Today's Inspiration by Dream Team Member Shelley Brandon
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 NIV
The Christmas holiday season is in full swing, off to a frantic start with the Black Friday races. Hallmark movies are playing and replaying every night with some person “saving” Christmas, occasionally even a dog “saves” Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love these movies. They’re clean, melancholy, and invariably have a happy ending. There is something missing in every Christmas movie however. . . Easter.
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It is no accident that the angels came first to the shepherds. No one else was awake and alert. Jesus came to us as both the lamb and the shepherd. He is waiting for us, searching for us. Just as a shepherd searches for his sheep when they wander, so Jesus searches for us.
Christmas brings us the message of a baby born in a stable. Every children’s pageant portrays this in an innocent and often side-splitting manner. Never mind the fear and danger of the times, glossing over the arduous and perilous journey that Joseph and Mary were required to make in order to fulfill the scriptures in their opulent (not) surroundings. The beautiful, vulnerable baby is the star of the show. No one remembers to add the shadow of the cross that loomed in the future of this velvety soft newborn. No one mentions the coming beating and torture after his betrayal.
Cliché reminders that Jesus is the reason for the season are only half of the actual gift. Next time you see the Nativity or are reminded that the infant is our gift from God, remember that the reason Jesus is the gift is because our Shepherd gave us Easter.
Dear God, we know that it is impossible to avoid the hustle and bustle of the advent season. Our lives become so busy trying to prepare for Christmas that we forget to prepare our hearts for Christmas. We get caught up in the decorations and the shopping, filling this time with stress rather than reflection. Lord, we ask today that you grant us daily reminders that the reason we celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ is because Christ gave us the gift of Easter. In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 NIV
The Christmas holiday season is in full swing, off to a frantic start with the Black Friday races. Hallmark movies are playing and replaying every night with some person “saving” Christmas, occasionally even a dog “saves” Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love these movies. They’re clean, melancholy, and invariably have a happy ending. There is something missing in every Christmas movie however. . . Easter.
...
It is no accident that the angels came first to the shepherds. No one else was awake and alert. Jesus came to us as both the lamb and the shepherd. He is waiting for us, searching for us. Just as a shepherd searches for his sheep when they wander, so Jesus searches for us.
Christmas brings us the message of a baby born in a stable. Every children’s pageant portrays this in an innocent and often side-splitting manner. Never mind the fear and danger of the times, glossing over the arduous and perilous journey that Joseph and Mary were required to make in order to fulfill the scriptures in their opulent (not) surroundings. The beautiful, vulnerable baby is the star of the show. No one remembers to add the shadow of the cross that loomed in the future of this velvety soft newborn. No one mentions the coming beating and torture after his betrayal.
Cliché reminders that Jesus is the reason for the season are only half of the actual gift. Next time you see the Nativity or are reminded that the infant is our gift from God, remember that the reason Jesus is the gift is because our Shepherd gave us Easter.
Dear God, we know that it is impossible to avoid the hustle and bustle of the advent season. Our lives become so busy trying to prepare for Christmas that we forget to prepare our hearts for Christmas. We get caught up in the decorations and the shopping, filling this time with stress rather than reflection. Lord, we ask today that you grant us daily reminders that the reason we celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ is because Christ gave us the gift of Easter. In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.
1 comment:
Dear Shelley, thanks for this daily devotion! I know I need that Shephard! Need Him very much, I can't do it on my own, I wander off so easely and quickly..........I feel so sad that it is because of me and my sin that He had to leave that perfect place called Heaven and had to suffer from manger to cross.....
I am speechless that He did want to do that because of me.......I pray that I will NEVER EVER take it for granted!!!
With love
your Dutch Tulip
Marja
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