The Night Before Christmas

December 24

(Luke 2:7b NIV) “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 21:34 NIV) "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."

(John 1:9-14 NIV) "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. {14} The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Perhaps the saddest part of the Christmas story is the staggering number of people who did not recognize the time of Christ’s coming. When Jesus was born, only a few shepherds showed up. For the rest of Bethlehem, it was business as usual. The Magi likely arrived later, but even their number was meager. God came to Earth, and only a handful of people recognized Him. The Creator came to those He had created, and the world yawned. The vast majority were either too proud or too busy to notice. Try to be among the minority this Christmas. Don’t let the hectic pace of the season dissipate and scatter your thoughts. Remain focused on Christ. Rise above the drunkenness of so many. Give any anxieties you have to the Prince of Peace. The Light of the world is coming. Recognize Him and receive Him. Pray for eyes to see His glory, and soak in God’s love. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Lost Boy Jesus

December 23

(Luke 2:43-45 NIV) "After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. {44} Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. {45} When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him."

(Luke 15:4-7 NIV)  ""Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? {5} And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders {6} and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' {7} I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

(Luke 19:10 NIV) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

(John 6:38-40 NIV) "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. {39} And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. {40} For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

When people from all over Israel went to Jerusalem for Passover, they would travel in large groups for companionship and protection. This was likely the case when Joseph and Mary went there. On the way home, they probably assumed that Jesus was with relatives or neighbors in their party. However, as they traveled further, they discovered that He was not with their group, so they returned to find Him. But as we will discover, Jesus was not lost. He is never lost. We are the ones who are lost. Without His light, we wander alone in darkness, trying to find our way. This is why Jesus came to Earth. He left the comfort of Heaven, and came here to seek and save us. Christ died on a cross so we could be found, and one day He will return to gather up His sheep. Not a one will be lost. Whoever you are, wherever you are, Jesus came to find you. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

According to Custom

December 22

(Luke 2:41-42 NIV) "Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. {42} When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom."

(Acts 15:1-2 NIV)  "Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." {2} This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question."

Every culture has its customs. Some customs are life giving; some can be life threatening. It was the custom to attend the Passover Feast in Jerusalem. Christ’s parents went there with Him when He was twelve. When He became a man, this same custom brought Jesus to Jerusalem where He was crucified. Some customs unite people… some exclude. Circumcision had united the Jews for ages, but there came a time when it separated those who believed in salvation by grace, instead of by the Law. Every church has its customs. Some are rooted in love and bring comfort; some are rooted in control, and end up excluding people. Every family has Christmas customs. Some of them bring cheer and enrich our lives; some, like excessive drinking, can ruin the holiday and produce negative memories. Examine your Christmas customs. Keep only those that honor Christ. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Strength, Wisdom, and Grace

December 21

(Luke 2:40 NIV) "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."

(John 1:14-18 NIV) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {15} John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" {16} From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. {17} For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {18} No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."

(Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV) "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved."

As the years went by, the baby Jesus grew in strength, wisdom, and grace, and became a man of God. He grew stronger in body and spirit, as should we. He was also filled with the wisdom of God. Being filled with wisdom is not a passive exercise. One could say, “He filled Himself with the wisdom of God.” Jesus spent time alone with His Father in prayer, and in God’s word. This is how wisdom accumulates, and it’s something we can still do. Are you filling yourself with God’s wisdom? Christ was also covered with the grace of God. John declares that Jesus was full of grace and truth, a potent combination. Grace flows out of God’s love. His mercies are never failing. Merry Christmas! Are you covered with God’s grace? Grace is what saves us, and grace is what should fill us to the point of overflowing. In this coming year, will you commit to growing in strength, wisdom, and grace? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day