Gratitude and Awe for the Humble Incarnation of Jesus Christ - Prayer Journal 264

Father, in Jesus' name, I bless and praise You for Your greatness and enduring mercy. Thank You for Jesus Christ, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, and adoption into Your family. I am grateful for Your everlasting love, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and access to Your presence. Thank You for my Christian community, partnership in Your Kingdom, family, health, a sound mind, and daily provisions. Even with countless tongues, I could never fully express my gratitude for all You have done and who You are.

Thank You for creating me to know You and to make You known to others. My sin and rebellion had distanced and separated me from You, making me worthy of death and Your holy anger. Thank You for sending Jesus to save and deliver me. Thank You, Jesus, for leaving the glory You shared with the Father in heaven to enter this fallen world and restore our relationship with God. Thank You for coming into the world with such humility, despite being the One whom the heavens cannot contain.

Jesus, You encompassed all of Your divinity within humanity, starting as a zygote in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Though You require nothing and no one, You arrived as a vulnerable infant, reliant on the care of the very parents You created. Despite being the King of the universe, You humbly came to the humble, born in the small town of Bethlehem, where no space was available for You in the inn. You were born in a dilapidated stable, possibly a cave, surrounded by animals, and the only place to lay You was in a feeding trough.

Angels proclaimed your birth, not to the wealthy and powerful, but to humble shepherds watching over their flocks at night. These shepherds were granted the honor of being among the first to see the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Despite being social outcasts whose testimony wasn't accepted in court, they were the initial witnesses of You, the Christ child, who would bring joy to the world, peace on earth, and goodwill towards humanity.

Just as the shepherds did, You have granted me, an insignificant person in this world, the honor of seeing and experiencing You. May I be in awe of the mystery of the incarnation, which made You fully human and fully divine in one being. Your miraculous conception, sinless life of perfect obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead have enabled me to experience Your love and escape Your wrath.

Jesus, You have summoned me to share Your message with the world. People's opinions of me are insignificant because everyone needs You. Let my boast be only in You as I speak of You, not myself. I am Your servant. You are my King, Savior, friend, and God. Inspire me to be amazed by You, filled with awe and wonder so that I constantly think of You, gaze at You, listen to You, speak about You, and reflect on who You are and what You have done for me. Amen!