Ruler Born in Bethlehem

DECEMBER 27

Scripture Reading

Read Micah 5:1-5 and reflect on the passage.

The Christmas season is my favorite. Everyone is merrier, the days feel more magical, and “holiday cheer” brightens the night. I have always highly anticipated Christmas morning, the “best moment” of every year.

So, it comes as no surprise that December 26th has historically been my least favorite day of the year. On that day, houseguests head home, all the radio stations go back to playing regular boring non-Christmas music, and the anticipation gives way to a massive post-holiday emotional letdown.

When my siblings were expecting children, however, my perspective on the anticipation of this season changed. The long wait to meet these newborns certainly didn’t end in a letdown—it gave way to the joy of sharing life with them and watching them change their world. Life was fundamentally different since they arrived, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When God promised Israel a Ruler who would reach the ends of the earth with His rule and reign, He didn’t promise us a one-day event. In Christ’s birth is the promise of ages, an eternal hope, and everlasting life that is renewed day after day after day.

That’s the best news on December 26th, 27th, and beyond!

Questions

How has Christ’s birth fundamentally changed your life?

How can you find ways to live into the daily hope of life with Christ?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that Your birth was not a one-time event, but the beginning of my eternal life with You. Amen.

                                                                                                                                    Katie Borden

It’s a Home Going, not a Funeral

“The New Jerusalem”

Revelation 21:1-8

 

While teaching in the Columbus City Schools, my wife was invited to attend a funeral service by one of her students. Only when my wife referred to it as a funeral she was corrected by her student. “It’s a home going, not a funeral”.

According to Wikipedia, “the history of the home going service can be traced back to the arrival of African slaves in America. Early during the slave trade, slaves believed death meant their soul would return home to their native Africa.”

“When slaves were introduced to Christianity, the Old Testament stories of God and Moses freeing a captive and enslaved race resonated with them. The New Testament stories of Jesus and promises of glory in heaven and a far better after-life allowed slaves to forge through the turmoil of mortal life and look forward to the day when they would return home to the Lord.”

 ^2 “And I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. It was a glorious sight, beautiful as a bride at her wedding. ³ I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, the home of God is now among men, and he will live with them and they will be his people; yes, God himself will be among them. ⁴ He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.”            TLB

This is a beautiful picture of our final home going. John’s words are a message of hope for all of us. The group MercyMe has a song that articulates that hope and how we might feel on that day when we are in the New Jerusalem in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side

Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

What could be any better than to be in the presence of the One who created us and faithfully loves us?

That will truly be a home going.