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Advent Daily Devotional: December 20

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December 20 by Marsha Storjohann

Reading: Luke 2:22-24

“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Mary was still in awe of the events surrounding the birth of her firstborn son. God’s protection, God’s provision, the arrival of the great news brought by the shepherds that the Savior had been born! Jesus was now a month old and she and Joseph were eager to travel to Jerusalem to dedicate him to God. According to the Law all firstborn males were to be dedicated to God to serve Him throughout their lifetime. In this simple act of obedience her little baby’s life of service to His God and Father began and by His manhood He had become the Servant of all!

Mary also came in obedience to the Mosaic Law to offer a sacrifice for her purification after the birth of a child. Her sin offering was to be a lamb and a young pigeon or if she could not afford a lamb, she was to bring two pigeons or two doves. Her offering of two pigeons shows the arrival of the Son of God to the most humble of homes! Mary had joyfully sang in her song (Luke 1: 46-48), “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant”. Mary as a sinner came to bring her sacrifice to the LORD. She needed a Savior, and as we reflect on God’s provision through the birth of Jesus, we discover like Mary we too need a Savior and thanks be unto God the Savior has come!

In the Storjohann home the celebration of the birth of the Savior begins with the arranging of the nativity scene and listening to lively Christmas music while decorating the tree. You know Christmas is here when we begin painting our cut-out Christmas cookies and sing carols with our children and grandchildren around the piano. We also enjoy reading the Christmas story together with each taking on the role of a certain character! We love attending Christmas Eve candlelight services with our church family and afterwards driving around town to look at all the beautiful lights! Christmas Day is spent traveling to Tulsa to share in the joy and excitement of the season with our extended families!

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