What I’m listening to: You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft 

We are on day 18 of our advent series!! As always, if you’re new, be sure to check out my previous posts in the series. The first post also has some additional information about our Advent devotionals. Now let’s dive back into Matthew!

 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Great things can happen to ordinary places or people. It can be easy to think that nothing extraordinary will happen to you because you are “ordinary”. Here in Matthew, Bethlehem was a regular place that was transformed when the Savior was born there. I’m sure that most, if not all of us, have wished something amazing would happen to us at some point or another. The crazy thing is, something amazing already has! Jesus Christ was born onto this earth to die for us, saving us from the death we deserve, and offering us the salvation we need. Remember that we are made to do incredible things for Jesus because Jesus did incredible things for us. 

Prayer Prompt: Ask God to replace your feelings of self doubt with feelings of motivation to serve Him.