December Devotions and Doodles – Day 20 (December 20)
Scripture Reading: John 1:6-18
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him and exclaimed, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘The one coming after me ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’”) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, 17 for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.
December 20 Devotional: Everlasting Light and Life
One of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season is putting up our family Christmas tree. Our ornaments are almost like a scrapbook. We buy at least one to commemorate all our trips and special occasions, and have ever since my husband and I got married. My husband and I also gift each other an ornament each Christmas, and our kids receive an annual ornament. It is a pretty full tree!
How Appropriate
I can’t help but marvel at how appropriate an evergreen tree filled with lights is in view of today’s scripture passage.
An evergreen tree stays green while other trees lose all their leaves and appear dead. It is beautiful picture of Everlasting Life coming to a world dying in sin.
The Source of Everlasting Life
This passage describes Jesus as the source of grace and truth in juxtaposition to the punishment of the law’s consequences.
Grace and truth in that Jesus took on our punishment so we can have eternal life. Everlasting, evergreen life through the life and death of Jesus.
The Light of the World
It is not just coincidence that we string lights all over the tree before putting on ornaments. Just like John the Baptist, our Christmas trees testify to the Light of the World coming to earth as baby in Bethlehem.
7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Everlasting Light and Life – not from nature – from Jesus!
December 20 – Action Step:
Today (December 20) and throughout this Christmas season, let the Christmas trees you see lead you to the source of Everlasting Life and the Light of the World.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for so many reminders surrounding us at Christmas that point us to Your Son. Help us to see Jesus in this festive season. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Drawing Tutorial – December 20: How to draw a Christmas Tree
Steps #1-3: The pics on this one are pretty self-explanatory, but each of the sets of tree branches are kind of like ski slopes with a hook back in underneath.
Step #4: Add a cone on the top.
Step #5: The star is a series of triangle – pay attention to the shapes and placement of the triangles.
Step #6: At the base of the tree, there is a band that is slightly curved, connect to the trunk of the tree with a straight line from the ends of the band.
Step #7: A large circle creates a tree skirt.
Step #8: A couple of lines on the tree topper and some on the tree skirt complete this drawing of a Christmas Tree.
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