Luke 2: 1-7
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
TODAY’S PRAYER:
O, gracious God, how Mary’s heart must have ached, wanting to give your Son the highest honor and finest riches to welcome you, and yet she wrapped him in the only rags she could afford. But you were pleased with her offering because you do not measure the gift, you measure the heart that gives it. May you be pleased with the offering I bring, God. Even the best I can give you is an offering far too small, but I give as I am able. Take my talents and relationships. Take my finances and my time. Take my voice. Take my will. Take all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. You first gave your Son to redeem the world. Mary was the first to give in response. May my offering be fitting for such a story. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
— 25 Prayers to Christmas: Praying through the Christmas story by Chris Paavola
https://a.co/51JvfkJ
