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A Taste of Christmas

In the Word

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! (Psalm 34:8a).

Of the Word

Christmas is surely a season of the senses. We see the lights and the evergreens, and we hear the strains of carols almost every place we go. We reach out to hug our loved ones, and from the kitchen come familiar aromas, meaning we'll soon get to taste our favorite holiday treats. 

Jesus knows what it's like to see, hear, touch, breathe, and taste because He did those things Himself. He saw suffering people, He heard their cries for help, and He reached out and healed them. He invited His disciples to taste the bread and the wine in remembrance of Him. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus breathed on them, and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Today, Jesus invites us to use our senses to know Him through Word and Sacrament. We listen as His Word is spoken, and we bring to our lips His body and blood. As our prayers lift up as a sweet fragrance to Him, we see, physically and spiritually, His love at work in our lives. The Lord of all invites us to come and taste, see, hear, and touch the real meaning of Christmas.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, grant that I may know You more deeply. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 28/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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What’s in a Name?

In the Word

So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Philippians 2:10).

Of the Word

On January 1, the Church celebrates the circumcision and naming of Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph were told by an angel to name Mary’s baby Jesus, which means God saves, because He would save His people from their sin. 

Jesus fulfilled God’s Law perfectly in the place of sinners, beginning with His circumcision on the eighth day. Jesus began His earthly ministry when He was baptized by John. This was a baptism of repentance. Jesus did not need to repent, but He repented perfectly for the sake of sinful human beings. 

By His suffering and death on the cross, He paid the full penalty for the sin of the whole world, saving all who trust in Him from sin, death, and the power of the devil and reconciling us with God. At our own Baptism we received Jesus’ name and the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. 

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord Jesus, we owe our very lives to Your saving work. To You be all glory and honor forever. In Your saving name we pray. Amen.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible unless otherwise noted. (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Mustard Seed: What’s in a Name by Ruth Badciong, Winona, Minnesota.
Copyright© 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.
lwml.org

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Count Him In

In the Word

Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:15).

Of the Word

As the old year closes and a new year opens, we begin to think about things we would like to do in the coming 12 months. We might start making plans to build a new home or take a dream vacation. Perhaps we'll list our New Year's resolutions, like lose weight or finish school or get a better job or read the entire Bible in a year.

Of course, we're counting on God to be there each day in the new year, just as He has been throughout the old year. That goes without saying! But are we consciously counting Him in when we look forward to everything we want to do? Deliberately counting Him in our plans by saying, "If it is Your will," shifts our focus where it needs to be: not on our desires, but on His will.

We're counted among God's beloved people because Jesus consented to be counted among us. In His birth, God invites us to count Him in as we make our plans for every new year … and every new day.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, let all my plans work out for the best, according to Your good and gracious will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 26/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Family Ties

In the Word

"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).

Of the Word

The ties of family, the ties of friendship, the ties of love and affection keep us in relationship with one another. Where there is relationship among us, feelings and experiences are shared. Care and concern are shown. Help, support, and encouragement are given whenever they are needed.

Jesus was born among us to bring us into relationship with Him. When He stepped down from heaven and took on human form, He forged eternal ties between Himself and us. He came to express God's love, share the Good News of forgiveness and salvation, and show us how much our heavenly Father desires a vibrant, living bond with us. To make sure we know what kind of relationship He means, He calls us His brothers and sisters. He assures us of His friendship and His presence in our lives. He promises us His love and affection now and forever.

Our connection to Jesus opens another magnificent relationship, too, and that is an eternal relationship with one another. Through the glorious ties of faith in Him, we are more than friends today. We are family forever. What glorious ties! What a magnificent relationship!

Walking with my Lord

Lord, keep me ever connected to You in faith and love. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 25/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Show and Tell

In the Word

Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous (1 John 3:7b).

Of the Word

Little children love show and tell at school. Even adults enjoy opportunities to show their projects at fairs and in hobby clubs.

In a way, Jesus was God's version of show and tell. He was born to tell us how our heavenly Father feels about us, how He wants us to live, and how we receive eternal life through Him. Along with the telling, Jesus showed us the character of God as He walked among people, healing them, feeding them, and caring about them. He told, and He showed. Many heard, saw, and believed. They brought the Gospel to others by telling them about Jesus Christ and by continuing His work of love, service, and compassion.

We are God's walking, talking show and tell. The special things we do for others show them God's presence. Our words of encouragement, kindness, and compassion tell of God's care and concern. Show and tell — it's the best gift we can give someone this Christmas or anytime.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, let my words and actions reflect Your unchanging love. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 24/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Golden Opportunity

In the Word

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11b).

Of the Word

We've heard the saying, "All that glitters is not gold." For sure, the holiday season has plenty of glitter! There's the glitter of ornaments, ribbons, and lights. There's the glitter of sequined clothes and sparkly jewelry, and the glitter of garlands draped across mantles and doorways.

Only a week or so after Christmas, though, the holiday glitter goes away. It's not gold, after all, and it's a far cry from the treasures laid at the feet of the newborn King by the Magi who had come to worship Him. These God-fearing Gentiles gave their treasures to express reverence and honor. Their gifts were the real thing.

Of exceedingly more value than their treasures, however, was the message the travelers brought back to their home country. They had met the Messiah! They had worshiped and adored Him! They had seen beyond the glitter of the world, beyond the value of their riches, education, and learning, and now they possessed the true treasure of the Gospel. The King of Kings was born!

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, bless me with the gift of knowing the true meaning of Your birth. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 23/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Signs of Christmas

In the Word

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

Of the Word

Some will get to it sooner than others — putting away all the Christmas decorations, that is. The efficient will have everything Christmas back in storage right after New Year's or the day after Epiphany; the procrastinators may be packing ornaments and hiding Easter eggs at the same time. In either case, sooner or later, all signs of Christmas are gone.

Spiritually the same thing happens when the message of Christmas disappears, too. After the holidays, our attention shifts from the miracle of the Christ Child born among us to the daily routine of work and responsibilities. Goodwill may morph into negative feelings and strained relationships. Charity to the needy may take second place to generosity to ourselves.

No matter when the Christmas decorations are put away, the Holy Spirit makes a permanent place in our hearts for the true meaning of Christmas. He calls us to believe in the miracle of Jesus' birth, live in the love He gives, and serve with humility and joy. God's love in Jesus is the one thing we want to have with us all year long.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, let Your presence dwell in my heart at Christmas time and always. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 22/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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