Meet Him at the Manger by Just Between Us

Meet Him at the

Manger

A Christmas devotional to help you draw closer to Jesus.

A collection of encouragement from Jill Briscoe and the authors of ȷustbetweenus .

Cover Design & Layout: Ashley Schmidt Compiled by: Ann Cook Editorial Team: Shelly Esser, Ann Cook, Marilyn Pritchard

Contents Whatever It Takes By Jill Briscoe…………………………………………………...….........……….…...1 God With Us By Shelly Esser…………………………………………………………….……………...….….....3 And the Word Became Flesh By Lisa Elliott…………………………………………....…….....6 Of Sheep and Shepherds By Mary Blasczyk………………………………………….......…....9 Meet Him at the Manger By Jill Briscoe…………………………....……..……………….……...12 Faith in the Plan or the Planner? By Danielle Thomas…………....................….14 Sleeping in Heavenly Pieces By Lisa Elliott……………………….……………….......….…..17 The Sweet Peas of Christmas By Jill Briscoe………………………………..……..……....20 A Christmas Party for Jesus By Marsha Bolan……………….....………………….……..23 Wintermas By Jill Briscoe………………………………………………….........................…………......26 Finding Joy in a Broken Christmas By Lisa Elliott…………………...………………….29 Waiting in Wonder By Sarah Nielsen…………………………………………...........……..………32 He Laid It Down (Poem) By Jill Briscoe…………………………………………….......……….…35

Dear Friend

Are you joyfully anticipating Christmas, or do the myriad of activities and busyness of the season steal your Christmas cheer? Has loss or disappointment been weighing heavily upon you? As we wait in expectant hope for the celebration of our Savior’s birth, all of us at Just Between Us would like to encourage you by helping your faith to flourish during this Advent season. We hope this Christmas devotional will draw your heart closer to Jesus and experience His presence more fully. Each of these 12 devotions is written by one of our JBU contributors or our founder, Jill Briscoe. Each one has a Scripture verse or passage to read, a story written by the author, a few reflection questions to meditate on, and a prayer. It is not necessary to read them in consecutive order—you can read them in any order that will meet your need for the day! As you engage with God’s Word and these inspirational Christmas stories, it is our prayer that you will grow in faith and that your love for our Savior will deepen. Most importantly, we pray your heart will focus on the true meaning of Christmas, you’ll experience more joy, and you’ll rejoice in the birth of Christ as you

Meet Him at the Manger.

Christmas Blessings,

Your JBU Sisters in Christ

Whatever It Takes By Jill Briscoe

Read: Psalm 46:10

t was the Christmas season, and I was thinking about all the tinsel triviality around me. The Grinch was winning big time! I had been frantically rushing

around in ever-tightening circles. Have you ever been like this at Christmas? I was sitting on the front doorstep when it opened, and He Whom my soul loves joined me.

“Lord,” I began, as my soul stopped rushing around inside me and sat down for a few saving moments. “Speak to me. Do whatever it takes to touch the quiet place within me where You live. Whatever it takes, Lord, do what it takes to renew my faith and set my spirit dancing, so I can do whatever it takes to tell my world why You came at Christmas.” He smiled at me thoughtfully as if remembering something. Then He spoke. “One day I said to my Father, ‘Whatever it takes, Father, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes to bring them all home to our house.’ And my Father said to me, ‘Go to Bethlehem! That’s what it takes!’ And so I came! As a baby, born to a woman

who barely counted her age in double digits. Go to Bethlehem, Jill.” I knew at once what He was telling me. I needed to go to Bethlehem. I had been to the mall, to the outlets, to visit the family, but I hadn’t been to Bethlehem! I had fallen into the Christmas rush. I went — right then and there. You can too, you know. It changed my Christmas. It will change yours!

Reflect: • How does the Grinch try to steal your Christmas? • Are you willing to say, “Whatever it takes, Lord, to renew my faith and set my spirit dancing”? • How are you going to come to Bethlehem this year?

Pray: Lord, I’m so sorry I have allowed the Grinch to steal my Christmas at times. Forgive me and lead me to Bethlehem, where I can focus on Jesus, Who came to be the Savior of the world for me. Remind me what’s truly important during this season, and help me to focus on Your priorities for me. Renew my faith, and set my spirit dancing. Amen.

God With Us By Shelly Esser

Read: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23

he radio in my car was tuned to a Christian music station when the song “Immanuel” began to play. I don’t even remember who was singing. As

I was driving along, the words “God with us” gripped my spirit. Having spent the morning laying out my heavy heart before God over all the brokenness in the lives around me, those three little words came alive in a way I had never encountered before. God with us! God with us in our pain. God with us in our disappointments. God with us in our struggling relationships. God with us in our illness. God with us in our depression. God with us in our loss. God with us in our grief. God with us in difficult medical news. God with us when we go to work. God with us when we’re tired. God with us when we’re happy. God with us when we’re sad. God with us when we’re broken.

God with us... period!

That’s the whole message of Christmas summed up in three words, isn’t it? Because of Christmas, we never have to walk through life alone, as God is and always will be with us. For our sake, God came to earth, entering the world as a baby, to walk with us in our humanity. He is not a God Who doesn’t care or is far removed from what happens in our lives. No, He is very much with us — aware of every single thing we have faced in the past and will face in the future. That is good news! It’s awesome news! It’s a reality I need to remind myself of over and over again, especially when I’m faced with tough times in life and as I walk out of this year and into the next one, not knowing what lies ahead. Where do you need to remember that God is with you? We find the true peace our hearts need when we rest in the living presence of Immanuel. Let that reality sink in and give you hope today as you look to the coming year — and take a few moments this Christmas season to thank God for the promise of His presence with you!

Reflect: • Does God seem far away at times? Where do you need to recognize that He is with you today? • As you look to the year ahead, where do you need God to reveal His presence in your life or that of a loved one? • Listen to the song “Immanuel” on YouTube or Spotify. Spend time reflecting on the meaning of “God with us” this Christmas.

Pray: Thank You, Lord, that You came to earth at Christmas to be with me — to understand what it means to be human. And thank You that You sent Your Holy Spirit to be with me in my heart, always. Help me to remember that I am never without Your presence, for You have promised never to leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8). Amen.

And the Word Became Flesh By Lisa Elliott

Read: John 1:1-14

hen I was a student at Bible college, we were encouraged to consider the context of Scripture: When was this book of the Bible written? Who

was it written to? What was the culture like? And why was this message important for that particular audience? While I learned to appreciate the context of God’s Word and take Him at His word, I wanted to make sure I could also apply it to my life. After all, bringing God’s Word to life and applying it is what His Word was intended for, isn’t it? I firmly believe that that same historical Scripture is as relevant to our lives today as it was for the people it was originally written to. Otherwise, the Word is reduced to mere … words. What better time of year to consider the words inscribed in John’s Gospel than at Christmas: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). John goes on to say, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and

truth” (John 1:14). The Word became flesh! We have seen His glory. This Christmas season, let the Word be like water to your thirsty soul — living water, in every sense of the word. Drink it in and allow it to refresh your soul, make you wise, and give joy to your heart and light to your eyes (Psalm 19:78). Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Let it breathe life and hope into your weary heart, for “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Allow it to penetrate and judge the thoughts and attitudes of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word is a prescription for life — in abundance (John 10:10)! So put God’s Word into action this Christmas as you celebrate Jesus, the Word become flesh, by living it out in your daily life.

Reflect: • Take some time to reread and ponder John 1:1-14. • What does this mean to you: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)? • How can you apply His Word to your life this Christmas season?

Pray: Lord, Your Word spoke this entire world into existence. Your Word holds the power of life and death. Thank You, Lord, that Your Word became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, and that to all who receive Him You give the right to become Your children. Thank You for the reality 7

of Your Word in my heart. “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Amen.

Of Sheep and Shepherds By Mary Blasczyk

Read: Luke 2:8-16

ho doesn’t love a children’s Christmas program? We all smile when the woolly wanderers known as preschoolers enter the scene all

dressed in white, with long drooping ears and black mittens on their hands for hooves. Sheep are pretty minor characters in the Christmas story, but there is something to be learned from them, as well as from the shepherds. Last year, I took a class on the culture of Israel during the time of Jesus. According to the teacher, these particular sheep were not just ordinary sheep; these sheep were most likely destined to be Temple sacrifices. In order to prevent the sheep from scraping themselves and thus rendering them unfit to be used for sacrifice, their hooves were wrapped in the cloth of priests’ old robes. On the night of His birth, Jesus — the perfect Sacrificial Lamb — was also wrapped in cloths. And then there were the shepherds watching over these sheep on the night they heard glorious news from the angels: “Today in the town of David a

Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11). They never questioned that the message was from the Lord God. They left their sheep behind to find the Baby — they left behind their livelihood. The Bible never tells us if the sheep followed the shepherds. Left on their own, the sheep could have wandered into dangerous territory. What would the shepherds do to earn their living if the sheep were suddenly gone for good? They must have had great faith to say to each other,

“Let’’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about “

(Luke 2:15).

So next time you’re at a children’s Christmas program and you see the small shepherds with their fluffy sheep in tow, remember how these sheep were ultimately used for sacrifice. As you gaze upon the baby Jesus, think about how He became the Sacrificial Lamb and paid the ultimate price for our sins. This should move us all to praise God in our hearts as the heavenly host did, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

Reflect: • What did you think when you read that the sheep the shepherds were watching would one day be sacrificed at the Temple? • What does Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins mean to you? Tell Him and say 10

thank you. • Is there anything in your life that you need to give up to follow Jesus? If you are holding onto something, ask Him to help you let go.

Pray: Thank You, God, for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice for my sins. Thank You, Jesus, for being willing to be born as a helpless human baby. O what love! You are the Good Shepherd, and I want to be Your sheep, to give up everything to follow You all the days of my life. Help me to do this through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meet Him at the Manger By Jill Briscoe

Read: Luke 2:7

A manger holds the secret for a world of fear and doubt, A baby boy lies in the hay; now, what’s that all about? Well, the Christian says that God in Christ came down to make a way So we could have our sins forgiven and go to heaven one day. How could God lie unvisited while Bethle’m passed on by, And people that first Christmas day ignored a baby’s cry? Well, they were busy partying and seeing family, So what’s the difference in our world of cruel neglect to be? The shepherds did their best to tell the world and do their part. They met Him at the manger, and they let Him have their heart. And kings that came to worship and risk King Herod’s fury Returned to tell their land of Him and His salvation story. So why not bring your mind to bear on God’s great gift of grace? And as you watch sweet Mary wipe the tears from His face, Resolve to seek with all your soul the Christ Who gave it all: The gift of Incarnation, within that cattle stall!

Reflect: • How can you seek Christ with all your soul this Christmas? • Where have you ignored the Savior? • What does it mean for you to meet Christ at the manger?

Pray: Dear Lord, thank You so much for being willing to come to earth and to lie in a manger for me! Your humility is amazing, and I’m so grateful for all You have done for me. May I continue to come to the manger and reflect on Your gift to all of us this season. Help me to let others know of the true meaning of Christmas. Amen.

Faith in the Plan or the Planner? By Danielle Thomas

Read: Luke 1:26-38; Proverbs 16:9

e often think of Christmas as a time of eager expectation, of waiting for the promised Messiah. But how often do we consider how Mary

felt when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that her life was about to change drastically—a far different story from what she had likely planned for herself. We know from Scripture that she was “greatly troubled” at the news and couldn’t understand what the angel meant about conceiving and giving birth to the Son of the Most High. Yet Mary responded in obedience and faith in God’s plan. Like me, you may have had plans this year that didn’t work out the way you thought they would. Although I started 2021 unemployed, I am currently looking for another position. Trust me when I say I recognize uncertainty as an old friend!

As humans, we struggle to make sense of times when our plans or goals are suddenly derailed or shift in an alternate direction. We balk at a future that appears hazy or unclear. We’d much rather have our course plotted sensibly ahead of us with a nice map and itinerary, thank you very much! We may spend years trying to work out our own future, but fail miserably because we do not share God’s omniscience. Where does this leave us when we feel like our plans are futile? Do we put our faith in the plan or the Planner? By God’s grace, we have His Word to remind us why we should trust His path and His promises for our lives. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God reminds us, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” This is a good thing! Imagine carrying the weight of God’s thoughts; it would be much too heavy for us to handle. This Christmas, as you wait expectantly for Jesus, be encouraged by the faith Mary demonstrated. Pray for renewed trust in His plans and bold faith to follow where He leads. Remember the words of Mary and lay your uncertainty and need for control at Jesus’ feet, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.... May Your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

Reflect: • What plans do you need to relinquish control of and give over to God? Ask Him to strengthen you against the grip of worry and uncertainty. • The next time your plans don’t work out, pray for God’s guidance and 15

peace, trusting that His ways are higher and better than your own. • This Christmas, who can you pray for as they search for God’s plans in their life?

Pray: Lord, I know sometimes I slip into planning my own course in life and forget to ask for Your guidance. I am sorry for the times I have become frustrated, upset, or fearful when things do not go my way. Please teach me to depend on You and to have faith in Your plans for me. Give me the heart of Mary to answer You in obedience and trust when You call me to the next step in my life. Thank You for guiding me, protecting me, and loving me. Amen.

Sleeping in Heavenly Pieces By Lisa Elliott

Read: Psalm 16:11; Luke 2:8-11

hen my daughter was a toddler, she’d roam around the house sweetly singing that old Christmas favorite: “Silent night, holy night.

All is calm. All is bright.” She sang with all the heartfelt luster her little fouryear-old soul could muster. Upon reaching the chorus, she’d angelically ring out, “Sleep in heavenly pieces.” At the time, she was too young to realize just how close to the truth her rendition was. Christmas is promoted as “the most wonderful time of the year,” full of happiness, peace, and joy to the world! It’s that time of year when our days should be merry and bright — yet in reality, we live in a broken world full of broken people who are sleeping in heavenly pieces rather than experiencing the peace that Jesus entered the world to bring. It can be a challenge to celebrate peace, love, and joy when our hearts are hurting.

The Good News is that Jesus came to save us

from the

very world He stepped into when He came down from heaven to earth.

Immanuel — God with us. Joy isn’t simply a happy feeling. Joy comes from deep within our very soul. It bubbles up inside us when we invite Jesus into our hearts to take up residence there. The psalmist declares to the Lord, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11). Nehemiah reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). James 1:2 tells us to consider it pure joy when we face various trials. Joy is what seeps through our brokenness and permeates our lives when we know God is with us. Even the shepherds needed reminding of where to look for joy: “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” (Luke 2:10-11). May you experience true joy and peace this Christmas, even if your life is in pieces.

Reflect: • When has joy surprised you in the midst of a difficult time in your life? What did that joy look like? • Are you experiencing the peace of Christ this Christmas, or do you feel as if your life is in pieces? • Meditate on Psalm 16:11 and Nehemiah 8:10. How can you apply these verses to your life, especially during this Advent season?

Pray: Thank You, Lord, that You make known to me the path of life. We are a broken people; there is so much hurt and despair around us. I need Your joy now, during the Christmas season, more than ever. Thank You for bringing me peace when You came into the world so long ago. Thank You that there is joy in Your presence. Thank You that I can experience Your joy here and now. I look forward to future joy and Your eternal pleasures forevermore as You lead me and guide me in the way everlasting. Amen.

The Sweet Peas of Christmas By Jill Briscoe

Read: Luke 1:26-56

hen I lived in England and wanted to lift someone’s spirits, I would gather a bunch of colorful sweet pea flowers that clambered up the

trellis outside our cottage and offer them as a gift, knowing the pick-me-up they would bring. Let me gather some sweet “P’s” of another kind for you, to add a little color to your Christmas. The first P is the peace the angels promised to the shepherds — God’s peace toward mankind. God offered humans a cessation of hostilities between Him and them. At Christmas, the grand offer of amnesty was announced from heaven — peace from God on His terms — forgiveness for offenders who are willing to say they’re sorry. Peace between God and us is His purpose for humanity. The second P stands for promise. God’s promises are many, and their vivid beauty shines brighter at Christmastime. Think of Mary, told that she would bear a child miraculously, without a human father. After she became preg-

nant, just as the angel had predicted, Mary sang: “For the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name” (Luke 1:49). All of God’s character lies behind His Word. We know that God is able to keep His promises because He has been faithful in the past. He Who acts out of His ability proves His credibility. Another sweet P is praise. What does it mean to praise God? “My soul magnifies the Lord,” Mary said (Luke 1:46, NKJV). As far as she was concerned, she was simply a magnifying glass, making the Lord bigger than herself. This is praise! Worship means to ascribe worth to Him; in fact, the word could be written worthship. To worship means to believe He is worth magnifying more than myself, although this is not to say I am worth nothing — I am worth something because of God, and I want my wholehearted attitude to magnify the One who gave me worth! The last sweet P is presence. The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). And Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant....May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). When we yield to the Lord as Mary did, His presence gives us strength to do the impossible. He has promised that His strength and presence will always be with me. May these sweet P’s remind you of the beautiful bouquet the Christmas angels brought for all of us — peace, promise, praise, and the very presence of God Himself. What a magnificent magnificat we will sing if we accept these gifts and worship Him!

Reflect: • Which of these sweet P’s are you most in need of this Christmas? Why is that? • How has God been faithful to keep His promises to you in the past? • Are you able to magnify the Lord more than yourself? What does this look like for you?

Pray: Dear Lord, help me focus on the amazing gifts of Your peace, Your promises, the ability to praise You, and Your very presence this Christmastime. I magnify Your Name, for You are worthy of my worship. Help me yield to You in all areas of my life and reflect on the gift of You this Christmas. Amen.

A Christmas Party for Jesus By Marsha Bolan

Read: Psalm 37:3-6

s a young mother, I gave my life to Christ and Christmas took on new meaning for me. Although it had always been one of my favorite hol-

idays, I now wanted it to be more about Jesus and less about Santa Claus, gifts, and unattainable expectations. Not that I didn’t like Santa and other Christmas traditions — it just seemed to me we should focus more on Jesus’ birthday. So for a few years I frantically tried to avoid any focus on the jolly man in the red suit. In time, I realized it was nearly impossible to eliminate Santa. He was on street comers, in department stores, and seemed to be everywhere! I decided not to eliminate him but to change the emphasis of the festivities in our family. When it came to our children’s birthdays, one thing I’d do was to let them accompany me to the grocery store and choose whatever they wanted

for breakfast on their special day. Being an over-the-top health-conscious mother, we didn’t have sugary cereal in the house, so of course on their birthdays they picked Froot Loops, Corn Pops, or some cereal covered in chocolate. So I thought, why not ask Jesus how He wanted us to celebrate His birthday? Jesus Himself said,

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you

will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”

(Matthew 7:7).

I asked Him and felt led to try some new ideas.

I started talking about Jesus’ birthday a lot more, simplified my holiday decorating, and decreased or simplified the handmade gifts the kids and I would make. The kids still hung Christmas stockings for Santa to fill; he brought them a gift and filled their stockings with candy, but that was all. We didn’t own a nativity set, so I bought a paper one with cut-out figures that would stand up. Our oldest son loved this and moved baby Jesus to the manger before we left for church on Christmas Eve. All of this seemed much more like a birthday party for Jesus. Christmas was simpler, easier, more Savior-focused, and yes, Santa had a role, too. My heart’s desire was for our Christmas to honor Jesus and be a delightful celebration for everyone, including myself. Praying about how to celebrate certainly made the season more meaningful for me and encouraged me to pray more specifically for other things in my life. As David said, “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Our Christmas celebration was an answer to my prayer and 24

fulfilled the desire of my heart. This year, may your Christmas be filled with Jesus and fulfill your heart’s desires, too.

Reflect: • Is there anything you’d like to change about your Christmas celebration this year? If so, what would that look like? • Pray and ask God for guidance on how to integrate Jesus into your Christmas. • What are the desires of your heart concerning how you celebrate Christmas and other Christian holidays? Commit those desires to Him.

Pray: Dear Lord, thank You for the promise that if I delight and trust in You, You will give me the desires of my heart. I commit myself and my Christmas plans to You. Please guide me to celebrate Your birthday in a way that will honor You and be meaningful to those I celebrate with. Amen.

Wintermas By Jill Briscoe

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

set the book down, the wonderful book written by an Englishman that had such a profound effect on my coming to faith years ago. It told of a winter

without Christmas and how spring came when a lion named Aslan roared. I often reread the book at Christmastime, when many are trying to celebrate wintermas without any reference to the reason for the season. One year, one at a time, people had found their way to me to talk about the winter in their souls. It was pretty depressing. “Winter came,” said one woman, “icing my soul with dark depression.” “What happened?” I asked. “My husband left me for a younger model, unmarred by mothering and middle age.” A man who was nearing retirement lost his job. “They are making way for the next generation — don’t have to pay them as much! I’ve lost my benefits, and my wife is sick. What do I do?”

The mother of a teenager told me, “My child doesn’t like me very much, and if I’m honest, I don’t much like her! I don’t even want to know what she’s into. I had such high hopes for her.” I thought about this stream of people visiting my life — winds howling around the hollow hallway of their souls. Winter came — stripping their lives, freezing their feelings, numbing their relationships. They were all experiencing winter without Christmas. I went to meet with the Lord, and He said, “Jill, do you remember when the robin’s song blessed the bitter wind in your soul, and a baby’s cry lit up your life, warming your spirit till it stopped shivering and smiled again?”

“Oh, Jesus, yes! You came into my winter.”

“Show them how I can come into theirs.” “I tried.” “I know you did. Keep trying. I’m the only answer. Tell them I would wrap them in divinity’s down, salvation’s swaddling bands, insulating them

against the below-zero experiences of life.” “I’ll tell them that.” I knew He was right; they had to hear the Lion roar. I sat very still on the steps of my soul, thanking God for writers like C.S. Lewis, who walked into my life and caused me to hear the Lion of Judah roar, melt the ice in my heart, and know that springtime had come!

Reflect: • Are you experiencing a wintermas this holiday season? Tell the Lord what is causing your soul to despair. • What do you think Jill means by “hear the Lion roar”? • If you haven’t read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, the book she is referring to, pick it up this Christmas.

Pray: Thank You, Jesus, for coming into my winter and warming my soul. When I experience wintermas, help me turn to You for strength. Help me reach out to others with the real meaning of Christmas, so they can experience what it means to have the ice in their souls melt as they come to know You. Amen.

Finding Joy in a Broken Christmas By Lisa Elliott

Read: John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16

hristmas was a challenge for me the year my 18-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. I spent Christmas day at the hospital, alone

at his bedside. My husband and three other children were all sick and, therefore, weren’t allowed in the hospital. Ben ended up spending three weeks in the hospital, through New Year’s Day, so we celebrated Jesus’ birthday mid-January. There was no way of knowing this Christmas would be our last with him. One year and one week after his diagnosis, he went to be with Jesus. Earlier that fall, just after Ben’s diagnosis, I came home from the hospital to find my Christmas decorations splayed in fragments all over the garage floor. They had fallen from the upper storage shelf and crashed on the concrete below. It was a good picture of the way my heart was feeling — fragmented, broken, and seemingly irreparable.

Christ-mas can be more of a Christ-mess for those experiencing the loss of a loved one. Christmas decorations seem trivial. Fa-la-las seem trite. Nothing in the world looks merry or bright. That’s why we need Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus shines His light into the dark places of our hearts. The darker life

seems, the brighter He shines. The more fragmented we are, the more fractals of His light are able to shine through the cracks in our lives, casting rainbows and prisms everywhere around us. This Christmas, remember: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

Reflect: • Have you experienced the light of Jesus shining into your darkness? When? • How does the message of Christmas—Christ coming into our brokenness provide you with hope today? • How could you shine the light of Jesus into a friend’s darkness this Christmas?

Pray: Thank You, Lord, for shining Your light into this dark world by sending Jesus to me. Thank You for shining Your light into my heart. Illumine my heart and shine Your light through me this Christmas that I might help others experience Your love. Thank You, Jesus, for using broken things to share Your light with the world. Amen.

Waiting in Worry or Wonder By Sarah Nielsen

Read: Luke 2:8-20; Jeremiah 29:11

hat did Mary, nine months pregnant, think of traveling for four to six days over rocky terrain to Bethlehem? What did she think when Jo-

seph told her the inn was full? How did she respond when she looked around her birthing center and realized the only personnel were sheep, goats, and a cow? I’ll bet she was homesick. I’ll bet she missed her mom. I’m sure she was afraid and worried. I can imagine quiet tears and heart-pounding prayers. I wonder if she thought, “How can this be right? An angel said that God chose me to give birth to the Savior of the world, yet everything that could go wrong is going wrong. This is definitely not the way I pictured it.” After delivering a beautiful baby boy, Mary welcomed the excited shepherds, who said to her, “An angel told us that a Savior had been born, and there was a rush of heavenly beings praising God. They said we’d find you here.

They said your baby is ... Christ the Lord” (Luke 2: 8-12). Perhaps Mary paused then, looking away in wonder with a slight smile, and said to the Father, “Hmmm, this is the way it was supposed to go. This is exactly the way it was supposed to go.” I always want to be early to church on Christmas Eve, because it’s so crowded and I like a good seat. One Christmas, my adult children got ready at the last minute — one forgot something in the house, someone else had to grab a water. And we were on the late side of late already. No seats were left on the main floor of our megachurch. We scrunched into the balcony, far up in the top corner. I was quiet but disappointed, fighting self-pity. I silently said to God, “It doesn’t matter. We’re all together. Next year. Thank You that I didn’t say anything to them. I know You understand.” As the service ended, we lit our candles, passing the flame from one person to the next. Up in the back row, we were the last ones. Notes of “Silent Night” wafted up in voice and strings, with thousands of flames pointing heavenward in the darkness. I had the best seat in the house! “Hmmm,” I said to my God Who loves me, “This is the way it was supposed to go, wasn’t it? This is exactly the way it was supposed to go.” Christmas invites all kinds of expectations, and then someone gets sick, or there’s a blizzard, a misunderstanding, a canceled flight, or no time for that one special thing. I’ve learned to pause and say to my God Who loves me, “Maybe, just maybe, this is the way it’s supposed to go.”

Reflect: • Do you have a situation that isn’t making sense right now? During this Christmas season, ask God for the faith to trust Him, saying, “Maybe this is the way it’s supposed to go.” • How can you keep from worrying this season, so you don’t miss the wonder? • Like Mary, have you ever looked back in hindsight to see how God’s plan was exactly what was meant to be? If so, thank Him now.

Pray: Sovereign Lord, please forgive me for the many times I don’t trust You with my circumstances. Help me to be like Mary and accept Your will for my life with grace and praise to You. Help me enjoy this Christmas season no matter how my plans turn out, trusting that this is how it’s supposed to be. Amen.

He Laid it Down

He came not trailing clouds of glory; He came not wearing heaven’s crown; He left behind His Father’s golden city and chose as birthplace Bethlehem’s town. Equality with God His by nature and worship by the angels His right, The honor due Him by His heavenly Father He left to come and save us Christmas night. He laid it down, He laid it down, and taking human form became a man; He laid it down, He laid it down, and chose instead the world’s redemptive plan. So who am I to seek dim glory, and who am I to fight for worldly crown? What right have I to choose to work in the city, in rural country, or in tinsel town? And who am I to grasp vain ambition or who to choose a partner for my days? Am I superior to the Christ Who saved me; do I have rights to keep or give away? I’ll lay them down, I’ll lay them down, and make Him Lord of all I want to be. I’ll lay them down, I’ll lay them down, lay hold instead of all He wants for me! -Jill Briscoe