Entries by YMI

ODB: Christmas Sacrifice

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December 26, 2015 

READ: Galatians 4:1-7 

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son.

Galatians 4:4

 

O. Henry’s classic tale “The Gift of the Magi” tells of Jim and Della, a young married couple who are struggling financially. As Christmas approaches they want to give special gifts to each other, but their lack of money drives them to drastic measures. Jim’s prized possession is a gold watch, while Della’s is her long, beautiful hair. So Jim sells his watch in order to buy combs for Della’s hair, while Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch.

The story has deservedly become beloved, for it reminds us that sacrifice is at the heart of true love, and sacrifice is love’s truest measure. This idea is particularly appropriate for Christmas, because sacrifice is the heartbeat of the story of the birth of Christ. Jesus Christ was born to die, and He was born to die for us. That is why the angel told Joseph, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

Long before Christ’s birth, it had been determined that He would come to rescue us from our fallenness—which means that we can never fully appreciate the manger unless we see it in the shadow of the cross. Christmas is completely about Christ’s love, seen most clearly in His sacrifice for us.

— Bill Crowder

In what ways would you like to say thanks to Jesus for what He has done?  

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Post a card of Hope

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Title: Post a card of Hope Materials: 12 Hand-written Designed Postcards Description:  It’s Christmas Day! Olivia and Vania invite you once again to remember the hope Jesus brought to us through His coming and death on the cross. Here’s how they spread the message of hope this Christmas — by designing a series of 12 postcards. Each card comes […]

ODJ: a bigger story

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December 25, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:8-14 

I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people (v.10).

It’s a little cartoon with a simple plot. The Christmas pageant is approaching, and the boy-director can’t do anything right. Now, 50 years later, A Charlie Brown Christmas still draws excellent ratings in parts of the world. Why?

The genius of the story is that it doesn’t get in the way of the Big Story. As Charlie Brown makes an increasingly bigger mess of things, one of his “friends” declares, “You’re hopeless, Charlie Brown. Completely hopeless.” Humiliated and exasperated, Charlie Brown shouts to the ceiling, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

It’s then that Linus answers, “Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Clutching his blanket and sucking his thumb, Linus ambles to center stage. Politely requesting the spotlight, he launches into a soliloquy for the ages—the Christmas story from Luke 2. His recitation complete, he shuffles off the stage and simply says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Christopher Shea, the actor who voiced Linus’ unforgettable role when he was just 7 years old, died in 2010 at age 52. But he knew where the power of that Christmas special came from. “It’s the words,” said Shea. “As I got older, I understood the words more, and I understood the power of what was going on.”

One day our lines will be complete. We’ll walk offstage and into eternity. If we understand who it’s all about, we can exit in satisfaction and fulfillment, fully confident of meeting the One behind the words—He who came to rescue His creation. “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11).

Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: 1 John 1:1-10

MORE
Read Philippians 2:5-11 to see the bigger story of what it meant for Jesus to rescue us. 
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How are you trying to leave your mark on the world? In what areas are you glorifying yourself? In what ways are you living to advance God’s story? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Fragile Gift

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December 25, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:1-7 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

When we give a fragile gift, we make sure it is marked on the box that contains it. The word fragile is written with big letters because we don’t want anyone to damage what is inside.

God’s gift to us came in the most fragile package: a baby. Sometimes we imagine Christmas day as a beautiful scene on a postcard, but any mother can tell you it wasn’t so. Mary was tired, probably insecure. It was her first child, and He was born in the most unsanitary conditions. She “wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 nkjv).

A baby needs constant care. Babies cry, eat, sleep, and depend on their caregivers. They cannot make decisions. In Mary’s day, infant mortality was high, and mothers often died in childbirth.

Why did God choose such a fragile way to send His Son to earth? Because Jesus had to be like us in order to save us. God’s greatest gift came in the fragile body of a baby, but God took the risk because He loves us. Let us be thankful today for such a gift!

— Keila Ochoa

Dear Lord, the Strong and Mighty One, I thank You for becoming small and fragile on that day long ago. It amazes me that You did that for me and the rest of Your world.

May you know the peace of Christmas every day of the year.  

ODJ: little town of bethlehem

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December 24, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:1-7 

While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son (vv.6-7).

December can be filled with a lot of traveling. Some take vacations at exotic, faraway destinations. Adult children go home to see their parents. Relatives and friends come for a visit.

But this Christmas, would you take a 90-mile road trip by foot down dangerous mountain roads? Would you travel to a place where all the 5-star hotels (and 1- to 4-stars, too) were fully booked? Would you still make the journey if your wife was about to give birth to your first child?

For one young couple, there was no choice about their difficult journey. Mary and Joseph were compelled by law to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem—easily 4 days of travel time (Luke 2:2-6).

Bethlehem was the burial place of Rachel—wife of Jacob. The love story of Boaz and Ruth took place here. Besides being also the hometown of David, Israel’s greatest king, there isn’t much more about this little village that’s really worth discussing. In fact, Bethlehem is well-known because of its insignificance. It’s famous for being the least of all villages in Judea (Matthew 2:6).

But on that special night long ago, something of cosmic and eternal significance occurred in the little town of Bethlehem. “While they were there, . . . [Mary] gave birth to her first child, a son” (Luke 2:6-7). The prophet Micah spoke of this birth hundreds of years before. “You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2).

One other thing about Bethlehem—it means “house of bread.” So it’s fitting that this was the birthplace of Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35). His journey to earth has made all the difference.

—K.T. Sim

365-day-plan: 2 Peter 1:2-21

MORE
Read Luke 2:15-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 and consider the journeys that certain people made to see Jesus just after His birth. 
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What is God teaching you about what it means to trust Him in life’s journey? How does Jesus’ story encourage you to follow God by faith? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Christmas Mystery

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December 24, 2015 

READ: 1 Timothy 3:14-16 

The mystery from which true godliness springs is great.

1 Timothy 3:16

 

As Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol begins, there is mystery surrounding Ebenezer Scrooge. Why is he so mean-spirited? How did he become so selfish? Then, slowly, as the Christmas spirits marched Scrooge through his own story, things become clearer. We see the influences that changed him from a happy youth into a selfish miser. We observe his isolation and his brokenness. As the mystery is solved, we also glimpse the path to restoration. Concern for others pulls Scrooge from his self-absorbed darkness into a new joy.

A far more important mystery, and one much harder to explain, is that which Paul spoke of in 1 Timothy 3:16: “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” Extraordinary! God “appeared in the flesh.”

The mystery of Christmas is how God could become man while remaining fully God. It defies human explanation, but in the perfect wisdom of God, it was the plan of the ages.

“What child is this?” He is Jesus Christ—God revealed in the flesh.

— Bill Crowder

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Traditional carol

God made His home with us so that we might make our home with Him.  

ODJ: joy to the world

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December 23, 2015 

READ: Psalm 98:1-9 

Shout to the Lord , all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! (v.4).

For two of my friends, this yuletide season will be a difficult one. They’ve both lost loved ones during this period, and the festive season reminds them of the painful absence. Sometimes it’s hard to feel joyous during Christmas.

While this season would hardly seem complete without the singing of “Joy to the World,” how can we sing for joy when our heart is grieving in pain? The song was penned by Isaac Watts, not as a Christmas carol but as a reinterpretation of Psalm 98—a psalm that calls the earth to praise God in view of His coming reign. The lyrics contain rich themes of Jesus’ coming to dwell among us as a human being, so most hymnals list the song as an Advent carol.

And, indeed, the fact that Christ came in the flesh is grounds for true joy. Preacher Charles Simeon termed it as the “most marvelous occurrence that ever the world beheld.” Consider this: The King of Kings wasn’t born in a palace, but in a lowly stable. And He became accessible to regular folks like you and me.

Why did He come? The Lord “remembered his promise to love and be faithful” (v.3). He came to save (v.1), announce His victory, and reveal His righteousness (v.2).

When we think about Christmas and face it with tears—like my friends, we still have hope: Jesus is coming again. The baby who was placed in a manger will wipe every tear from our eyes, and we will enjoy His blessings forever (Revelation 21:4).

As you hear and sing “Joy to the World” this season, may the lyrics bring you joy, for “The Lord is come!” “The Savior reigns,” “He comes to make His blessings flow,” and “He rules the world with truth and grace.” Yes, joy to the world—for our Savior has come!

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: 1 Peter 3:1-22

MORE
Read Luke 2:8-14 and consider the good news of great joy that the angels proclaimed on Christmas morning. 
NEXT
What are some of the things Jesus made possible through His coming? What joyous hope do we look forward to at His second coming? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: One Size Fits All

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December 23, 2015 

READ: John 3:10-21 

Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

 

Like most children, I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas. With great anticipation, I would snoop under the tree to see what toys and games awaited my eager grasp. So I felt deflated when I started getting things like shirts and pants. Grownup gifts were no fun! Then last Christmas, my kids gave me some cool socks with bright colors and designs. I almost felt young again! Even grownups could wear these socks, as the label reassured me: “One size fits all.”

That welcome phrase “one size fits all” reminds me of the best gift of Christmas—the good news that Jesus is for everyone. The point was proven when the first invitation sent by angel choirs was to shepherds on the bottom rung of the social ladder. The news was underscored further when the VIPs—the wealthy and powerful Magi—followed the star to come and worship the Christ-child.

After Jesus began His ministry, an influential member of the Jewish ruling council came to Him at night. In the course of their conversation, Jesus invited “whoever believes” to come to Him. The simple act of faith in Christ grants eternal life to those who trust in Him (John 3:16).

If Jesus were just for the poor and marginalized, or only for the famous and fortunate, many of us would not qualify. But Christ is for everyone, regardless of status, financial situation, or social standing. He is the only gift truly fit for all.

— Joe Stowell

Thank You, Lord, that no one is unqualified for the gift of Your love. Teach us to rejoice in the fact that Your love was just right for us, and help us to share that love with others.

God’s gift to a dying world is the life-giving Savior.