DAY 1 – DECEMBER 12

TITLE: “SENT FROM GOD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6

KEY VERSE: “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.”

John 1:6

This is a season when the postal service and other delivery services are busy delivering packages to a variety of places from a variety of people. Perhaps this month, you will receive a package with your name on it. This is also a season when many Christmas cards will be sent out and received through the postal service or e-mail. Some of those will contain a variety of messages from a variety of people.

God was sending a package of redemption and hope to His people. Before He sent that Word of love, hope, and grace to earth, He sent someone to prepare the way. This package or someone was a messenger by the name of John the Baptist. John was a man on assignment from God. He was not there on his own authority but was a man sent by God.

God has used a donkey, angels, prophets, leaders, and priests to proclaim His message. Saul was chosen by God to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. Acts 9:15 records, “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.’” Here in John 1, we discover that God sent John to prepare the way and to tell people about Christ. God was going to use John the Baptist for His glory.

In Isaiah 40, we read about the coming of John the Baptist. As one commentator said, “It is the call of the prophet and the announcement of God’s new and dramatic intervention in historical affairs for the purposes of salvation.” The scripture says, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3.

As I think about this passage in Isaiah and of the prophet Isaiah, I am reminded of his vision and commission in Isaiah 6. It is recorded, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’ Isaiah 6:8. Isaiah responded by consecrating his life to service for the Lord. Paul expressed the idea of consecration beautifully when he said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1. I pray that each of us will make that prayer our own. “Here am I, Lord. Send me.” God sent John on a mission. He has a mission for each of us to do. Will you respond, “Here I am. Send me?”

DAY 2 – DECEMBER 13

TITLE: “A WITNESS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:7

KEY VERSE: “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe.” John 1:7

What comes to mind when you think of a witness? Webster’s Dictionary defines a witness as “one who beholds, or otherwise has personal knowledge of, anything.” A witness of something is an attestation of a fact or an event. It is a testimony. One Bible dictionary states, “A testimony is an open declaration or profession of faith or agreement and an evidence given primarily to the actions and revelations of God.”

John was commissioned by God to be a witness. He was sent to testify concerning Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. His God-given function was to speak out as a voice that would serve as a witness.

In the New Testament, the word “testimony” takes on the wide meaning of “a proclamation in word, deed, or suffering.” Theologians have pointed out that the word “martyr” focuses on the affirmation of one’s belief in the gospel by personal suffering. One example of this is found in Acts 6 and 7. There, we can read the story of Stephen, who was stoned to death as a result of his testimony. This faithful witness is usually considered to be the first Christian martyr.

Witnessing is at the heart of the Great Commission that was given by Jesus Christ. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. The book of Acts points out that the Holy Spirit enables us to be His witnesses. Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

There are many approaches that can be taken in witnessing to others. The story is told that when he was the pastor of the Methodist church in Scarborough, William Sangster had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. This man wanted to be a witness for the Lord but he did not always think his actions or words through to witness appropriately. One time, while working as a barber, the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?" The frightened man fled with the lather on his face! Obviously, that is not an effective or healthy approach in witnessing. However, through His Spirit, you can be an effective witness for God. Will you be His witness to today?  

DAY 3 – DECEMBER 14

TITLE: “SO ALL MIGHT BELIEVE IN JESUS.”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:7

KEY VERSE: “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe.” John 1:7

The purpose was clear. He came as a witness so that all might believe. He did not come so people would just hear about the Light or even know about the Light. John came as an instrument God could use to bring people to faith in Christ. He came so all would believe or trust with the full confidence of their heart in the Light. John came so that all might believe in Jesus and put their trust in Him in a life-transforming way.

It is not enough to believe. Who or what you believe matters. The story is told that in the 1700’s, Jonathan Whitfield was preaching to coal miners in England. He asked one man, "What do you believe?" "Well, I believe the same as the church." "And what does the church believe?" "Well, they believe the same as me." Seeing he was getting nowhere, Whitfield said, "And what is it that you both believe?" "Well, I suppose the same thing."

John came so all would believe in Jesus Christ, the Light. He wanted them to know whom they believed in. It is not just enough to believe; we must believe in Jesus. John came so all might believe in Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” II Timothy 1:12.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace, To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love, Redeemed me for His own.

But I know Whom I have believèd, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed, Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith, To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word, Wrought peace within my heart.

But I know Whom I have believèd, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed, Unto Him against that day.

I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in Him.

But I know Whom I have believèd, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed, Unto Him against that day. (Daniel Whittle)

DAY 4 – DECEMBER 15

TITLE: “A WITNESS TO THE LIGHT”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:8

KEY VERSE: “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”

John 1:8

John knew who he was and who he was not. Scripture tells us that the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to John to ask him who he was. He freely testified that he was not the Christ. When they asked him if he was Elijah, he clearly stated he was not the prophet Elijah or a prophet at all. The scripture tells us John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” John 1:23. John knew he was and who he was not. John was not confused about his identity. He was not the light but he was a witness to the light.

John was very committed to defining his person, position, and work. He did not want others to think too highly of him or think he was something he was not. John wanted the people to know that the Light was much greater than he was. All John could do was witness concerning the Light.

Augustine of Hippo was born on November 13, 354 and died August 28, 430. He was also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, and St. Augoustinos. He was Bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria). He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province. His writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity. Writing about witnesses of the light, he stated, “They are like trees and mountains upon which the sun shines, which reflect the light and show by their own brightness and beauty that a great and wonderful light, vaster and mightier than they, is shining above them.” In this sense, Jesus called John the Baptist a burning lamp and light. Jesus said, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” John 5:35.

We are not the light, but we are called to live in a way that attracts others to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. The Apostle Paul gave this instruction when he wrote, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” Titus 2:7-10.

As His witnesses, we are to live in a way that brings glory to Christ. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. We shine so others will see the Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.

DAY 5 – DECEMBER 16

TITLE: “THE TRUE LIGHT”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:6-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: John 1:9

KEY VERSE: “The true light that give light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:9

King’s Canyon National Park, located in east central California, is home to some of the largest trees in the world. These enormous redwood trees, called giant sequoias, or Sequoiadendron giganteum, can live for over 3,000 years. Though I have not been there for several years, I have not forgotten the size of the trees or the wonder of that beautiful park.

One of these behemoths, named the General Grant tree, serves as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. The General Grant tree is one of the largest sequoias in the park. Its dimensions impress. The tree reaches over 267 feet in height. It measures 40 feet in diameter and 107 feet in circumference around the base. The first branch extending off the trunk does so at about 100 feet from the ground. A sturdy young adult, the tree is estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. President Calvin Coolidge declared the General Grant tree to be the Nation’s Christmas Tree in 1926. He did so at the request of Charles E. Lee of Sanger, California. Mr. Lee visited King’s Canyon in 1924, and as he gazed up at the General Grant tree, he overheard a little girl next to him say that it would make a marvelous Christmas tree. Inspired by this chance remark, he led a Christmas program at the foot of the tree in 1925. He also wrote to the President, requesting that the Chief Executive officially designate the General Grant as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Coolidge responded, and on April 28, 1926, it was declared as the Nation’s Christmas Tree. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the tree as a national shrine in 1956, dedicating it to those who died while serving their country.

The yearly Christmas ceremony at the foot of the tree has continued since 1925. Park rangers traditionally place a large Christmas wreath at the base of the tree. Alternative ceremonies take place all the way across the country, including Washington, D.C. There, a rival tree, located on the Ellipse (or President’s Park South). It, too, serves as the National Christmas Tree.

As I thought about it, there are many Christmas trees. They come in all sizes and shapes. Some have been named with special names like the Nation’s Christmas Tree or the National Christmas Tree. However, there is only one true Light. Nothing can rival the true Light that gives light. Jesus is the real, genuine Light of the world. Other trees may rival the Nation’s Christmas Tree, but nothing can begin to compare with the “Word,” the true Light that shines in the darkness. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6.