DAY FIFTEEN (15 DEC 2020) - COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil His promises to her”
Luke 1:45
Extra readings: Matthew 11; John 1: 11, 12; John 20:19-29; Mark 16:9-20
The first chapter of Luke records two responses to the messages of hope brought by angels.
The first response comes from Zechariah who asks the angel, ”How can I be sure of this?”
The second response comes from Mary, who says to the angel “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled”.
One believed, one didn’t – nevertheless, the Word of the Lord came to pass.
Christmas is about believing the message of the birth of Jesus Christ, and of its significance for mankind. God had to become a man so that He could take back what had been lost by Adam in the Garden of Eden. This gift of redemption is free to everybody, but not everybody wants to accept it. We want the freedom of choice without being willing to own the consequences of those choices. In John 1:11-12 we read, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”. This transaction has been named ‘the divine exchange’, our sin in exchange for his forgiveness.
So the next time Jesus says to you (Matthew11:28), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”, what is your response going to be; “How can it be?” or “Let it be to me”?
Prayer
Dear Father, when next You speak to me about the gift of my future in You, help me to respond in faith. Amen
As you do this devotional with your family:
2. Begin by discussing the fact that angels are the messengers of God and are sent by God to keep us from danger or bring us messages from God.
3. Explain the devotion for today and the two different responses.
5. Do the angel craft together.
