The last days of Advent bring us to Bethlehem. These readings tell why God came, for God so loved the world, and how he came: as a baby born to tired travelers and laid in a feeding trough because there was no room anywhere else. Love that comes that low can reach anyone.
Day 22, Sunday, December 20
God so loved
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
This may be the best-known verse in the Bible, and it explains Christmas in one sentence. Why did Jesus come? Because God so loved the world. Not a world that loved him back, but a world that had turned away. Giving love is the heart of this season. God gave his only Son, and the gift is offered to whosoever, a word that leaves no one out. As the gifts pile up this week, remember the first and greatest one, the one that was given for you.
To think about: Who could you show God’s love to this week with a gift of your time or attention?
Pray:Father, thank you for loving the world, and me, enough to give your Son.
Day 23, Monday, December 21
That we might live
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9
John, one of Jesus’ closest friends, wrote this letter late in his life. He says God’s love was manifested, made visible, when God sent his Son. Love that stays invisible is hard to trust, so God made his love something you could see and touch: a baby in a manger, a man who healed and taught, a Savior on a cross. The purpose was simple: that we might live through him. Christmas is God’s love made visible.
To think about: How could you make your love more visible to someone this week?
Pray:Lord, thank you for showing your love so plainly, so that I might live.
Day 24, Tuesday, December 22
The Word was made flesh
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
John’s Gospel doesn’t begin with shepherds or a manger. It begins at the beginning of everything, with the Word who was with God and was God. Then comes this verse: the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The word for dwelt can mean pitched his tent, the way God’s presence once lived in the tabernacle among Israel. The Creator moved into the neighborhood. He didn’t love us from a safe distance. He came close enough to touch, full of grace and truth.
To think about: Where do you need to know that God has come close?
Pray:Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to dwell among us, full of grace and truth.
Day 25, Wednesday, December 23
The road to Bethlehem
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luke 2:4–5
A Roman decree sent Joseph and Mary on a journey of roughly eighty miles, from Nazareth to Bethlehem, with Mary great with child. It was hard, inconvenient and badly timed. Yet it put them exactly where Micah had said the Savior would be born. God used an emperor’s paperwork to keep his promise. Some of the detours in your life may feel just as pointless and frustrating. They may still be part of the road God is using to bring you where you need to be.
To think about: What detour in your life might God be using?
Pray:Lord, help me trust you on the hard roads.
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24
No room in the inn
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6–7
Luke tells the birth of Jesus in a few plain sentences. There are no crowds and no decorations, just a young mother, a newborn wrapped in strips of cloth, and a manger, a feeding trough for animals, because there was no room for them in the inn. The King of the universe arrived in the humblest place imaginable. That means there is no place too humble for him to come: no home too messy, no heart too ordinary. Tonight, make room for him.
To think about: What does it look like for you to make room for Jesus tonight?
Pray:Lord Jesus, there is room for you in my heart. Come in.
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25
Good tidings of great joy
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:10–14
The first people to hear the news were shepherds working the night shift, ordinary men doing ordinary work. The angel’s message was for them, and to all people: a Saviour is born. Then heaven couldn’t hold back, and a whole host of angels filled the sky with praise. Advent’s waiting is over. The light has come, the promise is kept, and God is with us. Whatever this Christmas looks like in your home, full or quiet, joyful or hard, this news is yours. Merry Christmas.
To think about: Who could you share this good news with today?
Pray:Glory to God in the highest. Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son.