Christmas Devotional Revisited 2022
December 18th
Centenary Christmas Devotional - 2009
Read Luke 2:21-24
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Do you ever look back on a bad choice and cringe at the memory? I sometimes think of past mistakes and still feel shame for the sin, though I have confessed it long ago to God. Christ was the sacrifice that paid for that sin. I am grateful that I do not have to offer an animal sacrifice to purify myself. Once I have confessed my sin, God is faithful and just to purify me and forgive me from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). Because of God’s gracious payment of my sin, I can let go of that shame.
Mary and Joseph were obedient to the Law of Moses and took Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. Did they have any idea their son would grow up and would forever change this sacrificial system? Did they know that individuals would be “made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10a)?” He would be “sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28a). My response to shame that still lingers in my memory is to take the thought captive, talk it over with Jesus, then leave it in His hands.
Digging Deeper
Mary and Joseph were obedient to the Law of Moses and took Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord. Did they have any idea their son would grow up and would forever change this sacrificial system? Did they know that individuals would be “made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:10a)?” He would be “sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (Hebrews 9:28a). My response to shame that still lingers in my memory is to take the thought captive, talk it over with Jesus, then leave it in His hands.
Digging Deeper
- What name was Mary and Joseph’s child given? Do you think they faced the same criticism Zechariah and Elizabeth faced for not naming the child after Joseph?
Suggested Prayer: Pray for the homeless in our community.
A Special Christmas Memory from Courtney N., age 15
My favorite Christmas tradition is going to my grandparents’ house a few days before Christmas to make cookies and fudge. Just being with family and enjoying each other’ company while making cookies makes it my favorite Christmas tradition.
A Special Christmas Memory from Marla N.
When I was a kid I used to check out the gifts under the tree and guess what they all were. My mom got back at me one year when she wrapped a pair of boots in a huge box and put a wood rod through the box. I spent 2 weeks trying to figure out what it was.
My favorite Christmas tradition is going to my grandparents’ house a few days before Christmas to make cookies and fudge. Just being with family and enjoying each other’ company while making cookies makes it my favorite Christmas tradition.
A Special Christmas Memory from Marla N.
When I was a kid I used to check out the gifts under the tree and guess what they all were. My mom got back at me one year when she wrapped a pair of boots in a huge box and put a wood rod through the box. I spent 2 weeks trying to figure out what it was.