December 1

I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way”! Jude 1:1-2 MSG​

December begins a month where our thoughts may turn towards giving and even the occasional thought of receiving, too! With Christmas Day not far away, we may look forward in anticipation to the upcoming joys of time spent with family and those we care for—a chance to celebrate love and togetherness in all of its forms and fashions. For others, December can be a time to hide away, until all the tinsel is taken down, and the painful reminders of our own loss and loneliness subside.

Whether in sadness or in celebration, the Lord your God is in your midst, with His own plans for provision and giving, sending His gift of love in the most extraordinary way! For He has already given us the very best, and truly the only gift we would ever need, in the life and love of His own dear Son, Christ Jesus our Saviour, Redeemer, and Lord. Who in dying for us, gave us the gift of life—His life abundant and eternal—in unlimited measure and unending flow. This is the gift of God to us in Christ—the gift of divine life and love that keeps on giving every day of this month—and all the year through. Everything you need for life and Godliness, has already been given to you! 

Won’t you open this gift today, deeply loved one—the gift of life, eternal and complete; the gift of hope that everything will be all right; the gift of trust that the One Who loves you so, will never let you go!
 
Anticipate, wait in hope, and see. He has you in the palm of His hand and in the centre of His heart. As this promised-filled month begins, and in all the perfectly planned days ahead, this is the absolute best, and safest place to be! 

Prayer:

Majestic and glorious God, I want my focus to be on You this month, on the life and love of Your Son, Christ Jesus, Who came as a gift to the world, to bring life—Your life—saving my own life from destruction so that I may live fully alive and bring glory to Your Holy Name.

Gracious God, show me Your ways. Wrap my heart in Your truth so that I may go into this month fully aware of Your great love; fully at rest in Your promises and peace.

I open my heart, dear Jesus, to receive afresh the wonders of Your great love and all the gifts You have for me—even on the days I do not feel worthy to receive—and I give my own heart, afresh to You! 


Holy Spirit, in Your kindness and great love, would You empower me to be the gift to You, to others, and to the heart of my Father, that I so long to be?

With great hope and anticipation, I give thanks, and I pray.