Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. For to you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (from Luke 2:11).
Christmas is also a reminder that Jesus will be back. The Lord himself will descend from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Waiting, we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Job felt his need for someone to mediate between him and God, as a person mediates between friends (from Job 16:20-21).
Jesus came and met that need for us. There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).
Our first grandson* (I love him so!) was born a preemie. At first, we could not hold him. “Being held is stressful,” the nurses said.
So we watched him and we prayed, continually asking the Lord to hold him.
The next morning I noticed a book in a restroom. I picked it up and it fell open to this: “People were bringing little children to Jesus . . . and he took them in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them” (from Mark 10:13-16).
It seemed to me the Lord was saying, “You don’t have to keep asking. I heard you the first time. Holding too-small babies is what I do. It’s who I am.”
My tear-filled pleas became prayers of thanksgiving: “Thank you, Lord, for holding baby boy!”
*Baby boy, born to our middle daughter, is now 6+ weeks old. He’s home and doing well.
Jesus, our high priest, is holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. . . . made perfect forever (Hebrews 7:26).
One day we will see this Jesus face to face.
Until then we can pray.
And He is still called Jesus.
He listens when speak his name.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went to a desolate place and there he prayed (Mark 1:35).
This same Jesus says, “Follow me (Mark 1:17).”
He calls us to pray in quiet, lonely places. No other friend, no relatives, just you. And God.
Jesus spent a lot of time praying. He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. . . . all night he continued in prayer to God (Luke 5:16; 6:12).
Make prayer a priority.
