A Prayer for Today: Christmas 2008

Dear Father,

Thank You for the life you have given to each of us to celebrate the birth of Your Son’s birthday, yet one more year. We are grateful beyond words. We celebrate our Savior with hearts filled with love.

Let us read and reflect on the Words that detail the arrival of our Savior.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

This passage of Scripture is the basis of our Salvation and we ask, Lord, that You will keep Your Word alive and active in our lives during 2000. Bring healing to our bodies and broken relationships. Grant wisdom and discernment to those facing difficult decisions. Direct the work of the doctors and researchers who seek a cure for this disease. Fill our hearts with forgiveness when we are hurt. Allow love to rule in all that we do, think, and speak.

We rejoice over our relationship with You, Lord. Allow us to speak and portray Your love and desire to save the lost to all those around us during the upcoming year.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen and Amen.