Luke 2:5-7, "He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them."

Think

Have you ever planned a trip somewhere and things didn't turn out quite the way you expected? Maybe the hotel that looked so clean and pristine in the brochure turned out to be a little run-down and dingy. However, while there, you chose not to focus on the poor conditions and instead made memories that'd last a lifetime. As Joseph and Mary set out for Bethlehem, certainly they weren't thinking that she'd give birth to the Savior of the world surrounded by livestock! But as Mary adoringly gazed down at the infant in her arms, the less than ideal circumstances no longer mattered. Isn't it true that some of life's greatest gifts are found in the most unexpected places? Who would have ever imagined that God's Son could be found in a feeding trough? Although Jesus entered the world in meager conditions, He came as the greatest gift of all - the Messiah sent, as promised in Scripture, to offer us true life, purpose and the hope of salvation by the mercy and grace of God.

Act

The Christmas season is a time of sharing gifts and spreading joy. There's no greater gift than sharing the gospel of peace with those who don't know Christ. Over the next week, pray for the people in your life who don't have a personal relationship with Christ.

Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the greatest gift of all time by sending Jesus to live righteously, die sacrificially, and rise bodily for my salvation. Your constant presence fills my heart with joy. Today, place people who desperately need You in my path and give me the courage to invite them to church. Amen