Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Isaac Watts
When you are ready, click on “The Word of God” below for today's Scripture and then continue to follow the remaining steps of the devotion.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Sometimes we “fall” in love, but love as it is described in the Bible is more than just romance and feelings. Love is a choice we make day in and day out. Just like we need to dress ourselves each morning, we have to choose to put on love. It is a conscious decision we must make each and every day.
God chose to love us by sending Jesus Christ to us on Christmas Day. On that day, in a manger, surrounded by barn animals, Love came down.
When we are clothed with love, we are able to be more like Christ: compassionate, kind, forgiving, humble, and patient. God has chosen us so that we might love one another. Are you clothed in love today? It’s never too late in the day to decide to put it on!
Joann Lee
God of love, help me to love all whom I encounter today. I know that I can love only because you first loved me, and for that I give you thanks. Amen.
Depart now in peace, for your eyes have seen the salvation which God has prepared for all people. Grow in strength and wisdom and bring forth a harvest of righteousness and praise.
May God smile upon you and make you strong and wise.
May Christ Jesus and his humble birth fill you with awe.
And may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the presence of God’s Messiah.
Adapted from Nathan Nettleton, www.laughingbird.net, ©2002