Father, there is so much to contemplate and ponder concerning the birth of Your Son, Jesus. Mary is a tremendous example of one who was unable to fully comprehend or understand Your plan, but trusted You even before the answer was revealed. Help us to follow in her steps and trust You to work out Your will and plan in our lives even in the mysterious workings of our daily circumstances. Your humble and obedient servant, Mary, fulfilled your plan for her life and we receive the Christ Child; the Savior, the Messiah, our Lord! Thank You. Amen.

Father, we consider the fruit of the Spirit to be the actions and attitudes that enable us to walk in a way that pleases You and brings glory to Your name. We are to grow these healthy fruit and exercise their characteristics as we walk daily in the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These nine fruit of the Spirit, as they are exercised daily in our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and words will glorify You, our Father, and will also prove us to be disciples of Christ Jesus who exhibited each of these spiritual fruit, while clothed in human flesh, which was most visible to us when He underwent persecution, betrayal, and in the face of death. Help us to exercise the fruit of the Spirit not only on the “good” days but also in times of stress, uncertainty, and during times of mistreatment. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, we are grateful to be Your children. It is not by our own goodness, giftings, or generosity that we can buy or earn this standing. It is because of Jesus who came clothed in human flesh so that He could reach His own people and release them from their sins. Though many reject the Gospel message we choose to believe and gratefully declare that we are the children of God. Nothing can compare with such privilege or power as we make our earthly journey and anticipate eternity in heaven. In the name of Jesus we reaffirm and joyfully proclaim our decision to follow You all the days of our lives. Amen.

Father, empty me of the selfish aims that prevent me from cleaving to Your holy will for my life. I have only one life and it will soon pass, but that which I’ve done for Christ will last. Though I’ve had my share of burdens, setbacks, and fears, it’s how I deal with these matters that leaves me living for self or in Your will. Help me to remember that I’ve been granted only one life. I don’t get to do it again, so what I do now will either shape me into Your holy image or draw me further away from Your planned purpose for my life. Upon awakening impress on my heart, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Amen.

Father, our hearts are heavy today as we continue to see the disastrous results of a country that has turned away from its original purpose for existence. Our current laws have dictated that Your Ten Commandments have no place in the discourse of public education. Evil forces seek to strip your people of the right to pray and so many in government do not seek Your approval when establishing the laws that govern our lives. We see the injustice in so many ways; the perversion of marriage, sexual anarchy, clamoring for abortion rights, deadly violence. Now we see the foundations being destroyed and confusion abounds. Many cry out, “Where was God?” when the evil couple killed 14 and injured many others last week. Yet, to so many, all that the Scripture teaches us about how to live and show love one to another is referred to as old-fashioned, irrelevant, a thing of the past. Experts come from every direction to discuss their thoughts, but we know the only lasting answer to our need is provided for us in the arrival of Your Son, Jesus, who came to deliver us from our sins. How we pray for a mighty revival to sweep our land, revive our hearts and turn people away from their sins. We thank You for Your infinite mercy, and pray for Your comfort to be heaped upon those whose loved ones were stolen from them last week. May our brothers and sisters nearby have an inroad to these hurting families as they reach out to them with the love that only You can provide through their loving endeavors. We also pray for the law enforcement and officials overseeing the deadly terrorist follow-up, that You would grant them wisdom, discernment, and a truthful accounting, avoiding the deadly peril of political correctness. Fade from their memory the nightmarish horrors to which they are exposed. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.