Devotions from Judy’s heart
Every Christmas, many people get robbed.  Houses are burglarized, packages on doorsteps are stolen and people may be beaten and robbed. Thieves are busy and we are to be aware. The other day Al and I drove to the bank and I noticed they had a nativity scene in front but no manger or baby Jesus. I told Al, “You mean people even steal baby Jesus!” When I went inside to make my transaction, I complimented the bank on having the nativity scene but asked if Jesus had been stolen. I was so glad to hear quick response, “Oh no, we must wait for Christmas eve, the time when Jesus was born. It is too soon so we wait until then!” I was so glad to hear that was the case and not that someone had kidnapped him!
It seems like there is so much spiritual robbery taking place at Christmas with many taking Christ out of Christmas. The literal meaning of Christmas is Christian’s Mass or Christ’s Mass and how can we celebrate if we leave Him out?  Greg Laurie wrote how King Herod was the first to try to stop Christmas. He pretended to be a worshiper and asked the Wisemen to come back after they found Jesus to let him know where He could be found. Of course, this knowledge was not to pay homage to Him but to kill him.
Today so many are trying to leave Jesus out of Christmas.  I was approached by a woman who hadn’t been able to find Christmas cards and wanted to know if I had any to spare. I asked her if she wanted religious ones or just holiday ones and she was quick to answer, “Nonreligious ones!”  Schools also want Holiday Programs not Christmas Programs and to sing Jingle Bells rather than Away in a Manger.
But we don’t have to live like those that have been robbed for we can read the Christmas story, go to see live Nativity scenes, sing carols, go to S.S. Christmas programs, have devotions around the Christmas wreath, give to the poor, help others to know of Jesus coming etc. Like the carol goes, “O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”  He wants our hearts, so don’t rob the Lord.
Challenge for today: Find a new meaningful way to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy