Is there a good reason why Jesus was not born in Caesar’s mansion or Herod’s court? He was born in the humblest of towns in the dirtiest of places. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef looks at God’s careful work in the world to draw you to Himself.
This devotional is adapted from MY Journal, Leading The Way’s monthly devotional magazine. Sign up now for a free six-month subscription to MY Journal—Dr. Youssef’s gift to you.
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As you celebrate Christ’s first coming at Christmas, infuse your traditions with new ways to remember His promise of redemption—and prepare for His ultimate return.
In Preparing for the King, a vibrant 20-page Advent booklet featuring a special 4-part devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef emphasizes God’s faithfulness to send a Savior and the striking Scriptural comparisons between Christ’s first and second coming. Reflect on eye-opening Scriptures that point to Jesus as the one and only Savior foreshadowed for thousands of years—and be encouraged to prepare for the King at Christmas and in your everyday life.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] The Way. Heaven's Loving Hand by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] There's a good reason why Jesus was not born in Caesar's mansion or Herod's court. He was born in
[00:00:20] the humblest of towns and the dirtiest of places so he could assure us that however filthy our hearts,
[00:00:26] he can dwell there today. And when he takes up residence, his blood makes the filthiest sinner
[00:00:34] white as snow. There is no life that God cannot redeem and in his sovereignty he uses all circumstances
[00:00:41] to fulfill his loving plan for every one of his children. Consider how God orchestrated events so
[00:00:49] that his son would be born in Bethlehem, just as it had been foretold centuries earlier. From his throne
[00:00:56] in Rome, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken of the whole empire. But although it was
[00:01:02] Caesar's decree, it was God's providence. So it is with your life. Nothing is outside the hands of God.
[00:01:10] He is at work to draw you to himself. He is always at work to fulfill his loving promises. It is his
[00:01:18] sovereign will that you are listening to this message about his glorious gospel even now.
[00:01:24] God's incredible love sent Jesus from heaven to a lowly manger cradle divinely placed in Bethlehem.
[00:01:32] He grew and walked among us until his mission to save took him to the cross to atone for your sins
[00:01:38] and mine. From the cross, Jesus' lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb. But on the third day,
[00:01:45] that tomb was found empty because Jesus had risen from the dead to offer the same resurrection
[00:01:51] to all who believe. Jerome was a fourth-century Christian who first translated the Bible into
[00:01:59] Latin. And one Christmas Eve, while living in Bethlehem, Jerome had a dream in which he sensed
[00:02:05] Jesus asking him, What are you going to give me for my birthday? Jerome replied that he would give the
[00:02:12] Lord the new translation of the Bible he had prepared. But Jesus said that wasn't what he wanted.
[00:02:18] Jerome offered to give him all his money and possessions. But Jesus didn't want these either.
[00:02:24] Jesus said to him, Jerome, give me all your sins. I came from heaven to earth for them, to take them away.
[00:02:35] This Christmas, bring Jesus all your sins. Let him cast them as far as the east is from the west
[00:02:42] and receive a new life, a new heart, and a new beginning in Christ, your Redeemer.
[00:02:49] Let's pray together. Jesus, thank you for coming to take away our sins. Help us to surrender them all
[00:02:56] to you and receive your grace that empowers us to live for you. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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[00:03:53] My Devotional is a ministry of Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef. To learn more, visit
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