12/19/15- The Characters of Christmas- His Own People

12/19- His Own People- John 1:11,
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

Thoughts: This is truly a sad verse.  The Maker goes unrecognized.  The One who should get all the credit gets ignored.  He knocked on the door, but we left him out in the cold.  The great Lord is treated worse than a neighbor, worse than a stranger, worse than an enemy.  In many ways hospitality is a theme throughout Christmas.  The Innkeeper and people should have been more hospitable to Mary. The song, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy- we didn’t know who you wuz” reminds us that we need to open our eyes to God and welcome Him in.  The terrorist does not know the Prince of Peace or the One who sought to turn the other cheek.  Jesus did not seek to bring peace to the world through fear or through might, but through humility, grace, and love.

 

Prayer: Lord, when you knock on the door of my heart, give me grace to welcome you in. 

Activity: Think of people you know who may be rejected by others or bullied in various ways.  Say a prayer for them- and make the effort to send them a Christmas card- looking up their address.

Song: Angels we have heard on high; sweetly singing o’er the plains.  And the mountains in reply. Echoing their joyous strains.  Gloria in excelsis deo!  Gloria in excelsis deo!