Theme:  It Would Take a Miracle . . . To Remember the Meaning of Christmas

Weekend Music links on iTunes: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World, Hosanna - Hillsong, O, Come All Ye Faithful

Read

John 1:14; John 5:19-20; Luke 7:36-50

Think

In one of my past jobs part of the morning routine was to wash the feet of the elderly people under my care. I have to say it was my least favorite start to a day but it taught me something. Few things are as humbling as kneeling before someone and washing away the grime and sweat from their feet. On entering a house in Jesus’ time the lowest in the household would wash the feet of the guests. On one occasion a woman not only volunteered to wash Jesus’ feet after he had been walking in dirt and mud but she brought the best she had to ‘waste’ on his feet. Much like the disciples I think most of us would see the waste and wonder about Jesus having his feet washed by one of society’s lowest people.

'God’s response to sin is grace and forgiveness.’ Jesus acted as He knew his Father would in each situation because He knew Him so well and had seen God’s heart. Jesus knew his response to this woman whose heart was broken and humble before him as she washed his feet should be as God’s response to our sin. Jesus offered her grace and forgiveness just as He knew God wanted because he had seen it and He himself was the plan for forgiveness come to life. 

Do

As you prepare for Christmas today take a moment to remember that God also prepared for the events that happened. He planned for them because His Grace and Forgiveness responded to our sin and found a way to bring us closer to Him. 

Pray

Father, we thank you for your Grace that reaches to us where we are and sees our hearts. We thank you for your forgiveness that sees our sins but put in place a way for us to live free of those sins with you despite the cost. Thank you that Christmas marks the beginning of the plan to bring us back to You. Amen

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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