Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

IMMANUEL – Celebration of Joy       

Bible Reading: :: Mt 1:18-25

Key verse:  

Bible Verse::‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ Mt 1:23

DEVOTION

This last Sunday of Advent is a time when we finally get around to the celebration at the heart of Christmas. The passage is not the one with the journey to Bethlehem and the manger and the shepherds as on eve rather it is told from Joseph’s perspective who plays a secondary role throughout, emphasizing three things:  
God of surprises 
The birth of Jesus was completely unexpected for everyone and was a surprise in all sorts of ways. Joseph’s life had taken an unexpected turn, in the blink of an eye, and he really wasn’t sure how to proceed. What Joseph would later find out is that God had a plan for him the whole time. When life takes us on a detour, it is very comforting to remember that God has a plan and that God is still in control. There is almost no detour too great to cause us to lose our way.
It means that our world does not have to be orderly or predictable for God to enter it. God did not wait until the world was ready. However God helped Joseph and Mary to become ready. To be a blessing for the world was the last thing Joseph expected and to becoming an instrument for Jesus to heal our broken world. 
Jesus is Immanuel
Jesus is Immanuel - “God is with us.” Jesus is his name, the Lord saves. Immanuel is his nature. In Joseph’s case, the way that God guided him was through an angel appearing to him in a dream. Think of all that Joseph didn’t understand. When life doesn’t make sense, when it is hard and confusing and even painful, it helps to know that there is a God above who hears our groans and sees our tears. And he has an answer. He’s God. He’s man. And he’s Immanuel—God with man. In this wild, unpredictable ride that we call “life,” there is one thing we can always count on, one constant: Our Creator chooses to be with us throughout it all and helping us to take the next step in God’s plan for us. Immanuel guarantees that there is an expiration date on world’s brokenness, on all our brokenness. 
The last words spoken by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel would echo the words spoken by the angel to Joseph before Jesus was even born. “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” God is with us, always.
The Mission for us
Raymond Murray writes, “The great want of this age is real men and women: Men and women who are not for sale;….Men and women in whom the hope of everlasting life still runs deep and strong; …Men and women who know their business and attend to it;….Men and women who are willing to go out on a limb and take a stand for God.
We are called to bring Christ to the world. When someone’s life is turned upside-down, you might be the angel of the Lord appointed to touch that person. Through Jesus, God is with us always, but one of the ways that he chooses to be with us, is through the body of Christ, which is you and me and all who follow Jesus so as to bring God to others, and to the entire world.

 

PRAYER

Lord, help us to revisit our calling and to be “with” the brokenness. Amen.

Thought for the DAY

: In an unwavering life can we take a stand for God and be a healing presence.


 Rev. Dr. Moni Mathew
New York

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more