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His Perfect Plan

In the Word

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:14a).

Of the Word

"If you want to get across an idea, wrap it up in a person." These words, attributed to scholar and diplomat Ralph Bunche, illustrate what God did in the Person of Jesus Christ. 

After the sin of Adam and Eve destroyed their relationship with God, they earned God's stinging words of judgment, but also received His comforting words of hope. God's idea, His perfect plan, was this: He would send a Savior, One who would lift all mankind from the consequences of sin.

At the appointed time, God sent His Son Jesus to Earth in the form of a baby named Jesus, born true God and true man. While he walked on Earth, He personified God's love. When He willingly died on the cross to win our forgiveness and salvation, He showed the depth of His love. In His victorious resurrection, we see the power of His love.

Today God continues to show His love to us. We can find it in His Word, in His Sacraments, and in the work of His Spirit in every believing heart.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing God's love in Your compassion, Your cross, and Your presence. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 11/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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It's in the Telling

In the Word

"And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50).

Of the Word

Adam and Eve told their children, and their children told their children. From generation to generation, God's Old Testament people passed down His promise of a Savior. All the while, prophets arose to urge repentance and to highlight God's enduring mercy. They spoke of One who would deliver them from the burden of guilt and the eternal consequences of sin.

Mary was familiar with God's promise when she heard the words of the angel Gabriel. Though she believed it would be fulfilled, Mary was the first to know that the time had come. Her response of worship and praise marked a turning point in history, for now God's faithful people could stop saying, "Be ready! He will come!" and start singing with Mary and the angels, "Rejoice! He is here!"

Rejoice that we have the opportunity to share the message of God's mercy in Christ. Give thanks for the blessing of being able to tell the story of Christmas to the next generation, so they may tell the next generation, because His mercy endures forever.

Walking with my Lord

Grant me, Lord Jesus, the boldness I need to share the story of Your love. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 10/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Sweet Voices

In the Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).

Of the Word

The Christmas tree sparkles with twinkling lights, the aromas coming from the kitchen are heavenly, and the laughter of loved ones rings through the house. How sweet to enjoy the company of family and friends and to talk the hours away at Christmas time!

The birth of Jesus is God's voice of love to us. We hear it in the words of the Bible and experience it in the Sacraments. This is not a one-way conversation, though! God graciously invites us to speak to Him in prayer, thanking Him for the blessings He has brought into our lives and confessing to Him the burdens of our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, God opens His ears to us, hearing our requests and listening to our voices of worship and praise.

The time we spend hearing God speak to us in His Word and responding to Him in prayer is time spent in the company of our heavenly Father. It's the heartwarming, sweet, comforting, and strengthening conversation we can have every day of the year.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, I come to You in thanksgiving for sending Your Word into the world in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 9/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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House of Bread

In the Word

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, … (Luke 2:4a).

Of the Word

Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life. Just as bread nourishes the body, Jesus nourishes the soul. He declares, "whoever comes to me shall not hunger" (John 6:35b). Many were puzzled at such an outrageous statement. Yet those who put their trust in Him soon learned the truth of His words. They discovered that Jesus was Who He claimed to be: the Bread of Life. Even today He feeds and strengthens faith, gives spiritual fulfillment, and provides life-giving hope and assurance.

Our Bethlehem, our House of Bread, lies not in Judean hills but in God's Word, the Bible, and in the life-giving bread and wine of Holy Communion. Let the feast begin!

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Jesus, for feeding me with the Bread of Life. My spirit is well satisfied in You. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 8/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Most Valuable Gifts

In the Word

And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8b).

Of the Word

"What do you want for Christmas?" A child may answer with the name of the latest game or toy. Each of us might answer the question with a list of things we've had our eye on as well. It's a common question asked during the holidays, but rarely is the question addressed to God. Why not? After all, He has an answer for us!

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Old Testament prophet Micah spoke of the gifts God wants from us, His beloved people. He asks us for gifts of the heart, given to Him when we do what is right: showing kindness in word and action; living lives of humility and service. These gifts require no money, no ribbons, and no wrapping, only a Spirit-filled longing to bring Him what He desires most.

What does God want for Christmas? He wants our worship and prayers, our time and abilities, our compassion for others. Those are the gifts He receives with a warm smile and an outstretched hand — and not just at Christmas, but all year long.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, help me to walk humbly with You and to live as Your child. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 7/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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The Whole Story

In the Word

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, (Isaiah 40:5a).

Of the Word

From the first day of December until Christmas, many families keep an Advent calendar. Day by day, the Nativity narrative unfolds, one picture or Bible verse at a time, until it’s completed on the last day of Advent.

Christian growth happens in a similar way throughout our lives. As we read and study the Word of God each day, each year, each decade of life, His will and His ways become clearer. As His Spirit works in our hearts and minds, we gain spiritual wisdom and understanding. Little by little, He transforms us into spiritually mature men and women, willing and able to follow Him, and to serve as an example to others.

Unlike the Advent calendar, where the whole story is revealed at Christmas, the whole story of God’s plan will be revealed when we see Him face to face in heaven. Until then, Christmas is yet another reminder of His great love for us — the love that sent His beloved Son to us in Bethlehem.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, keep me faithful to Your Word. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 6/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Forever Love

In the Word

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1).

Of the Word

Over 2,000 years ago … In those days … The Christmas narrative usually begins with these words. We're taken back in time to Bethlehem, to a man and a woman and a newborn Baby taking refuge in a stable warmed by sleeping cattle. 

So much has changed! Now we have hotels for travelers, hospitals for expectant mothers, and spacious barns for animals. What hasn't changed, however, is the love of the One the Christmas narrative is all about, the One named Jesus.

Love brought Jesus to earth. Love led Him to heal the sick and feed the hungry, and the same love compelled Him to die on the cross for our sins. Love prompted Him to show Himself to many witnesses after His resurrection. Those witnesses told their children what they had seen and heard, and the news was carried on to their children's children. And now it is told to us.

Change is inevitable in our lives, but God's love remains forever.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, let Your Gospel come alive in my heart today. Amen.

Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 5/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. ©2011, revised 2024 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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