Advent Devotion – Day 22

Sunday, December 18

The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him
From What Child Is This

By Susan A.

I ask myself…What child is This?

This hymn is easy to relate to for me. After all, how can I as­sume that the people visiting the stable knew what this simple baby would mean to the world? How can I assume they knew who sent Him and why He was born? After all, there was no new testa­ment. There were no praise songs. There were no Max Lucado books. How can I assume they recognized the Savior when I con­tinually struggle to define what that baby means to me?

I like to analyze the past. I look into situations and hope to find meaning. This Christmas season, however, my goal is not to waste energy finding meaning in the past but to look toward the future. Advent is the season of preparation, after all. What better way than beginning to explore who the babe is and what He can mean to me.

What child is this who is sleeping on Mary’s lap? The Bible tells me He was sent for me. What does that mean? Who can He become in my life? This advent, prepare for more than Christmas day. Prepare for the child’s meaning to take new form in your life. As Christians, it is not about a birthday but a new Life with that child.

Prayer: Dear God, Give me the courage to focus on the future. Help me to explore the possibilities of this child. To let Him be what God meant Him to be in my life each day. Amen.