Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 24, 2022
Read Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. 20 As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23 Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with us.”) 24 When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.
Good Morning, Emmanuel! God With Us!
As I sit and focus on the lights of my tree this Christmas Eve morning, I marvel at how God’s presence in my life this past year. This has been a year of great change. Last Christmas Eve, I could not have imagined how my life would change in such a short span. There have been endless signs leading me on this new stretch of my journey.
I have been fascinated with maps ever since my dad had me plotting trips as a child. My brother and I would take turns using the maps he provided to us. It was always fascinating to discover a new road that wasn’t on our map yet. With GPS as our guide, we sometimes turn on a road that shows that we are driving where there is no road. It’s fun to make jokes about traveling through a cornfield or cow pasture. Another anomaly is walking on the beach and looking at my exercise tracker where it appears that I’m walking on water because of the tidal fluctuations.
In the past twelve months, I have traveled on new roads that were not on my previous maps. Last Christmas Eve, my life in Madison had not yet been revealed to me. God called me and has led me to a new path filled with blessings and joy. Although I have turned onto a road that was previously unpaved, I will continue to follow the signs placed before me.
I feel God’s presence with me as I navigate the twists and turns of the back roads. There will be hills and valleys to traverse along the way, but I know whom I have believed and I will let God guide and direct my journey.
The time is almost here to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. Open your hearts and souls to the gifts that are presented on this glorious eve.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. As we prepare to gather at the manger, help us choose to be fully present in the moment. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is with us always.
For unto us a son is given! Pastor Liz
Comments