In this Christmas season, we encourage you to take time to prepare your heart to celebrate Jesus. Read the Scripture for the day and follow the promptings below it. It is our hope that through intentionally meditating on Scripture in the days leading up to Jesus’s birth, you would find yourself filled with hope and having a heart of gratitude.
Devotion: As we have walked through different verses leading up to Christmas, we have read prophecies about Jesus, snippets from two different Christmas story accounts, and about the love of Jesus himself.
But we can also recognize that Jesus being born on this earth as a baby, to ultimately live the perfect life that we could not, to die the death that we deserved, and to defeat death and grave for us is a part of the overarching plan of redemption. From the beginning, God had a plan of redemption for His people.
Jesus submitted to the will of the Heavenly Father and fulfilled his role in the redemption story by being the perfect, atoning sacrifice on our behalf. What am amazing thing to glory in this advent season.
Scripture: James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Be Still: As you read, write out the Bible verse or verses that stick out to you most.
Abide: What truth can you learn? Are there any principles or commands present? What is the overall theme of the text?
Adore: What does the text reveal about God and His character?
Apply: How does this Scripture apply to your life today? How does the truth of God’s Word change your daily perspective? How can you live differently in light of this truth?
Pray: Pray God’s Word back to Him. Turn these thoughts into prayer. Ask the Lord to show you how to meditate on and apply this Scripture to your life.