The Third Day of Advent 2020

    Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him.”
Colossians 1:16

This passage contains more than we can talk about here, so let’s just concentrate on five words.

According to Paul everything was made “by Him and for Him.” Everything? Insignificant little Israel, a tiny piece of land over which men have fought for generations? Bethlehem, of even less importance? A stable for animals? A star at exactly the right time to indicate His birth and identify the place? Oh, I know that many say planets converged, but that’s okay! The miracle is that all took place at precisely the correct time to guide seekers to the right country, village, stable and manger! Poor shepherds, rich kings, and wise men found the baby that would change the world!

The miracle is that in the “council of the ages” the plan originated and in creation the conceived plan became reality, all planned “by Him and for Him.”

Caesar Augustus thought it was his idea to demand a census, but actually it was God’s way of moving Mary and Joseph to the place prepared for Jesus’ birth. Amazing!

Father, we often think so superficially! Forgive us! Help us recognize the vastness of your plan! Amen. 

Tell Me About the Christmas Baby:
An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2010
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator