Christmas Devotional Revisited 2022
December 24th
Centenary Christmas Devotional - 2009

Read Matthew 2:19-23
“ . . . and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’” Matthew 2:20 (NIV)​​​
In this passage, Joseph once again receives warnings and instructions from an angel of the Lord. The first message assures Joseph that King Herod is dead and that Joseph should now move his family back into Israel. The second message in a different dream led Joseph to settle with his family in the region of Galilee in a small obscure town called Nazareth.  It was here that Jesus was raised and had His childhood.
Not much is recorded about Jesus’ childhood, but judging from the level of obedience from Mary and Joseph, it was probably a good one. We can see from our few Biblical examples why they were chosen to be the earthly parents of Jesus.  As astonishing as this sounds, God is still choosing His people to spread the message of God’s love to all people.

Digging Deeper
  1. What role will you play in furthering God’s kingdom?
  2. How does it feel to also be chosen?
Suggested Prayer: Pray for the individuals who receive food from Centenary’s Food Bank Sundays.
A Special Christmas Memory from Sue S.
Another Christmas was spent with my brother and his family in Arizona. Christmas morning, the children were up and excited about the gifts Santa had left. Following the opening of gifts and breakfast, the children, with the help of my sister-in -law, baked a birthday cake for Jesus. While the cake was baking, the children were read the Christmas Story from Luke. When the cake was done and decorated, they sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. It was a very heartfelt experience for me ... one that the children, now grown with children of their own, continue to do.