Keep The Lights Up

Devotional for Tuesday, December 24th

Today's Bible Reading: Revelation 22:17-21

Well, here we are. We made it to Christmas Eve.

I'm sure for some people, they are ready to get this party started and celebrate!

For others, they are ready for the party to be over.

And for a few others, they are wishing that Christmas fell on December 28th. Can't I have just a few more days to prepare?!?!

Wherever we find ourselves today, I want to take a moment to reflect back on the words we looked at a couple of weeks ago. The words that start off the Christmas story:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. - Luke 1:1-4, NIV

Sometimes, I put pressure on myself to feel a certain way at Christmas. I desperately want to recapture that "gingerbread feeling" that I felt so often as a kid. But our friend Luke reminds us that Christmas isn't about a feeling. It's about an event.

If an event is true, then it doesn't depend on us to feel a certain way. It doesn't depend on us at all. Good or bad, we have to face whatever the implications are. (Fortunately for us, the angels didn't declare Jesus as bad news for all the people!)

Christmas is the story of how God came for us when we needed him the most. God saw all the brokenness, all the fights, all the division. All the mess. All the ways we hurt each other and all the ways we disrupt his shalom (peace). And instead of turning his back on us, he entered into our mess. He felt our pain. He showed us what love looks like.

And the story isn't over. Maybe that's why the gingerbread feeling fades. We know there's more to come, and we long for its completion.

In the days following Christmas, most people leave their lights up. It's nice to enjoy them for another week or so as we drive around the neighborhood. But come January, they start coming down.

How long are we allowed to keep Christmas lights up before we start looking ridiculous? Is it after the 12 days of Christmas, January 6th (Three Kings Day)? Can we leave them up until February 1st? How about St. Patrick's Day? When would we start receiving letters from the HOA and angry looks from neighbors?

Maybe we should leave them up all year as a reminder that the Christmas story isn't over yet.

At the very end of the Bible, Jesus reminds us that he's still on the move. He's coming back to set things right. The final words of the Bible are words of hope:

He who testifies to all these things says it again: "I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!"

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes! - Revelation 22:20-21, MSG

No matter where you find yourself this season, Jesus is on his way. He'll be back soon.

And that's good news because it doesn't depend on us.

Questions to Ponder:

What do you think of the promise Jesus made to us in the closing words of the Bible? What are you most longing to see him set right?

Today, take some time to reflect on God coming into our mess. Give yourself grace for anything you've left undone.

P.S. Nobody Left Out will be taking a brief publishing break through January 5th. When we return, we'll be kicking off a series about what the Bible is. The new year is a time when many people recommit to some kind of Bible reading program, so I thought it'd be fun for us to take a closer look at why we should care about the Bible anyway.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

—

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One Solitary Life

Devotional For Monday, December 23rd

Today I want to share a poem called One Solitary Life. It is widely attributed to James Allan Francis, but at least one newspaper cited Phillips Brooks as the author.

No matter who wrote it, it’s a beautiful reminder of the impact Jesus has had on humankind.

* * *

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village as the child of a peasant woman.

He grew up in another obscure village.

He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty and then for three years was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book.

He never held an office.

He never owned a home.

He never had a family.

He never went to college.

He never put his foot inside a big city.

He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born.

He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.

He had no credentials but himself.

He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of his divine manhood.

While still a young man the tide of popular opinion turned against him.

His friends ran away.

One of them denied him.

Another betrayed him.

He was turned over to his enemies.

He went through the mockery of a trial.

He was nailed upon the cross between two thieves.

His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth while he was dying, and that was his coat.

When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today he is the center of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon the earth as powerfully as has this one solitary life.

Questions to Ponder:

Even in our post-Christian culture, most Americans have some knowledge of who Jesus is. Why do you think that is?

How has this one solitary life affected your life?

—

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It's Okay to Be Sad on Christmas

Devotional for Friday, December 20th

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 2:13-18

I don't want to end the Advent season on a downer, but today's Bible reading is really sad. (Don't worry, Monday and Tuesday's devotional will be more optimistic!) It's not a story that we usually associate with Christmas. It might seem better suited for another day and time. But I think it's vital that we look at it.

Herod thinks the Magi are going to come back and tell him where Jesus is. Remember, Herod is paranoid about losing power. He wants to end this problem of a baby king. (At this point, Herod is acting more like a "baby king" than Jesus!) The Magi know Herod has evil intentions, so they take the long way home to avoid him. 

The Message version of the Bible says Herod "flew into a rage." We never make wise decisions when we're in a rage, do we? We never come home and say, "What a great day! I flew into a rage, and everything started falling nicely into place from there."

Herod decides to have all the baby boys in Bethlehem killed. This horrific event is referred to as the Slaughter of the Innocents. Yes, Herod thought this would be the most pragmatic way to have Jesus killed. But it was also an act of spite and anger. Matthew quotes the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah to capture the nation's sorrow:

A cry was heard in Ramah—
    weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
    refusing to be comforted,
    for they are dead. (v. 18)

Rachel was Jacob's wife. (He was the guy who conned his father into giving him the blessing reserved for his brother Esau. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel after a wrestling match.) This verse gives us the image of Rachel weeping for all Israel's children. And all Israel wept along with her.

This story is a somber reminder that the world doesn't stop on Christmas. We can hang pretty lights, sing happy songs, and get each other thoughtful gifts. And we should make this season as joyful as possible. But the darkness of the world is still real at Christmas. Injustices still abound. People are still in need. Personal heartbreak still shows up. 

Christmas in the real world isn't like a Hallmark movie. Not everything can be solved with another cookie and cup of hot chocolate. (I say that with nothing but love. I watched one last week with Kristin Chenoweth in it!)

So what do we do when Christmas brings us sad times? I think we recognize that it's okay to be sad. It's okay for God's people to weep along with Rachel. Weep for the injustices and the things that are not right with the world. Weep for the people not here with us this Christmas.

And it's also okay to celebrate. Celebrate that a light has come into the world, "and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4) Jesus shouldered the darkness so that evil and sorrow wouldn't get the final word. And now he invites us to be part of setting the world right.

Questions to Ponder:

Is there anything you are sad about this Christmas? Who is someone you trust that you can share your sadness with?

Is there anyone who you can be a light of encouragement to this Christmas?

—

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When I Look at The Stars

Devotional for Thursday, December 19th

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 2:9-12

One of my favorite bands is Switchfoot. I love the way they tackle subjects like God and brokenness with such relatability. In the song Stars, they sing about looking up at the night sky and being reminded that we're not alone:

I've been thinking about everyone
Everyone you look so lonely
But when I look at the stars
When I look at the stars
When I look at the stars
I see someone else

We are nearing the end of the Christmas story. Jesus has been born, and at least a few months have passed by. Mary and Joseph are still hunkering down in Bethlehem, and they get a visit from a strange group called the Magi. (Sometimes referred to as "Wise Men.") In most Nativity scenes, the Magi are right there in the middle of the action with the angels and shepherds. But if we're going for a more accurate timeline, the Magi might fit in better with our autumn decor! (A pumpkin spice Magi candle, maybe?)

One of the most eye-opening teachings I ever heard about the Magi came from my pastor, Zach Van Dyke. He commented on how the Magi were "outsiders" to the faith. They were astrologers, and astrology was forbidden in the Old Testament. They believed in signs and omens. In fact, one definition of the word magi is "a sorcerer."

The Magi were people who might feel uncomfortable around the "church crowd." And the church crowd might feel nervous around them. But God met the Magi where they were. He spoke to them in a language they could understand (a star in the sky). And these outsiders became one of the first people (second only to lowly, dirty, stinky shepherds) to worship Jesus.

I think Christians sometimes put God in a box. We know the way he communicates with people. We know what outsiders look like. We know what insiders look like. We know what outsiders look like when they are ready to be insiders. And we know exactly how we are supposed to reach them. But God broke all the expectations when he put that star in the sky to guide the Magi.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (v. 10)

These "sorcerers" were so overwhelmed with joy that it caused them to bow down to a toddler. Why? Because when they looked at the stars, they saw someone else. They saw Jesus.

The days before Christmas are chaotic. There are only six days left, and I haven't even started my shopping yet (don't tell my family). As we go through these final days, how can we be on the lookout for people who don't feel included? How can we invite them into our celebrations?

How can we show a no-strings-attached kind of love to people who have different beliefs from us?

How can we meet people where they are, as God does, to make sure nobody is left out?

—

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The King Who Couldn't Celebrate

Devotional for Wednesday, December 18th

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-8

Once upon a time, there was a king named Herod. He was appointed king over Judea by Rome. King Herod was great and powerful, a god among men. But then he started hearing rumors that there was a new king in town. Some magi ride into Jerusalem, trying to find this newborn king. The magi wanted to celebrate Jesus, but King Herod wasn't about to roll out the red carpet.

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. (v. 4)

As familiar as I am with this story, I completely overlooked the second part of that verse. I get why Herod was deeply disturbed. Judea only had one king. If this baby Jesus was being touted as a king, then it threatened Herod's power. But why was everyone in Jerusalem disturbed? Isn't Jesus good news for all the people?

I can think of two reasons why I might be disturbed if I heard about a new king in town.

1. I might be worried that the new king isn't good.

A king has ultimate authority. If a king isn't good, there's not much I can do about it. In a famous quote in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Susan is worried after hearing that Aslan is a lion. She asks Mr. Beaver is Aslan is "safe." Mr. Beaver replies:

Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.

Jesus is good, but that doesn't mean he won't challenge my assumptions about the world. Which brings me to my second reason.

2. A new king means I'm not the one in control.

This was at the heart of Herod's turmoil. He was in charge, and he wanted it to stay that way. When Matthew says that "everyone in Jerusalem" was deeply disturbed, I'm sure he's using hyperbole to make his point. We all need to decide if we're going to celebrate the arrival of Jesus into our lives or cling to control.

In a way, we're all like King Herod. No, most of us don't have total power and authority as he had. But we're all "little kings" of our lives. I want to be the one to call the shots. And when I feel the control slipping out of my hands, I begin to plot and scheme like Herod. As we'll see, his desire for control would come as a high cost to others. What has my desire for control cost me and those around me?

Jesus is good news for all the people. But we will only see him as good news when we're ready to give up control. 

Questions to Ponder:

What do you think of the concept of Jesus being good, but not "safe"?

When are you most likely to become a "little king" and try to control things? What is one area that you want to let go of and trust Jesus with? Ask God for the strength to do that.

—

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After Christmas Blues

Devotional for Tuesday, December 17th

Today’s Bible Reading: Luke 2:36-38

How do you feel in the days following Christmas? Relieved that it’s all over and things can go back to normal? Stressed that you now have to take down the lights and throw out the tree? (Or, if it’s a fake, figure out how to pack it back up in the box!) Or do you have a twinge of disappointment that the holidays didn’t meet your expectations?

I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt any of those emotions in the days after Jesus was born. They had seen angels announcing the birth of their son. It must have been an exciting experience. And, in a few months, they would be on the run from Herod and his henchmen.

But for right now, there was a lull in the excitement. Mary and Joseph settled into an ordinary routine of caring for an infant. I’m sure that included rough days and sleepless nights. And after 40 days, they did what any other Jewish couple with a newborn would do. They went to the temple to offer a sacrifice.

Did it seem silly to Mary and Joseph to go through this ritual? I mean, if anyone would be exempt from this formality, it would be them. Their son is the long-awaited Messiah! Mary and Joseph don’t know what the future holds, but they do know that the Law requires a visit to the temple. They continue taking their next right step even when God is silent. Because they can’t afford a lamb, they offer up two turtledoves. (No word on whether there was a partridge in a pear tree.)

After their encounter with Simeon (or rather, in the middle of it), another person ran up to greet baby Jesus. A prophet named Anna. This woman is remarkable. She was only married for seven years when she lost her husband. That was 84 years ago. Since that time, she has committed her life to prayer. Eighty-four years of constant prayer, night and day. Prayers that found their answer in this child.

God works through the mundaneness of life. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I don’t think I would enjoy a life like Anna’s. It seems so boring. Too tedious. I want to do something “exciting” for God. (And let’s face it, something exciting for me.) But the kingdom of God is moving through people like Anna. People who are being faithful to what God has called them to do, even if it seems monotonous to the outside world. What would my life look like if I took prayer even half as seriously as Anna did?

Maybe the “Christmas Blues” comes from life returning to normal. Whether we have a great Christmas or a disappointing one, we all face days ahead of us that can seem quite ordinary. Even Jesus would spend the first 30 years of his life in quiet obscurity. But when we offer our days to God, we never know what he will do with them.

Questions to Ponder:

Anna’s story is told in just three verses. From those verses, what is your impression of her?

Have you ever seen God work through the mundane and ordinary days of your life? What about the life of others? (It’s always easier to see God working through other people than ourselves!)

—

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I Know The World is Blessed

Devotional for Monday, December 16th

Today’s Bible Reading: Luke 2:21-35

I’ve mentioned the musical Les Miserables before in this devotional, and I’ll probably talk about it many times again. It’s a beautiful story of redemption and grace. After beginning his life as a criminal, Jean Valjean experiences an act of mercy that turns his life around. He adopts a young child, Cosette, after her mother dies. He spends the rest of his life caring for Cosette and trying to show grace to others.

At the end of Valjean’s life, he’s ready to go home and be with God. Knowing Cosette is safe, he says, “Now I can die in peace, for I know my life is blessed.” When I think about Simeon in today’s reading, I imagine someone like Valjean.

About six weeks after Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph take him to the temple to dedicate him. (Tomorrow we’ll take a closer look at the significance of this ceremony.) There, they meet a man named Simeon. He was probably a priest like Zechariah. And what he does is pretty shocking. As Mary and Joseph enter the temple, Simeon rushes over to them and scoops up baby Jesus into his arms. Before Mary can protest, Simeon blurts out:

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

God had promised Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he dies. Why would God make a promise like that to one obscure man? Maybe because it was something Simeon prayed for over and over. He longed to see Israel redeemed. But not just Israel. Simeon knew that Jesus came for everyone. Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Simeon was one of the first people to realize that Jesus didn’t want anyone left out.

The thing I find so amazing about Simeon is he wouldn’t live to see Jesus in action. He wouldn’t see the miracles or hear the teachings. He wouldn’t witness the first Easter morning. If I were praying Simeon’s prayer, it would probably sound like this: Dear God, send us a Savior. Oh, and make sure I’m around to see it all!

But Simeon wasn’t primarily concerned with himself. As he held Jesus in his arms, it’s as if he said, “Now I can die in peace, for I know the world is blessed.”

Questions to Ponder:

Why do you think it was enough for Simeon to see Jesus once?

Before leaving, Simeon gives Mary a cryptic warning:

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (v. 34-35)

What do you think he meant by this?

—

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The Most Beautiful Verse In The Bible

Devotional for Friday, December 13th

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 2:15-20

Last week, I told you that my favorite Bible verses are the opening sentences of Luke's gospel. In those four verses, Luke assures us that he has investigated Jesus' life thoroughly. Those verses stir my intellect. But there is another sentence in Luke that I consider to be the most beautiful verse in the Bible. This one stirs my spirit.

This verse contains a piece of information that only Mary would have known. Imagine Luke sitting down to interview her. He is asking questions about the night Jesus was born. She tells him about the rough journey to Bethlehem with Joseph. She describes how time was running short, and she had to give birth in a barn. She remembers a group of shepherds appearing out of nowhere to worship Jesus. These grown men are calling her helpless baby "Savior."

Then Mary closes her eyes and pauses. Luke is about to move on to his next question when Mary whispers something with a smile. And Luke writes this down:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19, NIV)

In the middle of all the chaos and exhaustion, Mary took the time to contemplate what had just happened.

When I come across a Bible verse that hits me between the eyes, I like to see how different versions translate it. It helps me see it from different angles. Here's how the NIrV puts it:

But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over.

When I read that translation, a question entered my mind. What do I think about over and over?

The days go by so fast, and I usually don't even stop to reflect on them. When I do, I mostly think about all the negative things about my day. All the things I've left undone. All the ways I've failed. Things I said that I shouldn't have said.

I completely miss all the ways God has moved in my life that day. The simple joy of sitting down with a friend at Panera and eating a bagel. The kindness of a stranger. Getting to do work that I love doing, even when it gets hard. Just being alive. God shows us grace in a thousand small ways each day.

Mary did not understand everything God was doing. But she took the time to think about how he was moving in her life. And she made a lifelong habit out of it. Do you know how I know? She told Luke again!

When Jesus was twelve, Mary and Joseph had a little "parenting fail." They lost him at the temple and finally found him hanging out with the teachers. They are worried, but after things settle down, Luke writes:

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. (Luke 2:51)

I want to be like Mary and treasure the ways I see God moving.

Questions to Ponder:

Do you take time to reflect on the events of the day? What things do you tend to focus on?

As you go through your day today, be on the lookout for all the ways God shows you grace.

—

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Hope When We Need It Most

Devotional for Thursday, December 12th

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 2:6-14

This week, I have been in a bit of a funk. I can't pinpoint the cause down to one big thing, and sometimes that makes it feel worse. It's just a general feeling of being overwhelmed, like I can't pull myself together. Have you ever felt like that?

On days like this, my own worst enemy is myself. No one condemns me more than I do. The voices in my head tell me I'm not good enough, or I haven't tried hard enough. I better get my act together or else. It's easy to feel hopeless.

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown feels pretty down, too. Everyone is laughing at him for choosing the worst-looking Christmas tree. "You've been dumb before, Charlie Brown," mocks Lucy. "But this time, you really did it."

In frustration, a four-letter word comes out of Charlie Brown's mouth. "RATS!" Haven't we all wanted to shout that out at some point? (Or at least maybe some other four-letter words?)

What do we do when we feel weighed down? What do we do when the dark cloud looms over us? We might find some solace in the words of one of the greatest theologians the world has ever had. Brother Linus. Let's take some time to listen to his words of Christmas hope.

What is Christmas all about? It's about hope breaking into a dark world. It's about a light that shone so bright that it terrified the people who first saw it. But there was no reason to fear.

But the angel said to them, "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." (v. 10-11)

Do you know what my three favorite words are in those verses?

All the people.

The good news of Jesus is for all the people.

It's for the people who can't get it together.

It's for all those who feel overwhelmed. It's for anyone who's ever wanted to pull the covers back over their head when they wake up in the morning.

It's for all of us who really did it this time, and for all of us who cry out, "RATS!"

The good news of Jesus is for all the people.

It's for all the messy Charlie Browns, but also all the judgy Lucys. It's for all the smart Linuses and all the joyful Snoopys.

It's for all people, including the people we secretly wish weren't included.

The good news of Jesus is hope when we need it most.

And it's hope for all of us because God doesn't want anyone left out.

Questions to Ponder:

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed or weighed down? What do you usually do when you feel that way?

We are included in God's family so that we can include others. Who can you reach out to in love this Christmas season?

—

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Being Scared Together

Devotional for Wednesday, December 11th

Today's Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-5

The Christmas story has become so familiar to us that it can be hard to put ourselves in the shoes of Mary and Joseph. When we read the opening verse of Luke 2, it may fill our hearts with familiar comfort:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

We know how the story ends. That decree will set off a series of events that will lead to baby Jesus cooing in a manger.

But for Mary and Joseph, that decree made a difficult situation even worse. They had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, about a 90-mile walk. And Mary was ready to give birth any day now. The journey probably took over a week, and there was nothing magical or comfortable about it. I can't imagine the fears this couple had. They both said yes to God. Shouldn't that make life easier?

Last year, I watched the movie The Star and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It tells the Christmas story through the eyes of Boaz, a donkey. But what struck me was how three-dimensional Mary and Joseph seemed. The movie portrayed them as very real people with fears and doubts. But through it all, they encourage each other.

As they travel to Bethlehem, Joseph cries out to God, "Lord, I can't do this, alright? I am not the father of a king, just the son of a carpenter."

Mary also has fears but knows that God never promised any of this would be easy. "This is hard," she says. "Trust me, I know it is. Just because God has a plan doesn't mean it's going to be easy, and that scares me."

When Joseph realizes he's not alone in his fears, it gives him hope. He replies, "Hey, I'm scared, too. But I'm here. And I'm yours. And I will give everything I have to keep you and the baby safe."

It can be hard to share our fears with others. We may feel that admitting them makes us weaker. But the opposite is true. When we talk honestly about our fears, they lose their power over us.

How come in every horror movie, the group trapped in the haunted house always splits up? Because the filmmakers know there's strength in numbers. By isolating each character, they are ratcheting up the fear factor.

Mary and Joseph traveled down a scary road together. We go down frightening roads, too. Having a loving community around us can make all the difference. It may not take away all our fears, but a held hand and encouraging word can splash light into a dark room.

So let's be scared together.

Questions to Ponder:

Has saying "yes" to God ever made your life more difficult? How?

What fears are you facing right now? Who can you share them with?

How can you be a safe place for others to share their fears?