5 Minutes a day / 5 Days a week

with God

Luke 2:1-7

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

It's Christmas Eve, what could I do for a devotional today?
As I was thinking about that today on my way home from work, the party we had at work came to mind. So I thought I would share it with you.
Every year the department I work in has a potluck and a white elephant gift exchange of sorts. What they do is everyone brings a gift, some are good and some are not so good (last year I got a frozen trout). What they do is we all take numbers and can trade our gifts for others with a gift being able to be trade up to three times.
It is fun but also can be very disappointing, not because you may get a bad gift, but this year what some of the gifts were.
One was a 12" long candle that was a finger. The lady that brought it said it was a witch's finger. Also a DVD of the movie the Exorcist (the person who first got this wanted to keep it), and finally a mouse pad that had Barbie dolls on the front in bikinis and if you press their breast they say "I love you" in a sexy type of voice.
I was in awe of what some of the people brought. Me I gave a pen with a light on it, some chocolate mints and the gospel of John. When people saw this little book they just laughed and thought it was funny.
As I was driving home I wondered how these people could not understand the true meaning of Christmas, and then it came to me. When Jesus was born there were hundreds if not thousands of people in Judea and Bethlehem. People were partying and having a great time not knowing what was about to happen in their own midst.
Today people just don't understand what has happened or even why Jesus was born, just like 2000 years ago the people missed out on something great that God was doing, so people are missing out on the true blessing of Christmas.

Reading what has happened at my work you can tell it's not a very good place to work, and I have prayed and asked the Lord to get me out of there. But it finally hit me, I am there to share Jesus with these people, I am the only light any of them may ever see, God has me there to be a witness, a light shining in that dark place.

This Christmas Eve as you are at the stores and see all the people pushing and shoving and grabbing trying to get their last minutes shopping done. As tempers start to fly and people start yelling or getting out of hand, pray for these people because they too are missing the true meaning of Christmas. Ask the Lord to make you a shining light in this dark world.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday.
One final note, don't get so busy with gifts and visiting and having a party that you forget guest of honor on His birthday and that is Jesus.
How would you feel if everyone had a birthday party for you, but didn't invite you or totally ignored you!

E-Mail Home Page