December 25 | Luke 2:15-20

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DAILY READING

Luke 2:15-20

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REFLECTION

Just as They Had Been Told 

By Beth Voltmann

On this Christmas Day, we once again celebrate the birth of Jesus as did Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and all who have heard and believed.

Can you imagine yourself as a shepherd...one of the first to witness the Messiah wrapped in cloths and lying in a lowly manger? When the angels appeared over the fields, declaring the Savior’s birth on that dark night, the shepherds heard the good news and responded in faith, believing that what they had been told was indeed true.

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,

which the Lord has told us about.”

(Luke 2:15)

And then, there before them lay the Christ child. Did they fall to their knees in awe? Perhaps they whispered in the still silence...

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”

(Job 42:5)

Time changed forever that early morning in Bethlehem as Jesus was born. The Creator became part of the creation, and the shepherds were invited to behold him.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father,

full of grace and truth.”

(John 1:14)

Just as they had been told, they found Jesus in that place.

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things they had heard and seen,

which were just as they had been told.”

(Luke 2:20)

Just as we have been told, we can still find Jesus this Christmas morning.

It may be a familiar adoration or a beautiful first moment of awe, but this is a special opportunity...

this day...

to come as the shepherds...

humble and lowly...

to find the Messiah...

born for us...

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God. (Nicene Creed)

Pull away from the chaos for just a while, come before the Lord, open his Word, and worship.

He is so very worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Merry Christmas!

PRAYER

Father God, we are seeking Jesus on this Christmas morning. Help us to humble our hearts, quiet our voices, and ponder anew the birth of the Christ child, sent to save.

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.

December 24 | Luke 2:1-14

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DAILY READING Luke 2:1-14

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REFLECTION

Born to You

By Pam Mann

Don’t you wonder why Mary’s family allowed her to travel in her condition? Was no one looking out for her well-being and her child's? Was Joseph, who nearly divorced her the only one to protect her? Did Joseph and Mary think they could get to Bethlehem and back before her labor began? Did they underestimate how long and hard the journey would be? Did they not anticipate how packed every inn would be when they finally dragged themselves into town?

How did the situation get so iffy and unplanned for the long-awaited Messiah? Maybe Joseph and Mary were wondering if God was paying attention to the details of the Savior’s arrival. OR… did they know the ancient prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem? Did they see God moving all David’s descendants in order to fulfill what the prophet spoke? Well, sure enough, in Bethlehem the baby Messiah was born! Then, while Mary was busy managing her tough situation, unsuspecting shepherds were about to also encounter the wonder of God moving among them.

Imagine what a tough job these shepherds had. They had to count sheep and yet not fall asleep! Did they lead their flock toward Bethlehem to sell during the big census? Were their heads filled with what prices to charge, and which sheep would bring the best profit? Certainly,

they were not expecting a messenger from God in shining glory to appear with good news. How could these mortified shepherds even take in what this luminous creature was saying?

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Shouldn’t this news be addressed to King Herod rather than to these ordinary Joes? Is the long-awaited Christ, the Messiah, really meant for ordinary common people? Is this Savior somehow coming to shepherds as much as to the power holders in high places?

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Okay, that’s weird. Who puts a baby in a feed box? Especially the baby who is the Messiah? But the shepherds already knew this was one extraordinary night. Well, guys, if you find a baby in a manger, you know you’ve found the Christ child.

The shepherds had likely yet to adjust to encountering a solitary heavenly being when the sky was filled with an entire heavenly host praising God. What was that they said? Peace?

“On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Was this extraordinary blessing delivered with so much drama meant for ordinary folks? Yes! Really?  For folks like Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and us? Yes! A Savior has been born to YOU!

Wow. Talk about good news that will cause great joy for all the people!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we join the heavenly host in praising You for this extraordinary gift to ordinary people. We worship You as Master of the entire universe and of each tiny detail. Open our hearts and minds today to this amazing blessing of Your provision and peace. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

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December 23 | Psalm 147

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DAILY READING

Psalm 147

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REFLECTION

Why Praise the Lord?

By Pr. Dave Mann

We often sense the need to praise the Lord when things go well for us, when things turn out the way we like them.  It is a good thing.  But there are many other reasons to praise the Lord as well.  Psalm 147 reminds us of several reasons we may always have in mind.

v. 2 -- The Lord supports his holy city, Jerusalem, and he brings together his scattered people.  Did you know that Jerusalem is the only city that the Lord commands us to hold in prayer?  Psalm 122:6 -- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.

v. 3 – Those deeply wounded in spirit can look to the Lord for healing.  Are you included in this category?  Or perhaps you know someone who is.  Seeing someone be restored from their wounded state is a beautiful thing.

v. 4 -- The Lord knows his creation in great detail, even the number of the stars and their names.  If he knows the stars, he also knows the number of hairs on our heads and the specific needs of our lives.  Luke 12:7 -- Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

v. 5 – No limits are placed on God’s power and being.  The three “Omni-s” belong to God and to him alone:  Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient.

v. 6 -- The Lord strengthens the humble, and he judges the wicked.

v. 7 – We give God praise with gratitude for his many good gifts.  We praise the Lord through the musical skill that he has given to us and others.  Even if we do not have musical gifts, the wave of musical praise sweeps us along in a joyful chorus.

v. 8 – God is the creator of the beauty of nature.  Anyone who has gone on a hike and walked over the crest of a hill to be caught up in a moment of the sheer beauty of the valley stretched before our eyes knows who is responsible for such beauty.

v. 9 -- The Creator has provided balance in his creation to feed the innumerable species.

v. 10 – The wise do not glory in military power but in the power of God.

v. 11 – A deep respect for the Lord brings delight to God’s heart.

All of this and more are sufficient reasons that we can give heartfelt praise to our God.

PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God, you are worthy of praise.  May my heart acknowledge the numerous reasons you are worthy of praise.  Glory be to you alone, O Lord.  Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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