SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Some of us may remember the 'gos hit "Teardrop" by the musical group Massive Attack. The opening lines went, "Love, love is a verb, love is a doing word."Massive Attack would, perhaps, have been surprised to discover what gifted theologians they were because, on one level, ...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 1:14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Bible is many things. It's the story of a couple who became a family that became a nation that gave birth to a movement that would transform the world. It's a book about flawed and fragile people who fail and fall,...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:51-55He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." There has never been anyone in all of salvation history, even in their lowest and vilest moments, who has been unloved by God. God's relentless, incessant, ironclad love reaches queens and paupers, tyrants and monsters. God's love fills and floods and saturates every inch of his creatio...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:10-12But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." For so many of us, Christmas is a time of incredible happiness. It's a time for family...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:46-49And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name." One of my favourite TV shows is The West Wing. In one episode, a character named Leo tells the story of a man who fel...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. By this point in Advent, expectations are reaching an explosive point in many homes. Excitement is building as certain family members watch the calendar with feverish intensity. We just can't wait for Christmas to finally arrive! The waiting seems to have gone...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:22-23All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). When our family moved house, we had to repeat the single most challenging building project of my entire life—our son's bed. This monstrosity had left me exhausted, sore, and frustrated whe...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:18-19This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah cam about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Children are often wonderful teachers,...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:15-20When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all w...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:28-32Simeon took [the child Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying:"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." People of a certain generation reading this devotional may be ...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:13-14Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." December 25, 1914, is perhaps one of the most famous Christmas Days in history. Known as the "Christmas truce," soldiers all along the Western Front of World War I climbed out of their trenche...  Read More