Christmas Devotional Revisited 2022
December 19th
Centenary Christmas Devotional - 2009

Read Luke 2:25-35
“ . . . so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
​Luke 2:35 (NIV)
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Billy Graham is an evangelist that was used by God to lead many people around the world to Christ. When he met his wife, Ruth, he was not sure the direction God was taking him. Ruth had believed she would return to Asia to serve God where she had grown up with her Missionary parents. She had hoped that Billy would want to work as a Missionary, too. God had different plans.  The plans included preaching the gospel to millions of people all over the world and often being away from home.
Simeon’s praise to God and blessing about Jesus must have been exciting for Mary and Joseph to hear. Simeon also told Mary that “a sword will pierce your own soul too. (vs. 35)” Like Ruth, Mary and Joseph may have had expectations of how their family would serve God. Sometimes our service to God requires incredible sacrifice. Ruth spent a great amount of time without her husband and Mary would see her son die unjustly.  Both of their sacrifices brought life-changing good to the world. 
 
Digging Deeper
  1. How may Jesus have caused the “falling and rising of many in Israel (vs. 34)?
 
  1. How was Jesus spoken against in his ministry (vs. 34)?
 
  1. What have you had to sacrifice in your service to God?
Suggested Prayer: Pray for the spouses and families of individuals serving in ministry.
A Special Christmas Memory from Emily B., age 16
On Christmas Eve every year, my brother and me make cookies for Santa (even though we don’t believe in him anymore). We make a whole bunch of icing and end up with the icing everywhere.
 
A Special Christmas Memory from Steve C.
I enjoy looking through each of our ornaments and the memories of where they came from.