Written by: Lucas Bueno
Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. We come to You this Christmas season in remembrance of the birth of Your Son and our Messiah. We know that Christmas Day is not the exact anniversary of the birth of Christ. However, we know that this holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to bring glory to You and to remember the beautiful story of Christ’s birth as recorded in the Gospels.
As we review the story of the birth of the Savior, we pray that we might be like Mary. She was a young girl in a simple, small town who received a call from God to be the mother of the promised Messiah. She was a virgin, and the child’s birth would be by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The entire situation defied human reasoning and understanding. Yet, she said, “‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:27, ESV).
As we remember Mary, we know that You, Lord, have placed a calling upon each one of us. Though we may not understand our callings, we ask that our response echo the response of Mary.
We remember Joseph, the betrothed of Mary. When he learned that Mary was pregnant, he decided to divorce Mary quietly, but an angel brought the truth about Mary’s child to Joseph, who chose to have faith despite this unusual and ostracizing situation. We also face situations that require faith, despite possible rejection by society around us. Yet, Lord, may we walk forward in faith as did Joseph.
When our Savior was born in Bethlehem, a host of heavenly angels appeared to lowly shepherds tending their flocks in the hills nearby and announced the miraculous birth and the arrival of Messiah. They also prompted these simple shepherds to joyously share the
good news with the little town of Bethlehem. Also, a host of heavenly angels formed the appearance of a star and thus led kingly wise men to bear witness to the Savior’s birth. Here, Lord, we see that You call us from all walks of life to share the gospel. No matter where we come from or what our social standing is, we are each called to share You and Your truth. May we never hesitate to come and adore You, to go tell it upon every mountain and spread joy to all the world.
Lord, as we remember the events of Your Son’s birth, we also recall that before the visitation of Gabriel to Mary, another birth was announced. John, later known as the Baptizer, was raised before the first coming of Christ to proclaim His coming. As Christ promised before His ascension into heaven, we know He will come again. Lord, You have given us a great commission, and You have raised us before the second coming of Your Son. Like John the Baptizer, we are to proclaim the everlasting gospel, the second coming and the three angels’ messages. Like John, we are to make disciples for Christ. Lord, John faced resistance in his time on account of his message, and we too will face resistance. We ask for his courage to stand true to You no matter what may come our way.
Father, this is our prayer this Christmas season. May we remember the first Advent and look forward with blessed hope to the second Advent. Give us Your Holy Spirit, and may we use this wonderful opportunity of Christmas to share with others the story of the blessed miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. We ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Editor’s Note:
Hello friends, it has been a blessing to serve as the Religion Editor for the Southern Accent this fall semester. I will be leaving as I will graduate this semester. I pray that all of you continue to have an awesome, blessed time at Southern or if you are also graduating that God continues to guide your paths. Always remember to stay close to Him!
