Expectant

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Experts say that babies in utero are impacted by the atmosphere of their parents’ home and the attitude of their parents. If God had chosen you to carry the infant Jesus into the world, would your home life and the attitude of your heart have nurtured in the holy child such traits as kindness, gentleness, patience, and trust in God? Would God have chosen you for such an important assignment? The answer is, He has…

Isaiah wrote the well-known words above more than seven hundred years before Christ was born. God’s chosen people had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a lot longer than they had anticipated. Finally the wait was over. God chose a human being named Mary to bring Him into the world. And

God has chosen you and me to carry the truth and the love of this Christ child into the rest of the world.

Lord Jesus, may the atmosphere of my life and the attitude of my heart make my life a place where You want to be and a place where people can meet You. Amen.

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Behold, the Lamb

Those people will never be hungry again, and they will never be thirsty again. The sun will not hurt them, and no heat will burn them, because the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. — Revelation 7:16-17 NCV

I love decorating the house with nativity scenes at Christmastime. In each one, young Mary tends to her Newborn while her faithful husband stands guard. Wise men and shepherds stand in awe. And often near the Christ child is a little lamb.

• Jesus is known as the Lamb of God, and the symbolism is not lost on us.

Throughout the Old Testament, the people of Israel sacrificed lambs as sin offerings. John the Baptist was direct in drawing the comparison. When he saw Jesus coming toward him, he said,

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. — John 1:29 NKJV

Then on the cross Jesus was the perfect sacrifice — the perfect once-and-for-all sin offering — that removed our sins as far as the east is from the west.

This Christmas, when you spend time in front of a nativity, may you be filled with peace and awe as you behold the Lamb of God.

I stand in awe before the manger as my soul whispers, “Behold, the Lamb.” Amen.

Excerpted with permission from 365 Devotions for Peace by Cheri Cowell, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

No matter what is going on in your lives our homes tonight, we pray that all of our hearts are expectant for the Lamb of God. May He fill us to overflowing and may we be completely at peace, so much so that the world can see Him shining through us today and every day of the year. Come share your prayers for Christmas with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily