Jack Countryman - The Promise of Christmas is Jesus: A 30-Day Devotional

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The Promise of Christmas Is Jesus

2012 Jack Countryman

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Scripture quotations are taken from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4003-2118-6

ISBN-13: 978-1-4003-2085-1 (with display)

Printed in the United States of America

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God makes a promise.

Faith believes His promise.

Hope anticipates its fulfillment.

Patience quietly waits.

Contents

Gods Gifts and
Promises for Christmas

C hristmas is a season of celebrating the birth of our Savior and a time of sharing gifts with those we cherish and love. The Promise of Christmas has been created to draw attention to the wonderful gift of Gods promises for everyone who walks with God. As you read and ponder these promises of God, pray that each passage will equip you to live in such a way that God will be glorified and you will have the joy and peace that passes all understanding.

I ts a timeless storythe account of Jesus birthwith familiar details such as shepherds, a star, wise men, and angels. But perhaps the details, if not the story itself, are too familiar. Are we any longer able to hear the wonder of this world-changing, history-altering story?

God planned the birth of Jesus before time began, and throughout the Old Testament thousands of years before a Baby was born in BethlehemGod hinted about the coming of this Messiah, this King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace.

Looking at these hintsthese ancient propheciesand their fulfillment in the New Testament accounts of Jesus birth can help us recapture the wonder of the Christmas story and marvel at the gift of Jesus, a gift of sacrifice and love, of Immanuel, God with us.

May seeing the promises of God and their fulfillment reignite in you the very hope of Christmas.

It came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!

Luke 2:114

AWAY
in a
MANGER

ANONYMOUS

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

Day 1

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever.

Luke 1:4555

F rom all appearances, Mary was an ordinary girl living in a one-stoplight townwhen an amazing moment revealed both her extraordinary character and her uncommon faith in her unseen and ever-faithful God. Believing the angels outrageous claim that she would give birth to Gods Son and completely trusting that the Almighty would enable her to walk that path, Mary yielded her lifeher very bodyto her Creator. Despite the cost to her, despite the public shame and her derailed dreams, Mary was a model of humble and willing submission to the Lords plans, and the world has celebrated her obedience to God for more than two thousand years.