1 John 2:16-17

For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

There is much beauty and pleasure in life…all gifts from God when a part of a generous, self-giving life in pursuit of our Creator’s will. But when our egos take over and the beauty and pleasures are viewed as objects for selfish gratification…it’s a dead-end. No wonder it leaves the ego always wanting more and more…with no satisfaction. Dear God…help me to serve you…and not my ego.

1 John 2:8

…for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

How often it seems we are immersed in or surrounded by darkness. Our lives are filled with struggles and seemingly unanswerable troubles…and yet…the letter of John tells us that Jesus is the light in the darkness. What if we made a practice of reading Jesus’ words in the Gospels and allowed them to sink in and be absorbed by our very being? Perhaps we would start to see a light amidst whatever we are struggling with. Even calling on His name…just might bring new light into whatever situation we find ourselves. Did you ever ponder that Jesus just may be the answer to all your needs and troubles?

Matthew 2:13

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

How “in tune” with God Joseph must have been. What amazing steps he took after receiving divine messages in dreams. First, he accepted Mary into his home after being told that she had conceived by the Holy Spirit; and then, he took her and the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod. How open are we to God’s communications? Do we cultivate our spiritual connection with God through reading scripture, times of silence, and being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Psalm 89:3

For you said, “My love is established forever; my loyalty will stand as long as the heavens.”

God’s love for us is beyond our understanding. It’s eternal. God’s Love became flesh in Jesus. In Jesus we see all that God Is. Allow that Love to embrace you…especially where you don’t feel worthy of such love. That is precisely where God wants to be with you so that you know what Unconditional Love means! Now…extend that same Love to the world.

Psalm 25:4-5

Make known to me your ways, Lord;

teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

Am I being guided by my ego’s desires…or by God’s? Am I even aware that God may have plans for me? Am I finding a place of silence in order to listen? May we empty ourselves…let go of our egos…and open a space for God to fill. May a new Light fill us…and direct us…this Christmas!

Matthew 1:20

Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”

Joseph, like Mary, must have been very much attuned to God. Instead of clinging to a very rigid “either/or” mentality…either Mary is a virgin and is not pregnant or she is not a virgin and she is pregnant…he opened himself to a “both/and” mentality. “Mary is a virgin and is pregnant.” This is a lesson for us. Do you really believe that all things are possible with God…as Jesus says in Matthew 19:26? Joseph and Mary show us how to set aside their plans…and to be open to God’s plans. Are we open to the possibility that God wants to birth something new in our lives?

Matthew 1:17

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Despite hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years of humankind’s turning away from God, returning, turning away, and returning…God never turned away from us. Our Creator’s message was always, “I love you. I will never leave you. You are my beloved.” We see the total nature of God’s love in Jesus. How can I channel that same love to the world? What part will I play…in God’s love story?

Psalm 85:9

I will listen for the word of God; surely the Lord will proclaim peace to his people, to the faithful, to those who trust in him.

Are you listening for God’s still whisper in your heart? Whenever you feel any sense of fear or anxiety…immediately turn to Jesus who said over and over during his ministry: “Do not fear!” In Jesus…we know who God Is. When John the Baptist sends his followers to Jesus to ask if he really is the Messiah, Jesus replies, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Luke 7:22). This is a God you can trust in.