I came to a saving faith in Christ in my 30s, by which time I had read, heard about, or seen the Nativity story many times. A Charlie Brown Christmas probably gave me my first real reference point, and my parents shared a few highlights every December 25th—which also happens to be my birthday. I learned that a baby was born in a manger and that Magi brought gifts, but I never thought to ask what a manger or Magi actually were.

When I was about five years old, my parents told me, “You were born on the same day as Jesus,” as though we shared a celebrity birthday. I didn’t understand that He was the reason for Christmas—that the day itself is only special because of Him. It wasn’t until much later that I realized Christmas is about the birth of Christ—that the word Christmas literally means Christ’s Mass, a celebration of the moment Christ-followers honor the truth that Jesus left His throne to live among us, before going to the cross, rising from the dead, and promising to return.

After coming to faith in Jesus as Savior and King, I began to explore the Nativity more deeply. I learned about the hardship Mary and Joseph endured, the significance of angels appearing to shepherds, the humility of Jesus’ birth, and the faith required of His earthly parents. I had assumed I lost the wonder of Christmas somewhere between childhood and adulthood—left behind with stories of Santa Claus and flying reindeer. Instead, Scripture has given me a deeper, truer awe. Each Advent season, I return to the Nativity with fresh eyes, longing to understand the faith of Mary and Joseph and the love of a Savior who left the comfort of heaven for the heartbreak of humanity.

We often assume the “magic” of Christmas fades because we outgrow childish stories. A man visiting every home in one night. Reindeer that fly. Perfect trees, glossy paper, twinkling lights. These things feel most magical when we are children—or when we experience them again through children we love. But when we worship the risen Savior, the wonder of Christmas is not lost—it is transformed. The spectacle of a secular holiday gives way to something richer, deeper, and infinitely more miraculous because it is real.

These beautiful traditions, though fleeting, point us toward an event of eternal significance. The birth of Christ invites joy and wonder not bound by age, emotion, or circumstance. Even when we feel spiritually numb, the truth remains: God came near. And that changes everything.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
— Psalm 51:12

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Please restore the wonder of Christmas to my world-weary heart as this Advent season begins. Let the first candle stir my soul more deeply than any countdown calendar or familiar seasonal song. Your Son came down—how can I not be filled with awe when I truly consider what that means?

And yet, I confess that I sometimes forget to treat this miracle with the reverence and wonder it deserves. Forgive me. I am still waiting for Him, and I want to wait with joy, remembering that I have never seen anything as beautiful as Jesus Christ. No decorated tree could ever compare to His glory.

One day, I will see His face and weep with joy in the presence of His power and love. Until then, restore my joy and renew my wonder.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON


Jesus was a real baby. He experienced helplessness, illness, injury, growth, and vulnerability. How incredible that our Savior truly understands what it means to be human—weak, awkward at times, and dependent.


As followers of Christ, our story mirrors His. We cannot wear our crowns as co-heirs of the Kingdom without first learning humility. Faith may require endurance, sacrifice, and waiting, but it leads to eternal life in the presence of Christ.


When the comforts of a secular life tempt us to trade faith for ease, we exchange eternal value for fleeting satisfaction. Only Christ truly satisfies. We were made for union with our Creator—and He came to meet us. He is coming again, not quietly, but in glory (Revelation 1:7).

I came to a saving faith in Christ in my 30s, by which time I had read, heard about, or seen the Nativity story many times. A Charlie Brown Christmas probably gave me my first real reference point, and my parents shared a few highlights every December 25th&mdash;which also happens to be my birthday. I learned that a baby was born in a manger and that Magi brought gifts, but I never thought to ask what a manger or Magi actually were.
When I was about five years old, my parents told me, &ldquo;You were born on the same day as Jesus,&rdquo; as though we shared a celebrity birthday. I didn&rsquo;t understand that He was the reason for Christmas&mdash;that the day itself is only special because of Him. It wasn&rsquo;t until much later that I realized Christmas is about the birth of Christ&mdash;that the word Christmas literally means Christ&rsquo;s Mass, a celebration of the moment Christ-followers honor the truth that Jesus left His throne to live among us, before going to the cross, rising from the dead, and promising to return.
After coming to faith in Jesus as Savior and King, I began to explore the Nativity more deeply. I learned about the hardship Mary and Joseph endured, the significance of angels appearing to shepherds, the humility of Jesus&rsquo; birth, and the faith required of His earthly parents. I had assumed I lost the wonder of Christmas somewhere between childhood and adulthood&mdash;left behind with stories of Santa Claus and flying reindeer. Instead, Scripture has given me a deeper, truer awe. Each Advent season, I return to the Nativity with fresh eyes, longing to understand the faith of Mary and Joseph and the love of a Savior who left the comfort of heaven for the heartbreak of humanity.
We often assume the &ldquo;magic&rdquo; of Christmas fades because we outgrow childish stories. A man visiting every home in one night. Reindeer that fly. Perfect trees, glossy paper, twinkling lights. These things feel most magical when we are children&mdash;or when we experience them again through children we love. But when we worship the risen Savior, the wonder of Christmas is not lost&mdash;it is transformed. The spectacle of a secular holiday gives way to something richer, deeper, and infinitely more miraculous because it is real.
These beautiful traditions, though fleeting, point us toward an event of eternal significance. The birth of Christ invites joy and wonder not bound by age, emotion, or circumstance. Even when we feel spiritually numb, the truth remains: God came near. And that changes everything.
TONIGHT&rsquo;S SCRIPTURE
&ldquo;Restore to me the joy of your salvation.&rdquo; &mdash; Psalm 51:12
<hr data-start="2940" data-end="2943">
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father, Please restore the wonder of Christmas to my world-weary heart as this Advent season begins. Let the first candle stir my soul more deeply than any countdown calendar or familiar seasonal song. Your Son came down&mdash;how can I not be filled with awe when I truly consider what that means?
And yet, I confess that I sometimes forget to treat this miracle with the reverence and wonder it deserves. Forgive me. I am still waiting for Him, and I want to wait with joy, remembering that I have never seen anything as beautiful as Jesus Christ. No decorated tree could ever compare to His glory.
One day, I will see His face and weep with joy in the presence of His power and love. Until then, restore my joy and renew my wonder. Amen.
<hr data-start="3717" data-end="3720">
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
<ol data-start="3762" data-end="4504">
<li data-start="3762" data-end="3974">
Jesus was a real baby. He experienced helplessness, illness, injury, growth, and vulnerability. How incredible that our Savior truly understands what it means to be human&mdash;weak, awkward at times, and dependent.
</li>
<li data-start="3976" data-end="4220">
As followers of Christ, our story mirrors His. We cannot wear our crowns as co-heirs of the Kingdom without first learning humility. Faith may require endurance, sacrifice, and waiting, but it leads to eternal life in the presence of Christ.
</li>
<li data-start="4222" data-end="4504">
When the comforts of a secular life tempt us to trade faith for ease, we exchange eternal value for fleeting satisfaction. Only Christ truly satisfies. We were made for union with our Creator&mdash;and He came to meet us. He is coming again, not quietly, but in glory (Revelation 1:7).
</li>
</ol>

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio.com and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christians

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

Your Nightly Prayer is an evening Christian prayer podcast from LifeAudio and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a nightly devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these evening prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day.

When You Feel Spiritually Numb

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/53ff90f7-057c-467a-ab49-b3b400e7be91/transcript

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