Scriptures for the Week of December 12-17
The service today was led by our children. One of the remarkable truths of the Christian faith is the openness Jesus Christ had toward children. One of the truly delightful seasons of the year is when we worship the Christ Child. It seems good that we prepare for this season by reflecting on some of the child-like qualities that delight us all, and which are worthy of emulation. Jesus Christ said to all who would follow Him, “Unless you become as little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Here are some thoughts for the week.
MONDAY
Scripture: Isaiah 11:6
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
With these prophetic words, Isaiah lit a dream that has continued to inspire the world – a time when we live in so gentle a world that even a child can play among the wild and tame animals of the earth. We sing that Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. This season, seek to bring people together, to heal rather than to divide or criticize. Do your small part as a child of God who worships the Child of God in this particular season of the year to share the love Jesus Christ came to make known.
TUESDAY
Scripture: Philippians 5:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This was one of the early confessions of the church. While it seems rather acceptable today, it was radical when Paul penned it. After all, why should anyone want to be humble, especially if it should risk any of our stature or resources, let alone our very lives? But one child-like quality we all need is the willingness to humble ourselves not only before God, but also before each other. Practice humility this week by listening to someone you might usually disregard, or picking up trash others have thrown, or letting someone else be right instead of you, or giving something to someone else when you would much rather have taken care of yourself. Humility is a child-like quality for all who would claim the title of Christian.
WEDNESDAY
Scripture: Isaiah 29:14
Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."
The Christian theologian G. K. Chesterton once said, “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” William Cowper penned the following poem:
God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps on the sea and rides upon the storm.
Wonder is a great gift from God. Einstein believed that those who could not wonder had already died. It is not the special property of the wise, but rather in a sense of those who approach the world as children. Spend some time today simply wondering about the world, your place in it, the remarkable things that have happened, the way that God has moved in your life, the blessings that are yours beyond anything you have ever earned or deserved.
THURSDAY
Scripture: John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
The author, Graham Greene, rightly caught the meaning of trust for us all - It is impossible to go through life without trust: That is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself. To trust in God simply means that we choose to live with confidence in God, and not merely ourselves. As one of the old hymns of the church puts it, “Trust and obey, there’s no other way.” Maybe no other child-like quality is as difficult and as necessary as our willingness to trust the Lord in all circumstances and every day of our lives.
FRIDAY
Scripture: Luke 2:10-11
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Joy is not merely surface happiness. We can all be giddy at one time or another. We know people who are filled with joy when we meet them. They seem to have more smiles on their faces, seem less overwhelmed by obstacles and difficulties, seem so much more unafraid regarding the circumstances of life seem to be possessed by a profound peace. Joy is a gift from God. You can’t find it, but you can receive it. Listen again this year to the angels’ song. And receive the joy of the Lord.
SATURDAY
Scripture: Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Theologians have debated the meaning of a “pure” heart. For some, it has meant flawless moral living, and for others it has been understood as an undivided loyalty to God. None of us is without sin. Most of the time most of us are caught up in divided loyalties – job vs. family, time for self vs. time with others, meeting our own needs vs. sharing our resources, etc. And our motives too often are mixed if not outright selfish, doing something for others because it really benefits us or as a way of raising our stature and currying friendship, or maybe again obtaining money by means that make us uncomfortable. But there are those moments when a pure heart captures us and we are lifted by undivided loyalties out of sheer love for God. And indeed, briefly, we catch a glimpse of the Holy One and of what we can be at our best. Let us discover the blessing of pure hearts this Holiday season. It is one way to see God.
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