Christmas with Compassion | Day 18
Day 18 - Wednesday, December 25
Read Luke 2:1-20
Highlight
Our modern idea of inns and barns throws off the ancient normal just a bit when we read the humble beginnings of Jesus’ birth story. Our idea of an inn is a multi-room building filled with comfortable furniture and our own bathroom. A barn, while still smelly, can be a large four-walled structure with straw on the ground and animals all around.
Yet, for the ancient villages in Mary and Joseph’s day, the “inn” would just be a spare room in someone’s house or a spare room above the cave where their animals slept. It was not one structure with multiple rooms. It was likely a family member, whether close or distant, who had a spare room for Mary and Joseph to stay. Then all of a sudden with the influx of people for the census, the room was not available to anyone. Therefore, they found space where the animals slept. Likely a shallow, low cave that was carved into the hillside of the town. It was an extremely humble place to give birth and be born, especially when this baby was the Son of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan, we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone who has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Luke 2:1-20
Highlight
Our modern idea of inns and barns throws off the ancient normal just a bit when we read the humble beginnings of Jesus’ birth story. Our idea of an inn is a multi-room building filled with comfortable furniture and our own bathroom. A barn, while still smelly, can be a large four-walled structure with straw on the ground and animals all around.
Yet, for the ancient villages in Mary and Joseph’s day, the “inn” would just be a spare room in someone’s house or a spare room above the cave where their animals slept. It was not one structure with multiple rooms. It was likely a family member, whether close or distant, who had a spare room for Mary and Joseph to stay. Then all of a sudden with the influx of people for the census, the room was not available to anyone. Therefore, they found space where the animals slept. Likely a shallow, low cave that was carved into the hillside of the town. It was an extremely humble place to give birth and be born, especially when this baby was the Son of God.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan, we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone who has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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