Thurs., Dec. 3: Isa 26:1-6; Matt 7:21, 24-27

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many find preparing for Christmas painful. It’s hard even to say "Lord, Lord" if we are mourning a lost loved one or have no family or job or money or home. But the Child in the manger is also the Man on the cross. Jesus came to take away our sin, bear our pain, show us God’s everlasting love for us and teach us that God’s will for us on earth is to love each other and show it by helping to bear each other’s burdens.

*Lord, teach us to love one another, especially those in any need.