Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Dolly:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" Luke 10:27 NIV
As I sat in the audience at the Grace Harbor School’s Christmas program this week (yes, I said Christmas), I was touched by the tenderness of the older students toward the younger ones. All of the students were kind and helpful, but I particularly noted Sandra, one of the “older girls”. Her expression as she adjusted a microphone down to their level or as she simply gave reassurance to one of her schoolmates through a smile was so sweet.
"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 2:7 KJV
New mothers typically are filled with wonder and joy when they first see their newborn child. But can you imagine Mary gazing upon her newborn son, a son conceived not through traditional means, but through divine favor?
"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." Luke 1:30-31 NIV
How awed Mary must have been as she held this precious child nine months later. She already knew it would be a boy, but this would be the first time she would see his innocent little face. I can only try to imagine Mary’s expression as she wrapped him to protect him from the cold night air, with her gaze continually returning to his sweet little face.
As we go through this Christmas season, I hope we can remember that each person we encounter is made in the image of God, and that we can look upon them with an attitude of joy and wonder.
"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 John 3:23 NIV
For Jesus’s birthday, let’s give Him the gift of loving those around us. I believe that is the second thing of his Christmas list. Right after loving God.
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
May God bless you this Christmas, and may you bless God as well.
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Wow, very powerful message, Dolly. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the reminder to love those around us. Ironically, this time of year seems to bring out the worst in many people, so thank you for reminding me to love not just even,but especially, those who yell at me in the shopping line, cut me off in traffic, or step on my toes trying to get to the head of the line. Love - what a powerfully disarming method of combat. Thank You, Father, for loving us first so that we have your perfect example to guide us as we clumsily walk in love each day. Happy Birthday, Jesus.
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