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CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
Week
Say Four
:
to Y “ Hush
our ”
Soul
Exper ien c e t h i s Ch r i s t mas
se a so n l i ke ne v e r b e f or e wi t h
this si x- week d e v ot i on a l f r om
Max Lucado
Let one of America’s most-loved pastors guide you
on a memorable journey to the manger. Sit beside
the babe. Know what it was like. Be inspired to live
out your faith for Him.
Week Four: Say "Hush" to Your Soul
Because Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience, he began his Gospel by showing
through family records that Jesus was a descendant of both King David and Abraham.
Observation
Jesus Christ.
Inspiration
Is he the right choice? Doesn’t God have better options? An eloquent priest from
A major part of the answer lies in his reputation: he gives it up for Jesus. Matthew
calls him a "just man" who wanted to quietly "put away" Mary after he heard her news.
With the phrase “a just man,” Matthew recognizes the status of Joseph. Nazareth viewed
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him as we might view an elder, deacon, or Bible class teacher. Joseph likely took pride in
hand, he has the law. On the other, he has his love. The law says, stone her. Love says,
Then comes the angel. Mary’s growing belly should give him no cause for
concern, but reason to rejoice. “She carries the Son of God in her womb,” the angel
A bead of sweat forms beneath Joseph’s beard. He faces a dilemma. Make up a lie
and preserve his place in the community, or tell the truth and kiss his reputation good-
bye. He makes his decision. “Joseph . . . took to him his wife, and did not know her till
Joseph swapped his Torah studies for a pregnant fiancée and an illegitimate son
and made the big decision of discipleship. He placed God’s plan ahead of his own.
Do I? Do you? I wonder . . . how might God's plan change your own plans this
Christmas season?
Application
God’s plan encompasses your personality, your talents, and your future. Ask God
to help you be a witness to His Son this Christmas, open to new assignments and eager to
grow in faith.
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Exploration
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Day 2: Holy Night, Holy Lips
Asaph grew in confidence that God would bring the wicked to judgment. God
Observation
God’s holiness contrasts with our sinfulness. Without mercy from God, we all
would be judged.
Inspiration
Many people count "O Holy Night" among their favorite Christmas carols. They
love the richness of the tune, the sacredness of the lyrics. But how many of us stop to
According to legend, the first American Indian to see the Grand Canyon tied
himself to a tree in terror. According to Scripture, any man privileged to peek at God has
Remember the words of Isaiah after his vision of God in all His holiness? “Woe is
me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).
Upon seeing God, Isaiah was terrified. Why such fear? Why did he tremble so? Because
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he was wax before the sun. A candle in a hurricane. A minnow at Niagara. God’s glory
was too great. His purity too sterling. His power too mighty. His holiness too blinding.
And yet . . . Jesus chose to leave behind the splendor of heaven and its
shimmering holiness in order to come and live among us. He donned the costliest of
robes: a human body. He made a throne out of a manger and a royal court out of some
cows. He took a common name—Jesus—and made it holy. He took common people and
This year, when you sing "Silent Night, Holy Night," why not ask God to help
(Adapted from When God Whispers Your Name and When Christ Comes by Max
Lucado)
Application
God is much more than a cosmic buddy. Yes, Jesus was born in a stable and
placed in a manger—but let's be careful not to think too little of God. Ask God to grow
within you a respectful, humble attitude that won't make people wince when you say,
"Merry Christmas!"
Exploration
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Day 3: A Bit Of It All
Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah and Ezra assembled the people in Jerusalem to hear the law of Moses.
Many wept when they realized how disobedient they had been, but the assembly became
a festive time when the people reclaimed their legacy as God’s chosen people.
Observation
Nehemiah not only encouraged the people to consider the day sacred but also to
rejoice in the Lord, their source of strength. They could seek God’s holiness and be joyful
Inspiration
Last night during family devotions, I called my daughters to the table and set a
plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit,
some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares
The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that,
aren’t they? Some days are “three cookie days.” Many are not. Sometimes our plate has
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God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn’t
it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are
healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does
All are important and all are from God. “We know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”
(Romans 8:28). We, like Paul, must learn “both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Christmas is a time for cookies, but also for kettles clanking with donations. We
rejoice over the coming of the Messiah, but also mourn over our sin that made the
incarnation necessary. We celebrate God for the Oreos, offer praise for the fruit, and give
thanks for the veggies—all of it. Christmas teaches us that holy times can also be happy
times.
Oh, and one last thing. It's also a good time to ask ourselves, What are we doing
Application
Are you a joyful Christian or a grumpy one? How can you make the joy of the
Lord your strength this Christmas season? What can you do to make this the most joyful,
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Exploration
Joy—John 15:1-11; Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22, 23; James 1:2, 3; 1 John 1:1-
4.
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Day 4: The Best Is Yet to Come
Were the Jews still God’s chosen people? What role did non-Jewish people have?
Observation
Christians often feel superior to other groups—as if we had done something great
to earn our acceptance before God. Instead, God’s gift of salvation should make us
Inspiration
Do you come from a family of present shakers? Not content to wait until
Christmas to find out what's beneath all that bright-colored wrapping paper, these folks
wait until no one's around and then quietly, stealthily snatch their presents from under the
tree. Then they shake them, tap them, roll them around, mentally weigh them, put their
ears next to them, smell them, put them up to bright lights, and anything else they can
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In a similar way, Paul calls the Holy Spirit a foretaste: “We have the Holy Spirit .
. . as a foretaste of future glory” (Romans 8:23 NLT). No person with a healthy appetite
for food or for gifts needs a definition for that word. Even as I draft this chapter, my mind
drifts toward a few foretastes. Within an hour I’ll be in Denalyn’s kitchen sniffing the
dinner trimmings like a Labrador sniffing for wild game. When she’s not looking, I’ll
snatch a foretaste. Just a bite of turkey, a spoon of chili, a corner of bread . . . pre-dinner
Samplings from heaven’s kitchen do likewise. There are moments, perhaps far too
few, when time evaporates and joy modulates and heaven hands you an hors d’oeuvre.
• Your newborn has passed from restlessness to rest. Beneath the amber light of a
midnight moon, you trace a soft finger across tiny, sleeping eyes and wonder, God gave
• You’re lost in the work you love to do, were made to do. As you step back from
the moist canvas or hoed garden or rebuilt V-eight engine, satisfaction flows within like a
• The lyrics to the old carol say what you couldn’t but wanted to, and for a
moment, a splendid moment, there are no wars, wounds, or tax returns. Just you, God, a
Bethlehem star, and a silent assurance that everything is right with the world.
Rather than dismiss or disregard such moments as good luck, relish them. They
can attune you to heaven. And while I don't recommend you play swami with your
Christmas gifts (too much can go wrong; trust me on this), use this time before December
25 to attune your heart to heaven's best gift, Jesus Christ. Think of all your Savior has
done for you. And then recognize, the best is yet to come.
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(Adapted from Come Thirsty by Max Lucado)
Application
Some startled shepherds working the fields around ancient Bethlehem got a
foretaste of heaven's glory one night when a band of angels appeared to them to announce
the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. As you prepare to celebrate that long-ago birth,
look around for your own foretastes of heavenly glory. And give thanks.
Exploration
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Day 5: Garments of Salvation
Moses provided instructions about the priestly garments and other matters
Observation
Some people believe that outward appearance determines inner quality. With
God, it's the other way around: outward appearance should reflect inner reality. The
priestly garments reflected the holy character of the priests as they communed with a holy
God.
Inspiration
"Christmas finery," it's called. It used to refer to the fancy lace dresses and crisp
new suits worn by yuletide revellers. These days, however, the term gets used to describe
anything from Santa bibs on Chihuahuas to ersatz gold lamé knickers for Happy Meal
figurines. Somehow we think that adorning ourselves (or our significant others) with
outlandish seasonal apparel makes for a merry season. It doesn't, of course. Real gaiety
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ," Paul says, "and make no provision for the
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“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26, 27).
This clothing has nothing to do with fur and red hats and snowflake designs and
electronic boutonnières that sing "Jingle Bells." God’s concern is with our spiritual
garment. He offers a heavenly robe that only heaven can see and only heaven can give.
Listen to the words of Isaiah: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful
in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me
Remember the words of the father when the prodigal son returned? He wanted his
son to have new sandals, a new ring, and what else? New clothes. “Bring out the best
robe and put it on him” (Luke 15:22). No son of his was going to be seen in shabby,
muddy rags. The father wanted the son to have the best clothing available.
This Christmas season, get decked out for your Father. This has nothing to do
with what the store sells you—but everything to do with what God gives you when you
Application
What sort of "Christmas finery" do you hope will make you look good this year?
How much time do you take each day to develop your inner character? Knowing that the
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latter matters much more to God than the former, get up early for the rest of this holiday
Exploration
Timothy 6:6–8.
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Day 6: Christ In His Purest Form
While [Peter] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them;
and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
Matthew 17:5
Jesus’ followers took a risk when they believed that Jesus was the Messiah and
Observation
Though they had daily seen Jesus’ power and authority, this transformation of
Inspiration
The shepherds hardly knew what hit them. One moment, all was dark. Silent.
Cold. The next moment, heaven split open and the glory of God poured out on their
frightened, bedazzled heads. "The Savior is here," one mighty angel declared. "Go see
Him."
Too bad none of the disciples were there that night. If they had been, the
Bethlehem light show put on by the angels over a sleepy pasture might have prepared
them for the main event that took place on the Mount of Transfiguration some thirty
years later.
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Light spilled out of Him. Brilliant. Explosive. Shocking. Brightness poured
through every pore of His skin and stitch of His robe. Jesus on fire. To look at His face
was to look squarely into Alpha Centauri. Mark wants us to know that Jesus’ “clothes
became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten
This radiance was not the work of a laundry; it was the presence of God. Scripture
habitually equates God with light and light with holiness. “God is light and in Him is no
darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16). The
It’s also Christ as his truest self, wearing his pre-Bethlehem and postresurrection
wardrobe . . . One who is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Hebrews
7:26). A diamond with no flaw, a rose with no bruise, a song on perfect pitch, and a poem
The disciples were gripped deep in their gut that God was, at once, everywhere
and here. The very sight of the glowing Galilean sucked all air and arrogance out of them,
leaving them appropriately prostrate. Face-first on the ground. “They fell on their faces
and were greatly afraid” (Matthew 17:6). Sounds a lot like the shepherds three decades
before: "the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid" (Luke
2:9).
In the end, we all respond like the apostles and the shepherds. We, too, fall on our
faces and worship. And when we do, the hand of the carpenter extends through the
tongue of towering fire and touches us. “Arise, and do not be afraid” (17:7).
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The shepherds, like the disciples, got up. But they didn't shut up. "Now when they
had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this
Allow the light of Christ to shine out of you this holy season. Who do you know
Application
When did God open your eyes to accept Him? Recount the experience when God
took your heart and made it new. Thank Him for his grace. In your daily routine today,
look for a way to tell someone how the Christ of Christmas has changed your story.
Exploration
Jesus Glorified—Mark 9:2–8; 16:19; Luke 9:28–36; John 1:14; 17:5, 24;
Ephesians 1:21, 22; Philippians 2:9, 10; Colossians 1:15–18; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation
5:7–14; 19:11–16.
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Day 7: Out On a Limb
Jesus was born a descendant of King David during the reign of King Herod. The
Observation
Reaction to Jesus’ birth was mixed. The wise men came to worship Jesus, while
Inspiration
Christmas is coming, and perhaps changes are in the air for you. Maybe you’re in
the midst of a decision. It’s disrupting, isn’t it? You like your little branch . . . . and like
Joseph, Mary's betrothed husband, you’ve been a pretty good branch-sitter. And then you
. . . move. Take your family and move overseas, I have a special work for you.”
. . . forgive. It doesn’t matter who hurt who first. What matters is that you go and
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. . . evangelize. That new family down the block? They don’t know anyone in
. . . sacrifice. The orphanage has a mortgage payment due this month. They can’t
meet it. Remember the Christmas bonus you received last week?”
Regardless of the nature of the call, the consequences are the same: civil war.
Though your heart may say yes, your feet say no. Excuses blow as thick as golden leaves
in an autumn wind. “That’s not my talent.” “It’s time for someone else to take charge.”
But eventually you’re left staring at a bare tree and a hard choice: His will or
yours? Despite the hardness of it, Joseph made the right decision. May we do likewise.
Application
How may God be calling you to go out on a limb this Christmas season? How can
you best celebrate the birth of Jesus, the King, by responding to his call? What gift can
Exploration
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Exper ien c e t h i s Ch r i s t mas
se a so n l i ke ne v e r b e f or e wi t h
this si x- week d e v ot i on a l f r om
Max Lucado
Let one of America’s most-loved pastors guide you
on a memorable journey to the manger. Sit beside
the babe. Know what it was like. Be inspired to live
out your faith for Him.