"A Psalm for Christmas" December 25 Readings: Zechariah 5-6, Revelation 15–16, Psalm 147:1–7, Proverbs 31:14–16

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Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Zechariah 5-6, Revelation 15–16, Psalm 147:1–7, Proverbs 31:14–16

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: A Psalm for Christmas 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm going to keep this short today since you and I both have a lot to do. There are presents to open and gooses to cook (if you are the Cratchit family) and families to enjoy.

Christmas has become about so many things in America. It's about Santa and elves and blockbuster movies and parties. We try to keep the focus where it needs to be, on Jesus Christ, his birth, and what that really means in the long term. But let's face it, Christmas is about presents. "What do you want for Christmas?" Been to the mall? Sam's? Or, horror of horrors, Walmart? We are bankrupting ourselves to buy gifts for our kids (and grandkids!).

But as I read the seven verses of Psalm 147, I was reminded of a very important truth. The greatest gifts in life are not ones you can wrap and put under a tree! They are not gifts you can open, play with, and break. No, the greatest gifts are those that God gave to us through Jesus Christ. God heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds (verse 3). He is great and worthy of praise because of his abundant power (verse 5) and he lifts up the humble. This psalm goes on to recount the goodness of God and his love and mercy.

It ends with the simple Hebrew command, "Hallelujah." Praise the Lord. Do it! Remember on this day of family and presents and food and festivity that the greatest blessing you have is Jesus and the eternal work of grace he has done in your life.

Father, I thank you that Christmas is more than a fairy tale used as an excuse for festivities. It is your work of grace begun. Thank you for Jesus. May his name be praised. 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

On this day, take a few moments to thank God for the wonderful gift he gave you - his Son to save you from your sins - and all the precious blessings that flow from that.




 

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