December 25

Luke 2:30-32  For my eyes have seen Your salvation,  which You have prepared in the sight of all nations:  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

Ephesians 5:18-20  …be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  

Colossians 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

John 1:14  The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

Psalm 121:2-4  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber;  indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 

May you know that the Lord, Who rules over all, is fiercely possessive over you, causing His rage and great fury to fall on those who hurt you. His love for you is passionate and strong, for He is willing to die for you so that a way may be opened for you to come into His kingdom. He is also burning with jealousy over you, not willing for you to share your love with another or divide your loyalty between two masters. Turn, therefore, from your old ways to dedication of deed, to purity of purpose, to singleness of heart and to devotion of will toward the Lord your Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. Zechariah 8

May you hear the Lord when He calls and may you go when He directs, for though it is a marvel to you when God moves in your life, it is not a stretch or a strain for Him. Thus, you will be among His people and He will be faithful and righteous to you as your God. Zechariah 8

May you be strong in the work of the Lord, the building of His temple and the shaping of His living stones, as we learn to fit together, mutually supporting each other. In this way, we will all come into a unity of the faith, having love one for another, creating a safe and accepting place of grace for His lost and wounded sheep to find refuge and healing, and experience the blessings of God in abundance as an inheritance of the Lord. Zechariah 8

May you know that the judgments of God are just and righteous, for as you have been an object of scorn, derision and cursing among the nations, so the Lord will save you, and you will be a blessing; only fear not but be let your hands be strong. Zechariah 8

May you not be afraid of the anger of the Lord when you have returned to Him in humility, repenting of the former works of the flesh, which He hates. Even as you have determined to speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your decisions, so He has determined to do good again to you. Zechariah 8

   Rejoice in the freely-given gift of My presence with you. 
   Emmanuel. My presence makes any place a royal palace, a holy throne-room. An unremarkable space, offering only respite from the wind for animals and gathering dung as a result, gets portrayed and honored on yards and in homes around the world, because I was there. 
   Emmanuel. Draw Me to yourself by your willing desire to receive Me just as you are. Know that the struggles that accompany My arrival are normal, and will not last, but joy will come and the pain will be forgotten. 
   Emmanuel. Allow Me to grow and mature in you, affecting and aligning your thoughts and intentions, revealing the grace and strength of My truth, that you may walk in wisdom before Me as you overcome and vanquish the foes that battle against you. 
   Emmanuel. Lift Me up before others, making much of Who I am and what I bring, though it does not play out the way your mind would like. Allow My love to appear, and My kindness to manifest, even in the face of rejection, for that IS the victory and the conquest of the final foe, the fear of death to self. 
   Emmanuel. I will arise, bearing life for each one who has sheltered Me and light for all who have embraced Me, strength for those who have endured and victory for those who have resisted, welcoming you into My Father's family and abiding with you forever. 
   Emmanuel.

May you confess with the saints around the throne that the judgments of the Lord God Almighty are true and just, even as He is the Holy One throughout eternity. Revelation 16

May you remain alert and focused on the Lord, ever attentive to what His Spirit is saying, daily putting on His robes of righteousness, the armor of God, and the cloak of the zeal of the Lord, that you may be blessed with no shame at the time of His coming. Revelation 16

May you praise the Lord your Rock, Who trains your hands for war and your fingers for battle, for He is your loving God and your fortress, your stronghold and your deliverer, your shield, in Whom you take refuge and by Whom your enemies are subdued. Psalm 144

May you have the confidence and boldness to come before the throne of God in the name and the righteousness given to you by Christ Jesus, no longer living as though your days are like a fleeting shadow, but calling upon the Lord to part the heavens and come down, touch the mountains so that they smoke, send forth lightning and scatter the enemies, shoot His arrows and rout His foes, reaching down His hand from on high to rescue you from the mighty waters and deliver you from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies and whose right hands are deceitful. Psalm 144