And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17‭-‬20 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.2.17-20.KJV

SILENT NIGHT

I absolutely love that in Luke 2, the Bible makes mention of Mary taking a moment to ponder all that was happening. She took the time to store up every precious moment as a treasure in her heart. My favorite line in the song “Silent Night” is “Christ our Savior is born!” In the moment Jesus entered this world, everything changed. From this point on, there was no going back. Jesus came into this world to save us all. Mary and Joseph must have felt the power of the moment and the stirring of overwhelming joy inside of them; nothing would ever be the same again.

In all of the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season, it is so important for us to stop and just take a moment. Ponder in your heart the miracle that is Jesus and the beauty of what His birth meant for us. Take the time to let your heart feel the excitement and anticipation of what Jesus is doing in your life.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.15.4.KJV

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:30‭-‬33 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.1.30-33.KJV

7 Day Devotional by Kim Walker-Smith Day 1:

AWAY IN A MANGER

Most of us who have grown up in church, have at some point sang the song “Away in a Manger” during a children’s Christmas play. We learn it at a very young age. For some of us, it is a lullaby that our mother’s sang to us. As I write this, I am 8 months pregnant and currently have a 1 year-old son. I have already been singing this song to him as a lullaby! As a mother, there are times I worry about whether or not I’m doing a good job, asking the Lord to continuously teach me to be a good mom, and praying that I will be a good example to my children. I think about the destiny and the dreams that God has placed inside my babies and even with all the excitement I can feel a weight of responsibility.

How incredible, that God would trust me with these precious ones and the destiny that is within them! I can’t imagine how Mary must have felt to have an angel appear, and tell her that she would give birth to a King; the Savior of the World! So many questions must have run through her mind like “Who am I to give birth to a King?” and “How on earth will I know how to raise a King?” The angel goes on to tell Mary that nothing is impossible with God. He doesn’t expect perfection from us, only a heart that says “yes” to following Him. He promises to never leave us and He walks with us on this journey. A heart that trusts the Lord is a heart at peace. Just say yes to Him.

To listen to the album When Christmas Comes on The Overflow please visit http://oflow.it/00ne/7m0dZyZffw​​​​​​​

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:5‭-‬7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1pe.5.5-7.KJV

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.4.6.KJV

HUMILITY LOOKS GOOD ON EVERYONE

REFLECTION

Jesus is the King of Kings, yet He arrived as a humble servant. Humility is not thinking you are less, it is never forgetting the fact that it is Jesus who made you more. So, how do you become like Jesus? How do you develop a spirit of humility?

Humility is the byproduct of being with Jesus. Anyone who walks intimately with Him will not think more highly of himself than he should. To be loved by Jesus and invited into a relationship with Him, is all we need to right-size ourselves and to assume His gentleness and grace.

To be humble doesn’t mean you have to be weak. God has given you all you need to live confidently as His. The proud will never truly lift up God’s name in praise. Yet He raises the humble to new heights.

MEDITATION AND PRAYER

A Private Litany of Humility

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
help me put my self-importance aside
to learn the kind of cooperation with others
that makes possible the presence of your Abba’s household. Amen.

Adapted from a prayer by Rafael,
Cardinal Merry Del Val, 1865–1930

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.12.KJV