Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 107

The Eighth Day of Christmas/The Circumcision of Christ

Luke 2:21-24 (NASB)

21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Lord, we are amazed that Jesus, Your Only-Begotten Son, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was circumcised on the eighth day and presented in the Temple with a sacrifice according to the Law. Though he was fully God, he was fully man and observed the same laws as  His fellow men. The Light of the World was not above the law, and neither are we. Lead us in Your ways and circumcise our hearts and minds. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

The Seventh Day of Christmas

Isaiah 62:1-5 (NASB)

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,

Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,

And her salvation like a torch that is burning.

2 The nations will see your righteousness,

And all kings your glory;

And you will be called by a new name

Which the mouth of the Lord will designate.

3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,

And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4 It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”

Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;

But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”

And your land, “Married”;

For the Lord delights in you,

And to Him your land will be married.

5 For as a young man marries a virgin,

So your sons will marry you;

And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,

So your God will rejoice over you.

Heavenly Father, thank You that we are called by a new name. We, Your church, are the bride of Christ, the Bridegroom who delights in us and rejoices in us. Even as a newborn baby, Jesus loved us and lived for us and ultimately died for us. We deserved to die and be cast into hell, but Jesus took our punishment for us so we can live with You and Him in eternity. All we have to offer in thanksgiving is our all–our selves, our hearts and minds, as a living sacrifice. We give ourselves to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Isaiah 60:4-9 (NASB)

“Lift up your eyes round about and see;

They all gather together, they come to you.

Your sons will come from afar,

And your daughters will be carried in the arms.

5 “Then you will see and be radiant,

And your heart will thrill and rejoice;

Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you,

The wealth of the nations will come to you.

6 “A multitude of camels will cover you,

The young camels of Midian and Ephah;

All those from Sheba will come;

They will bring gold and frankincense,

And will bear good news of the praises of the Lord.

7 “All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you,

The rams of Nebaioth will minister to you;

They will go up with acceptance on My altar,

And I shall glorify My glorious house.

8 “Who are these who fly like a cloud

And like the doves to their lattices?

9 “Surely the coastlands will wait for Me;

And the ships of Tarshish will come first,

To bring your sons from afar,

Their silver and their gold with them,

For the name of the Lord your God,

And for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you.

Lord, we are in awe of Your plan for our redemption, established before Adam and Eve sinned. You knew that when You gave us free will, we would abuse us and choose self-gratification over serving You. So You established a plan and told us about it through Your prophets for hundreds of years before the birth of Your Son as a baby who was fully man and fully God. How that can be, we don’t understand, but we know it to be. You even told us through Your prophet Isaiah that men and camels would come from afar bearing gifts for the baby born in a stable. By including the Magi in Your plan, You offered salvation to the Gentiles as well as to Your Chosen People, the Jews. Thank You, Lord, for including us in Your plan of redemption, for putting our guilt on Jesus, and giving us redemption and eternal life. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Luke 2:1-7 (NASB)

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Heavenly Father, there are so many miracles of Christmas–a virgin birth prophesied for hundreds of years, a young couple willing to risk being ostracized to carry out Your will, a woman long past child-bearing age bearing the forerunner to Christ. One of those miracles is Your using a secular ruler to carry out Your plan. Caesar Augustus ordered a census, in his mind for his selfish purposes, but actually for Your purposes, to ensure that the Messiah would be born in the city of David. Help us to remember this when we fret and worry over the misdeeds of secular officials. They may think they are doing what they want to do, and their actions may be evil. Yet they do nothing without Your allowing it. No matter who think they are in control, Lord, help us to remember and understand that it is always You and You alone in control of everything that happens. Though we see actions and short-term results that are evil, but on Your timeline and in Your plan, all things work together to good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Fourth Day of Christmas/Holy Innocents

Matthew 2:16-18 (NASB)

16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

Weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children;

And she refused to be comforted,

Because they were no more.”

O Lord, our God, here on the fourth day of Christmas, we are still joyously celebrating the birth of Jesus, yet at the same time we mourn the deaths of all those innocent babies and young children slaughtered by Herod. Because of his greed for power and fear of the baby the magi told him was born king of the Jews, Herod mercilessly murdered male children–children who had been anxiously awaited by their parents and loved by their families. We know how much Jesus loved little children, and we know You work all things for good to those who love You and are called to Your purpose. Although we don’t understand how the deaths of those murdered children fit into Your perfect plan, we trust You and Your perfect plan. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

The Third Day of Christmas/St. John

1 John 3:10-18 (NASB)

10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Lord God, today we remember St. John, who reminded us that if we are Your children, we will love one another. We love You because You first loved us, and we love our brothers and sisters because Jesus commanded us to love another. And we don’t just say we love each other–we must show us by our actions. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to love one another and show it by what we give and share. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

The Second Day of Christmas/St. Stephen

Acts 7:55-60 (NASB)

55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, [Stephen] gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Lord, on the second day of Christmas, we remember St. Stephen, the first of Jesus’s followers to be martyred for His sake. We are reminded to give gifts of service to others on this day, as Stephen was known for serving You by serving others. Inspire us by the Holy Spirit to serve You as Stephen did. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

 

Handel’s Messiah

Wishing you a blessed and joyous Christmas celebrating the birth of the Lord.

In the midst of family, food, and festive gifts, let us remember the greatest gift of all–the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ taking on our sin and giving us His righteousness. Enjoy this video of the King’s College Choir performing Handel’s Messiah.

Scripture for Christmas Day

John 1:1-5, 11-14 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God of Light and Life, thank You for sending Jesus as the Light of the World to illuminate the dark spaces of our hearts and purify them and make us holy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Christmas Eve from Bob Welsh

This video brought tears to my eyes, both sad and happy.