The Quiet Power of God
READ: Isaiah 11:1
Our salvation comes from something small, tender, and vulnerable, something
hardly noticeable. God, who is the Creator of the universe, comes to us in
smallness, weakness, and hiddenness.
This is a hopeful message. Somehow, I keep expecting loud and impressive events
to convince me and others of God's savings power. I'm reminded of the sports
spectaculars, the mega-galas, the fanfares of this world. Our temptation is to
be distracted by them and persuaded that big is better. We can become blind to
the "shoot that shall sprout from the stump."
God reminded Elijah that he wasn't in the blazing fire, the roaring wind, or the
shaking earthquake. But the still, small voice--that was the voice of God. The
gospel is the quiet power of God.
The small child of Bethlehem, the unknown man of Nazareth, asks for our full
attention this holiday season. The quiet work of salvation continues in the
midst of a world that continues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its
claims and promises. But the promise is hidden in the shoot that sprouts from
the stump, a shoot that hardly anyone notices.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What things in life distract you from focusing on the true meaning of Christmas? How can you help others focus on Jesus?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God to fill you with joy for the love he showed in sending us his Son to be our Savior. Ask for forgiveness for the times the activities around Christmas have become more important than remembering and celebrating Jesus' birth. Ask God for strength to share Jesus' birth with other this Christmas and always.