Author: thartung

Friday, December 18th

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with
his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)

The wise men worshipped Christ through bringing Him gifts fit for a king. Obviously, Christ did not need these gifts, though He was deserving of every single one of them. Few of us have gold, frankincense, or myrrh to give Christ, but what can you give Him? How can you be with Christ this season and the rest of your life? What talents and gifts do you have to devote to Christ and the Kingdom of God? Do you have spare time? Do you have a servant’s heart to pour into your church or a local ministry? Do you have a hobby you can somehow glorify God with?

Author Ian Jeffries

Thursday, December 17th

“4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

Christ has gone through all of the same struggles we as humans have gone through. He
lost loved ones, was tempted by Satan, and faced unbelievable pain. This shows us that Christ
has empathy for us. He knows what we have gone through, are going through, and will go
through. Often times, I find myself trying to empathize with others by relating similar situations I have been in. This isn’t meant to “one up” or belittle someone else’s experiences (though it often comes across that way). It is an attempt to try to show that they are not alone through their pain and struggles. Christ takes that the next step. He chose to walk through those same struggles. He did so to pave a righteous path for us. He did so so that we might walk with Him through our struggles as He guides us to the Father.

Author Ian Jeffries

Wednesday, December 16th

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Christ came to this earth our of love for us. One of our Christmas classics at westside is the song “How Many Kings.” It brings up how few kings (zero besides Jesus) have ever stepped down from their throne to love and serve their people. Even more so, these earthly kings do not have a throne even close to that of Jesus. For them, that means simply walking outside. To Jesus, that means leaving Heaven of all places. Yet Christ humbled himself so that He could love His creation. He did not do it out of spite or anger. He did not do so begrudgingly. He did so lovingly and willingly.

Author Ian Jeffries

Tuesday, December 15th

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their
flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)

Imagine the angel of the Lord appearing to you and announcing that the Savior has been born to you, but immediately following up that phrase saying you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager! The Savior we have been waiting for in the form of baby? Let alone lying in a manger. Jesus was not the king or savior his people were expecting. Jesus coming in the form of a baby is exactly what his people needed. He humbled himself to teach us so much more than his great power and might, but also his humility and love. One of my favorite songs is “Winter Snow” and it says “You could’ve come like a forest fire, With the power of Heaven in Your flame. But you came like a winter snow. Quiet and soft and slow.” This Christmas as we prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming, reflect on his humility and love. Remember that while Jesus could have come as a grown and mighty king, he still chose to come as a baby.

Author Ian Jeffries

Monday, December 14th

“1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” – Psalm 66:1-4 (NIV)

Whenever I think about the story of the birth of Jesus, I think of how it must have felt being a shepherd or one of the wise men visiting Christ for the first time. Scripture doesn’t let us
see too deep into their thoughts, but I imagine being there in awe at what they have seen. I can’t imagine doing anything else but praising God and worshipping Him in that moment. This afternoon, reflect on what you would do if you were one of the first people seeing Christ on this planet. How would you worship Him? How would you praise Him?

Author Ian Jeffries

Video by the Chosen