DAY EIGHTEEN (18 DEC 2020) - COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
Luke 2:15-16
Extra readings: Luke 2: 8-18
How's your Christmas shopping going? All done? If your answer is ‘no’ then don't worry, you're in good company. It's baffling though, isn't it? Christmas falls on the same date every year – it's not a surprise – yet every year most of us are caught off guard. It's almost as though we are those shepherds in the fields, minding our own business, doing our work, when suddenly: BAM! Christmas is upon us.
But it's not really like that, is it? How many times have you heard the Christmas message? And besides those, how many opportunities have you had to discover the meaning by yourself? Countless. The shepherds only heard it once – admittedly in a very grand fashion – but they responded right away, “Let's go... and see...” and then they hurried, and then they found!
Have you responded to the good news that God has brought salvation to you? Don't delay: respond to God now, even if it is only in thanksgiving which is the proper response of a believer. But if you haven't yet received this salvation from God, then hurry even more. God is ready to receive those who put their faith in His word.
Prayer
God, I hear your invitation and it stirs me from my apathy. My voice joins the swelling chorus of not only every other believer but also the whole of Heaven: thank You, thank You, thank You. I thank You for Your goodness to me. I thank You for Your salvation on my life. I put my trust wholly in You.
Do this devotional as a family
