poor to give us eternal life. He suffered rejection so we could be accepted. Looks can be deceiving, and as James describes, "has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" (James 2:5)
It doesn't matter who you are: the ruler of the Roman Empire, or a poor, married couple giving birth in a manger, God rules over you. We must remember our place: humble servants of the Lord.
Prayer
Divine and glorious God, you truly rule over all. My eyes, ears, and heart are open to you, and I pray that you open them more each day. Humble me in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. As you have shown through Caesar and your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, all of creation obeys your every command. Use me as a vessel, Lord, so that I too, can be used for your glory. Amen.
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#FlagDay2024 #CountdowntoChaos #GodBlessAmerica
Devotion
Away in a manger
David Jacobs
It is not easy to always know which way God's path is heading. Sometimes we may feel as though we are lost; sometimes we might need a little push in the right direction; sometimes we might be blazing our own trail. In these verses, the shepherds and Mary could not fully grasp or understand what God had in store for them at this time. It would seem impossible that they could comprehend the gravity of the situation and react accordingly. Their actions in these verses, however, also indicate that they have been touched by God and understand His majesty and power, wanting to spread it to anyone that will listen.
Think of Mary and the shepherds as examples to aspire to: how do we spread the message of Christ to others in our lives? It is true that God and angels intervened in their situations, but have we not been touched by God in our own lives? You may have heard the phrase "pay it forward." A positive story shared with friends can have a profound ...
Morning Prayer
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
Inspiration
We cry out to the Lord when we are troubled. We ask for guidance, help, and protection because we know He is always listening. God comforts our anxious spirits and calms the brewing storm within our hearts; We can always count on our Heavenly Father to be present and prepared to help us fight any battle we encounter. God has been our refuge since the beginning; He will remain our rock of salvation until the end.
Prayer
Dear God, we are thankful for Your presence in our lives. We know we can always call out to You in times of trouble. You are always present and prepared to help us when we need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
