Well, here it is, the day after Christmas. Johnny Mathis is still singing about "chestnuts roasting on an open fire"; the kids have settled into playing with their favorite toys; the world's throttled back a bit (even if the stores are humming with "returns"); and we're feeling pretty good about the year now almost gone.
Lutheran Hour Ministries has had a wonderful year of growth in the ministry resources and tools it offers congregations, Bible study groups, and individuals (both inside and outside the church). We've heard so many stories from people impacted in a positive way by the Gospel through our Project Connect and kids' booklets; the Men's NetWork WORK DAY; THRED, our new digital initiative; sermons and reflections from The Lutheran Hour; LHM Learn, our new FREE online courses; the work being done overseas in ministry centers around the world -- (our LHM-SAT-7 media partnership in Egypt, being just one example); and so many other great things.
In all this, we thank the Heavenly Father for the gift -- the inexpressible gift -- of His dearly beloved Son Jesus on Christmas morn some 2,000 years ago. It's because of Him we do what we do, and it's the reason you bless us as you do with your supporting gifts and prayers. We hope your Christmas season has been a time of joy and refreshment with your family and friends. We look forward to more connections with you throughout 2018, which will be here in a few short days.
From all of us at Lutheran Hour Ministries, may God's richest blessings be yours, and may the love and peace of the holiday season reign in your hearts throughout the coming year.
Cheers for the New Year and God bless!
Did anything extraordinary happen in your life this Christmas? You can tell us by clicking here!
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
A Place for Jesus
This year's Advent devotions once again tell of the timeless story when God came to us, came down to us, fully, in human form, and joined us in this world of pain and sorrow. His birth was magnificent in its simplicity and, in keeping with Christ's humble status, was not the stuff of fanfare or spectacle. Still, His arrival has universal application and for us ~ it changes everything. Here, if you don't already receive them as a daily email or read them online, is this year's Advent devotion for Christmas Day.
TEXT: "And she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
New parents spend pretty much every waking moment thinking about the place where the baby is. Is he safe? Who's holding him right now? Could he roll off that bed if I look away for a moment? Is the temperature too hot in this room? And who hasn't had the nightmare about accidentally leaving a baby at the grocery store!
We want babies to be in a safe place-all babies, our own or someone else's. But Jesus had none of that. He didn't even have a room in the inn with the other travelers (who no doubt would have been disturbed by His wails).
What He did have was an attentive mother who loved Him. She put Him in the manger to sleep-safely off the ground where He might take a chill or an animal might step on Him. No doubt she and Joseph spent the night as close as possible to that manger, guarding it with their bodies. That was Jesus' safe place.
When Jesus grew to manhood, He returned the favor-not just for Mary and Joseph, but for the entire human race. The night before His death, Jesus said to those who followed Him, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:1-3).
Jesus is our safe place. He is the One who laid down His life for us and took it up again, that He might be our Savior and our Refuge forever. He will never let go of us or forsake us, and He promises that everyone who believes in Him will be with Him forever.
That being the case, isn't this a great time to make room for Jesus in your own heart?
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, stay with me and never leave me. Keep me always with You, now and in eternity. Amen.
Do you have any special holiday traditions you do with family or friends that are centered on the Christmas story?
If so, please send them our way by clicking here and sharing your thoughts.
Merry Christmas!
TEXT: "And she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).
New parents spend pretty much every waking moment thinking about the place where the baby is. Is he safe? Who's holding him right now? Could he roll off that bed if I look away for a moment? Is the temperature too hot in this room? And who hasn't had the nightmare about accidentally leaving a baby at the grocery store!
We want babies to be in a safe place-all babies, our own or someone else's. But Jesus had none of that. He didn't even have a room in the inn with the other travelers (who no doubt would have been disturbed by His wails).
What He did have was an attentive mother who loved Him. She put Him in the manger to sleep-safely off the ground where He might take a chill or an animal might step on Him. No doubt she and Joseph spent the night as close as possible to that manger, guarding it with their bodies. That was Jesus' safe place.
When Jesus grew to manhood, He returned the favor-not just for Mary and Joseph, but for the entire human race. The night before His death, Jesus said to those who followed Him, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:1-3).
Jesus is our safe place. He is the One who laid down His life for us and took it up again, that He might be our Savior and our Refuge forever. He will never let go of us or forsake us, and He promises that everyone who believes in Him will be with Him forever.
That being the case, isn't this a great time to make room for Jesus in your own heart?
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, stay with me and never leave me. Keep me always with You, now and in eternity. Amen.
Do you have any special holiday traditions you do with family or friends that are centered on the Christmas story?
If so, please send them our way by clicking here and sharing your thoughts.
Merry Christmas!
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