Daily Readings at Southeast

  Day Four: Seek His Stillness Have you ever sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to take a break from the holiday preparations and sit for a while in Jesus’ presence, only to brush it off and focus on the next task on your list?  I know I have.  We often push ourselves at breakneck speeds, waking early and staying up late, squeezing every daylight hour for all its worth. Then we’re so exhausted by our hustle, we can hardly savor the beauty of the season. And sometimes, this busyness is really just a guise to hide deeper hurts. If only we can keep ourselves busy, we won’t have to acknowledge the crippling wounds we carry. We fear stillness, so we leave no task undone, even though heeding the tyranny of the urgent threatens to undo us.  Yet the answer is not chucking our traditions out the window and becoming a Grinch. Instead, we must incorporate moments of stillness into the busyness so we can work from a place of wholeness and rest. The truth is that God’s salvatio...

  Day Three: Express Your Neediness:  “Thanks, but I can do it.” Have you ever turned down an offer for help, even though you really needed it?  Sometimes it’s hard to admit we can’t do everything ourselves. During all of our Christmas preparations, this sometimes results in exhaustion and crankiness. But this very same self-sufficiency can become deadly in our spiritual lives.  The truth is that we need Jesus. But we often live our lives as if we can get by on our own. It’s not until we take time to reflect on the beauty of God—His holiness, His love and kindness, His atoning sacrifice—that we realize just how desperately we need Him. There’s a vulnerability that comes with admitting our need, but Jesus promises that those who are poor in spirit, who are meek in heart, and who thirst for righteousness, are rewarded with more of God Himself.  It turns out that expressing our neediness is the only way to receive the glorious riches of Christ Jesus that God has pr...

  Day Two: Remember God’s Goodness  We all suffer from soul amnesia, forgetting who God is and what He has done for us from one day to the next. Like you, I too must remind myself each year who Jesus is and why His birth is so miraculous—not because my mind doesn’t know but because my heart ceases to be amazed. As the old saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt, and sadly, our own hearts lose that sense of wonder.  This is part of the reason the Israelites were instructed to remember God’s miraculous works on a regular basis: so that they and their children would not forget, but also so that God’s closeness and power would remain fresh in their minds.  As we anticipate the Christmas season and all the preparations that go with it, it’s easy to get caught up in creating our own little winter wonderlands. So we must be intentional in remembering God’s goodness: both who He is and what He has done.  A beautiful way to do just that is to meditate on the names of Je...

  Day One: Why We Need Rest at Christmas “Deck the halls with boughs of holly,” the well-known carol begins. And so we do.  Some of us prepare for Christmas at the first hint of cold weather, while others postpone the inevitable as long as possible.  But at some point we all get caught in a vortex of activity—most of it fun and festive but exhausting nonetheless, leaving our souls feeling both stuffed and empty. Often, it’s in the midst of this hubbub of holiday cheer that we quietly wonder, “Is this all there is?” The good news is that beyond the cookie platters, shopping lists, and decorating is the Son of God made man for us. God knows we’re prone to frenetic activity. This is one of the reasons He built in a day of rest for the Israelites every six days—that they might pause their doing and recognize the goodness of their God, their own desperate need for Him, and His gift of stillness.  In practicing rest, we acknowledge God’s trustworthiness: even when we cease...

  The Gift That Keeps on Giving As this devotional comes to a close, I pray that your heart is filled with the peace and joy that come from knowing Christ. The gift of Jesus never runs out. It strengthens, renews, and comforts us in every season of life. In  2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (NIV)  we read, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” The gift of Jesus continues to give us strength to face each day and hope that never fades. Carry His love into the new year, and let His light guide your path. The joy of Christmas is not meant to last for a day. It was meant to live in your heart forever. Prayer of Joy Dear God, Thank You for giving us the greatest gift of all, Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for His love, His sacrifice, and His constant presence in our lives. Fill our hearts with peace and joy this Christmas an...

  Keep It Going All Year Many people are filled with kindness during Christmas, but as the new year begins, that spirit often fades. The love and generosity we show in December should continue long after the decorations come down. In  John 13:34 (NIV)  Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” His command is not seasonal. It is the foundation of the Christian life. Let this season be more than a moment. Let it be a reminder of how we are called to live every day. The message of Christmas is alive all year long when we choose to love as Jesus loves. Scripture: Galatians 6:9