The Christmas Story can be found Matthew chapters 1-2 and Luke chapters 1-2. You are most likely busily enjoying the wonderful holiday events and traditions of a joyous Christmas season. However, my challenge to you is that you would take time—make time—to read the entire account of the original “Christmas” story. Today, I am introducing a mini-series that will take us through this week and next week.
However, I have another special request. I would ask you to join with me in prayer for our many friends and loved ones who struggle each year to manage what I call “The Holiday Blues”. They need our love and support especially at this time of year. Thank you!
Perhaps you are familiar with the Broadway production of the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music featuring Mary Martin as Maria. Or perhaps you are more familiar with the 1965 film version with Julie Andrews as Maria. One of the most iconic songs from that production is entitled “My Favorite Things.” Along with whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens, the character Maria finds comfort in the simple things; even something as simple as brown paper packages tied up with strings.
It occurs to me that the original story of Christmas (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2) includes the receiving of many brown paper packages. These little brown paper packages tied up with string—the less obvious, yet special gifts—are the ones we will try to discover as we explore the Christmas story for the next mini-series of devotionals. Starting tomorrow, we will look each day at one of the principal characters in the original Christmas story to see what gift they received, and what gift can be ours today.
No matter what brightly colored presents adorn your tree this year, my greatest desire is that you will discover many brown paper packages in the original Christmas event that will bring you comfort, guidance, and assurance of God’s love for you.
John 3:16-17 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:13 (NIV) Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your great gift of love, and thank you the gift of salvation through Christ. Prepare our hearts to discover all the additional gifts you long to give us.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Thompson Chain-Reference® Bible, New International Version® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1983 by Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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