Day 20 reading: Luke 2:13-18
(Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash)
“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.” -Luke 2:13-18 (NIV)
A Prayer:
Father God, as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day draw close there are so many things that need to be done, so many details that require our attention. We confess that we are easily distracted from a simple and humble focus on the person of your Son, Jesus. There are many sounds and voices around us; give us spiritual ears that hear the sound and voices of heaven. May we be attuned to the voice of your Spirit, who always draws our hearts and minds toward Jesus.
Lord God, we marvel at the description of the heavenly host appearing to the shepherds and wonder what that spectacle would have been like. Thank you for showing us that small glimpse of glory, the reality of the worship that exists in heaven.
Jesus, you taught us to pray for the reality on earth to mirror the reality of heaven and so we pray that your Holy Spirit would move within us and among us that our worship on earth would agree with and unite with the worship in heaven. As we gather this Christmas season may our worship be with one heart and mouth that would glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.*
We pray this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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*Rom. 15:6
Distractions lead to choices. What matters most, what we give our attention to, etc. We should not allow ourselves to be swayed so easily but to live in Abiding in Christ. Everything is second. I'm learning this (slowly 😊) myself.
Yes! Open our eyes and ears and let us behold and hear Jesus, the Son of God!