Sunday (12/26)

“Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.” These lyrics from the hymn, Angels from the Realms of Glory, are a reminder of our celebration of Christmas. Like the wise men from the east, we are in a continuation of the season of coming together to worship the newborn King of kings, Christ the Lord. Come and worship Christ the newborn King!

As we continue our journey with Jesus beyond Christmas, this daily devotional for the week after the Advent season will help you walk with our Lord through the end of 2021 and into the New Year.

 

Monday (12/27)

To prepare your heart and mind to focus on Jesus, read the hymn lyrics from the first verse of “Angels from the Realms of Glory” by James Montgomery:

 

Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;

ye who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Read Luke 2:21-40. What stands out to you in regards to what you read? If you are unsure read the verses again.

 

Prayer

Sovereign Lord, may you be praised now and always! My desire is to worship you, and you alone. Enable me to comprehend the salvation that is found in and through Christ. He is the light of the world, a light for all people, including Jews and Gentiles. Shine your light into the dark places of my heart and mind, as well as into the darkness within humanity. You know our inner most thoughts and desires. Guide us to deny ourselves the things that prevent us from worshiping you, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Tuesday (12/28)

To prepare your heart and mind to focus on Christ, read some of the hymn lyrics from “Angels from the Realms of Glory”:

 

Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;

seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star:

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Read Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi gave the newborn king the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What will you give to the King of creation?

 

Prayer

King Jesus, I am seeking you. My desire is to honor, glorify, and worship you with what you have given me. Guide me wherever you want to lead me as I continue on my journey through life. Bless others through me so that they may experience your goodness. Use us, your church, to be a light in the world that leads others to you. Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

 

 

Wednesday (12/29)

To focus on Jesus as you prepare to read scripture and be with the Lord, read the hymn lyrics from a verse of “Angels from the Realms of Glory”:

 

Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night,

God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light:

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Read Matthew 2:13-15 and the prophecy quoted from Hosea 11:1.

 

Prayer

Good Shepherd, you protect us. As you watch over the children of the world, guide us to care for the children you have entrusted to us. When he was a child, Jesus and his family were refugees when they fled to Egypt. Enable us to see Christ in the refugees of today. We ask that you continue to bless, protect, and guide the refugees scattered throughout the earth. You are generous and have provided all that we need. Those of us who are abundantly blessed are supposed to be a blessing to others. Forgive us when we deny others what they need and what you intended to flow through us. Thank you for loving us and claiming us as your children. May we love one another as a family, following your example. Amen.

 

 

Thursday (12/30)

To prepare your heart and mind to focus on Christ, read some of the lyrics from “Angels from the Realms of Glory”:

 

Saints, before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear;

suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Read Luke 2:41-50 and Jesus’ message from John 14:2 about his Father’s house.

 

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, how comforting to know that there is a place prepared for us in your house. Continue to comfort those who have lost loved ones this past year. Flood hearts and minds with joyful memories during these final days of 2021. Through your Spirit, give us visions and dreams of the glorious reality that is yet to come for those of us on earth. We believe that through faith in Christ eventually we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever. Yes, we believe that we will be reunited with those who have gone on ahead of us to heaven, and we will be with you, the source of hope, love, joy, and peace. Amen.

 

 

Friday (12/31) – New Year’s Eve

Read or sing the refrain from “Angels from the Realms of Glory” to begin your devotional time with the Lord:

 

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Read Isaiah 2:2-5 and 25:6-9. These verses revealed by God through the prophet point towards the time when Jesus will return and make all things new. They point towards “the wedding supper of the Lamb” when the church is united with Jesus, the groom, for all of eternity (Revelation 19:9). What did you notice from the verses from Isaiah about the reign of God?

 

Prayer

Lord, teach us your ways. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Guide us to walk on the paths where you lead us throughout the new year. The nations and families of the world need your help to settle disputes. Turn our words and weapons into tools for caring for the earth you created and blessing one another. May we walk in the light of your mercy and goodness throughout our days. What a joyous celebration it will be when we come together at your banquet table for the feast you have prepared for us. What a day of of rejoicing it will be! Until that day I will continue to trust in you. In the Father, Son, and Spirit I pray. Amen.

 

 

Saturday (1/1/22) – Happy New Year!

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 96, then join the psalmist in singing, praising, and rejoicing. You may find it helpful to sing a familiar hymn or contemporary Christian song.

 

Solitude & Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten or fifteen minutes. During your time of solitude & silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk.

During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. For many believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God. After the ten to fifteen minutes, then read the Bible verses listed below.

 

Read Jesus’ message about the Sabbath from Mark 2:27-28. What does Jesus’ message reveal to you?

 

Pray in response to our Lord and King.

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.