December 19 – Hanukkah (Dedication)

  “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” John 10:22-23

The Jewish Feast of Dedication (or Feast of Lights) begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts eight days. It usually falls in December. It was Judas Maccabaeus who proclaimed this festival to be observed by Jews in 165 B.C. After a three-year struggle, the Jews in Judea had defeated the Syrian tyrant, Antiochus. They cleansed the Temple of Syrian idols and rededicated it to God. However, they could find only one small cruse of oil with which to light their holy lamps. Miraculously, the cruse provided oil for eight days!

Each Jewish home usually has a menorah, which is a special type of candelabra. On each of the eight nights, another candle is lit until, at the end of the feast, all stand lighted together, annually reminding God’s people of His divine provision. With joy and thanksgiving, gifts are exchanged and contributions are made to the poor.

Rededicate YOUR temple to the Holy Spirit this Christmas season by lighting the lamp of your desire to walk holy before God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16)

PRAY: “Dear heavenly Father, Your light in my life brings joy and contentment.  I rededicate my whole body, soul, and spirit to you. Lead me in the paths of righteousness. Amen.”

December 18 – Love Overcomes Fear

    “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18

You live in a world of fear. People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. Many people are even afraid of life itself. Millions of dollars are spent each week in power consumption used to “light up the night” for fear of all the evil things that happen in the darkness.

The President rides in a $500,000 limo designed to withstand small scale military attacks…all because of a very real fear that someone may wish to do him harm. How unhappy Stalin must have been…he was constantly in fear of being poisoned or killed. History now reveals that he had eight bedrooms which could be locked up like vaults in a bank. Nobody ever knew which bedroom he slept in on any given night.

Fear has been around a long time. It raised its ugly head in the Garden and has pushed itself into this world from then on. Sometimes fear is introduced into people’s lives through the door of “worry.”

Nearly 2,000 years ago, God sent a message to the world through a host of angel:

“FEAR NOT, I bring you good tidings of great joy, unto you is born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:10-11)

PRAY: “Lord, help me to love others. Rid me of any fear that might try to come my way. Help me to be victorious even today. In a personal way, make me realize that YOU are always with me; there is no need to fear. Amen.”

December 17 – God With Us

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23

What is the relevance of Christmas this year? Is it the story of a baby in a manger, or is there more? In all the hustle-bustle of shopping, decorating and partying, one easily could reduce the significance of the birth of Christ to a historical manger scene.

BUT, YOU know differently. God is still “WITH US.” Today, He lives in people. The birth, death, and resurrection of Christ made that possible. The Christ of Christmas becomes relevant to the world today through YOU and others like you.

This Jesus, whose birth was announced by ANGELS, is still largely ignored by MEN. While the King of kings was being born, King Herod and all Jerusalem were doing “business as usual.” It was hard for them to see His deity. Today, it is hard for people to see His humanity.

However, people can see YOU. As you touch others with the love of Christ and the forgiveness and understanding of Christ, you are making the Christ of Christmas relevant to a needy world. The needs of the homeless, the addicted, the hungry, and the hurting are calling for help from a God with “skin on.” YOU can be God’s representative on this earth today!

PRAY: “Thank You for placing Your Spirit within me so that I can radiate Your life to others. I will look for Your divine appointments today. Amen.”