For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
This set of verses is unusually long for a typically short devotional but I chose it for this Christmas season because it contains all the themes we see on Christmas cards. Aside from the comforting truth that the Bible is true and instructs us, Paul told the Romans it gives us hope. He went on to call for the harmony and peace that only comes from Christ Jesus. In this peace we sing with joy to the Lord, returning the love that he first showed us.
Let these verses be as uplifting as receiving a Christmas card in your mailbox. May it compel us to go to the Scriptures to read more about the hope we have in Jesus Christ. May it unite our churches as we gather together in peace. To worship him. May that worship be an expression of the joy we have at our salvation from the Lord, not our enjoyment of any particular music. Finally, may the love of Jesus Christ, poured out on us on the cross, give us endurance and encouragement to withstand another day of Christmas busy-ness.
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible which teaches the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas. May we shine like a Christmas card with this message today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church