A Christmas Devotional
By: Johnie Moore
This is a great time of year! Walk through any shopping mall, Target, or even Home Depot and you will notice many amazing decorations, lights, and even some fun smells (like cinnamon pinecones). Houses are decorated with bright colors and beautiful Christmas trees with sentimental ornaments. The space around the tree is most likely filled with festively wrapped gifts, waiting for that magical moment when the wrapping is torn away to reveal the contents! It’s all so exciting, right? Maybe your house is one that has a Hallmark Christmas movie running in the background. Oh, and let’s not forget all the fun gatherings with family and friends, and of course, the amazing food to be consumed — only to be followed by a New Year’s resolution to exercise and eat healthier in order to drop that 10 lbs. that was packed on during the holidays.
None of these things are inherently bad. I happen to believe that Christmas is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated. However, with all of the hoop-la, we can easily get distracted from the real beauty and purpose of Christmas. It is a season to celebrate the Gift that changed everything!
This Gift has been anticipated since the beginning of time and even foretold in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
The people of Israel focused everything they did in anticipation of this Gift — the coming Messiah. From birth to adulthood, every Jewish person was taught to look for the coming King. They believed that God would redeem His people and it would be something to be celebrated!
Now we know that Gift came in the form of a baby born in a lowly stable. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
What a miraculous gift from a holy righteous God, that He would send His son, Jesus, in the form of baby to take away the sins of all mankind. It is almost too much to fathom! People like you and me who put their faith in Christ will be saved. As the Apostle Paul says in Titus 3:4-7, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Because of the work that Jesus did, we are now co-heirs with Him! Because of God’s great love, we are now His children (1 John 3:1)! Brothers and sisters, may this hope bring you incredible joy and peace during this Christmas season and every day following.
One extra thought, if you have ever watched a young child receive a gift, it’s fun to see their enthusiasm as they open it and begin to play with it. Then, over time, something happens. The excitement wanes and often they eventually set it aside for one reason or another. We as adults can do the same with the precious gift of Jesus, and what it took to provide salvation for you and me. During this season, remember the precious gift that started on that Holy night with a tiny baby being born — a King, a Savior and Lord that would take away the sins of all mankind. Those who put their trust in Him will never perish but have eternal life!
This devotional was written by Johnie Moore. Johnie is an Alumni of Hume, serving many years in different capacities. Johnie and his wife Becky have two daughters, Madi and Darbi. The Moore family is beloved by Hume!