What do you see?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

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

When Simeon spoke these words, he was an old man whom God had promised would see his salvation. Can you imagine searching for something all of your life with such earnestness that once you find it, you feel that you have completed your purpose in life? Simeon was overjoyed, just as we should be.

Jesus was only a newborn infant when this occurred. Mary and Joseph had brought him to the temple to consecrate him to God. Simeon had been looking for salvation all of his life. Perhaps that is why he so readily recognized it when it was presented to him. To most people, Jesus was simply a baby just like all of the others. Simeon was able to look beyond the obvious and see the miraculous simply because he had been waiting expectantly for the miraculous.

During this Christmas season, are we able to see the miraculous just as Simeon was able to see when it happened? Can we see God at work even when the world doesn’t see what He is doing?

What do you see?

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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I pray that you encounter the riches of God’s grace!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
(Ephesians 1:7 (NIV))

The riches of God’s grace!

Grace came into the world one night long ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Grace escaped wrath at the hand of Herod. Grace returned unassuming and grew wise, finding favor in the eyes of God and man. Grace performed miracles. Grace offered salvation. Grace died on the cross to redeem us from the consequences of our sins. Grace rose again and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.

Grace has a name. Grace comes only through Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God!

We are just a few days away from the day we celebrate as the birth of Jesus. This is the day that we celebrate as the beginning of hope. It is hope in the life that brought grace and mercy. It is the celebration of the moment that God stepped out of time to redeem us to Himself.

Even though it is widely agreed that Jesus was born in the springtime, the day that we celebrate is symbolic. It marks in our hearts the culmination of waiting for our Lord and Savior. It sets a point in our lives that we can look to and proclaim that our salvation is here!

Contrary to what the world may say, Christmas is not about the presents and the decorations. It is about the birth of a baby who was and is like no other baby ever born. It is about the birth of the one who came to set us free. It is about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

What is Christmas to you?

Copyright 1998 – 2016 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
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