LCM CEO Graham Miller reflects on the nativity story, to show how Christmas is good news for outsiders.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

(Luke 2:8-11)

Jesus came for all kinds of people.

The Messiah of Israel, the Saviour King had been prophesied for centuries by the prophets, including the Magi Daniel. It should have been no surprise then that great magi came to worship the new King. What is more surprising is that the announcement went out to lowly shepherds. Shepherds lived outside the town walls and were seen as the unclean people of society.

Jesse didn’t count his shepherd son, David, as a proper son and left him outside when the Prophet Samuel came calling. The LORD doesn’t see it this way. The announcement of the royal birth goes forth to both foreign dignitaries AND unclean shepherds.

It is common to say that Christmas is all about family, but let’s remember as we pray during this time that our Lord’s family extends to foreigners, the unclean, and the outsiders amongst us, not just those who look like us. Give thanks for a Saviour for all peoples!

Will you join me in praying?

DAY 1

Rejoice and give thanks for Jesus, the Saviour of all peoples! Pray for those who don’t yet know him and may feel especially lonely today, that they would come to know the joy of being part of God’s family.

DAY 2

Pray for those without homes or families to go to over this Christmas period. Ask that they would meet local Christians who can share the love of Christ with them and meet their practical needs, as well as spiritual.

DAY 3

Pray for families that don’t celebrate Christmas – particularly those in the Muslim and Jewish communities. Ask for a hunger for the meaning of life and an intrigue for who Jesus really is – the Saviour of the world.

DAY 4

Give thanks for the message of Jesus that is for ALL peoples. Pray for the prison ministry with Olly Sherwood and Luke Carson as they seek to bring the hope of Jesus to the marginalised in prison.

DAY 5

Refugees continue to arrive and settle in London. Pray for this marginalised group that their loneliness would be met with the love and welcome of local churches, and the hope of Jesus.

DAY 6

Pray for the marginalised women across London involved in the sex industry; for them to be met with Jesus’ love and welcome through local Christians seeking to reach them.

DAY 7

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next, give thanks for all that God has blessed us with, in need or in plenty. Ask God for a generosity to share what he has given us with the needy in our communities.

These prayers feature in the latest edition of LCM's daily prayer guide, Together. Get your free copy and find other ways to help you pray here.