*Day 22 - Rest and Remember*

Make today a day of rest for you and your family. 

We are so close to Christmas, and this is a hectic time of year.

Today, think back over the last seven days:

·         In Matthew 9, Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...", were you able to be a laborer this week? Could you be a laborer for some of your family members over Christmas who may not know God?

·         In John 10, Jesus said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture..." If you prayed for discernment this week, were you able to tell a difference in how you perceived people? Were you able to feel a different connection with the Holy Spirit?

The rest of the week we looked at the beginning of the story of Jesus:

·         Multiple prophecies foretold the coming of Jesus. These prophecies give us hope.

·        Zechariah lost his speech when Gabriel the angel told him he would be a father in his old age and he didn't believe. His wife Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist who would go on to prepare the way for Jesus' ministry.

·         An angel appeared to Mary and told her she would give birth to a son, and she received the task of raising the Messiah with grace. The angel told Mary that, "nothing is impossible with God".

·       An angel appeared to Joseph who was a good man, and told him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph graciously went on to take Mary as his wife and raise Jesus as his own son.

·         Elizabeth was pregnant as an old woman. When her relative Mary visited her, John leapt in her womb with excitement and joy.

These are important components of the story of Jesus' birth: the story of Christmas. Over the next several days, remember to not get wrapped up in gifts and family, but remember this amazing story. A story that was orchestrated from the foundation of the world. Our savior came to this earth as a baby, to grow up and live among us, and to give his life to save us from our sins. Remember the true meaning of Christmas this week, and enjoy your day of rest.