Tuesday December 26, 2023

Today is Tuesday, December 26 and we are celebrating that Christmas is here and Christ is here.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and focus myself on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving Father, I rejoice that Christmas has come. I long to put Jesus Christ first in my life today and always. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, enable me to hear the message you have for me. Show me what it means to find Christ in Christmas. Amen.

Today, I join with ancient voices in a Song of Ascent attributed to King Solomon, Psalm 127.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2

Pause and Pray

Colossae was a town of Phrygia in Asia Minor. In Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, he urges the people to establish and maintain Jesus Christ as the center of their lives. There is no stronger affirmation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all the letters of the New Testament as in Colossians. The entire book has an intense focus on a high Christology, lifting up Jesus Christ as King and Lord. Lord of the cosmos, Lord of the church, Lord of life, Lord of all. The book of Colossians celebrates that Christ is here and informs how I am to live my life with Jesus as utmost priority.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5

When I establish Jesus Christ as the center of my life, it changes everything. I become Christo-centric. The way I previously understood the world in which I live is transformed. When I place Jesus first everything else falls into place. I think differently, act differently and live differently. When Jesus is the Lord of my life, I set my thoughts on him, my choices, actions and behaviors will follow. I transfer the focus of my heart from earthly things to things above. I seek something higher, greater and more fulfilling than anything the world offers. What do I need to do to make Jesus my top priority and maintain Christ as my life’s center?

Ask: Is Jesus Christ the Lord of my life? If Jesus is not the lord of my life, what or who is?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, you are my life and hope. I want to put to death the sinful residue of my earthly nature. Reveal any idolatry that has a hold on my life. Show me how to set my heart and mind on things above, not on worldly things. Teach me how to center my life around you and maintain you as the top priority of every day. I read Paul’s words again and listen for the message you have for me.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Paul uses images of death and life. I am to put to death whatever belongs to my earthly nature and die to worldly things. Christ is my life and my life is hidden in Christ. Every day the things of this world compete for my attention – publicity, advertisements, social media, entertainment, sporting events, political affairs, societal forces and secular structures. All this distracts me from God. The world constantly interrupts my thoughts and captures the desires of my heart. I name the things I say I love in this world and what I have set my heart on. I name the earthly things that preoccupy my mind, the stuff that captures my thoughts and attention. What would I consider idolatry today? Are there things or people I idolize? When have I replaced God with other things? What would it look like to shift the full attention of my heart and mind to Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I make a new commitment to put you first in my life. Forgive me for returning to false idols and seeking the things of this world before I seek you. Help me to put away earthly things and set my heart and mind on you. Show me how to live each day maintaining Christ as the center of my life. Amen.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord of my life. I go to do the will of my Father in heaven.

Amen