For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6
Better a dry crust withpeaceand quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. Prov. 17:1
“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
Lord Jesus, it’s the eve of Christmas Eve—arguably, one of the most pressure-laden, detail-heavy, preparation-peaking, relationship-stressing, and traffic-snarly days of the year. As this day unfolds, grant us wisdom to discern the difference between the many Martha-like-details that really don’t matter; and the “one good thing” you commended in Mary.
Jesus, be our treasure and pleasure; the focus of our gaze and the joy of our hearts; not just the “reason-for-the-season,” but also the center of our existence. May your welcoming, kind heart be the most notable reality in our homes this Christmas. Grant us copious mercy for prodigals, plenteous grace for our brokenness, and patient compassion for one and all alike. May the future Day of “all things new” impact a Christmas day of all-things-less-than-ideal.
May the silent night of your birth bring its gentling presence into our hearts and homes. May the “good news of great joy,” the angel’s declared, trump any other storyline we’d write for this week. May your peace that passes understanding reign in our hearts, even when things don’t go the way we planned. Gospel peace + a dry piece of toast, is better than relational strife + a perfectly cooked feast, every time.
Lord Jesus, as you came to serve us, from your manger to the cross; so may we find our greatest joy this week in serving one another. Free us from any “need” for anybody to be any different than they are. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.
