Monday, December 25, 2023

Monday, December 25, 2023
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

It’s Christmas day. Across the world families and friends are exchanging gifts and sharing the joy of the holiday! But the joy of Christmas doesn’t rely on brightly wrapped presents or a twinkling tree. The true joy comes from the greatest gift that’s ever been given, Jesus Christ, a piece of God himself, born as a human and laid in a manger for His first night on earth. Angels would sing a welcome song to Him and watch the Christ-child as He grew from a boy into a man. One day, those angels would see the Son of God be crucified by the very people He came to save. This was His gift to man, so that whoever would believe in Christ would not perish but be with Him in paradise.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Friday, December 22, 2023
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Christ coming into the world is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I hope that this year, you find opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with those who need to hear it: the good news that God has sent His Son, and that because of His grace, we all can all find salvation through faith in Him.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christ is your personal counselor, your mighty God, your everlasting Father, and your Prince of Peace; Father, Son and Holy Spirit all wrapped in one. Instead of overthrowing the Romans and saving the Jewish nation, Jesus overthrew sin itself, saving everyone from the grip of death! And to prove that death no longer had any power, He rose from the grave. When He was born in a manger two thousand years ago, humanity’s story truly changed forever.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Luke 2:7
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus’ birth wasn’t entirely the fairy-tale birth night that picture books make it out to be. The King of Kings was born to a simple couple and laid in a feeding troth. A king plotted his murder. As Jesus’ parents fled His birthplace, they heard the wails of grieving mothers whose children had been slain by Herod. Jesus had every right to be born in a palace, but the Prince of Peace came into this world with lowly and humble beginnings, rife with tragedy, but brimming with hope.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Imagine working the late-night shift with your coworkers, when suddenly the sky explodes with light and song. A myriad of angels sing praises to God, while another heavenly messenger stoops down to tell you the greatest news in history. How fitting it was for shepherds to be the first ones to hear that the Good Shepherd had finally been born!

Monday, December 18, 2023

Monday, December 18, 2023
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

When sin entered the world, God already had a plan to save His creations, and He put that plan into motion using the most unlikely people. Abraham, a man who struggled with faithfulness toward both God and his wife. Moses, a murderer too afraid to speak in public. David, a mighty king who couldn’t control his own lusts. And finally, Mary, a young virgin with nothing to offer but a servant’s heart, who would ultimately become the mother of the Son of God… the One whom the world would call Immanuel.