Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your other creations, such as angels and cherubims. I praise You for the whole story of the Bible, which gives us a better picture of who You are and what You desire of us. I praise You for allowing us to see men who were counted as faithful and also as normal failing people who stepped up at the right time and allowed You to work through them. They demonstrate trust and courage.
Holy Spirit help me as I hear the Christmas story over and over this season to focus on that God’s word is true and the prophets not only continue to point to the truth but occasionally would prophesy of what was to come that would show who God is to us. We have Isaiah telling much of what was to come in the four gospels about Christ being born, living among us, the virgin birth, the cross he would bear. His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us are seen in various hints from Psalms to Malichi. The angels throughout the story continue to give the message of hope, the coming Messiah, warnings, and danger. Always tell us what You want someone to know ahead of time. Now we have the Holy Spirit telling and prompting us but I still believe we entertain angels unaware and they give us messages just at the right time so that we can serve Your plan.
Help me to remember that You chose meekness and humility to live with us here on the earth. Your message was of love, forgiveness, and the kingdom that resides within us not an earthly kingdom for now. Help me to be astounded once again by the wonder of all that happened when Immanuel entered the earth and how much Satan tried but failed to destroy Your plans. Help me to realize that much of life has a bigger context than seeing just what is happening at the moment. Help me to fulfill the charge You set forth and was recorded by John. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” [ John 14:12-14]
May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope. Amen. [Romans 15:13]