December 25 Merry Christmas
Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens the bones. Proverbs 15:30
Merry Christmas (December 25)
If bright eyes cheer the heart and good news strengthens the bones, we have all the reason in the world to be merry this Christmas. The message of Christmas should make us so very merry.
Joy is ours because of God’s promise fulfilled. Because of a Messiah come to earth. Because of God Incarnate come to dwell with us as physical representation of God’s love for us.
A Christmas Tradition
On Christmas morning my family has a tradition. Before we open gifts, we open the Bible and read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the most incredible reason to be glad on this holy day. We will do it again today.
As we sit by the Christmas tree this year with family this year, my daughter has prepared a speech as part of an assignment for school. She researched the history and symbolism of the Christmas tree and will be giving her speech on it later today.
So much symbolism
There is far too much symbolism in the Christmas tree with its lights and decorations to discuss in this short Christmas day devotional. However, I do want to touch on the actual tree’s meaning.
An evergreen tree is chosen for Christmas trees to remind us of eternal life (just like the Advent wreath). The triangular shape of the fir tree points to God and represents the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). God’s everlasting love is also seen in the continual green color.
December 25 Devotional Action Step:
As we look at the decorations and lights and the tree itself, let’s remind ourselves of the true gift and meaning of Christmas by reading the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20 (see below).
Let’s show love to our families because God’s love was shown to us through His sending His Son Jesus.
Finally, let’s pray and say thank you to God for His immeasurable gift of Love, Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for how much You love me. I can’t imagine sending my son to die for someone else, yet You love us so much! I am so grateful for Your everlasting love and gift of eternal life.
The Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
Access to the other posts in this series and the free printables for this December can be found at the Series Overview page. Come join me as I pursue the peace and joy on the Savior’s birth throughout the month of December!