2025 Christmas Devotional

The Gift of Jesus a christmas devotional

By Word of Life Fellowship

Cover design by Samantha Catlin, interior design and layout by Maria Fisher.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), © Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

The perspectives of the author(s) in this devotional do not necessarily represent the perspectives of Word of Life Fellowship.

DECEMBER 1 A JOURNEY BEGINS By Don Lough Jr. President and CEO, Word of Life Fellowship

Today’s Passage: Isaiah 9:6–7

What comes to mind when you think of December? For most, it’s holiday gatherings, gift shopping, and a whole lot of hurry. It’s also a season often marked by family time that can feel so special – or sometimes, a little stressful! While there is nothing inherently wrong with these things, it’s easy for the real reason we celebrate to get lost in the ever-growing stack of traditions and cheer. Throughout December, let’s take a daily pause to remember the promises given to us long ago. Isaiah 9:6–7 foretells of a child born to us – the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – a promise fulfilled in the person of Jesus. This prophecy was given centuries before Christ’s birth, providing a clear picture of who He is. Jesus is God’s gracious gift to us and the only One who can bring lasting peace and salvation. Give yourself the gift of meditating on Scripture passages that point you to the true reason we celebrate – beginning with the prophecies long before Jesus’ birth and leading to the moment the world was forever changed by His arrival. Stop and ask yourself: What am I hoping to gain from this journey to the manger? It’s the same story you’ve always heard, but have you personally met Jesus as your Savior? Would you allow God to open your heart to the message of Christmas in a fresh way?

God sent His Son, born of a virgin, fulfilling His promises and bringing hope to a broken world. That truth should never be lost on us.

Let us celebrate our Savior’s birth!

DECEMBER 2 THE WORD BECAME FLESH By Corey Abney Lead Pastor, Bell Shoals Church

Today’s Passage: John 1:1–5, 14

Fall is my favorite time of year – the cool mornings, the comfortable days, and the color in the trees. Many people plan trips just to see the unique beauty of changing leaves and the explosion of color they bring. For many years, I thought this kaleidoscope of color was caused by cooling temperatures or shifts in weather patterns. But more recently, I learned that leaves change color – and eventually fall – because of the absence of light.

Shorter days, not cooler temperatures, prevent trees from sustaining life. In other words, the absence of light leads to death.

So it is with us. Our sin blinds us to the beauty of God. Our rebellion prevents us from seeing His glory in the world. Although God’s glory is all around us, we suppress this reality in unrighteousness. As a result, our foolish hearts are darkened (Romans 1). The absence of light leads to death. Thankfully, God intervened in our darkened world. Jesus is the Light of the World, and John tells us that in Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (vv. 4–5). Jesus – the Word made flesh – came to dwell among us so that we could see the glory of God (v. 14). He literally “set up a tent” in our darkened world to bring the light of life.

The absence of light leads to death, but the presence of Light leads to life!

DECEMBER 3 A GENEALOGY OF GRACE By Mark L. Bailey Chancellor, Senior Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary

Today’s Passage: Matthew 1:1–17

Memory experts tell us that we remember things because they are important, because of their association with key events in history, or because of a mnemonic structure that helps the mind retain information. All three of these are found in the opening verses of the New Testament, which record the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew’s genealogy begins and ends with Jesus Christ. The opening verse is important because it traces the origins of Jesus the Messiah backward through David to Abraham. If Jesus is going to be the King of the Jews – as Matthew will argue throughout his Gospel – He must fulfill the Davidic and Abrahamic covenants (Psalm 89:2–3). Second, the structure of the genealogy is grouped into three sets of fourteen names each (v. 17). This outlines Israel’s history: • Abraham to David (vv. 2–6): The establishment of the kingdom of Israel • David to the Babylonian captivity (vv. 6–11): The destruction of the kingdom • Babylonian captivity to Christ (vv. 12–16): The anticipation of the kingdom’s restoration through Messiah Finally, what is important can be remembered by association. Unique to this genealogy is the inclusion of five women – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary – each of whom faced challenges related to gender, ethnicity, or sin. What can we learn from these verses in light of Matthew’s theme? 1. If Jesus is the King of His kingdom, He makes it possible for both men and women to belong. 2. His kingdom will include people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 3. Jesus must solve the problem of how sinners can enter God’s kingdom – and He did. On the cross, Christ paid the penalty for sin. Through His resurrection, He proved His right to be the King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity.

DECEMBER 4 THE CREATION ACCOUNT By Richard Blackaby President, Blackaby Ministries International

Today’s Passage: Genesis 1–2

God delights in giving. When He created a world for Adam to inhabit, He held nothing back. Everything He made was good.

We can only imagine the delight God felt as He created mountain ranges, waterfalls, beautiful lakes, and majestic rivers for earth’s lone human inhabitant. The first home God ever made was a paradise. He informed Adam that every plant and animal was a gift. What joy Adam must have felt when he tasted fruit fresh from the tree – an orange, a pear, or grapes from a vine. Each day brought a new adventure as Adam discovered more of God’s gifts. Yet despite all God had given him, Adam was missing something. Recognizing Adam’s need, God designed the ideal gift: Eve. Perfectly suited for Adam, Eve brought him unimaginable joy.

In these opening chapters – before sin entered the world – we see a God who delights to surprise His children with good gifts.

When sin alienated humanity from God, He still gave: “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16).

Salvation restores us to a loving relationship with God so that, like Adam, we can receive the many gifts He has prepared for us.

As you give and receive gifts this Christmas, remember the greatest Giver of all, who delights in blessing His children.

DECEMBER 5 FAVOR AND SUFFERING By Christine Wyrtzen Musician, Author, Bible Teacher, Storyteller, Radio Host, Daughters of Promise

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:26–30

“And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’” (Luke 1:28)

Mary was favored by God, yet her life was marked by suffering. She left her home eight months pregnant. She gave birth in a dirty barn. She fled to Egypt with a toddler. She watched her Son beaten and crucified.

How was she comforted? Through sound theology and the presence of God.

Mary knew the stories of her ancestors – others who were favored yet suffered. A life of ease never characterizes the journey of a disciple.

So why do we, when suffering, wonder if we’ve fallen out of God’s favor? Bad theology – and sometimes, the misguided words of other believers – can cause shame and confusion. Perhaps you are in a wilderness season. You set out on a path God laid before you, only to face trial after trial. Maybe you’ve begun to second-guess yourself – or worse, God’s love and faithfulness.

Suffering does not prove disfavor or disobedience. For the obedient believer, it is evidence of God’s favor.

I’m not suggesting we wear our pain as a badge, but rather that we rest in God’s purposes.

The One who favors us is the One who calls us to share in His suffering. God’s glory is seen most clearly when His children trust Him through their tears.

Let us renounce the lies of the enemy and run confidently to the Father – the same God who sustained Mary through the tumultuous events surrounding the birth of His Son, Jesus.

DECEMBER 6 WHY CHRISTMAS IS GOD’S ANSWER TO HUMANITY’S GREATEST TRAGEDY By Scott Foreman Vice President of Growth and Impact Strategies, Word of Life Fellowship

Today’s Passage: Genesis 3

The tragedy of Genesis 3 is far greater than a couple deciding it was a good day to eat forbidden fruit. This chapter marks a dramatic pivot in Scripture. At the end of Genesis 2, we see two people in perfect fellowship with each other, in unbroken fellowship with God, fully understanding His plan, free from sin and any sin nature, and on a course to spend forever with Christ. But in Genesis 3, everything changes. Adam and Eve are now out of fellowship with each other, walking away from God, holding a distorted view of His plan, carrying a newly formed sin nature, and – apart from God’s forgiveness – facing the reality of spending forever separated from Christ. This is why God’s promise of One who would “crush” Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15) was so vital. The damage done by Adam and Eve’s sin was so great, so far-reaching, that only God Himself could save us. The Trinity, in eternity past, graciously determined that the Son would come – the Word who would become flesh, dwell among us, and rescue us from the horrors introduced in Eden.

The Baby of Bethlehem was the only solution to undo the evil of Eden. Without that remedy, we would never be brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

Christmas is a season for celebration, but it is also a season for pause. Our first parents plunged us into hopelessness, and without Someone to save us, we would have spent forever paying for our sin. Genesis 3 brought darkness and despair, but Christ our Savior brings light and hope. This Christmas, may we remember that the manger is God’s answer to the Garden. The One wrapped in swaddling clothes came to crush the serpent, redeem His people, and restore what was lost.

DECEMBER 7 THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARS TO JOSEPH By Chris Katulka Speaker, Writer, Radio Host, Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

Today’s Passage: Matthew 1:18–25

The Gospel of Matthew captures a pivotal moment in history with the birth of Jesus – but it also highlights a deeply human experience often overlooked.

Joseph, a righteous man, is devastated when he learns Mary, his betrothed, is pregnant. In a culture where such news would bring shame and public scandal, Joseph resolves to end the engagement quietly. His decision is marked by both heartbreak and compassion. It is in this moment of emotional pain – what Joseph likely saw as one of the greatest losses of his life – that God intervenes. In a dream, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and reorients his understanding: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” This divine clarity transforms Joseph’s sorrow into sacred purpose. He awakens and obeys, taking Mary as his wife and accepting the call to raise the Son of God.

The journey to the manger is not just one of prophecy fulfilled, but of emotions felt – confusion, grief, fear, and ultimately, joy.

Like much of life, the path is steeped in struggle. Yet it is precisely in those moments that God speaks. What Joseph once saw as betrayal became the very avenue of God’s greatest blessing. What he viewed as loss, God turned into eternal gain. This is the pattern of the gospel. In our own lives, what feels like personal hurt or emotional loss is often the soil in which God plants redemption. Jesus, born into a situation marked by misunderstanding and pain, came to redeem every corner of our brokenness.

The journey to the manger reminds us that when God speaks into our sorrow, He brings hope – and what once felt like the end becomes the beginning of joy.

DECEMBER 8 HIS NAME WILL BE JESUS By Dennis Swanberg America’s Minister of Encouragement

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:31–33; Matthew 1:21; 2 Samuel 7:13

Having experienced more than 70 Christmas seasons, I have gathered countless memories. One of the most meaningful is the annual gift from my grandpa, Carl Johnson, who was a humble farmer and sharecropper. Neither side of my family was well off financially. We were not white-collar, or even blue-collar – more like sweat-ring-around-the-collar. But each Christmas we opened gifts that were the best my family could offer. And every year, Grandpa gave each grandkid a silver dollar. We all knew it was coming and did our best to act surprised. At the time, I did not fully grasp its significance. Today, I keep 22 of those silver dollars in a wooden box on my desk. I am reminded that he gave his best gift to each of us. The coins are a symbol of his love, time, interest, and presence, which he gave freely and generously. I should have more than 22 coins, but I did not always cherish the gift adequately and spent some along the way. Now I know these coins are a treasure I did not always recognize. Isn’t it the same with God the Father? He gave us His best gift – His Son, Jesus Christ – who gave His life as a ransom to free us from sin and death. Through Him, we receive salvation, access to His Holy Spirit, and eternal life. This gift is not one to be opened once a year or realized down the road, but one to be opened and experienced afresh every day. Yet sometimes I become complacent and take God’s best gift for granted in the same way I lost sight of the value of my grandpa’s coins. Luke 1:31–33 reminds us we have been given God’s best gift in His Son, Jesus, whose kingdom will never end. Matthew 1:21 tells us God’s best gift saves us from an eternity separated from Him. As we see Christmas lights, may we remember that God’s gift, the Light of the World, is meant to change us, give us hope, and dwell in us. Let us treasure it every day!

DECEMBER 9 GOD WITH US By John Bouquet Lead Pastor, Bethel Chapel

Today’s Passage: Isaiah 9:6–7; Matthew 1:22–23

Most investors would be thrilled with a 20% return. We pay millions to baseball players with a .250 batting average. We applaud the weather person when their forecast is right 50% of the time. But a prophet of God had to be correct 100% of the time.

This Christmas, focus your attention on the prophecy of Isaiah, the prophet of God who forecast the birth of the Messiah 700 years ahead of His coming.

Judah was in grave danger because of the wicked leadership of King Ahaz. Under his leadership, idol worship was prominent – the worship of Molech, the god who demanded the offering of the firstborn son on the altar. Ahaz offered his son as a burnt sacrifice as an affront to Jehovah. Ahaz made a treaty with the king of Syria. Then he went to Tiglath-Pileser, the evil king of Assyria, for help. God sent Isaiah the prophet to Ahaz to give him the prophecy of God’s Deliverer, the Messiah. In Isaiah 9:6–7, one of the realms of authority for the Messiah is “the government will be upon His shoulders.” He will rule upon the throne of His father, David. His leadership will have no end. His authority will effectively bring justice and righteousness for the time of His earthly rule and forever.

Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 1:22–23) is the fulfillment of this prophecy 700 years later. The story of Christmas is wrapped up in a name: Immanuel – GOD WITH US.

What an inspiring Christmas message. God wants to live among us, within us, and all around us in our daily lives. Jesus is God’s Son, sent from God for such a time as this. He is ruling from His Father’s right hand in heaven. He can rule in your hearts when you receive Him as Lord and Savior. He is coming again to rule from an earthly throne and for all eternity.

DECEMBER 10 MARY SAID “YES” By Eric Mounts Senior Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:39–45

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Mary embraced a life sentence of perceived scandal. It was the will of God for her. She asked a fair question about how virgin birth was going to work out. Hers was a “how” of faith seeking understanding (Luke 1:34), dissimilar to Zechariah’s earlier “how” (Luke 1:18), which seems a “how” of challenge. Mary’s natural reflex, indicative of her devotion to God, was to immediately assent to what was asked of her. It is difficult to overstate the outrageous notion this would have been for Mary to accept. Virgin birth is unprecedented. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8–9). God has plans for our lives that include us but are bigger than us. Western culture has led us to be self-focused. God is involved in every aspect of our lives, working to sanctify us and glorify His Son Jesus. He uses us in His plans, though often inscrutable and hidden from us. We are tested in our confusion surrounding what God may be doing. Mary passed the test. She deferred to God. She trusted His wisdom and the decree of God, even when she could not understand the “impossible.” God taught Mary to embrace the impossible. Her implicit trust is a model for us. How many of us chafe at hard providence? Mary had no promise that her trust in God would be “understood better by and by.” In the moment of tough challenge – even lifelong shame – Mary deferred to God’s judgment for her. Do we? She is our model. God taught Mary that He could do impossible things with confusing circumstances. Christmas teaches us to accept God’s will, trust His judgment, and look for the impossible. Mary’s inherent trust is our way forward.

DECEMBER 11 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARY By Tom Messer Lead Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:39–45

Christmas is a time to celebrate not only that God came to us, but how He came – and what it reveals about His heart. In Luke 1, we see Christmas through Mary’s eyes. Her story helps us grasp the wonder and weight of Christ’s coming into the world. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear a child – Jesus, the Son of the Most High, who will reign forever. This miraculous birth through a virgin points clearly to God’s initiative: salvation is not something we achieve, but something we receive. Christmas is about a Person – God Himself – stepping into our world to rescue us. Mary’s response is profound: she surrenders. “Be it unto me according to thy word.” She does not fully understand, but she fully trusts. That is the posture of faith Christmas calls for – belief in the impossible, yielding to the One who holds the future. Elizabeth’s greeting in verses 42–45 reminds us of another truth: blessing comes to those who believe. Mary is called “blessed” not just because she carried Christ, but because she believed God’s word. Christmas invites us to believe what God has revealed – to receive not only a baby in a manger, but the Savior of the world. God will use people in your life to help confirm His word and will. The incarnation means that God became vulnerable, entering our world in weakness to redeem it in love. It brings comfort in our suffering, courage for our ministry, and clarity for our faith. This Christmas, follow Mary’s path: reason it out, wrestle with your doubts, seek confirmation in Christian community, and ultimately surrender. Let your soul, like hers, magnify the Lord.

DECEMBER 12 MARY’S SONG By George Murray Former President and Chancellor, Columbia International University

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:46–56

“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

These are the opening words of the song (Luke 1:46–55) that the virgin Mary sang when her cousin Elizabeth confirmed (Luke 1:43) that Mary would give birth to the Son of God. Bible commentators and historians estimate Mary was about 15 years of age when she uttered these wonderful words. What does that tell us? It tells us that God can use teenagers to bring Christ to the world around them now, just as He used Mary to bring Christ to the world then. There are many professing Christians who venerate the virgin Mary above the Lord Jesus, but any careful study of her song here in Luke 1 shows that such veneration is wrong. While Mary mentions herself six times in this song, she mentions the Lord by name or personal pronoun eighteen times! And she clearly negates the erroneous teaching of her sinless perfection by admitting her need for the Son of God to be her personal Savior (Luke 1:47). If you are a teenager, or the parent of a teenager, I invite you to study this song of Mary carefully to discover how deeply a young person can know the Lord (exalting Him, verse 46; rejoicing in Him, verse 47; serving Him, verse 48; fearing Him, verse 50) and can be used by the Lord to testify of His salvation to everyone.

DECEMBER 13 PREPARING THE WAY By Tom Joyce Immanuel Bible Church

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:57–66; John 1:6–8

One of the humblest yet most powerful lines from the Old Testament is found at the end of Nehemiah 1:11, when Nehemiah simply declares, “I was the cupbearer to the king.” When we come to the New Testament, Gospel writers Luke and John both describe the birth and role of yet another “cupbearer to the King” – John the Baptist. Born to humble, elderly parents, John 1:8 reports John the Baptist “was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.” John understood his supporting role from an early age, having been filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. Yet, despite John’s genuine humility, Matthew reports in the 11th chapter of his Gospel that Jesus called John the greatest “among those born of women.” One reason Jesus called John the “greatest” was that – as predicted in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 – John’s role and mission was to personally prepare the world for Christ’s arrival on that first Christmas morning: the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

John was also the “greatest” in that he preached with power, calling his nation to repentance, rebuking the king, and persevering in the face of intense persecution.

John was the last in the long line of prophets who predicted the coming of Christ, yet he was the only one who would actually see Christ in the flesh. Moses, Isaiah, and the other prophets pointed to a far-distant Messiah they could only speak of by faith. However, John pointed and identified Jesus – the true Messiah – as an actual human being who stood directly in front of him. No other prophet had that privilege. Although John never saw the crucifixion of Christ or witnessed His glorious resurrection, he accomplished his mission: preparing the world for the work of the Bethlehem-born Savior, who arrived in a lowly manger on that first Christmas Day.

Hallelujah!

DECEMBER 14 ZECHARIAH’S SONG By Kris Stout Executive Vice President of International Ministries, Word of Life Fellowship

Today’s Passage: Luke 1:67–79

In the summer of 2018, our family took a “vacation of a lifetime” out West before the kids were all out of the house. While visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, we decided to get up extra early and hike to a famous point to watch the sunrise. What a spectacular sight – to see this enormous canyon initially cloaked in darkness, then gradually light up into a thousand colors! It was so amazing it hardly looked real, but it was. Immediately following the birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah – John’s father – prophesies about both his son and the coming Messiah, Jesus. In Luke 1:76–79, he declares: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Did you catch that? Zechariah calls Jesus the “sunrise”! When I was a young boy, I too was sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death – until a new light dawned in my heart, changing my outlook completely, bringing spectacular color to my life, and guiding my feet into the way of peace. Most of the people we rub shoulders with every day – some of them close friends and relatives – are still in the shadow of that same darkness. Jesus is the New Dawn, the Bright Morning Star, the Light of the World, and He wants to shine through us (Matthew 5:16). How can you reflect that sunrise hope to those around you this season?

DECEMBER 15 GOD’S PLANS THROUGH LIFE’S DETOURS By Chip Nightingale Vice President of Ministry Advancement, Word of Life Fellowship

Today’s Passage: Luke 2:1–5

In Luke’s account, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was not a vacation. It was the result of a decree from Caesar Augustus – a government mandate that disrupted their lives at the most inconvenient time. For Caesar, it was about control, taxes, and record-keeping. For God, it was about prophecy and promise. I cannot help but think about moments in my own life when I felt “rerouted” by circumstances outside my control. Years ago, I had my life all mapped out. A circumstance beyond my control shifted the direction of my life completely. At first I felt frustrated and wondered why I had to change direction when things were going well. But looking back, that unexpected turn opened the door to opportunities I never would have chosen – yet God had clearly prepared. Mary and Joseph probably did not want to travel 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem while she was pregnant. But that journey placed them right where God said the Messiah would be born. Their “inconvenience” was God’s perfect plan unfolding. It is a reminder to me, and to you, that interruptions are not always obstacles. They might be invitations to trust God’s bigger story. When life sends you somewhere you did not plan to go, He’s still guiding the steps. The very thing you think is a disruption may be the divine delivery of His promise. Prayer: Lord, help me to see Your hand when my plans are interrupted. Give me faith to walk the road You set before me – even when it feels inconvenient – knowing You are leading me toward Your perfect will.

What feels like a detour may be the direct route to God’s promise.

DECEMBER 16 CHRISTMAS IN THE STABLE By Joni Eareckson Tada Founder and CEO, Joni & Friends

Today’s Passage: Luke 2:6–7

It was Christmas in the 1950s, and I was nine years old, leaning on the windowsill of our Maryland farmhouse and half-listening to my sisters in the kitchen. They were preparing dinner, but I was staring at the snow falling outside. A soft haze made our barn almost disappear. I pulled on my jacket, stuffed a few carrots in my pockets, and hiked to the stable. I felt sorry for the horses in the barn. Our family would be opening presents that evening, and I did not want the animals to feel left out. The stable was quiet. I inhaled the scent of hay and horses. They nickered when they heard my footsteps – it was a gentle, welcoming feeling that warmed me to the heart. The only sounds were the crunching of carrots and the quiet of my own breathing. The beauty of solitude was markedly different from the bustling cheer inside the farmhouse, and so I sensed that God spoke to me more clearly in the solitude: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” Perhaps when you lean on your windowsill, you see the backyard of your next-door neighbor. Or you might live in an apartment, a mobile home, or in a nursing home. Few of us live near a stable. But you can still find a place to be apart – somewhere quiet, even the solitude of an upstairs bedroom.

Wherever it is, make time to be alone today – with Jesus. Thank Him for coming to earth to rescue…you.

DECEMBER 17 THE MOST UNUSUAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT By James Jeffery Pastor of Biblical Research and Mentoring, Chapel Pointe

Today’s Passage: Luke 2:8–14

Birth announcements used to be pretty plain. You would get a small card in the mail with the name, date, and dimensions. Now they come by text or social media, with creative expressions like, “Our home has grown by two feet!” But the most amazing birth announcement ever is recorded in Luke 2:8–14. Shepherds were the ones who received the announcement (Luke 2:8). That seems appropriate when you consider that the One born is both the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and the Good Shepherd (John 10:1–28). This child would be found in a manger – not unusually for a lamb (Luke 2:12). Because of the proximity to Jerusalem, many of the sheep in Bethlehem were offered in sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus came to offer Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. Angels communicated and celebrated the announcement (Luke 2:9, 13–14). These messengers were sent from heaven to deliver the most unusual birth announcement. The glory of God in all its splendor and majesty lit up the night sky. A multitude of angels joined in celebration of the glory of God and the good news of the gospel. Christ is the glory of God in human flesh (John 1:14). All humanity was to receive the announcement. The message was global – “good news of great joy…for all the people.” And yet it is personal – “there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11).

He is Savior. He is the Messiah. He is Lord. Receive Him. Worship Him. Follow Him.

DECEMBER 18 LET’S GO STRAIGHT TO BETHLEHEM! By Ray Pritchard Author, Teacher, Guest Radio Host, President, Keep Believing Ministries

Today’s Passage: Luke 2:15–21

Advent is a journey. We start wherever we are in late November, and by December 25, we end up in Bethlehem.

When the shepherds heard the angels announce that Christ had been born, they said, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem” (Luke 2:15). I like the way that sounds.

“Let’s go.” I am going, and you are going, so let’s go together. During the Advent season, Christians of all backgrounds and denominations, from every tribe and tongue, young and old, male and female, rich and poor, all join to make this journey. “Straight.” No messing around. No detours. No excuses. “We’re on our way to see the Savior.” “To Bethlehem.” To the “House of Bread,” where the Living Bread has come down from heaven. We are coming hungry and thirsty because our journey is long, and we are tired. We are coming to worship the Babe in the manger. It is good to be in a hurry if you are excited about something that really matters. Nothing in all the world matters more than the birth of Jesus. That is what Christmas is all about. When the shepherds heard the news, they went to Bethlehem to check it out for themselves. Luke 2:17 tells us what happened next: “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” On that night in Bethlehem, outside of Joseph and Mary, the shepherds were the only people who knew Christ had been born. I wonder if we would have been as obedient. Would we have believed? Would we have gone to Bethlehem in the middle of the night? Would we have been as quick to tell the story?

Good news is for sharing.

God worked a miracle at Bethlehem – do not keep it to yourself.

DECEMBER 19 SEEK AND FIND By Carol Kent Author; Founder and Executive Director, Speak Up Ministries

Today’s Passage: Matthew 2:1–12

The story of the Magi in Matthew 2 is one of awe, pursuit, and worship. These wise men traveled from the East, following a star, determined to find the One born King of the Jews. Their journey was long and uncertain, but their hearts were fixed on finding Jesus. When they finally arrived, they did not find a palace or a throne. Instead, they found a child – humble and holy – and they bowed down and worshiped Him. In a season crowded with noise, to-do lists, and commercial glitter, the journey of the Magi invites us to pause and ask: Am I seeking Jesus with the same intentionality? Are we pursuing the true King, or getting lost in lesser things? The Magi remind us that Jesus is always worth the journey. They did not allow distance, discomfort, or delay to deter their worship. Their gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – were costly, but their reverence came first. C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Look for Christ and you will find Him. And with Him, everything else.” The Magi did not just find a child – they found the Savior, and their lives were changed. That is the heart of Christmas: not merely celebration, but transformation through an encounter with Jesus. Action Step: This Christmas, take time each day to intentionally seek Jesus. Read Matthew 2 slowly. Journal your prayers. Ask God to show you where He is working in your life, and where He is calling you to bow in worship. Like the Magi, offer Him your best – your time, your attention, your heart. Because those who seek Him still find Him.

DECEMBER 20 THE HOPE WE HAVE By Phil Moser Teaching Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church; Author of the Biblical Strategies series

Today’s Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:15–21

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” While Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, to truly appreciate that birth, we must remember the purpose behind it – and the purpose behind that purpose. The Bible teaches the purpose of Jesus’ birth was His death – He was born to die. Our passage expresses this truth: “And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:15). And the purpose of His death was our reconciliation to God. As the text continues, “…All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Reconciliation means to be restored to a right relationship after separation, conflict, or estrangement. All of mankind chose our way, not God’s, and the penalty for that choice was death (Romans 6:23). To be reconciled, we would need someone to die in our place who had never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21). So we read in Galatians, “…God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5). Believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus not only gives us life – it gives us purpose. We no longer live for ourselves; we become His ambassadors, sharing how others can be reconciled to God through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20). Because, just like Jesus, the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.

DECEMBER 21 JESUS – THE GIFT By Phil Tuttle President & CEO, Walk Thru the Bible

Today’s Passage: Galatians 3:10–14; Galatians 4:4–5

Imagine your family opening presents around the tree. At some point you say, “I don’t feel like opening any more.” The others respond, “Why? Several have your name on them!” Right now, you are probably thinking, “I’d never do that.” And yet that is precisely what we do with the gifts God has given us through the Gift – Jesus. The birth of Jesus is about the gospel, the good news that God wrapped Himself in flesh, interrupted the downward spiral of the human race, lived a sin-free life, died a torturous death, and came back to life three days later.

Far too many of us are content with a surface understanding of the gospel and miss some of the gifts He longs for us to open, treasure, and share.

Paul describes one neglected gift in Galatians 3:10–14 and 4:4–5. He explains one reason Jesus came was to set us free from the curse of the law. The Old Testament law was intended to show us our need for God’s forgiveness. Romans 3:21–24 declares we’ve all broken God’s law and deserve His judgment. I often hear Christians say, “Abraham, Moses, Esther, and other Old Testament saints were saved by obeying the law, but we’re saved by trusting in Jesus.” But that is not true. Salvation has always been by grace through faith because of God’s gift, not our goodness. When we misunderstand the true purpose of God’s law, we doom ourselves to live under its curse. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. By trusting His finished work, we are set free from the futility of thinking we can earn God’s love. This gift is not only for those from a Jewish background but also for all of us who are tempted to step back on the treadmill of works and exhaust ourselves in the fruitless pursuit of perfection.

DECEMBER 22 THE SERVANT WHO SUFFERED FOR US By Mark Yarbrough President, Dallas Theological Seminary

Today’s Passage: Hebrews 12:3; Philippians 2:5–11

“Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:3)

In this Advent season, we pause to remember not only the joy of Jesus’ birth but the weight of His mission. The baby born in Bethlehem was no ordinary child. He came to become the Suffering Servant – sent by God to redeem a world locked in sin’s condemning hold. Hebrews 12:3 reminds us to reflect deeply on what Jesus endured: “hostility…from sinful people.” He came knowing the road ahead would be marked with rejection, betrayal, and the agony of the cross. His entrance into our world was not grand or regal – He entered our realm humbly, wrapped in clothes, only to be laid in a well- used manger. From the cradle to the cross, Jesus embraced suffering so that He might walk with us through ours. Philippians 2 offers a deeper glimpse into His humility: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…He gave up His divine privileges…and was born as a human being…[and] humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” This is the true miracle of Christmas: God, in Christ, did not remain distant. He came near in His Son by entering our pain, breathing our air, and feeling our weakness. In His incarnation, Jesus identified fully with our humanity. And because of His suffering – and through His atoning death – He offers comfort, strength, and salvation to all who trust in Him. So, if your heart is weary this Christmas, look to the Suffering Servant. He knows your name. He sees your struggle. And He wants to relieve your load – He has walked this path before you.

DECEMBER 23 ON THE VICTORY SIDE By Ken Ham Founder/CEO, Answers in Genesis; Creation Museum; Ark Encounter

Today’s Passage: John 16:33; Revelation 22:3–5

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus stepped into a world steeped in tribulation. The cruel Roman Empire controlled the Jewish people; disease and demon possession oppressed the population; the disabled begged just to survive. Was there any hope?

Yes – and it goes back to Genesis. You see, our biggest problem is not oppression, sickness, demons, or even death. It is sin.

In Genesis 3:15, God provided hope to Adam and Eve and their descendants, and really summed up the message of the entire Bible:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

• “Her offspring” is a prophecy concerning the One who would be born of a woman – the Babe in Bethlehem who brings eternal life. • “He shall bruise your head” points to the victory of Christ over Satan on the cross. • “You shall bruise His heel” points to the wounding of our Savior by Satan. Genesis 3:15 is the message of Christmas. It starts with the creation of a perfect world, the entrance of sin through Adam, and then our need of a Savior – which is why Jesus stepped into history and why we have hope for now and eternity. “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:3–5)

DECEMBER 24 A CHRISTMAS INTERRUPTION By Joe Stowell Global Ambassador and Special Assistant to the President, Moody Bible Institute

Today’s Passage: Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Life is full of the plans we make to fulfill our dreams. We save for the long-awaited vacation; we work hard for the promotion and raise; we court the love of our life hoping for a “yes” to our proposal – only to find that our plans are often interrupted by dream-killing circumstances beyond our control. Like the dream-killing call from the doctor telling us we have stage-four cancer, the pink slip on our desk at work, a serious injury, or an unexpected emergency that drains our financial reserves – the list of potential disappointing, life-changing interruptions is long. In that first journey toward Christmas there was a couple who had their dreams dashed by the interruption of an angelic announcement. Joseph and Mary were like every other couple, dreaming of their upcoming marriage and the joys of life together. But Gabriel’s announcement changed everything. It would be a challenging assignment for Mary. Her wedding plans were scrapped, and after all, who would believe that she was a virgin assigned to give birth to the Messiah? What would she tell her mother? And Joseph’s reputation as an upstanding businessman in the community would be tarnished as well. But despite the challenges, they willingly surrendered to God’s plan. And it was their unflinching faithfulness to His plan that rendered outcomes far more significant than their own. God’s plan gave them the honor of blessing sinful people like us with the good news of redemption through the gift of Mary’s Son, Jesus. When life-changing circumstances interrupt our journeys, we need to remember that God is managing the details of our lives. He is the “good interrupter” who detours our plans to accomplish His far better plan – which will be for our good and His glory. As His Word promises, “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

DECEMBER 25 THE JOURNEY TO THE MANGER By Don Lough Jr. President and CEO, Word of Life Fellowship

Today’s Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

Merry Christmas! Today, we have reached the manger – the humble beginnings of the greatest story ever told. In this story, we see the beginning of God’s plan to conquer sin and death. The baby in the manger would one day bring us victory over sin and death, as 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth not in splendor, but in simplicity, fulfilling God’s plan to rescue humanity from sin. This 25-day journey is about more than just arriving at a destination; it is about the transformation that happens along the way. As we celebrate today, let us remember that Christmas is just the beginning of the story. Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of prophecies, but His life, death, and resurrection brought us salvation and eternal life. The journey to the manger is also the journey to the cross and the empty tomb, where Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf. What will you do with the gift of Jesus this Christmas? He came not just to be celebrated but to be received. John 1:12 says, But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Will you accept God’s gift of love and grace through His Son to transform your life today? Share the gift of Jesus with those around you today and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Word of Life family!

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