There was an ad in the New York Times which said: “The meaning of Christmas is that love will triumph and that we will be able to put together a world of unity and peace.”*
Did you notice? It said that “we” can put a together a world of unity and peace. But nothing could be further from the truth. “We” keep messing up!
We desperately need help from an outside source.
The angel said: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Jesus—our Saviour, Messiah and Lord—is that source of hope and salvation, not us. Like ants who think they’re smarter than Einstein, we think we know better than the Lord of the universe when it comes to bringing unity and peace.
God’s plan is always the best plan.
Today is Christmas Eve. I suspect that most of us will be singing carols and reflecting on the meaning of Jesus’ birth. [Link below.] What if we looked into the coming year and spent less time trying to fix things with imperfect solutions, and more time making our lives harmonize with the One who actually knows what he’s doing.
When the angels says that Jesus’ birth will bring “great joy for all the people,” that includes you.
“Dear Lord, your plan is the best plan.
Thank you for coming to us in Christ.
Forgive our know-it-all pretense, and rescue us.
Help us to harmonize our lives with yours.
Amen.”
Notes:
–If you don’t have a church home you’re welcome to worship online with me at Westminster. The service will be on YouTube beginning at 6pm (and available all evening). Click here to tune-in, and also to see a 36-second preview about what to expect.
–The Up Devotional is going on pause after today as I take a week’s vacation. It returns on January 3, 2022.
–*As quoted in: Timothy Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ (New York: Penguin, 2016), 7.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 