The Path to Bethlehem One Month of Christmas Devotions

By Peter Caligiuri

For those of you who shared our 40 day journey to Christmas last year some of these first days will seem familiar landmarks. We are starting again with as many questions as answers, but this new journey will give a fresh look to old familiar territory.

On any journey it is good to do some planning before you begin. I find it a great help to set aside the same time each day for my daily devotional reading. Sometimes what I read inspires new ideas or the scripture reading takes on a deeper meaning I had not seen before. If you are using the softcover version you might want to write notes in the margins. For those using the e-format you might decide to post your thought to Twitter, Facebook or your own blog.

Whatever method you use I do pray you will be blessed as we journey together to Bethlehem. From October’s harvest to the miracle of the manger, God has an answer for every question if we ask in faith and then wait patiently to hear His reply

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter Caligiuri
• Release date: Nov 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370004652

Peter Caligiuri

I have served as a volunteer chaplain for more than twenty years at Allied Skilled Nursing in Scranton Pennsylvania. Besides several devotional books I have written 4 books about nursing home ministry. These include easy ideas for beginning a nursing home outreach, workshop training for volunteers and how to tailor your music ministry for the nursing home. My wife Nancy and I have been married for over 43 years. Together we have two sons, six grand-sons and one grand-daughter. We both serve as assistant pastors at New Covenant Fellowship church in nearby Taylor Pennsylvania.

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Introduction

For those of you who shared our 40 day journey to Christmas last year some of these first days will seem familiar landmarks. We are starting again with as many questions as answers, but this new journey will give a fresh look to old familiar territory.

On any journey it is good to do some planning before you begin. I find it a great help to set aside the same time each day for my daily devotional reading. Sometimes what I read inspires new ideas or the scripture reading takes on a deeper meaning I had not seen before. If you are using the softcover version you might want to write notes in the margins. For those using the e-format you might decide to post your thought to Twitter, Facebook or your own blog.

Whatever method you use I do pray you will be blessed as we journey together to Bethlehem. From October’s harvest to the miracle of the manger, God has an answer for every question if we ask in faith and then wait patiently to hear His reply

November 24

Starting Towards Bethlehem

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

Sometimes we think that Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem began with Caesar’s decree for everyone to be taxed. But Bethlehem had always been God’s choice for the birth of Jesus. Their travel had been planned hundreds of years earlier and written in the prophecy of the prophet Micah.\

Even though Mary and Joseph did not realize why they needed to leave at such an inconvenient time for Bethlehem, God had everything under control. They trusted Him even as they obeyed the king’s commands. Their faith guided them better than the miraculous star later guided the wise men.

In the same way our own journeys are not governed by our problems or the people around us. God promises to guide us in the way He wants us to go. God used angels to speak to the shepherds and the interpretation of prophecy and a star to direct the wise men. If we start out on our journey open to God’s word and trusting completely in Him He will also lead us and bring us to the manger where