Category Archives: Christmas

Christmas in Luke (Day 9)

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Today’s reading is Luke 9.

The accounts written about in today chapter seem to be the height of the wonders Jesus did while walking with His disciples. He continued to do miracle after miracle and speak truth that was irresistible to listen to. He then invited His disciples to participate with Him in proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Still there was something coming He wanted to prepare His closest friends, the disciples for, His death.

Jesus knew He would suffer. He knew He would be separated from them. He knew how hard it would be. But verse 51 says He “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” He headed to the place He would die with a fixed purpose. But this was not the first time Jesus “resolutely set out” for the place He would suffer. Jesus left the splendors of Heaven, with a fixed purpose. He willingly submitted Himself fully as God to become fully man. With resolve, He came to us! He knew before He ever entered our world on that Christmas night that He would live, laugh, and love with us. He knew He would experience pain, sadness, and sorrows. Yet He came. He never wavered in His fixed purpose! He had come to love, to provide the way, for our own good, to be with Him.

The things to come in the chapters of Luke we have not yet read this month of December, Jesus knew would come about. The betrayal, the trial, the beatings, the execution, the death… Jesus knew it would come. For the King born in Bethlehem at Christmas was born to die. This death had a fixed purpose as well. Without His sacrifice, there would be no cure for the sin of our stony, hard, and darkened hearts.

As we celebrate His birth, let us not forget His death! He had come to give His life so we could be united with Him again, free from our sins!

Christmas in Luke (Day 8)

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Today’s reading is Luke chapter 8.

This chapter is packed full of some of my favorite accounts of the miracles of Jesus. But in thinking about Christmas and the book of Luke, what sticks out the most to me in this chapter is Jesus’ parable of the seeds and the soil. (Vrs. 4-14)

The Christmas account of Jesus, “the Word made flesh” coming to us so we could come to God is like a seed. Our hearts are much like soil. Some hear the Christmas story only to think, “That’s nice…” never letting its true meaning into their heart.

Some receive with much gladness the Good News of the Word, first proclaimed by Angels, “…a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) But never allowing the true meaning of Christmas to really take root and grow within their hearts. When hard times come they run to other sources for help, neglecting to look to the God who came to Help us.

Then there are those who embrace “God with us- Emmanuel”, but only for awhile. They know He is real but they allow all the worries of their lives, or riches, or pleasures to slowly squeeze out believing in God. Their belief is “choked out.”

Yet there are some who have heard the announcement, seen the light of His star and take it in, letting the seed of Jesus, the Living Word, grow within. That kind of encounter with the Jesus of Christmas, the God who not only came to us but came to dwell within us changes us! His Hope and Love pours out of us to all those around making known the true meaning of this Christmas season- Jesus came to our broken world, Jesus died for our sins, and Jesus lives victoriously in our lives- every day of the year.

Let us give our hearts wholly to Him as good soil ready to receive Him gladly into every area of our lives this Christmas season and beyond.

Christmas in Luke (Day7)

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Today’s reading is Luke 7.


The people of Jesus time are much like the people of our time. The more they heard about Jesus and saw His mighty deeds the more hungry they became. They wanted to experience more. Large crowds surrounded Him. Who would not want to be there to see all the wonders He was doing? Verse 21 says Jesus had “cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and gave sight to the blind.” I imagine it would have been incredible to watch Him, even if only from a distance. Then Jesus did what was impossible, He raised the son of a widow from the dead. Verse 16 says, “They were filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us…God has come to help his people.””


The crowds did not get who Jesus was, “God with Us!” But they did know He was like no other. “God had truly came to help his people!”

Around 30 years before, when Jesus was just a baby in Mary’s womb, John the Baptist’s Dad, Zechariah declared similar words of prophecy about Jesus “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us…salvation from our enemies…to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1: 68-75)


“God had come to help His people” this is the whole point of Christmas. Jesus came to help us, because we CANNOT help ourselves! Our enemies, whether they be sins, addictions, hurts, wounds, etc. are much bigger than our ability to save ourselves. We need a Savior! Jesus had come to help His people. And He still comes to us, in our point of need, to help His people today! He longs for us to surrender to Him, and to no longer follow Him from a distance only observing His awesome power. He came so we could know Him and the power of His resurrection! That is the whole point of His life here on earth! From a manger in Bethlehem, to a cross on Golgotha’s Hill, to an empty borrowed tomb, Our God, Jesus has come to “help His people!” And Praise God, we can know this help He brings into our lives!

Christmas in Luke (Day 6)

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Today’s reading is Luke chapter 6.


Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus or His coming to be with us, is described this way in John’s gospel: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)


The scene is set in today’s chapter. A large crowd had come: to hear, to be healed, to be set free from evil spirits. Power came out from Jesus as people tried to touch Him. Then He speaks. “The Word”, Jesus, who had come from God, speaks hope to the crowd of the poor, hungry, sorrowful, and hated. Jesus, the Word, spoke blessings, spiritual happiness and the favor of God, “Blessed.” His words confirmed what the angels spoke to the shepherds at His birth, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and in earth peace to those on whom his favor (delight, kindness) rests.” Jesus described His Father as “kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (vrs35), “merciful” (vrs36), and “giving” (vrs37). All the crowd needed to do was to truly HEAR the Word, Jesus, speak, take Him into their heart, and live a life constantly listening to Him and obeying. They would then live a life unshakable when life’s storms came to them (vrs48).


Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still declaring blessings and favor over us. All we must do is truly listen to the Word, Jesus, as He speaks, and then OBEY! We will find, just as the crowds did so many years ago, that as we listen and reach out for Him hoping to touch Him, we will experience His power in our lives. Healing from our dis ease and freedom from the oppression of the evil one are there as we “come.” Because, He has come to us! First as a baby, then as a sacrifice on the cross, now as a risen Savior!

Christmas in Luke (Day 5)

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Today’s reading is Luke chapter 5.


From the announcement of Jesus birth by angels to the shepherds watching their flocks, to the events recorded in Chapter 5, people were drawn to Jesus. Who would not be? In Jesus presence, a bad day of fishing turns into the largest catch of all; a man who is outcast with a deadly disease is healed and restored; a man who is paralyzed leaves carrying his mat, walking, and praising God; a hated tax collector who was labeled a sinner is now one of His Twelve.


The encounters of the people with Jesus are summed up in verse 26, “Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” These “remarkable things” still occur today! Jesus went to great lengths to make this a reality then and He makes this a reality now. He still works miracles, restores the broken, heals the sick, and forgives us of all our sins. And best of all He still draws us in. He calls to us to “Come.” As displayed in this chapter, there is NOTHING too big for Jesus!

If you find yourself as the crowds did, following Jesus at a curious distance, not sure of what to think, let me testify, it is worth it to get closer to Him, listen to His voice, and to obey His commands. He still does “remarkable things”.

He has done “remarkable things” in my own life!

Christmas in Luke (Day 4)

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Today’s reading is Luke 4.


I would like to think I would believe in Jesus a little better than the people of His time, but I have struggled just like they did. With all the events surrounding His birth, the words spoken by Anna and Simeon at His dedication at the temple, the voice from heaven at His baptism, and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove, it would seem like a no brainer to believe. Still the people did not understand who He was…

In today’s reading Jesus goes to the synagogue. He is asked to read the reading of Scripture for that day. It just “so happens”that the reading for that day is from the prophet Isaiah, and it just “so happens” the words are a prophecy of Jesus, Himself. After reading it, He tells them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He wanted them to understand who He was and why He had come.

Jesus came to our world to “proclaim good news to the poor”-those who lack God’s riches in their life; “freedom for the prisoners” -caught in sin’s death, darkness, and destruction; “recovery of sight for the blind” -those who can’t see God’s goodness all around; “set the oppressed free”- those the enemy has beat up on all their lives. Jesus proclaimed “the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus wants us to understand who He is and why He came. He has given us His Word so we can KNOW Him! God’s favor is still towards us.

From the first Christmas until now, His favor goes on and on! The question is: Will we believe what He has said and receive Him as King of our lives?

Christmas in Luke (Day 3) — Prepare the Way!

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Today we read Luke chapter 3.

John the Baptist went before Jesus proclaiming the “Good News.” Luke says, “the word of God came to John…in the wilderness.” He told the people to repent for the forgiveness of sins. John was the voice calling out, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” The people would not want to miss the one who was coming, the Messiah, Jesus Himself. Sin and selfishness would only entangle the ones who refused to repent, keeping them from truly seeing and experiencing Jesus, “God’s salvation.”

We have this command as well. “Prepare the way for the Lord.” We don’t want to miss what is coming! The baby born in a Bethlehem stable is now Jesus, our Savior, who longs to be born in our hearts. As we repent and turn from our sins, we offer our hearts to God. He comes with power to transform our hearts and our lives. He fills us with His hope, His peace, and His joy! We can experience Jesus, whom John “proclaimed” this Christmas season and forevermore!

Here’s another blog on Luke 3:

https://wordpress.com/posts/yourlove.blog?s=luke+3

Christmas in Luke (Day 2)

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Today we read Luke 2, which contains the familiar passage about the birth of Jesus that is often quoted this time of year:

“But the angel said to them, “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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.””

Luke records the words of Simeon spoken over Jesus at the temple after his circumcision; 12-year-old Jesus speaking with the religious leaders at the temple; finishing up with the summary of Jesus’ growing up years “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (verse 52)

He was truly “God with us” Emmanuel. Jesus took on our ordinary so He could bring God’s extraordinary to our world and into our lives! What a Savior!

Another blog I have written on Luke 2:

https://yourlove.blog/2023/12/02/searching-for-you-reflections-on-luke-2/

The Heart Set on Pilgrimage

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“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” – C. S. Lewis

Finally the Christmas Season! I’m one of those Thanksgiving/ Christmas purist. My Fall Decorations go up toward the end of September and they stay up until the Thanksgiving Celebrations are over for our Family. This year it feels like I’ve been looking at pumpkins and scarecrows FOREVER! I want to properly spend my time in Thankfulness during the Month of November. Sometimes I think we miss just how important it is to give thanks. But now Thanksgiving is done it’s time to break out the Christmas decorations, pull out my Peanuts Christmas and Grinch shirts, and start wearing my new “Elf” socks that include a pair that says “Cotten headed niny muggins”. Oh yeah!!! But most importantly it’s time to focus in on the real reason for celebration, Jesus’ Birth.

A couple of days ago my Bible reading included Psalm 84. In it was a short section of scripture that has not ever stood out to me before.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84:5-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The word “Pilgrimage” has been resonating inside of me each time I read it. It has me thinking about different kind of Pilgrimages. I live a couple of hours away from my home town, my brothers both live out of state. About a 7 hour drive for each of them. So each year we try to pick a time to meet at my parents house to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas with them. It’s kind of like a mini pilgrimage home.

Then there was the Pilgrimage that Mary and Joseph set out on,before Jesus was born, to return to Bethlehem via decree of Caesar for a Census. Not exactly the type of Pilgrimage that Mary appreciated late in her pregnancy with Jesus, but totally ordained by God so that the prophecies about Jesus could be fulfilled. Some pilgrimages are joyful. Some are not. Some are easier than others, some not so much

This particular section of scripture has had me thinking of my “spiritual pilgrimage”. And how it says that I am blessed if my heart is “set on it”. This got me curious. What exactly is a “pilgrimage” so I consulted my handy dandy Webster’s 1828 Dictionary app.

PIL’GRIMAGE, n. A long journey, particularly a journey to some place deemed sacred and venerable, in order to pay devotion.

Painting my Grandma Fern Burkman did. Makes me think of our Pilgrimage from dark to light.

The Psalm points out that if my heart is “set upon this long journey to a sacred place, Zion, the Mountain of God, I am blessed. And that as I pass through the “valley of baca” (weeping, tears) it is transformed to a place of springs and pools and I go from Strength to Strength in this journey. What an assurance that God has His way of taking the chapters written about our pilgrimage that were hard, sad, and even unbearable and changing them to the chapters that produced the most beautiful endings in our lives! Our valley of weeping truly is changed to a place of fruitfulness by the touch of His hand.

Ask Mary and Joseph some 2000 years ago as they traveled a hard road to a place with no room for them during a forced pilgrimage, what God can do. A dirty stable can be transformed to a place of heavenly worship, complete with Angel choirs when Jesus “steps in”, or is “born into” our pilgrimage. He has a way of doing that kind of transformation just by being here with us, our pilgrimage is blessed as we set our hearts on the Him and the destination of our heavenly home with Him. Weeping truly is turned to Joy as we set our Longing on being with Him every step of the way to our Heavenly home. This longing for another world C.S. Lewis was talking about in the quote above is the destination of our pilgrimage that we were made for and the journey that God gladly goes with us on. That is who He is and we are reminded of this fact this Christmas Season.

Emmanuel, God With Us! Now and Forevermore!

You Stepped In 12/20/2013

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This popped up as one of my memories on Facebook. I wrote it 6 years ago during a time of reflection on the Christmas Season. It’s easy to get caught up in all the ins and out of life’s struggles and forget. Forget the victory over all our struggles (anxiety, fear, etc.) has already been won. It was won so many years ago when our hero the Prince of Peace stepped in:

I really love a hero. Two of my favorite movies are Superman and The Lone Ranger. There is something about a story where everything seems lost and then the hero steps in and saves the day. I was thinking about that this morning. Christmas is all about the Hero of heroes stepping in. He stepped in our world in the most unsuspecting way and pulled off the greatest rescue of all, the rescue of our souls. Habakkuk 3:13-14 “You came out to deliver your people to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness you stripped him from head to foot. With his own spear you pierced his head…” What a victory! Brought to us on a night many years ago in the form of a little baby, who was announced by angels and worshiped by Shepherds. That is how our Hero stepped in…

You Stepped In

It seemed Hope was Gone and Darkness reigned,

All was lost in lives of pain.

Hearts were cold and lives undone.

Under oppression from the evil one.

Then You stepped in.

You stepped in one dark night

A hero to rescue us, to shine Your light.

You stepped in the most unlikely place.

You came to us in the most unlikely way.

This Baby born in a place so poor.

A King for all and Deliverer of our souls.

The One who came to set things right.

You stepped in that wonderful night.

We might have missed and not understood.

You lived your life here doing Good.

You healed the sick and showed us what was right.

You gave us all in giving up your life.

All hope seemed lost and darkness reigned,

All was lost in our lives of pain.

Death seemed to have won once again,

But You stepped in.

The Grave cannot hold The King of Kings

He is alive and Now living in me.

My life is changed and I am free.

Because You stepped in and rescued me.