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Christmas women’s devotional series…….Think outside the manger part 5

amy / 12/10/2015

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 5: The angels
We have multiple references in Bible about the angels given the job of proclaiming the good news. They approached Zachariah, Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds, I know that the angels are not mortal beings but to be giving the task of sharing good news with people has to be exciting.

I think of the job that Ty Pennington has on Extreme Home Makeover, what a great place to be! Here you have these stories of people just being pushed through the wringer of life and he gets to tell them that their life is about to change physically for the better. You can see the joys in the eyes and through the tears of the people. Knowing you are doing something to help better their life, now that is a good job to have!
Sharing all the good that God has done in your life and how God will do it for someone else, is the greatest gift you can give to someone. We need to look for opportunities to worship the Lord and serve as His messenger to the lost of this world.

Do you need to be more like the angels and take the time to worship the Lord and share the goodness that He brings—especially during this stressful, sometimes chaotic time of life? One of the best things you can do is take the TIME to do something nice for someone else. Maybe it will be to sit and just listen to someone. Maybe it will be to bless someone financially this holiday season. If you know in your heart that you should be helping someone else, even in a small task—do it! God will show you what you need to do. Something even as little as buying a cup of coffee for a worker out on the streets this holiday, will go a long way. Don’t underestimate small gestures of blessings. You don’t know what people go through or what they need, but God does.

day 6

Christmas women’s devotional series…….Think outside the manger part 4

photo courtesy of artur84@@freedigitalphotos.net

Day 4: The innkeeper

The bible does not say much about the innkeeper so I am going to put my own spin on how he may have reacted to this situation.
After reaching Bethlehem after a long exhausting trip, his wife ready to give birth, Joseph asks for a room. Possibly after hearing that there were no rooms available he might of explained that this child, which would be born, would be great! But instead of having sympathy or even considering giving up his own room, he told him there were no rooms available.

Can you imagine sending a pregnant woman on her way when she was ready to give birth? Heartless or too busy! Instead he sends them to the stable.

What a huge opportunity missed by being too busy with the temporary cares of the day!

Are you like the innkeeper, keeping your schedule so full of activities this holiday season that you forget what is the most important gift of all? There are so many activities, cookies to bake, cards to write, crafts to make, presents to shop for and wrap, and parties to attend that the “real” reason for the season can become overlooked. Take the time to say “no” to a few extra things that are crowding up your schedule. Simplify some of the ways that you do things. Don’t worry about having everything “so perfect.” Relax a bit, take time for the Savior, and the rest will all fall into place.

day 5