Thursday's Devotion

Thursday, December 25, 1997

To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11 NRSV)

When I was growing up, I can remember making out my "want list" by pouring through all the Christmas catalogues we received in the mail. Often, I would put down the prices, so mon and dad would see how little it would cost them to get everything I wanted.

However, as we read the Christmas story, the question we should ask is "WHAT DO WE NEED FOR CHRISTMAS?" What will help us live out Christ's message of love and forgiveness? What will happen to us when the last turkey scraps are used and the cookies and other goodies have been devoured? What will we do after the excitement of Christmas is over? What will we do to satisfy the hunger for the bread of life that got lost in all the activity and busyness of this season?

I read a few years ago a story about a store the was jammed with last minute Christmas shoppers, and the lines to the cashier's were very long. And of course there was nobody helping people with their questions on the floor of the store. Amid the madhouse, the telephone rang in the mail order department. The caller asked if the store had any copies of a popular book left, and if they did she would like two of them. "Just a minute," said the clerk. After checking, the clerk informed the caller that there were some books left and said, "That will be $24. Do you want us to send them C.O.D.?" "Oh, never mind sending them," said the caller, I'll pay cash. Just bring them up to the front of the store... I'm the one standing by the pay phone."

This is a busy season, hopefully after today it will slow down some. But there is a lot more to Christmas than shopping. I recently read a Christmas card that clearly reveals what our focus should be this Christmas.

"If our greatest need was for information, God would have sent an educator."
"If our greatest need was for technology, God would have sent a scientist."
"If our greatest need was for pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer."
"If our greatest need was for money, God would have sent an economist."
BUT SINCE OUR GREATEST NEED IS FOR FORGIVENESS, GOD SENT A SAVIOR.

Prayer: Dear God of peace, as I welcome your son once again on this Christmas day, transform me into his image. Amen.

Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA

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