“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25-26).

The name Simeon means to hear or listen.  Simeon was a devout man who looked for God’s presence in the hope of what He had promised.  He was told by the Lord that the Christ would come in his lifetime.  It takes faith to trust the Lord.  Listen as the Lord speaks and heed the word He gives.  The Lord has given us all the word of hope in the promise that, because Jesus lives, we too shall live.

Almighty God, You have given us a revelation that is filled with hope and promise.  You have fulfilled those words of prophecy that we might believe.  Help our unbelief and continually remind us that we live by faith.  What we cannot yet see will come to pass as You have told us.  Teach us to be devout with our lives, living according to the word You have given us in the hope of faith.

Lord Jesus, You are the fulfilment of the promise.  You have come to us that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guard and guide my mind to rest upon the hope You give above all earthly circumstances.  Lead me in my life that I may hold fast to the hope You give.  May I be found faithful in the small things You give me and not listen to the world which seeks to distract me.  Amen.

“And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24).

Set apart for the Lord’s service, according to the word the Lord established, our Savior was dedicated.  We too have been dedicated through the water of our baptism in order that we might walk in the way of holiness.  Come to the Lord with the dedication You have received and walk in His ways all the days of Your life.  He is the One who not only will, but must, lead the way.

Lord God, I am often too independent.  I think in terms of what I can or cannot do.  You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  You have come to show me the way to live.  You have come to prepare and lead the way which leads to eternity.  Help me to live in the faith You gave me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You in the baptism You have given me.

Savior Jesus, You have done all things in accordance with the will of the Father.  Teach me how to do the same.  Today and each day You give me, guide me in Your goodness and mercy to hear, see, and understand through Your word and prayer.  Let me take in what You give that I may expel all that need not be in me.  Sanctify me in order that I may always humbly walk with You leading the way.  Amen.

“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

Fulfilling all that the law required, the name, which means ‘God’s salvation,’ was given.  We know His name as Jesus.  It is the name the Lord has spoken all along, that He would be our salvation.  Trust in the One who fulfills His word.  Know that God has come and all who follow Him, follow in the way of salvation.  He will lead all who follow into the adventure of being with Him forever.

Lord, in the grand mystery of what You have shown us, help me to see and, where possible, understand that You have invited me to come into the name You have given, Your salvation, to humbly walk with You all the days of this life.  Lead me into all goodness for Your name’s sake so that I may become what You will make of me.  Help me to learn how to praise You in every circumstance.

Lord Jesus, Salvation Incarnate, You have come to lead the way.  Only You, who descended from heaven can ascend into heaven.  Only You can lead the way, for You are the way.  With a similar vulnerability as You came, lead me to walk with You, no matter the cost, in order that I may be in the Father’s will.  Help me to do what is right and fitting in every circumstance as You lead me.  Amen.

“The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them” (Luke 2:20).

Should we not do the same?  Should we not leave each time we gather in the Lord’s name glorifying and praising God for all that we have heard and seen?  I wonder if we forget who it is that has called us together and the wonderful things He has done for us.  Things happened just the way the Lord has told us they would.  We are invited to see the world in a wonderfully different way.

Lord, help me to see the way things really are and enter into Your world.  Guide me so that I live giving thanks and praise You with every encounter of life in the day.  Daily, You minister to all.  Help me to learn how to live a life of praise, being thankful for all of Your benefits.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to live according to the way You have established knowing that Your word shall be fulfilled.

Sweet Jesus, lying in a manger and with vulnerability, You have come to save all who turn to You.   Help me learn how to be vulnerable so that I willingly, gladly, and daily, enter into praise and thanksgiving.  Guide me this day to take every opportunity to see Your presence and give thanks for the Father’s will being done.  Lead me to live in Your kingdom always.  Amen.

Friday, October 9, 2026 Devotion

“And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:18-19).

God provides the witnesses that He provides.  We tend to listen or not listen, not based upon the message, but upon who it is that is telling us.  You know that the Lord is speaking to you each day, but often we are not listening.  Learn to listen and do not weigh the message upon who is giving it, but upon the weight of what is being said.  Treasure the word of the Lord and see it grow in your heart.

Lord, I do have many prejudices.  Regardless of the reasons that I have, shatter them so that I may hear when You speak.  Lead me according to Your word, for Your word is truth.  In these last days You have spoken through Your Son.  Help me to hear and heed His word through the many reminders that You send each and every day.  Lead me to become more like Christ in all I say and do.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead us into the way of living that You established from the beginning.  You have come so that I may go from where I am to where I need to be in order to live according to the way You created for us to live.  Help me to heed the word You give, listen, and come into the way that You are showing me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live now and always following You.  Amen.

“So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child” (Luke 2:16-17).

The example of freely sharing what was seen and heard is for our edification.  In this world, people keep secrets.  There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed.  Share what you see and hear.  Amidst the darkness of this world, it is good to hear of those places where the light is shining.  For them, as well as for us, all that this means is still wrapped up in mystery.  God has come to us.

Lord, I have heard the story many times and I know what it says, but the reality of this is still hard to believe.  In this world I want to be somebody, but I know that I am just an ordinary person.  You show up as if I were somebody, but I know that I am not, and why would You come to me.  The very thing I long for is the very thing You are doing.   You, who created all things, have come to me.

Lord Jesus, in the mystery and wonder of Your Incarnation, help me to understand not that I am somebody special, but that I am Your creation in which You have invested Your life.  You are everything, for all things have their being through You.  You have come to finish Your creation in me.  Lead me in the way I need to go so that I may humbly follow You wherever You will lead me.  Amen.

“When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:17).

For each of us, it is true that this is the moment where we either act upon what we have heard and seen, or else ignore it and move on.  Each day we have multiple opportunities to move or stay.  Life is often lived in this way.  If we attune ourselves to what the Lord is doing, we will be better able to recognize those places where He is, and act in the light of revelation.  The Lord never forces, but He is always inviting us to go along with Him.

Lord, You are continuously offering for me to be engaged in the ministry You would have me do.  Guide me in the way of living such that I see the opportunities You provide and live into the ministry You will use through me to grow others into the spirit of Christ.  By the example of the faithful who willingly moved in the direction of doing Your will, help me to not stay still, but keep moving to do Your will.

Lord Jesus, each day You continued in Your ministry doing the will of the Father.  There are so many times when I would have given up, but You did not.  Teach me how to be responsive to the Father’s will and live a life that makes right choices.  Let not my will hinder what You would do in and through me but help me to see that in You I am more than able to go where it is best for me.  Amen.

“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:12-15).

The Lord is always giving us signs to lead the way.  The world is blind, but the Lord gives us sight to see.  Look at the signs which are all around You, and You will be found by the One who has come to lead you.  He is pleased with those who come to Him, and in Him those who come in faith receive the peace which surpasses all understanding.  Open your eyes to see that the Lord has come to lead the way.

Lord, You have revealed Yourself to me through Your word and the witness of those who have come sharing the Good News of great joy.  Help me to take what You give and receive Your peace. The world continues its warfare, but I have surrendered to You.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life so that I may learn more of what all of these things mean.  Take me to where I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You are a sign of hope and promise.  You have also given us many signs so that we may see, respond, and believe.  Guide me in the way You have established so that like the shepherds, I may come to You and witness for myself the truth You have revealed.  Guide me by the light of Your presence to walk in the way of peace.  Help me to understand more fully each day the grace which is mine in You.  Amen.

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning boys and girls! Pastor, I have a question for you.

Pastor: Sure, Sammy. I am ready for your question.

Sammy: Are you patient?

Pastor: I like to think that I am.

Sammy: What about as a parent? Are you a patient parent?

Pastor: I try to be. 

Sammy: Even when it’s hard?

Pastor: Yes, even when it’s hard. We all make mistakes, Sammy. Children make mistakes just like adults.

Sammy: That’s true. It’s just, well, I make a lot of mistakes, Pastor. And sometimes I feel really bad and I hope that my maa-maa won’t be angry with me.

Pastor: I think that’s a perfectly normal feeling, Sammy. Boys and girls, when have you made a mistake? What happened?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you all for sharing. Parents sometimes have a hard time being patient with their children. It’s hard to be patient, but it’s important to remember that Jesus gives us a great example of just how patient he is with us in scripture. 

Sammy: He does?

Pastor: Yes–Jesus talks about how God sends one prophet after another and his people reject them. Then, when Jesus comes to talk about God’s kingdom, people reject him, too. God is very patient with us, with all of us, from our littlest believers up though our biggest believers. One of the best things we can do is to be patient and loving with each other in return.

Sammy: I like that plan. I am going to tell my maa-maa that Jesus wants her to be patient with me.

Pastor: Sammy, she already knows. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for loving us. Help us to be patient with each other. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Good news of great joy, in fulfillment of prophecy, the anointed heir of the throne, the Savior of the world, has come.  Many have heard these lines, but it seems that few really hear and understand them.  The full truth of the message is something we can barely begin to comprehend.  The God of all creation has come to us vulnerable, needy, and seemingly no threat to anyone.  But His very presence threatens all who are in rebellion against Him.

Lord, the wickedness of this world decorates the events of that night to make them colorful, busy, and focused upon my own desires and fantasies.  Help me to see the humble simpleness of the greatest even in history so that I would humbly join with You and leave behind this world that is constantly masking what is right and true while promoting what is wrong and false.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we might follow Your lead, through the grace You purchased with Your own innocence and the sacrifice of Your life in order that we might become what the Father will make of us.  Guide me in the faith You have given me to humbly walk in the shadows of this world so that I may become what is intended.  Empower me to receive the message You give and come to You, my Savior.  Amen.