Devotions for Christmas

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Devotions for Christmas / Index

December 1: Focusing On Jesus
December 2: Surprise Packaging
December 3: Heavenly Peace
December 4: Family Traditions
December 5: Pure As New Snow
December 6: An Ordinary Christmas
December 7: Saving Room for Dessert
December 8: Christmas Lights
December 9: An Unexpected Gift
December 10: Home for the Holidays
December 11: Seated At the Table
December 12: Hot Apple Cider
December 13: Unwrapping the Mystery
December 14: A Christmas List
December 15: Holiday Memories
December 16: Real Christmas Trees
December 17: A Modest Christmas
December 18: Dropping Hints of Hope
December 19: Christmas Jammies
December 20: Christmas Stockings
December 21: Gift Tags
December 22: Christmas Letters
December 23: Going Caroling
December 24: Holy Anticipation
December 25: A Savior Is Born for You
December 26: An Ugly Christmas Sweater
December 27: Christmas Leftovers
December 28: The Season Continues
December 29: The Aroma of Christmas
December 30: Cradle to Cross
December 31: A New Thing

 

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December 1: Focusing On Jesus / Index

Let us . . . [keep] our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith.
HEBREWS 12:1–2 HCSB

Have you noticed that Christmas seems to show up in stores earlier each year? Many stores have had Christmas decorations on display since September, right next to the Halloween costumes and fall wreaths. Coffee shops were already selling gingerbread lattes when it was still eighty degrees outside. Why is there this insane rush from one holiday to the next?

Did you know there is actually a term for this blending of holidays? It’s called hallothanksmas. Now, that’s frightening. Can we all agree that our grandmothers would not have approved of hallothanksmas? If we were honest, we’d probably admit that we don’t enjoy it all that much ourselves. It’s just so easy to get carried away with activity this time of year. And we don’t always know how to slow it all down.

But there is a way to step off the crazy train and reclaim Christmas. What’s the secret? Having a singular focus. We can choose to not rush the celebration of Christ’s birth. This December, join me in focusing each day on Him—as Paul said, on the “source and perfecter of our faith.” Even though at this very moment the stores are enticing us to focus on decorations, gifts, and holiday treats, let’s purposefully heed Paul’s advice and keep our eyes on Jesus.

We may have already gotten caught up in hallothanksmas, but that’s okay. It’s not too late to take back December. We can stop looking ahead to the next thing and, instead, fix our gaze on what is before us. How nice would it feel to take a deep breath and focus on the blessing of a baby born in a manger to save us from our sins? For the remainder of this holiday season, let us move forward in joy, giving Christ our full attention.

Devotions for Christmas

 

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December 2: Surprise Packaging / Index


He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
ISAIAH 53:2

Hariett has a real gift when it comes to gift wrapping. She’s given concert tickets tucked inside empty cereal boxes and jewelry disguised in old coffee cans. No empty container is off-limits. Hariett takes great joy in surprising people with offbeat packaging, and they never guess what’s inside. What about you? Do you judge presents by the packaging? Have you ever been surprised by what was inside?

The children of Israel were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, and they had a certain image in their minds. They were awaiting the arrival of a military leader who would show up on the scene with a lot of fanfare. They were expecting someone who would demand attention and respect by his very presence. Can you imagine their confusion when the Christ child made His humble entrance into the world?

From the very beginning Christmas has been about precious gifts in unexpected packaging. The Son of God entered our world clothed in the flesh of an infant. God’s plan to redeem and restore His people began with a newborn’s cry. It was the ultimate surprise gift.

Scripture is full of God’s choosing to wrap gifts in mysterious ways. From the heart of a king hidden inside of a shepherd boy to the Messiah in a manger to angels disguised as strangers, He is full of beautiful surprises. Let’s not miss a single one of them! It’s so easy to get caught up in appearances. We make snap judgments about people, about events in our lives, about the reasons why something seems to have happened. But when we do that, we can miss out on the best gifts.

That grouchy neighbor could end up being a lifesaver, that loss of a job could be an opening to a new path, and if you’re Hariett’s friend, that Crisco can could hold something you just might like. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the beautiful surprises that are all around us.

Devotions for Christmas

 

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December 3: Heavenly Peace / Index


Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
LUKE 2:14

Let’s face it: Christmas can be a stressful time. We get caught up in trying to create the perfect holiday for our families. We worry about family members not getting along or the mashed potatoes being too lumpy. Before we know it, we find ourselves longing for a little of the peace we hear about in Christmas carols. Can you relate? Has your holiday season become so full of pressure that you wonder if peace is even possible?

When Christmas rolled around in 1914, World War I was in full swing. Though Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary cease-fire in honor of the holiday, the warring countries refused to make it official. Peace did not seem to be anywhere in sight.
When the holiday arrived, the soldiers themselves chose to lay down their weapons in honor of Christmas. It was the first reprieve in months; the sound of gunfire was replaced with the sound of singing. Enemies were reported to have exchanged gifts and played games. Though the war was far from over, the Christmas truce of 1914 brought a little peace in the midst of conflict.

What conflict are you dealing with this Christmas? Is there family drama, a financial struggle, or a health concern? No matter the specific circumstance, Christ has promised His peace to you. Peace is always available for those of us who love Him. Our holidays do not have to be marked by stress and conflict. We can quit holding on to old grudges. We can let go of envy, worry, and fear. Let’s take Christmas back. This year, let’s choose peace.

Luke 1:26–38
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.



Devotions for Christmas

 

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December 4: Family Traditions / Index

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
HEBREWS 13:8


Have you ever seen the movie Christmas with the Kranks? When faced with a loss of traditions, the Krank family takes drastic measures and cancels Christmas!

We might not go to such extremes, but we all have traditions that are near and dear to our hearts. The familiar smell of cider on the stove or the sound of a favorite Christmas carol can bring warmth and comfort to our holiday. What about you? What traditions can make or break your holiday season? Now, imagine someone changing them a bit. Perhaps someone tries something new with your tried-and-true recipe or suggests a new location for the holiday meal.

Our traditions bring us such warmth and stability that any change to them can sting. Or we might be like the Kranks and feel like giving up altogether!

For those of us who find comfort in consistency, there is good news. Our holidays may not always look the same, but we can still celebrate the Christ who never changes. Jesus will always be who He has always been. Scripture shows us that Jesus has been consistent in His compassion, His character, and His commands. James said that Christ “does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV).

Traditions are meaningful and create beautiful memories for our families, but perhaps we can add some flexibility this year. We could leave a little room for the inevitable changes of life. This may mean that we loosen our grip on Grandma’s sweet potato pie recipe, and that’s okay. Who knows what new joys may come along with new changes? Let’s make this Christmas the year we choose Christ over our traditions.


Devotions for Christmas