January 17 – Bible reading for today from the One Year Bible:
And his name will be the hope of all the world. – Matthew 12:21
The central event in the history of the earth is the birth of Jesus! His name has been the cause of great joy and celebration around the world. Andrew Murray said, “When His name means everything to you, it will obtain everything for you.” Oh, that we would live in the wonder and awe of His great name.
This past Christmas was different for me in some ways since it was on a Sunday, but it was still a day all about Jesus! Here are my thoughts from my journal early Christmas morning.
Lord, here I am sitting in the sanctuary on Christmas morning. It’s different in that I’m not at home, I’ll be preaching in a while, but it’s the same in that I’m with you! You are my heart’s desire.
Oh, Lord… Christmas. As a young child, Christmas for me was more about presents, eating Aunt Betty’s green stuff, seeing my grandfather dressed up as Santa, seeing family I would only see once a year, playing with new toys. But there is something I still have in common with those days – wonder, excitement, and celebration.
Back in the day, I would wonder who I would see that day, what toys I might receive, if there would be enough snow for snowmobile rides at Grandpa’s house. Today, I sit here in wonder at what You have done, Jesus – stepping out of Heaven as the Prince of Heaven coming to the earth, leaving a throne room for a manger. I’m in awe and wonder not at what I’m going to get… but at what I have received – Jesus!
Back in the day, I was excited – excited to get presents, excited to give something, excited about the food and family visits. I was going to have something NEW to play with. Today, I’m excited to see family, to be with You… but also because I’ve got something new today. I’m on the verge of a whole new year! With 2016 almost behind me, the sky is the limit as to all the new and good that this next year can be filled with. I have new hopes, new dreams, new goals, new desires, new opportunities, new friendships. I’m going to learn something new about Jesus. I’m going to walk in a new sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Back in the day, Christmas day was always about celebration as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s son! It’s like everything was special. The food – there would be lots of it! Grandma would make sure that there were all kinds of fudge and yummy treats… health food of sorts. There was a festive atmosphere. Today, it’s still festive for me, it’s still filled with an atmosphere of celebration. There is nothing normal or common about this day! Before, I would celebrate over gifts under a tree… now I celebrate because Jesus came as a baby and died on a tree.
I pray that the name of Jesus will fill you with hope today. May you celebrate His name all year long!
Happy Fasting
Pastor Kevin
