Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Proclamation of Peace and Joy

Bible Reading:  St. Luke 2:8-14

Key Verse: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

DEVOTION

On Christmas day, families around the world eagerly indulge in joyful reunions. However, amidst the festive gatherings, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The proclamation of the good news by the angels reminds us of three main things:
God reveals Himself through the marginalized: The shepherds were a poor, lowly class of people. It is likely that they were minding the lambs used for temple sacrifices. How ironic then that those charged with the responsibility of caring and rearing the blemish free sacrificial lambs, are amongst the first to whom the birth of the one true Lamb of the world, who takes away the sin of the world, is revealed.  They are the first to be told that the Messiah, who Israel had been waiting for over 400 years for, was finally here. Do we sometimes think that the marginalized cannot teach us anything? We just need to be willing to see what God is revealing through those around us that exist on the fringes of society.
The baby is the Messiah: Although the baby wrapped in cloths epitomizes Christmas day, we cannot leave him there. We need to constantly ensure that he rules as Lord over our lives. Most of us are profoundly taken in by the spirit of Christmas and the fragility and vulnerability of the baby in the manger. But this tiny baby grew up to live an amazing life, died for us, ascended into heaven and will one day return as King of Kings. We cannot leave Jesus in the manger; he must grow up in our lives and be our Lord.
The real deliverance: Jesus is waiting to shower His favour upon us. Although in his earthly life, he showed his power through healing and exorcism, the real deliverance he provides is from our sinfulness. We need to acknowledge that we need him as our saviour who provides us the peace we so badly need. Long after the celebration and joy of the Christmas season; after the gift exchanging  and perfunctory family gatherings, the glow fades and the cloud of reality  settles in- the burden of our lifestyles, the addictions to money and success and power; the broken relationships, these are the things we need deliverance from. And Jesus waits to shower us with this deliverance through our faith in Him. By inviting Him in and submitting to His sovereign rule over our lives, we continue to live the joy and peace that the angels proclaimed on that dark night 2000 years ago.
The "good news" proclaimed to the shepherds brought hope, and as the Church, we must extend that hope beyond nativity plays or scripture readings. Hope must be actively shared with those who are marginalized, offering them not just a message but a tangible experience of Christ’s love through our actions. Hope becomes truly lived out through faith when we focus on the power of a God residing in eternity. Hope for peace is realized when we are freed from the power of sin through the redemptive power of the grace that flowed from the manger to the cross. This is how we continue to proclaim the good news that is the birth of the Messiah- Emmanuel- God with us.
 

   PRAYER

Dear Father, this Christmas help us to feel your earthly birth anew- bringing not just the reclamation of peace and joy, but a heralding of a new life that acknowledges the marginalized, that acknowledges your sovereignty and our need to have your salvific power over our lives. Amen.



Thought of the day

The Story of Christmas is the story of God’s relentless love for us ‘ – Max Lucado.


Bindhu Mary George
Melbourne Marthoma Church, Australia.

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