Today's Devotional

Luke 2:7 - And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

One of our Christmas traditions is to remember the whole Christmas story as told in Luke 2. Many people will have a creche in their homes and some people will start by putting out the angels and an empty manger and then as Advent progresses, they will continue to add more pieces. By Christmas Eve, all the pieces will be in position for the retelling of the Christmas Story.

Our Christmas tradition has more to do with the positioning of our creche. For us, the creche always has to be under our Christmas tree to remind us that we have already received the most important gift of all. I'll always remember one Christmas as we were putting a few gifts under our Christmas tree when our son said, "But, Mom, when you put all the gifts under the tree you'll have to move the creche". I could understand this rationale coming from a very excited child, and it is so common to hear this in our society today. Just as there was no room in the inn for Joseph and Mary when Jesus was born, often there is no room for Jesus on Christmas morning as we tear into all those nicely wrapped presents. So if you were to come to our home for Christmas, you will find our creche under our Christmas tree to remind us that the greatest of all was given to each of us by God - the great gift of His Son!

Prayer: Lord, we give you thanks for your Christmas gift to each of us. As we share our gifts with each other during the Christmas Season, help us to remember Your gift of love to each of us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ruth McCowan bruth@horizon.bc.ca
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Yesterday's Devotional: Celebrate A Life

Coming Tomorrow: A Word From Our Sponsor

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy (Matthew 2:10) Enjoy the Editor's animated musical Christmas Card to You

Did you see this in Ann Landers?
The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door, and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

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What's New? updated 12/18/97

• For Always - A Russian Christmas Story submitted by Jeanie Jones jeaniejones@door.net.
• A Christmas Story
• Twas The Night Before Christmas (with a difference), an anonymous poem, submitted by Jane Anne Waller jwaller@cgocable.net.
• What I've Learned -- You'll enjoy meditating on this homespun wisdom that bears a wonderful similarity to solid Biblical principles.
• Being a Christian and a Presbyterian in Canada by the Editor.

PrayerLine - Jesus promised: If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
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Today's Presbyterian Prayer Partnership prayer request:
Pray for Trish Heidebrecht, who began her duties as WMS Book Room Manager in August.

Financial Blessing 12/17/97
had to begin life all ovee with 3 children. Need a financial blessing to get money to move into a apartment and to be able supply a christmas for my children... Saints of God I am standing on the word of God, and I am holding on to my faith please saints pray the Lord will bless my situation.

aprayer for our church 12/16/97
This Sunday our congregation received the news that a member of our congregation had died,later I discovered that this was a very young man and that he had commited suicide.Let us pray for his family that they have the strength to see them through this tragic event. Also let us pray for all the Churches that we can reach out and help our congregations so that we may never again have to deal with such a tragedy.

Free the bondage of drugs and half-truths! by Karla Wallace 12/15/97
For many years my 22 year old son has been involved with drugs along with the many consequences-authority, jail, prison, lies, fears, and on. Although I pray that he will be released from all this and receive Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and friend, I ask the Father for my son's salvation. He tries to deny his belief in God saying he's had "religion" all his life and "it didn't work". He currently lives with us and the battle between the dark and light adds to his confusion and frustration. A dirty UA may now result in more negative consequences. My husband and I have been in prayer faithfully and declare victory...but the waiting is difficult. Thank you for your prayers for this first-born child of the living God!

Malaria by hannah carter 12/15/97
I have a friend who went on a mission trip to Africa, and he has come back and has been diagnosed with Malaria. He is only 15 and his sister has been diagnosed with cancer. I just ask that you will pray for them both and also for their families during this festive season. Thankyou very much!

Friends Not Speaking 12/15/97
I have a group of friends I have known for many years. We have done many things together and shared some very happy times. Lately we seem to have been drifting apart. I know that things change as time goes on and perhaps we don't have in common all the things we had when we were younger and our children were still toddlers. I wasn't invited to a party that the others all had recently and am angry and hurt that I have been left out. I am miserable that it has come to this - these are wonderful women with whom I have shared a great deal. I want to be reconciled and wonder what God's will is for this friendship and also wonder why this is happening.

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