The Lowly Shepherds

Read: Luke 2:8-9

Reflect: Shepherds were considered very lowly in Bible times. Why did the angels appear to the shepherds?

Request (Prayer): Give thanks to God for sending Jesus for any who need Him!

The birth of Jesus Christ is a big event not only on the Christian calendar, but in the entire event of history. The virgin birth is crucial to Christianity, and here we see that this baby, Jesus, King of the Jews, was not revealed to kings, princes or world-rulers, but rather the great news of Him being born was revealed to lowly shepherds.

Shepherds, in the time of Christ, were not considered men worthy of an opinion. No one cared about them, no one thought of them as even people worthy to be a citizen in the city, yet of all people that God could have revealed this great news to, He revealed it to shepherds.

A shepherd then is like a trash man today. No one wants that job, no one really thinks highly of them, they are just some other person at the bottom of the totem pole.

What is the reason for Jesus to be revealed to shepherds of all people? This was an act of humility. Sure God, the Creator of the world could have revealed Himself to kings all around the earth but He didn’t. This is a great picture of how we too should be humble.
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Mary: Mother of Jesus, Servant of God

Read: Luke 1:1-45

Reflect: Mary decided that she was going to be obedient to the Lord no matter the cost (verse 38). Are you able to submit yourself to God like Mary did? What’s holding you back?

Request (Prayer): Ask God to show you anything that is holding you back from submitting to Him completely.

When Mary was given the news about her being pregnant while still being a virgin, she wasn’t given the news by email, text or phone call, it cam from an angel of the Lord. The angel, Gabriel, came before Mary and told her everything about the baby that she was going to conceive of.

I don’t know about you, but if an angel came to me and gave me news that was completely impossible of actually happening, I’d freak out! Mary is going to be pregnant but remain a virgin?! How is that possible?
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Kingly Gifts

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Reflect: When the wise men came they brought gifts. This is why we give gifts during Christmas. What gifts can you give to Jesus during this time of year and all year long?

Request (Prayer): Ask God to show you what gifts you can give Him and His people (other Christians).

When the wise men came to the birthplace of Christ, they brought Him 3 gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh. There is great significance in these 3 gifts, and the symbolism that each holds really explains the entire being of Christ.

The wise men may have not known the exact reasoning of each gift, but the gifts mean much more than just the gifts the magi brought to Him.
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King of All Kings

Read: Matthew 1:1-17

Reflect: The Gospel of Matthew focuses on the Kingship of Jesus. How does this genealogy prove Jesus’ kingship?

Request (Prayer): Give thanks to God for sending the true King: Jesus.

If you look at the headline of your Bible, there are different sections that have been broken into different groups that gives us a better understanding of what we will be reading. From Matthew 1:1-17, the headline reads, “The Genealogy of Jesus Christ.”

And that is exactly what it is, the generations from the beginning of time, all the way up to the birth of Jesus.There was a day last week that we also covered the genealogies of Christ, and we looked at the importance of these genealogies being in Scripture, and now there is a new perspective to the genealogies that will be mentioned in today’s devotion.
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The Family, Redeemed

Read: Matthew 1:1-17

Reflect: Why do you think it is important to know the genealogy of Jesus?

Request (Prayer): Thank God for the detailed history He gives throughout the Bible.

Throughout Scripture there are a lot of references to families and genealogies. Genealogies are a lot like a family tree and where the family first started. Have you ever wondered why there are these long lists of names mentioned in the Bible? What is so important about them. Well, let me tell you as best as I can.
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Blessing From God Above

Read: Deuteronomy 29:9, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3

Reflect: Throughout history we see God bless those who keep His commandments. What are some things that you think God might bless you with if you keep His Word?

Request (Prayer): Ask God to give you strength to keep His Word.

There are a lot of schemes that people use to entice others about “get-rich-quick” methods. Anywhere from testing products that aren’t out to the public, telemarketing agencies and the list goes on. These are all ways and ideas to get people to find satisfaction in their life and to feel accomplished.

The funny thing is that the Bible tells us to do the exact opposite of what others tell us to do. People try to promise prosperity and blessings with ways of doing work for others, the Bible tells us, as Deuteronomy 29:9 says to, “Keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”
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