It’s Christmas and there's nothing like a road trip to make it special!
Whether it’s a ride to enjoy a seasonal holiday lighting event, or a road trip to visit family over the holiday season, this month is known for travelling. The first Christmas story was filled with this familiar feature too. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Nazareth for the birth of Christ, then flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod, only to find themselves once again on a journey back home to Nazareth. However, there was great eternal purpose in their road trips that also revealed much about the character of the God they served, who loved them deeply.
The Road to Bethlehem – Luke 2:1-5
A natural circumstance like a census called Mary & Joseph from their hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was to be born. The shepherds were directed by angels to go to Bethlehem to see the sign that the Saviour had arrived—a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The Wisemen travelled a great distance led by a star to come and worship the new-born king. The God who calls is the one who promises to also guide, and he uses many different means to do so. Are you in a place where you need God’s guidance? Ever found yourself in a place you were not sure you wanted to be? You can trust the Lord is with you and will lead you in this moment.
The Road to Nazareth – Matthew 2:19-23
The journey in life can be fraught with all kinds of circumstances and inherit dangers. Once King Herod hears about the birth of a new King of the Jews, he perceives a threat to his power and rule. So he seeks to destroy Jesus and ultimately God’s plan of salvation through Christ. But the God who calls is the God who also protects and provides. The road to Egypt provides a way of escape from the plans of the enemy and the wisemen’s gifts provide the resources needed to do so. Nothing can stop God’s plans and purposes from being fulfilled. God also supplies what is needed. The same is true for us in our journey of faith in this life.
The Road to Nazareth – Matthew 2:19-23
God finally leads Mary, Joseph, and Jesus back to their hometown of Nazareth in fulfillment of two more prophecies: God calling His son out of Egypt and that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. From there he would grow-up and leave to launch his public ministry. God’s plan is to lead us to Christmas and our eternal home.
During this month known for travelling, let’s pray into these Roads of Christmas and the themes found in the Christmas story. God wants to fill you will full assurance that He who calls you also protects and provides, to see His will fulfilled in our lives.
Scriptures
Luke 2:1-5 (NLT) … The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
Matthew 2:13-14 (NLT) … The Escape to Egypt
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
Matthew 2:19-23 (NLT) … The Return to Nazareth
19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”
21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Prayer Points
Thank the Lord for allowing you to participate in this month’s day of fasting and prayer; Praise the Lord.
1 John 1:9 – Confess any known and unknown sins.
Psalm 124:1&2 - Thank God for bringing you and your household through to December 2022.
Psalm 124:2 – Father, I thank You that I did not lose my way this year; despite the challenges, Jehovah Ebenezer the God of my help, I am here today. Praise the Lord. (Thank Him fervently)
Luke 2:4 – Father, I ask for safe travels during this month of December for myself, household, PPT households and anyone connected to PPT. (pray this fervently)
Luke 2:4 - Jehovah Nissi, in Jesus’ name we reverse any untimely deaths resulting from traffic accidents triggered by the devil in the spiritual realm. (pray this fervently)
Matthew 2:10 – Lord, we pray that the Christmas season will bring joy, peace, healing, hope and comfort to our homes, PPT, the church and the nations.
Matthew 2:10 – Lord, we pray that the Christmas season will bring joy, peace, healing, hope and comfort to the needy amongst us. (mention them)
Matthew 2:13 – Father, deliver us from the evil one in Jesus’ name. (pray this fervently)
Matthew 2:13 - Jehovah, do not let me fall into the trap of corrupted dreams and lying visions in Jesus name.
Matthew 2:15 – God of speed, expedite and bring into fruition the divine word that have been spoken over my life, my household and PPT for this season.
Matthew 2:19 – Almighty God, I ask that the angel of the Lord will visit me and my household with good news this month in Jesus’ name. (mention them)
Matthew 2:19 – Almighty God, I ask that the angel of the Lord visit PPT households with good news this month in Jesus’ name. (mention them)
Matthew 2:22 - Father as the year ends show me the way out of my fear(s) …(mention them and pray this fervently)
Matthew 2:22 – Like Joseph, let me have a supernatural encounter about my fear(s).. …(mention them and pray this fervently)
Matthew 2:13 & 22 –Like Joseph, All knowing God, grant me, my household, PPT households supernatural encounters concerning the dangers ahead. (pray this fervently)
Act 2:17 – Oh God of PPT pour Your spirit upon us, release the gift of dreams and visions to this body according to Your word. (pray this fervently)
Pray for the PPT missionaries and the persecuted church
Prayer Declaration
Joy to the world the Lord has come, let the earth, every nation, tongue, and tribe receive the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Lord, I stand here today in December 2022 and declare that You are my Jehovah Ebenezer, my helper. You have brought me, my household, PPT households and the church thus far. I affirm that if You had not been on our side where would we be? We would have been swallowed up by the devil, our adversaries, sickness, pain, hopelessness, and every bad news. But we are here and Jehovah Emmanuel, our God is with us. Hallelujah!
As the world celebrates the birth of our Lord (Christmas), Lord, this season bring joy, peace, healing, hope, and comfort to our homes, PPT, the church, and the nations. Father, for those in our PPT family who are fearful of this Christmas season, Jehovah El-Elyon let them have a supernatural encounter in Jesus’ name. Like David we say aloud ‘’But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.’’ Yes, You Lord Jehovah, You are my helper, my honour and the lifter of my head. Oh Lord our God, as 2022 ends and we are being ushered into 2023, we pray and ask that You guide us to thy perfect light and so shall it be.