Devotions with Pastor Bill

Merry Christmas everyone! I pray that there is as much joy in your home this festive morning as there is in the Ritchey household. May all your preparations for this special day bear the best fruit possible.
I want to go back to when Mary was informed by the angel Gabriel that she would become pregnant with a son whose name was to be Jesus. This child would be a great King who would be given the throne of David and to whose kingdom there would be no end (Luke 1:26-33). According to that passage this happened in the 6th month.

According to the Torah, the 6thmonth on the Jewish calendar is Elul. I think our perspective of GOD is one of the Father sitting on His throne. The significance of Elul for the Jews is that in this month only the King leaves His throne to be in the field. Just ponder that image for a moment, please.
We celebrate the birth of the King of kings, the Lord of lords for good reason. He is Emmanuel, GOD with us. The message came to Mary during the month of Elul; the King was coming to His field. We are that field. Rejoice and be thankful, the King is with us now as He was when He left His throne and entered His field through Mary’s womb.

Luke 2:10-11 still applies to us today. As an angel of the Lord said to the shepherds in the fields, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. …” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, …” (John 1:14a).

Our GOD and King is in the field with us. Celebrate His entry into our field; be grateful, rejoice and be glad!

Shalom, Pastor Bill