Not to Be Missed | 2 Corinthians 9:15

“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT)   In all your preparations for the holiday season, make sure you don’t miss the point of celebrating Christmas. Missing the profound meaning and implications of Jesus’ coming is surprisingly easy to do. The innkeeper in B…

Celebrating Christ’s Coming, Anticipating His Return | Isaiah 9:6–7

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancest…

Worthy of Worship | Matthew 2:11

“They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NLT)   One of the best ways to prepare for Christmas is to prepare for worship. Embrac…

See for Yourself | Matthew 2:3–4

“King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, ‘Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?’” (Matthew 2:3–4 NLT)   Imagine for a moment that you’re living in first-century Jerusa…

The Inevitable Outcome | Matthew 2:7

“Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.” (Matthew 2:7 NLT)   We can prepare our hearts for Christmas not just by reading God’s Word, but also by reflecting on it. We can celebrate the fact that Jesus’ coming fulfi…

Seek and You Will Find | Jeremiah 29:13

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)   If the Christmas story—the well-known narratives of Matthew 2 and Luke 2—is so familiar to you that you can practically recite it from memory, try considering it from a different perspective. Try thinking of it as the s…

Light in a Dark Place | Colossians 1:19–20

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross." —Colossians 1:19–20 One sobering way to prepare for Christmas is to remember that our spi…

Great Joy | Luke 2:10–12

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strip…

The First to Know | Luke 2:8–9

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified.” (Luke 2:8–9 NLT)   One way to prepare for Christmas is to reflect on the n…

Divine Humility | 2 Corinthians 8:9

This Giving Tuesday, help us meet the spiritual moment! Give now. “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT)   One way to prepare our hearts for Christmas an…