Marie’s daily verse:  Luke 2:8-11: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 22, 2023Let it be to me according to your word (Luke 11:38).The words of Mary. She was told that she would birth the Messiah via a miracle. She was willing to surrender to the will of God even though she didn’t fully understand. Am I?
I have often spoken about the indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit. That is one of our fantastic Christmas gifts. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, but we must remember that He can be resisted. Do you know what has to happen for the Holy Spirit to grow in influence in your life? You must live in submission to the Lord. You must say with Mary, “Be it unto me according to your Word.” Can you pray this prayer? Lord, I want to be yours. I want to be available to you. I want to be helpful to you. I want to be the sort of person in whom the life of Christ is seen in increasing measure. I want to be the kind of person in whom the kingdom of Christ is seen to be established more obviously. Lord, I want to be the kind of person in whom the works of the flesh are becoming less and less evident while the fruit of the Spirit becomes ever more prominent in my daily life. In other words, I’d like to live Christmas 365 days a year.” For that, you don’t need the spirit of Christmas. You need the Spirit of Christ, and he is available.

Father, I want to say with Mary, “Let it be to me according to Your word.” In Jesus’ name, Amen,