Christmas Journey: Ten Days of Wonder Sample

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea . . . Luke 1:5

One thing the Hebrew nation has experienced time and again is oppression. This nation, chosen by God to birth the Messiah, demonstrate His overwhelming love and receive the commandments for navigating life in this broken, fallen, and evil world, which has often been ruled and ravaged by others. Such was the situation at the time of Jesus’ birth.

That causes me to ask, as we journey in wonder toward Christmas, what is ruling us? Is it the pain of the past, the disappointment of dreams unfulfilled, or the fear of the future? Not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones? What haunts our meandering thoughts or keeps us awake at night? What in our lives often hinders and holds us back from all God has for us?

Jesus’ entry into humanity reminds us, first and foremost, that His purpose for coming was a rescue mission behind enemy lines (1 John 3:8). This fallen planet has been under the sway of the prince of darkness, the devil, since the fall in the Garden (1 John 5:19). Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience caused their God-given dominion to be handed hook, line, and sinker to the adversary and the oppression of the human soul is the name of the enemy’s game.

But Jesus came. And He comes to us now.

The advent of Jesus’ birth reminds us that freedom from the stuff in our lives is possible, no matter what our foolishness, the world, or the devil has brought upon us. Christmas is the story of God reinstating every believer’s authority over the adversary as we surrender our lives to Jesus’ Lordship (Luke 10:17-20).

So, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us take inventory. What fills our thoughts? What sins, addictions, habits, or less-than reactions still linger?

Finally, let’s ask ourselves, have I given up seeking freedom from these areas in my life? Because if you and I have, Christmas reminds us that it is never too late to know glorious release from oppression–because Jesus came to wholly save us. To deliver us. To set us free now.

Take a moment to consider: What distracts me from keeping my eyes on Jesus? Do I need to be more intentional regarding all He has given me to walk in His freedom?