Day 10 Untangling Christmas

The Spirit of the Lord is reason to Celebrate!

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness
for the prisoners...
To comfort those who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve,
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and the garment of praise,
instead of the spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3

The prophet Isaiah foretold these things
about the coming Messiah. During the ministry
of Jesus recorded in Luke 4, it says that Jesus
was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah when he
was in the synagogue on the Sabbath, and opening it
he read the words above, rolled up the scroll
and said,

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:21

These are things that Jesus came to do:

• Bind up our broken hearts
• Release us from dark places
• Deliver us from personal prisons
• Comfort us in our grief and mourning
• Give us beauty for ashes
• Place on us a crown of beauty
• Fit us in an outfit of praise

"You will be with child and give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son
of the Most High. The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David, and
he will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
his kingdom will never end." Luke 1: 29-33

Are you ready to Celebrate your freedom yet?

Be filled with the Spirit of Christmas,
Which is the Spirit of Christ...today!

Christmas Prayer
Lord,
Thank you. I need you. I am amazed to see what you came to do for people. The prophet Isaiah, so long ago, spoke words still relevant to today's need. Your help for us is timeless. Your hope in our time of need is priceless. You, Jesus, are the gift. Help me believe and help me celebrate this joy more than I stress over the things to do, the gifts to buy, or the fluff of the holiday.