God's Word for Me Today
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
Christmas - Reprise
The packages have all been opened and the new gifts have all been tested. Some have already broken. Some are already abandoned. Some have already taken down their trees and decorations, but will Christmas be “packed away” along with all the tinsel and lights? Will Christmas be a fading memory, to be renewed next October, as we turn our attention to a new year? The purpose of this week’s readings is to remind us that Christmas goes on after the wrappings, because Jesus is with us always. After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, life went on for him, Mary and Joseph. As we’ll read today, they went to the Temple in Jerusalem, so Jesus could be dedicated to the Lord, and then it was to the business of bringing Jesus up in the ways of the Lord. But Mary didn’t forget the amazing events surround her son’s birth, or who He was. She pondered and treasured them in her heart. We must be the same! As this year fades to another, as winter melts into spring, we have the choice of pondering and treasuring Jesus, or forgetting that He isn’t just the reason for the season of Christmas, but the reason for life itself! May this week, be the start of our commitment to make Christmas and, more importantly, Jesus stay with us throughout the year!
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, we thank You that all of life is a gift from You, not just the holidays. We thank You that You make every day a special blessing by Your presence with us in it. Release Your Holy Spirit in me this day that I may know the joy of Your salvation, and share that joy with everyone I see. Prepare me from the inside out, for whatever it is that You have in store for me today. As Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to be dedicated to You in the Temple, so long ago, I dedicate my life to You today. Use me as You see fit, that Your kingdom may come, and Your will may be done here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
God's Word for Me Today: Luke 2:21-35
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 22 Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord – "either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, 30 I have seen the Savior 31 you have given to all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" 33 Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. 35 Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."
Questions for Reflection
What is the most important celebration you have ever been a part of in your life?
If you could participate in any event in history: past, present or future, in which event would you want to be a part?
Questions for Exploration
(See tomorrow’s study)
Questions for Understanding
(See tomorrow’s study)
Questions for Application
What part of your life do you need to dedicate to the Lord today? Take the time right now to do it.
Take five minutes right now to pray for Mark and Ellie Geppert and for God’s blessing on their move to Singapore on January 10, 2002.
Dedicated to the Lord!
It seems a little redundant for Mary and Joseph to dedicate Jesus to the Lord, doesn’t it? After all, Jesus is the Son of God. If anyone was ever dedicated to the Lord, it was Jesus, and yet Mary and Joseph followed the commands in the Law of Moses and took Him to the Temple to dedicate Him. While they were there to faithful people were given the opportunity to see Jesus and to tell those around Mary and Joseph the significance of His life, for Israel and the world. For Mary the news was mixed—her son would be the cause of the rising and falling of many in Israel and in the end a “sword” would pierce her own soul. (Undoubtedly that “sword” came when the soldiers’ spear pierced Jesus’ side at His death.)
Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus to the Lord. They taught Him the ways of the Law. They brought Him up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We are to do the same. We are to dedicate our children to the Lord. We are to dedicate ourselves to the Lord. Just as it may have seemed redundant for Jesus to be dedicated to the Lord, we may need to dedicate and rededicate ourselves to Him. While Jesus’ dedication in the Temple was a matter of doing the right thing, our dedication and rededication of ourselves to the Lord is a matter of continuously reminding ourselves that we belong to the Lord and will do whatever He calls us to do. Over the next several days we’ll be moving to a new year. Let’s take time on one of those days (or all of them!) to dedicate or rededicate ourselves to the Lord. As we do that we can be assured of one very important reality: God will be with us, and we will not forget that Jesus is not to be packed away after Christmas, but shared in our lives every day!
To view the studies for other days, visit the God's Word for Me Today calendar.