Devotional

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28

The evergreen wreath is a perfect symbol of Christmas.  The evergreen leaves signify everlasting life.  The circle symbolizes eternal life with God through Jesus Christ. Have you adorned your home with a wreath? If so, let it be a reminder of God’s gift to you of never ending, eternal life . Let it be a reminder of the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Let it be a prompt to check and see if the eternal Holy Spirit is filling your spirit so your countenance reflects Christ’s grace and love. The Christmas wreath. More than a decoration. A reminder.

Blessings, sweet friends, as the Christmas wreath reminds you of your eternal life and in that reminder, you are filled with joy.

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Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members INSTRUMENTS of RIGHTEOUSNESS to God. Romans 6:12-13

Musical instruments play a key role in the Christmas season. While the secular world plays jingles, Christians use music to encourage and bless others by focusing on Jesus’ birth.  Decorating with angelic harps and trumpets remind us to praise Christ our King, whose birth we celebrate. In addition, musical instruments remind us that Christians are God’s instruments.  We are instruments of His grace. We are instruments of His love.  In His hands, He can  use us to herald people to His throne. With that in mind, sweet friends, let us tune our hearts to God each morning.  Let us keep our thoughts and voices in harmony with Him.  Let us rest in the Master’s hands trusting Him to make all things beautiful in His time.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.”Matthew 3:16

My mother loved birds and used them to decorate our home throughout the year.  At Christmas, doves found their way onto the boughs of the Christmas tree and served as a reminder of the Holy Spirit who rested on Jesus at His baptism. The Holy Spirit identified Jesus with God and empowered Christ. The Holy Spirit also rests on believers, identifies us with God, and empowers us to live for Christ. Bless you, sweet friends, as you think on the Holy Spirit who rests on Christ and rests on you this Christmas season.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

“Then Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” John 8:12, Matthew 5:16

During the holidays many of us enjoy decorating our homes with outdoor lights.  Their glow provides light on overcast days and when night falls.  Lights beacon family and friends to the warmth of our homes.  Even so, Christ, the Light of the World, beacons us to His presence.  He lights the way to His Father’s home.  As do lights, candles add warmth to our homes.  Their warm glow reminds us of the Holy Spirit who warms our hearts and enlightens us to God’s ways.  Fragrant candles are a reminder that we are to be a fragrance of Christ to others.

Blessings, sweet friends, as you, like a candle, spread the light and fragrance of Christ to others.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:8, 20

The candy cane is not only festive, it is also symbolic for Christians.  The shape reminds us of the shepherd’s staff and of the shepherds in the field who heard the angelic announcement of Jesus, the Good Shepherd’s birth. In addition, the colors of the cane cane are symbolic.  The red stripes remind us of the stripes Jesus took on His back for our sins.  The white stripes remind us of Christ’s purity. And the sweet taste? A reminder of the sweet Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. This Christmas let the candy cane be more than Christmas candy. Let it be a reminder of Jesus and the real reason for the season.

Blessings, sweet friends, as you think on the incredible gift of Jesus this Christmas.

I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe, alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Exodus 39:25-26

What would Christmas be without the familiar, “Silver Bells,” being sung or the Salvation Army bell-ringers calling us to give to those in need?  Although bells remind some people only of Santa’s sleigh bells, for Christian, tinkling bells have far greater significance! The Bible tells us that gold bells were sewn on the hem of the Jewish priests’ garments.  As the priests went about their service, the tinkling of the bells could be heard. That has special significance for Christians.  Why? First Peter 2:9 describes believers as ”… a royal possession, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In other words, Christians are described in the Bible as priests of God.  May the sound of our movement this season be as the sound of the bells on the priests’ robes, bringing glory to Jesus as we serve Him!

Blessings, sweet friends.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

And coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshipped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

What was your home like during the Christmas season when you were a child? Mine buzzed with activity as family members made gift lists for everyone from mama and daddy all the way to aunts, uncles, the postman, and anybody who might drop by our home.  Love was the motivating factor.  In buying a gift for someone, there is no selfishness.  It costs not only money, but time, thought, and energy.  Certainly no one has given more of Himself in giving a gift that would be perfect, timeless, and for all people than God when He gave His only begotten Son to us.  The wise men recognized and worshipped God’s gift of Christ Jesus. They demonstrated their adoration by falling before Him and worshipping Him. This Christmas, as we demonstrate our love for one another by giving gifts, let us be careful to be as the wise men and not neglect to fall before Jesus and worship Him, the greatest GIFT.  

Blessings, sweet friends, as we celebrate the gift of Christ.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

Every morning when I have my quiet time with God, I look out at the black sky.  If it is not too cold or rainy, I walk outside and gaze heavenward praising the Almighty.  I love mornings when the black sky is star studded. Twinkling lights beacon me to worship the One who made the heavens and set the stars in their places.  

Atop Christmas trees and perched on rooftops, the Christmas star is a reminder of the star that guided the wise men to worship the Christ child.  As the wise men followed the star, may we each turn our hearts heavenward and not just admire Jesus, but follow Him.

Blessings, sweet friends.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

Are you struggling with how you think? If so, it’s understandable. We are continually bombarded with negative news.  Then there are the uninvited thoughts the enemy presents. Would you love, instead, to think like an angel? We can. How? Follow their example. In the midst of all that seemed wrong the night of Jesus’s birth, (crowded city, no rooms, delivering Jesus in a stall) the angels announced the Heavenly Gazette headlines, “Savior Born,” not the Bethlehem Post headlines, “No Rooms.” In other words, the same events happened the night of Jesus’s birth, but no doubt, people viewed them differently – from either a heavenly perspective or an  earthly perspective. I can’t help but think it would put a smile on Jesus’s face if believers thought like angels. God is up to something. We can be sure His motive is holy. Let’s commit to be messengers of the good news that there is a Savior and speak of God’s peace and good will through Christ.

Blessings, sweet friends, as we choose to think like an angel.

Copyright, “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” by Debbie Taylor Williams

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths; and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7

The nativity is the centerpiece of Christmas.  Here, in a humble manger, the magnitude of God’s love is seen.  Christ came into the world not just for the rich, but for all people.  As we decorate our homes with nativity scenes, let us be ever mindful of the Christ, who humbled Himself to become man.  And not only man, but also babe.  And not only babe, but poor for our sake so that we might know the richness of His glory.  

Blessings, sweet friends, as we are mindful of Christ’s humility, as we follow His example.