Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

One Christmas, years ago, the telephone rang in the office of Franklin Roosevelt's pastor.

"Tell me, reverend," the voice of a newspaper reporter inquired, "are you holding a Christmas service today?"

When advised that there would certainly be a service, the reporter then asked, "And do you expect President Roosevelt to attend your church?" "That," explained the pastor patiently, "I can't promise. I'm not sure about the president's plans for today. But I can say we fully expect the Savior to be in our church, and we feel secure in the knowledge that Jesus' attendance ought to attract a reasonably large congregation."

Truly, anytime we can be close to God's Son who gave His life for our forgiveness and salvation, we ought to take advantage of the opportunity.

No doubt many of our Daily Devotion readers are doing just that.

But you may be surprised to know there are many reasons folks attend church on Christmas Day.

· Some will be in worship because it is a family tradition.

· Others are trying to recapture "the good old days."

· Still others are doing so because they're trying to please a relative or loved one.

It's the prayer of all of us at Lutheran Hour Ministries that this Christmas every one of our hearers will be going to worship so they may sing the praises of the Christ Child. There are a lot of reasons to go to church, but none is better than seeing the Savior who ransomed our souls and won our forgiveness through the giving of His life.

To that end, all of us wish you a most blessed and Christ-filled Holy Day.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son who came to give His life that we might receive forgiveness of our sins and have eternal life with You. May this day of celebration keep me mindful of the great gift You have given me and all of sinful humanity. In the Name of the newborn Christ I pray it. Amen.

Good News Correction: Thanks to Ed and Pyrna Koberstein of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, for letting us know the Salvation Army toys which were reported as having been stolen (as noted in these devotions on December 22) have been found. It took a couple of days but investigators found the toys had been picked up and then delivered to the wrong center. So, this is good news on top of the Lord's Good News! Pastor Ken Klaus

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 1-3    Revelation 16

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