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For You and Your Family
24 Friday Dec 2021
Category Archives: Christmas
In Those Days
24 Friday Dec 2021
Posted in Christmas
I will praise the LORD!
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree
that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David,
because he belonged to the house and line of David.
He went there to register with Mary,
who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there,
the time came for the baby to be born,
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no guest room available for them.
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
![BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]](https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/bgbg_v4.3_1501818.jpg?w=529)
Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer has won the 2021 Best Book of the Year Award and is an ideal gift to start the New Year for those who love God’s word. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.
Greatness and Sorrow Foretold
26 Saturday Dec 2020
Posted in Christmas
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I will praise the LORD!
Winter sunrise — photo by David Kitz
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
(Luke 2:25-40, NIV)*
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
Mary’s Treasure
25 Friday Dec 2020
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Today’s quote from Luke’s Gospel
Heavenly Father,
thank you for sending your Son
into this dark world.
Lord Jesus, in the gloom of this dark year
your abiding love shines forth.
Light of the world,
light our way forward,
we pray.
Amen.
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 265-page daily devotional book visit Amazon and enter David Kitz into the search bar.
The King Is Born
25 Friday Dec 2020
Posted in Christmas
I will praise the LORD!
Christmas-Greeting-Card-Nativity-Scene-by-Dona-Gelsinger
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
(Luke 2:4-20, NIV)*
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
Mary’s Song
24 Thursday Dec 2020
Posted in Christmas
Reading: Luke 1
(Verses 30-37)
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors” (NIV).
Mary Comforts Eve—crayon & pencil drawing by Sr Grace Remington
Reflection
Mary’s Song, also known as The Magnificat, is not numbered among the Psalms, but in style and substance it is patterned after the Psalms. There are some striking similarities between Mary’s Song and Hannah’s Prayer as recorded in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Both are songs, or prayers of praise for deliverance.
And what deliverance are they celebrating? Clearly they are celebrating deliverance from oppression. But who or what is the oppressor. The angel that visited Joseph in a dream provides the clearest answer to that question. The angel said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20b-21, NIV).
The angel makes no mention of the Philistines the oppressors of Hannah’s time, or the Romans the political oppressors of Mary’s era. Instead, this Jesus, which means Savior, will save us from our sins. This is an oppression with a far longer history—a history extending back to Adam and Eve, our first parents.
This Savior will break the curse spoken over Adam, Eve and the serpent.
And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).
Through his death and resurrection our Savior has crushed the serpent’s head, as pictured in the artwork above. The One born of a woman—the Christ of Christmas—has brought us deliverance from sin and death.
Response: LORD God, I am thankful for Jesus. I am thankful that in the dark long ago, you devised a plan to send a Savior to this world. Thank you, Jesus, Prince of Peace, for coming to this strife-torn world and saving all who call on your name. Amen.
Your Turn: Can you imagine what Mary might say to Eve if they were to meet? Take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 265-page daily devotional book visit Amazon and enter David Kitz into the search bar.
To All My Readers
23 Wednesday Dec 2020
Posted in Christmas
I’m not sure how your year has gone.
I’m not sure how your Christmas will roll out.
I’m not sure what 2021 will bring for you.
But I am sure the Christ of Christmas is watching over you
and your family.
May you experience the joy of Jesus’ presence
now and always.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
– David Kitz –
Post-Christmas Tidings of Joy
27 Friday Dec 2019
Post-Christmas Tidings of Joy
The Lord is with you – photo by David Kitz
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:28-32 (NIV)
Reflection
Know this: If you are born again by the Spirit of God, you have a great reason to break forth into praise, because salvation has come to you in the person of Jesus.
Christmas Tidings of Joy
25 Wednesday Dec 2019
Posted in Christmas
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Christmas Tidings of Joy
The Lord is with you – photo by David Kitz
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby,
who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him,
they spread the word concerning
what had been told them about this child,
and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things
and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:16-20 (NIV)
Reflection
Know this: If you are born again by the Spirit of God, you have great and precious promises to treasure and ponder in your heart throughout the year ahead.
A Psalm for the Christmas Child
25 Wednesday Dec 2019
Posted in Christmas, Devotionals, Psalm 131, Psalms
Tags
Reading: Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore (NIV).
Through the spruce boughs — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
In my personal quiet time this morning I highlighted this verse. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
The wisdom that comes with humility is a rare commodity in today’s world. It appears that the crude bravado of boasting egocentrics is winning the day. Every field of human endeavor has its loudmouthed champions—men who heap scorn on meeker souls.
But Jesus has a message that runs completely contrary to this approach. In his Sermon on the Mount, he said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). On another occasion, the disciples asked Jesus this question, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
This is Jesus’ response. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (See Matthew 18:1-5).
Jesus turns this world’s operating system on its head. He heaps honor on the weak, the humble and the vulnerable. He praises the soul of the weaned child—the one who takes the position of humility. Of course, Jesus is right. The folly of the proud ends in disgrace, but the humility of the meek ends in honor, and a glorious inheritance.
Your eternal destiny is determined by your humility. These words of Jesus are an ominous warning: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I need to become like the weaned child of Psalm 131. On Christmas Day we are reminded that Jesus became that weaned child–that child in a manger.
Can I truthfully say these words? My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty. Have I calmed and quieted myself? Am I like a weaned child with its mother? Am I content? Becoming like the weaned child requires change. I need to change. Jesus asks me to change. How about you?
Response: Father God, help me to change. I want to become more like Jesus. He was the servant of all. Help me to avoid the pitfall of pride. Teach how to quiet my soul and be content in you. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you learning to quiet your soul before God?
I love the Psalms 