12/21/2017 — Jesus came to Earth in humble surroundings for each of us. He came to know us, and that we may know Him. We'll all have an encounter with Him one day.

Jesus is God in the flesh, and the Bible says that He can be known and that He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Our responsibility and great joy is to know Him — not only as a baby, but as Lord and Savior.

EDUCATION

Luke 2:1–20
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.

“So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

“And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, 'Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.'

“Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.'

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'

“So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (MEV).

APPLICATION

• To know about God is not difficult — if you want to learn about Him, you can. To know God is something very different, but no less attainable.
• Nobody expects to face eternity in the immediate future. But all of us will, one day. It's vital to come to know God before that divine appointment, because it determines where we will spend eternity.
• Christmas is a time for family gatherings, which brings eternity into sharp focus. Maybe your family has a literal or figurative empty chair at the table, representing a lost loved one. Someday that empty chair will represent you. Shouldn't you settle the issue, once and for all, of where you will be spending eternity before your life is required of you?
• We can each have a personal relationship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who took human form on the first Christmas. There is no better time to settle the issue of where you will spend eternity than this Christmas!

IMPARTATION

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, at Christmas! What an incredible plan, to send Him to the world as a baby — to model a sacrificial life for us, to die a sacrificial death for us, that we may know You and seek after You.

I claim your promises that You are, and that You reward those who seek You. Order my steps that I may always seek to know You and Your will for my life. Thank You for preparing a place for me when my time on Earth is complete, according to Your plan.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — Jehovah Joshua Messiah — I pray. Amen!






WHC FAMILY PRAYER REQUESTS

In Matthew 18, Jesus said “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Let’s stand in agreement with the following members of our church family who have requested prayer:
We want to pray with YOU!

Send in your prayer request on this online form so we can agree with you in prayer!

Send in your testimony or praise report here when God moves in your life, so we can give Him glory with you!