Merciful God, we are grateful for the promise of your forgiveness. We desparately need it! So many things have crowded thoughts of you out of our minds this past week. We have been so busy shopping, cooking, decorating, mailing, and entertaining that at times we have forgotten your nearness. Sadly we confess that our anxieties have been more real to us than your peace. While not our intention, we have had a tendency to focus more on our wants than on our worship of you. The prospects of exchanging gifts with our family and friends create more excitement within us than welcoming the priceless Gift of your Son. Lord, we know these practices must grieve your loving heart, for when we pause long enough to catch our breath, we realize something is missing. Forgive us, cleanse us, restore us, strengthen us—not because our faith is so great or our prayers so fervent, but because your love us so radical. In Jesus’ amazing name. Amen!“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:21)
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
The disturbing truth that there was no room for Jesus in the overcrowded inn (Luke 2:7) which was mirrored by Martha’s hyperactive efforts to entertain Christ (Luke 10:38–42) remind us how powerful distractions can be even when Christ is before us. (Robert Webber The Services of the Christian Year)
As for me and my House, LORD, enable us to keep Jesus the ONE THING to be concerned about this Christmas.
“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:42)
Pursuing intimacy with Jesus!
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