I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
TO PONDER
Happy New Year! What better way to be reminded that Christmas is everyday than this passage from Galatians. I know it sounds a bit "Easter-ish" talking about Christ's death already, only a week after we got busy celebrating his birth, but the two things really do have to go together is we are going to appreciate the fulness of what each of them mean for us on a daily basis.
Christmas is the beginning of the story of God's personal intervention to deal with the problem of our sin and the distance it created between us and Himself. When the apostle Paul writes, "I have been crucified with Christ", he is saying that his own life now means nothing unless it is lived in and for Jesus. This is also true for us. All the New Years resolutions, all the good intentions in the world, all the plans for an early retirement or financial security mean nothing if they are not achieved 'In Christ".
What does "In Christ" really mean, well there are probably as many ways to interpret that phrase as there are people in the world. However, I think that at the very least it means that our life from Christmas onwards finds its meaning only in Christ. In serving Him, loving Him and following Him. It doesn't mean you can't go on that overseas holiday or around the world cruise that you might have organised for this year, but it means taking that trip, looking for ways to live Jesus love and share his hope with the people you encounter while you are away. The meaning is not in the holiday itself, but how Christ is at work in and through you on the holiday.
That's how, in practical terms, Christmas is every day. It's learning to live each day not out of your own plans and strength but out of Christ's plans and his love for you. This is the gift that God freely makes available to us each day. This is what makes Christmas every day. So, how is Christ's presence with you going to inform how you live today and every other day of 2026?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Please help me to live and plan for my year out of the life you have given me in Christ Jesus. Help me to live not for myself, but so that others might come to know you and see you at work in and through my life. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
TO PONDER
The loose theme for all our verses this week is supposed to be the idea that 'Christmas is everyday', not just one day on the calendar. When I made that claim at church this week, one of the young children in attendance asked their mum, "If Christmas is everyday then why don't I get presents every day?" Let me take this moment to apologise to that parent.
However, the question isn't a bad one, the problem with it is that we sometimes fail to recognise the gifts God gives us each day. A new start by his mercy and grace, is a gift we receive every morning. and because we are made new and right with God each day, we also have the wonderful blessing of being able to help others recognise the new life that God offers to them in Christ as well.
Too often we view evangelism and witnessing to Jesus as the 'difficult' or 'burdensome' part of being a follower of Jesus. And look, there are times when our efforts in that direction are meet with opposition or rejection. However, they cannot change our standing with God. Each day we get a fresh start. Each day the failures and disappointments of the day before are taken away and we are made new.
This is perhaps never more exciting than on the eve of a New Year. We often use this time as a symbolic opportunity to put the past behind us and to step into a new year with all it's new hopes, dreams, and potential. To make a new start and change certain things about the way we live and the voices we make on a daily basis. However, the reality is that a New Year's Eve is really no different than any other day in the life of a Christian. Every day is a chance to let the God of creation make you new. So why not make your new years resolution to live each day as a new creation in Christ and to bring the reconciliation Jesus has established between you and the Father to those who are part of your life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thanks you for new years, new days and new starts. Thank you that in Christ you even make me new. Please help me, by your Holy Spirit, to live each day as a new creation and to be a minister of your reconciliation to all those that come into my life in 2026. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
TO PONDER
As a parent, Summer holidays always leave me feeling a deeper sense of respect and admiration for my own parents. There are days and times when the lack of thoughtfulness my children display towards each other, and even towards their mother and I is simply astounding - I thought we raised them better than that.
The lack of gratitude they express, particularly with a pile of new Christmas presents still waiting to be packed away neatly, is also pretty upsetting.
The expectation that Elise and I would be their constant source of entertainment for every moment of the Summer, when they have each other, a cupboard full of board games, a backyard, bikes to ride, video games to play and various books to read and craft activities to do is simply mind-blowing to me. If I was like that for my own parents, I have only one thing to say - Sorry Mum and Dad!
And yet, when I reflect on this experience in light of today's reading, it reminds me somewhat of the dynamic of my relationship with God. I often go to him in prayer demanding that he fix my problems or make my life more the way I want it to be. I often go to him expecting a loving response, while I myself have been acting appallingly towards someone else and not been loving at all. I'm sure I have regularly asked for more from God without taking a moment to recognise and be grateful for all he has already given me. Then I realise the scope of his love for me and how I'm supposed to love my kids.
The love we get from God is not based on anything we do or don't do. Just like a parent's love for their children isn't based on what they do. it is simply based on who they are, they are your kids and so you love them - even when they might be frustrating you to pieces. God loves us because we are his children. Nothing you do will change that. Remembering what God has done through Jesus, to demonstrate that love to you, is a great story to tell others and a great way to inspire a greater and deeper love for others within yourself.
PRAYER:Heavenly Father, I am sorry for when I must make it hard for you to love me, but I know that you still do. Thank you for everything you have done to demonstrate that love, and to let me know that I am your child. Please help me to help others to know that too by sharing the story of all you have done for me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
TO PONDER
Have you ever met someone with some level of fame or renown who has exceeded all your expectations of them as a person? I did once.
While studying for ministry at Australian Lutheran College in Adelaide, I had to get involved in one of the local church youth groups as part of my practical field work. This particular group had a tradition of having their end of year event at a place in Glenelg called ' the Beachouse'. It was a combination of amusement arcade and water park, and to be honest, It was a lot of fun.
More importantly though, on that night it was also the same place that Eddie Betts (a well known AFL player who had just finished an outstanding season for the Adelaide Crows) had decided to take his children. Now I'm not a huge AFL fan, but my family are and the Adelaide Crows are what they live and breath. I knew I would be such a hero if I could ell them I had met Eddie Betts - but he was having a night out with his kids, and I was supposed to be supervising the kids from our youth group - I didn't think I should impose myself on him and interrupt his family time.
Well, he must have seen me looking at him, because he nodded at me at one point and I took that as an invitation. I introduced myself and told him how much we had all enjoyed watching him play for the Crows that year (he had only just been traded from Carlton). He was very gracious, accepted my praise and adulation patiently and I went home that night and some of the Eddie Betts "glory" must have rubbed off on me because I was so excited to tell my family that I had meet him, that I didn't really get the chance before they asked me what had happened, because I could not wipe the grin off my face.
I often wonder why so many Christians don't display the same kind of joy I obviously did when I met Eddie? So often Christians are so busy complaining about the state of the world, or bemoaning the dropping weekly attendance at their local church that they can sometimes be the most miserable people getting around.
But we know Jesus, we have seen his glory and know that he loves us, and welcomes us, and accepts us. He is full of grace and truth and that grace and truth is now ours because of his death and resurrection. Why then is it often so hard for people to encounter or see Christ in us?
Maybe, as you go about the rest of your summer and this week of 'holidays' between Christmas and New Year, you might take some time with Jesus so that you might bear something of his likeness, his glory, his grace, and his truth wherever you go and others might actually encounter a Christian who is excited that they know Jesus!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that I have come to know you and your glory, grace and truth in my life. Please help me to remember the significance of all you have done and to not lose sight of how exciting it is to now be alive in you. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
TO PONDER
As we draw closer to the end of another year and the joy, food, and presents of another Christmas start to fade away behind us, we an't help but get nostalgic and reflective.
Every free to air television network will be airing their own '2025 in review' retrospective and we will all be forced to look back over the year that was and be reminded of some of the highlights, and challenges, of the year that was.
As I try to do that in the midst of writing this devotion, I can't help but have the 'negative' parts of the year come to mind. Continuing war and conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and most of the rest of the Middle East, and more recently Political violence and assassinations in Tanzania and the escalating tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Once again there have been multiple natural disasters that many people around the world have had to deal with, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, volcanoes, floods, droughts, bushfires. The dissolving of social cohesion around the world and the multiple examples from around the world of events similar to those we saw play out in Bondi recently. You look back on a year like that and you might very well decide it's all to hard.
But without wanting to downplay the seriousness of any of those things, those of us who follow Jesu and have faith in God can look back and still give thanks for a God who is in control. I don't know what your circumstances have been like this year, but if you are reading this devotion, you have access to the internet in one form or another. It probably means you have a smart phone, tablet or laptop computer. Estimates in early 2024 suggest that at that time over one third of the world's population still didn't have reliable access to the internet. The World Health Organisation estimates similar figures for people with reliable access to safe drinking water. If you are still reading this devotion, it means you also have air in your lungs and also have a basic level of literacy. When you look at things this way, even in the midst of some chaotic times, there is still an awful lot to give thanks to God for on a daily basis.
So can I encourage you, as you inevitably find yourself watching those 'year in review' shows this week, to remember that among the chaos is a God who dwells with us in the mess and is at work both in us and through us making all things new. And that is something to be grateful for and something we should be busy pointing out to others.
PRAYER:Heavenly Father, when I try to look at the bigger picture, it can all seem to big, too hard, too hopeless. But when I stop and reflect on all the ways you have blessed me this year I have to admit that there are many things to be grateful for. I pray that you might help me to identify all the ways you bless me each day and help me to share those blessings and declare your praise for all that you have done for me, even when I may not see how everything all fits together in your big picture. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWy Newcastle.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations
TO PONDER
The verse today is a line from a song of praise that a man named Simeon proclaimed in the Jerusalem temple after seeing the young infant Jesus being dedicated to the Lord as Mary and 'Joseph's' first born male child. (This was the Jewish custom). Simeon had received a revelation from God that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised messiah. He see's Jesus and immediately recognises who, and what Jesus is and bursts into this song of praise. If you ever attend a Sunday service in a more traditional Lutheran Church, this 'Song of Simeon' is still often used as part of the liturgy after communion. Simeon's words have had a lasting impact.
I guess that's what I want to help us reflect on today. Simeon was an old man who had been simply waiting around to see the messiah. I think this describes a lot of Christians today. Many of us are just sitting around waiting for Jesus to come back and take us out of this life to be with him in the next. Waiting around is one thing, but once Simeon had seen God's salvation in the promised messiah, he got busy telling people all about it, even breaking into impromptu song.
Now I'm not a particularly talented musician, and I'm not suggesting that we all have to start writing Praise and Worship music, but there is something about sharing what we have seen and witnessed God do for us and for all people. Christmas is one of those times when the wider population is generally a little more open to hearing about what God has done in the birth of Jesus, but beyond the Christmas carol events what do we, as the people who have really been invited to understand and see what is going on in the birth of this baby, really done to share the good news over the last few weeks?
The good thing is that we have new opportunities every day to share the good news of the birth of Jesus. Our eyes have seen the salvation that he brings, perhaps even more so than Simeon, a salvation that he has prepared and freely makes available to all people.
I had to go to the shops for some groceries yesterday (amid all the Boxing Day sales). There was not much talk of Christmas any more but every other conversation I overheard was about the amazing deals people had managed to 'snap up'. If we are prepared to tell everyone about the bargain we got at the shops, surely we can spare some time and energy to tell them the best news about the most outrageous deal of all time?!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help the joy and excitement of your birth, which I have spent so much time preparing for and celebrating over the last few days, continue to excite me and move me to continue sharing the story of good news with anyone who has an ear to hear. Amen
Today's devotion by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
TO PONDER
So what do you do today? Are Christmas dishes still waiting for your attention? Maybe your only plan today is a lunch of Christmas leftovers in front of the first day of the Boxing Day Test Match or the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race?
In today's reading we hear two different responses to the birth of Jesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, quietly treasures all that has happened in her heart and reflects on it all. The shepherds go out and tell anyone they can find, all that they have seen and heard.
Both responses are good. There are times when we need to rest, be still, and know that God is God and that he is in control and holds us in His hands. This is especially true when we have been through a challenging or traumatic experience, like I imagine Mary had done, giving birth to the Son of God in an animal shed.
However, as people who have heard and seen what God has done, like the shepherds, there are also times when it is our task, to not keep these things to ourselves and to actually go out and talk to others about it. To 'go tell it on the mountain' as the old Christmas hymn reminds us.
The key is to not just do one and never do the other. Both have a role to play in the life of a disciple of Jesus. When we ponder and reflect we deepen our understanding and our relationship with the one who calls us his own. But it is also as we go to tell of all his wondrous deeds that we get to see him at work in and trough us making all things new. Each one helps to develop the other and both are part of the fulness of life in Christ.
PRAYER: Almighty and Eternal God, thank you for the ways that you have blessed me and all the wondrous things you have done in my life. Please help me both to treasure them always in my heart, but also to willingly share them with others so they too may come to know that you sent Jesus for them and that they may know all that you have done for them. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
TO PONDER
This verse from Luke's gospel I think reflects something of the same reality expressed in the opening chapter of Johns gospel where in verse eleven we read, 'He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
It's not a long devotion today because I know people are busy, waking up early to open Christmas presents and start preparing Christmas lunches, or travelling to distant family to celebrate together. I just wanted to give you the chance to take a moment to reflect on where you make room for Jesus in your life today? All those other things are nice, friends, family, good food, and generous gift giving, but they are all meaningless without the promise of eternal life with God which we only receive through Jesus.
So whatever your Christmas Day looks like, don't let Jesus be crowded out. Don't be one of the ones he comes for but who does not receive him because of how busy or stressful your day is. Receive Jesus, the saviour born for you. Amen
PRAYER: Thank you Heavenly Father for sending Jesus into the world, for me. Please help me to receive him with open arms today and every day as your greatest gift of love. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
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 Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
TO PONDER
Often at this time of year we begin to get nostalgic. We look back at the year that was and begin reflecting on all the up's and down's.
Maybe as you do that for yourself you see a year with more up's than down's and in the grand scheme of things you are looking back on a year where it is easy to see God's blessings and fingerprints on the things that have been the 'big' moments of the year. Maybe for you, the year of 2025 is something that has brought you great joy and lots of good news.
However, whatever our personal situations might have been, a quick look back at the major news headlines from the year tell a bit of a different story. Wars, conflicts, political unrest, dissolving social cohesion, global inflation and economic uncertainty, natural disasters, global warming... it doesn't seem like there has been much good news around does it?
And yet, the birth of Jesus is a turning point in the story of humanity's relationship with its creator. The Word of God which spoke creation into being has come to make all things new. This is good news. It is both a present reality and also an ongoing work. For those whose trust is in Jesus, we are a new creation - the old is gone and the new is come. For those who do not yet recognise or know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the work is still ongoing.
The birth of Jesus is good news to all humanity. It's good because God has come into our mess, into all of those things that we mentioned earlier and comes to restore and redeem them. He can use even the seemingly worst circumstances to draw people to himself, and that is the greatest gift anyone can have - an encounter with Jesus who has come to seek and save the lost.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you that the good news of the birth of Jesus has become a reason fr joy and celebration in my life. As I celebrate Jesus' birth this Christmas with friends and family, help us to receive again the joy that come from your salvation and give us a willing spirit to share the good news with all who have ears to hear. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle