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Day 23: Nativity
Read: Luke 2:1-20

Think: Throughout the entire Old Testament, the Jews were expecting a conquering king to one day save them, and yet God chose for Jesus to come as a baby and be born to a poor teenaged girl. What was His first outfit? Rags. Who were His first visitors? Stinky shepherds. How would He save us? Not by victory with the sword, but by dying a criminal’s death on the cross. He is worthy of all praise, glory and honor, yet our God is humble! How does God’s humility move your heart to worship Him today?

Hope: John 1:14 (The Message) says, “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” How comforting it is to know that our God humbly moved in next door! We do not worship a God who is a distant, angry Santa. We celebrate our Savior who is “Immanuel” (God with us)!

Pray: God, thank you for coming near to me by sending Jesus. Thank you for modeling your humility in the nativity story and giving me hope, not just at Christmas, but all year round and for eternity.

Apply: Read the Christmas story to your family on Christmas morning and really consider the sacrifice Jesus made to become Immanuel.