Four days until Christmas… another offering of intercession… based on the story of His coming to earth… to make Himself known…
The Lord makes Himself known in many ways…. in burning bushes… thunderous claps… gentle whispers… the heavens and skies…
But… in all the ways He makes Himself known… hearts must be prepared to hear… see… receive…
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Those in the Nativity story… the ones who received the message of His birth… had hearts prepared to hear…
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the 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 for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:8-15 ESV
God made Himself known this night to lowly shepherds… through a heavenly host of angels…
The shepherds’ way was quiet… other-centered… tending flocks… caring for sheep… watching for threats…
A way which prepared their hearts to receive the Message… to hear from God… His great good news…
The shepherds responded with awe… not skepticism…
Filled with wonder… not content with just hearing… they went to see… experience firsthand… what they heard…
Hearts prepared to receive… hear Him wherever… however… whenever… He makes Himself known… and respond with wonder… and action…
A Nativity Prayer… Day Two…
Praise Him… for all the ways He makes Himself known… as the One who will be known to all nations… all people… for who He truly is…
Exalt Him… glorify Him above all… praise Him now…
Intercede… pray for yourself and others… to have hearts prepared to receive His message… just like the shepherds…
Ask Him to make the way for stillness of hearts and spirits to receive… to hear… to know…
Pray for your own heart… and the hearts of others… to be free from skepticism… lies… pride… and tendered with a fear of the Lord…
Pray for all to respond with action… when even the smallest glimpse of who He is… the gentlest whisper of the wonder of His good news… is heard…
Ask Him to ready hearts to go… see… experience… the good news of His coming… when He makes Himself known… including you… and those in your world…
Pray for all to know… His saving grace… His love… His peace… His wisdom… His joy… for the first time… or to a greater extent…
Amen…
Let it be so…
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