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.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Questions for Reflection:

Picture Jesus, the babe in the manger. How is knowing, really knowing, this baby is the Messiah born for YOU, make the ordinary parts of your life more significant? How does this bring peace for you?

Switch (Band) Symphony Lyrics

[Verse 1: Cassidy Estevez] Sometimes it's hard to breathe All these thoughts they shout at me Try to bring me to my knees And it's overwhelming Darkness echos all around Feels like everything is crashing down Still I know where my hope is found And it's only You [Pre-Chorus: Cassidy Estevez] Ooooh You say You're working Everything for my good, and Ooooh I believe every word [Chorus: Cassidy Estevez]'Cause even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony And even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony[Verse 2: Cassidy Estevez]Tune my heart to Your beat Let me be Your melody Even when I cannot see But You orchestrate it Even when the dark surrounds You'll never let me drown I know that my hope is found In the name of Jesus [Pre-Chorus: Cassidy Estevez] Ooooh You say You're working Everything for my good, and OooohI believe every word [Chorus: Cassidy Estevez]' Cause even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony And even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony [Verse 3: Dillion Chase] Yeah I wanna truly know if You compose beautiful music though From all my unruly notes The distance is dissonance, move in close Now I see erased the scales from my eyes Then played the scale in my life Chaos played off with a chord in accord With the source prevailing through strife And I've tasted suffering I've been embraced by the painful buffering I've been bound by doubts so loud right now But a melody is made when you play these rusty keys So we all gotta get pressed Tuned up like instruments But I know All of life's tempo is set Whenever we remember this [Chorus: Cassidy Estevez] That even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony And even in the madness There is peace Drowning out the voices all around me Through all of this chaos You are writing a symphony A symphony Oh Whoa, whoa, whoa A symphony Whoa, whoa, whoa A symphony Whoa, whoa, whoa A symphony Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa A symphony

Prayer of the Week:

Daily Opening Prayer

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the fact I get to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be with you Jesus, so good. You are so very kind to me. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in Your story – the story that includes me. I long to live expectantly this Christmas week. Help me see and seize your many kindnesses to me today especially your gracious kindness you will reveal in Your word to me today. (“You are welcome to take two minutes for reflective silence. You may do that by pausing this recording and hit play when you are ready to continue”.)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, help me live every moment of this week in open expectancy. I do want to see and seize all you have for me. You are so kind. Help me rest in Your promises in Your word today. You are a so good. There is a really good chance my controlling expectations of people and events will take over at times. Help me Jesus in those moments to see the slippery slope I am sliding down so I can immediately turn to You, Your word and Your kindness to me. Jesus, in moments of disappointment I might succumb to the temptation to “give up” on Joy. Guard my heart and help me return to a place of anticipation and expectancy that Your love and kindness to me is real … help me wait for You. Today I long for You and celebrate You and Your coming to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. You have shown me so much favor in your love for me in Jesus. Thank you Thank you Thank you. I Rejoice in God My Savior! I Rejoice in You Father! I Rejoice in You Jesus! I Rejoice in You Holy Spirit! Amen