Matthew 2:2 – Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. (NIV)
Matthew 2:6 – Out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel. (NIV)
Gift giving is a favourite pastime at our house, and at Christmas, most of all. We enjoy choosing something appropriate and wrapping it with beautiful paper and ribbons. It is so much fun to change the appearance with an odd-shaped box, or adding bells or a rock, or putting wire under the ribbon, etc.
One year, I gave my grandson a big hairy coconut. It was not what he expected, and he was disappointed. Of course, there was a proper gift for him too. As teens, the kids expected a trick of some sort from grandma, and were disappointed when there wasn't one.
The people of Jesus' time expected a king, or at least a prince, to be born — not a babe in a manger. They expected someone to rescue them from Roman domination, not a teacher of the Word. Yet what they received was so much more. God didn't trick them. They had a pre-conceived idea of the packaging of their Messiah. Likewise God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want.
Prayer: Dear Saviour, as we prepare and wrap our gifts this Christmas season, help us to remember that, coming to us the way You did, You provided us with exactly what we needed, wrapping Your love for us in Jesus. Help us to enjoy Your birthday by spreading the peace, through the good news of salvation, that You long for us to have. We worship You. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Monday, March 17, 2025 – In Asia — Way up in the hills are about 70,000 villagers of a particular people group. Many have already heard the gospel, and believed. A team of local Christians, have developed an audio-driven overview of the Bible to help the new, untrained believing locals to understand the gospel more clearly and give them resources to share with villagers who have not yet heard. Pray for God to bring a revival to this people group and to deepen their relationships with God.
daughter: "Update March 15, 2025: Our daughter is very ill at this time with a severe cough. Please continue..." 
This is the end of an era! RM: "I would like to share my thanks for all the hard work done and time spent by Robin and the team..." 
End of era: "Pray for Robin Ross and for the Presby Daily Devotional. Pray God's will be done in all..." 