O Holy Night
2002 Advent Devotion Collection
December 20
READING: Isaiah 9.2-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9.
What a beautiful gift God has given
to us. Luke tells the story of the Holy Night when Joseph and Mary were
desperate to find a place for their first child to be born. Finally, they
were given shelter in a stable where Jesus was born. That night God came
to earth with the most precious gift of all, His Own Son, making the night
forever holy.
Every Christmas we celebrate The Gift
in special times of worship, family gatherings and by giving gifts. It
is so big an occasion that all of Christendom is focussed on the giving
of gifts for days before the arrival of Christmas. How exciting it is
to shop, choosing the right gift for friends and loved ones. What fun
it is to watch them open their gifts. Giving gifts is good for the soul.
But it is even more important to receive
gifts and that is not so easy. Sometimes gifts are given with strings
attached and payback expected. Sometimes gifts put us in debt to the giver
and that is uncomfortable. Other times money gifts come like the one our
family received from an elderly lady in our student church. She barely
had enough to keep her life together. Her gift was a sacrifice of love
and we knew that we had to receive it graciously with all the love that
came with it.
Sometimes The Gift comes from my 22
year old student granddaughter for my birthday. She works every weekend
as a bank teller. Her gift was a sacrifice of love. I wanted to say, "Honey,
you need this." But the warmth of her
love touched my soul. The Gift was received with joy.
For God's wondrous gift of love, given to us in the Christ Child, to fill us and move us, we must receive it with rejoicing in our hearts. He has come on this Holy Night giving to us The Gift of his love for today, tomorrow, and always.
PRAYER: God, you have loved us with special love. It is The Gift of life itself. We marvel at what you have done for us and rejoice in knowing that our Great and Almighty God cares for us so deeply. May all of those who receive your Gift give praise and thanksgiving to your Holy Name. Amen. -- Jim W.
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336