Thinking about the Innkeeper: The Christ, the Christmas and the Characters (Part Eight)

Daily Scripture Threshing for Sunday, December 25, 2022

Today’s Text: Luke 2:8-32

Key Verse: Luke 2:34b (NIV): “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against.”

As I wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year in advance, let me thank you for following the characters of Christmas for the past seven parts. So far, we have spotlighted the lives and roles of Joseph, Mary, Zechariah and Elizabeth, the angels, the Innkeeper(s), let us fold the scroll and look ahead to something new that God in His divine economy and providence will take us through. But let us not close in a hurry so that the birth of Jesus might not be for our falling but for our rising.

Let us find out what we can learn more from the other characters such as the shepherds, the wise men, Herod, Hannah the daughter of Phanuel, and Simeon the aged—all from the gospel of Luke, which we have been following. The shepherds teach us that God is able and happy to use anyone, lowly or great for His glory—especially anyone with a humble spirit. The wise men teach us that God accepts everyone and never rejects anyone. You are never too far gone to be able to come to God. He (God) reaches out to every man.

There are lessons from Herod too. He teaches us not to be greedy and presumptuous. He teaches us that rejecting God has consequences. As for Hannah, the daughter of Phanuel, she teaches us that regardless of life’s circumstances, we can be devout to Hod as a lifestyle. Simeon the aged was a great example of patient-watching and waiting for the promise(s) of God. As this year’s Christmas comes to a close, allow the Holy Spirit to instill all the lessons from all the characters in your heart. In this way, this celebration and the entire story of Christ shall not be unto you, as Simeon said, the stone on which some fall and are bruised; but one upon which you plant your feet and rise to a higher life.

Quote for the Day: “Jesus’ birth is not to try, but to redeem; not to crush but uplift those who open their heart to Him.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, please teach me to be a worthy follower of godly men and women who through humble and gentle spirit obtained good reports — in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance with all my Love and Prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]

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