The First Songs of ChristmasSample

WHAT ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR? Many of us associate Christmas with certain favorite foods. I could probably make you hungry right this moment, simply at the thought of looking forward to them.

But Luke 1:53 brings another thought to mind: What are you truly hungry for? What do you really want in life more than anything? Depending on our answer to this question, we learn from God’s Word what we can expect to receive. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6). Those who possess an insatiable appetite and hunger for God will find that He satisfies them with Himself, with His presence.

From His “right hand” He will enable them to enjoy “pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11). But in order to develop this type of hunger—which doesn’t come naturally to any of us—we must become what Jesus called “poor in spirit.” That is, we must daily recognize a need in ourselves that can only be filled by the God who promises “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Because look what happens to the “rich.” They are “sent away empty.” Mary wasn’t referring here to the financially rich. There’s nothing inherently wrong with being materially prosperous. But being self-righteous, self-sufficient—being full of oneself—is ultimately a recipe for spiritual starvation and stomachache.

Mary revealed her own heart’s true hunger in how she responded to the angel Gabriel’s message about what God had planned for her life. “Behold,” she said, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Mary’s reason for living, she was saying, was found in doing whatever would please the Lord.

How many blessings do we miss experiencing because we insist on holding on to our lives, our reputations, our rights, our time, our convenience, our comfort? Those things are not what we most need. What we truly need are the good things God gives to all who are hungry for one thing only.

Hungry for Him.

Enjoyed this 5-day devotional? Spend the days surrounding Christmas with your gaze fixed on our great Savior when you pick up The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional and also dive into the songs of Zechariah, the angels, an d Simeon.