DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Park Cities Baptist Church

Sunday, December 18
Monday, December 19
When I think of the images of
Christmas, I recall the night Christ was
born in a stable in Bethlehem, a mere
moment when history was forever
changed. I wonder what was going on
in Joseph’s mind hours before Christ
was born.
One of my favorite memories of
Christmas occurred when I was a little
kid. I was chosen to play Joseph in
the Christmas Pageant at Little Folks
Day School. I remember my best
friend playing the donkey and a girl I
was friends with played Mary. Other
members of our class played angels
and shepherds, and a plastic baby doll
played Jesus.
Reflecting back on my role as Joseph
today, I see a different perspective of
Joseph’s thoughts. My mind wonders
what Joseph was thinking when all
the events were taking place before
him. Did he question over and over
again if he could be used by God?
Did he ask why me? Regardless of the
questions Joseph had, he opened
himself up to be used by the Lord for
His glory.
The lesson of Joseph making himself
available to be used by God is a lesson
I believe is relevant to many today.
The Lord has deployed us across many
spectrums of business, school and life.
All we need to do is follow the actions
of Joseph in that moment of
uncertainty and be available for the
Lord to use us. Unsure of what the
cost would be, or the circumstances in
life, Joseph, said “Here I am Lord, use
me.” The words of Isaiah 6:8 prompt
us to say: send me Lord.
Verse: 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
For Discussion:
• What areas in your life have you
made unavailable to God for his use
for his glory?
• Do you have a limit to where God
can “send you”?
• How can you become more available
to the use of God?
Brandon Boyd is Associate Minister of
Missions. Brandon and his wife,
Kelsey, live in Dallas.
My favorite Christmas memory is a
family tradition. Every Christmas Eve
my brothers and I would gather around
the living room with our parents to
read Luke 2. After reading the account
of Jesus’ birth we would head upstairs
to go to bed. Our tradition was to sleep
in the same room; this was something
that I took for granted until I moved
away to college.
Looking back, my favorite memories
came from that room. We would sing
Christmas songs along with the radio,
wrestle, and, of course, never sleep.
Now that I’m the old married brother,
I miss these nights. I remember most
clearly the anticipation of Christmas
morning. This anticipation changed
as we grew up. As kids we were
anticipating gifts and presents. When
we were older we anticipated the
magnitude of the incarnation. Jesus,
the Son of God, came for us…that is
something worthy of anticipation.
I am reminded of Zechariah’s
prophecy in Luke 1:76-79, and the
ultimate anticipation. As John would
“go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his
people in the forgiveness of their
sins.” I can’t imagine the anticipation
John must have felt as he prepared the
way for Jesus, ministering in his
waiting. As we celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ today we are given a new
anticipation, that of His return. Today
the church stands tall in her anticipation
for the second coming of Jesus.
I love how these memories point us
back to our Savior. Christmas is a
celebration of the birth of Jesus and
the extreme anticipation of His return.
For Discussion:
• How can we as a family celebrate
Christmas this year in light of this
extreme anticipation?
• What family traditions are leading
us back to Jesus and motivating us
to carry His name well this
Christmas season?
Stephen Partrick is our Minister to
College Students and Interim Young
Adult Minister. He and his wife,
Megan, are about to celebrate their
second Christmas together.