Devo for Christmas 2024
The past two serrmons of the 2024 Christmas series “His Story is our Story” ended in a beautiful candlelight service on Christmas Eve. I hope you were all able to enjoy seeing the sanctuary “Lit Up” for our King, Jesus!
The story of Jesus’ birth describes those who presented gifts to Jesus. The gifts symbolized the honor and recognition of the Savior being born. Many scholars also believe that the rather valuable gifts were most likely used to allow Mary and Joseph to cover living expenses as they went to Egypt and beyond.
As we can see in the New Testament, gifts are mentioned many times. In the time of the Romans, gifts were given out of obligation. Maybe because someone did something for you or gave you a gift first. However, the New Testament talks about gifts given without obligation or assumption that we would get something in return. The word used for these gifts is “Charisma,” and Strong’s defines it as “a gift of grace, underserved favor.”
The word gifts (charisma) is used to describe gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. We don’t deserve these gifts, but Jesus offers them to us. Romans 12:6-8 lists gifts that are given to us.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
As you can see by the bold text, we are also charged to use the gifts God has for us!
Have you been using your gifts? Do you know your gifts?
I encourage everyone to take some time this season and ask Father these two questions. Study what the words says about gifts (scriptures below can be a good start). Then, allow God to grow you in these gifts, that is what He wants to do!
Then, commit to starting the New Year with a heart to share your story and walk in the gifts God has for you.
Doing this WILL change your life!
Don’t forget to invite God into your day!
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Romans 11:29
1 Peter 4:10