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photo courtesy of artur84@@freedigitalphotos.net

With the Christmas season fast approaching and lots added to our “to do” lists, I wanted to take a moment and help you reflect upon this season.  We as women can get so wrapped up in the “doing” that we forget the “being” part of Christmas time.  I wanted to write this devotional to help us identify with each of the nativity people.  This will be presented in a 10 part series–each day signifying a different person.  You can download it here for the complete devotional to use in your ladies group–includes all scripture NKJV.  Or you can enjoy a new person each day through my blog.  Be blessed as we go about remembering the reason for this season.

Day 9:Magi or wise men

Read scripture: Matthew 2:7-12

The bible says that the star guided the wise men to the baby, but it took some time. We have been taught that they arrived at the stable to see the baby Jesus, but that is not what the bible says. Also we don’t know if it was three men. The bible says “men” which means plural of one. It could have been 50, or 10 or 2. Tradition teaches us that it was three because they brought three gifts to Jesus.
These men picked out three gifts to give to the Savior. They chose:
• Gold—–representative of a King
• Frankincense—-used by priests and represents prayer
• Myrrh—used in embalming bodies—prophetic of his death

These three things represents all that Jesus stood for as a man:
Prophet Priest King

Are you so particular that you are careful to pick out presents for everyone this season but you forget to offer gifts to Jesus? The Bible says whatever you do, do it in my name. Is there someone this season that you can offer the gift of Jesus to? Maybe it will be to really listen to what someone wants this holiday season. Ask the Lord to reveal to you a way that you can help someone by giving the “perfect” gift.

Summary:
We shouldn’t get too wrapped up and idolize the birth of Jesus. That is not what Christmas time is about. It is about sharing with unbelievers this gift of what Jesus is. Who He is and what He stands for is what is going to change people. We have learned that when these biblical people believed what the Lord had told them, that is when they received what God said. We as believers need to not doubt all that God can do. If He tells you something or you read the scriptures, we need to believe that it will come to pass.

The bible says in Luke 1:4-5:
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Be blessed as you remember what the Christmas season is truly about.

photo courtesy of artur84@@freedigitalphotos.net

With the Christmas season fast approaching and lots added to our “to do” lists, I wanted to take a moment and help you reflect upon this season.  We as women can get so wrapped up in the “doing” that we forget the “being” part of Christmas time.  I wanted to write this devotional to help us identify with each of the nativity people.  This will be presented in a 10 part series–each day signifying a different person.  You can download it here for the complete devotional to use in your ladies group–includes all scripture NKJV.  Or you can enjoy a new person each day through my blog.  Be blessed as we go about remembering the reason for this season.

Day 8: The donkey

The only scripture reference is that the donkey carried Mary along the journey to Bethlehem. This is my take on the life of the donkey.
This donkey had a hard journey to take. He knew that the end result would be in a stable with fresh soft hay that he could lay down and rest in but he first had to endure to get to that point. He had to walk through rocky terrain, up and down mountains, and he probably was a little inconvenienced by not having enough to drink along the way.
The real hardship was to carry the baggage brought along on this journey. The heavy baggage that was strapped onto his body felt like a ton of bricks was put on his back. Then, to top it all off, they put this pregnant women on top of him! Here he was carrying the weight of the world on his back, traveling along rocky crags, and not seeing the end in sight for quite some time. All this poor little donkey looked forward to, was that soft straw that was lying in the manger.

Has God called you to do a task and you need encouragement from feeling weighed down with the heavy baggage of your calling in life? Know that the end is near. He will provide a season of rest. He will give you a resting ground, a place where you can take off all that baggage and lie down next to the Savior in that soft fresh hay.

day 9