Joys of Christmas

Hello friend; I hope you’re finding HOPE in all kinds of places this year. This morning’s sermon was very hopeful – check it out here!

Although we’re focusing on hope as a church this Christmas, I wanted to share a beautiful devotional series with you, about the 12 Joys of Christmas. It was written by our dear 5twelve friend Gail – leader of our prayer ministry. These devotionals are short enough to enjoy more than one a day, if you’re so inclined, since we’re down to the last 7 days to Christmas!

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12 Joys of Christmas

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Lights

Rejoice when you see the lights of the holidays!

Reflection: Even on the darkest of winter nights, a beautiful display of Christmas lights can bring a smile to your face. Reflect upon the power of the light to overcome the darkness, and remember the words of Jesus:

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

John 8:12

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I ask you to fill me with yourself by your Holy Spirit. Be Light that dispels darkness and brings life. Make me shine so that other people can see Your beauty in me.  Amen.

Action: How can I share the light of Christ today?

Food

Rejoice in the food of the holidays!

Reflection: Is this the time of year that you break out that favorite recipe? Why is it a special memory? As you find comfort and joy in those tastes, smells, and memories, ponder also the words of Jesus:

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 6:35

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You sustain me in all ways – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Show me today how I can share Your provision with others. Amen.

Action: Who needs physical and spiritual food that I can bring to them in Jesus’ name today?

Music

Rejoice in the music of Christmas!

Reflection: Beginning with the praise of the heavenly hosts on the night of Jesus’ birth, music has been an integral part of the Christmas celebration. (Luke 2:13) Do you have some favorite Christmas carols? Go ahead – sing praises to Him!

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

Psalm 95:1-2

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the gift of music. Thank you for healing my heart as I express worship to You. Amen.

Action: What can I do today to maintain an attitude of worship and share joy?

The Aromas

Rejoice in the aromas of Christmas!

Reflection: Mmmm! Breathe in those wonderful smells of Christmas! The candles, the gingerbread, the evergreens! That’s what the Scripture says that we are to be to the world.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Prayer: Father, remove anything “stinky” in me and make me a sweet aroma that attracts others to You. Amen.

Action: Where can I be a sweet aroma for You today Lord?

The Ornaments

Rejoice in the ornaments of Christmas!

Reflection: Do you have favorite ornaments that you like to hang from the branches of your Christmas tree? Jesus says that we are His branches and that we should be adorned with fruit.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me today what it means to abide in You. Make me fruitful. Amen.

Action: Meditate on Galatians 5:22. Focus on asking God to manifest one specific fruit of the Spirit in you today.

The Wreaths

Rejoice in the wreaths of Christmas!

Reflection: We see wreaths everywhere at Christmas. Have you ever tried to figure out where the circle of branches begins or ends? You can’t because a circle is completely without beginning or end, just like Jesus and His love for us. What a beautiful symbol of eternity!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your perfect love for me that never changes. Empower me to walk consistently led by Your Spirit. Amen.

Action: How can I demonstrate the Lord’s unconditional, unending love today to those around me?

The Sounds

Rejoice in the sounds of Christmas!

Reflection: What are your favorite sounds of Christmas? The Messiah sing-along, the Salvation Army bell ringer, the roar of the crowd at the mall, or the silence of late Christmas Eve? Are they sounds that draw your focus to Jesus?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1

Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to be an irritating sound.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Amen

Action: How can I be the sound of love today?

Gatherings

Rejoice in the gatherings of Christmas!

Reflection: Parties and gatherings of many kinds are popular ways to celebrate at Christmas.

In Romans 12:13, God says that we are to “practice hospitality.” In the same verse He also says that we are to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need.”

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the joy of celebrating with others. Show me ways to share the blessings You have given me. Amen.

Action: What is one way I can practice hospitality this Christmas? One way I can meet someone’s need?

The Star

Rejoice in the star of Christmas!

And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matthew 2:10

Reflection: Why were the magi so excited about a star? Because they knew it was no ordinary star; it was their guiding light to the “King of the Jews”. Rejoice today in the fact that God has led you to Himself!

Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

John 17:17

But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth…

John 16:13

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for guiding me into relationship with You.  Forgive me for the times when I am not an obedient follower and thank You for your faithfulness to always lead me closer to You.

Action: How can I be a “guiding light” to point others to Jesus today?

Angels

Rejoice in the angels of Christmas!

Reflection: At Jesus’ birth God sent His messengers to proclaim:

…I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10b-11

Imagine the shock and excitement of the ordinary shepherds who were just going about the routine of their unheralded lives! Do you remember a day when God broke into your daily routine to send you a message of hope and joy?

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for bringing the good news of your presence into my everyday life! Let me be a messenger of that good news today. Amen.

Action: I will proclaim the good news of my Savior today.  

The Manger

Rejoice in the manger of Christmas!

Reflection:

And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger… 

Luke 2:7

The Son of God was cradled in a feeding trough for animals! Our Father is the master of taking the common and making it holy. He repurposed a food dish to house the Hope of the world. Imagine what He can do with us!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming every part of me. Transform me and use me as You will. Amen.

Action: What common part of my life would the Lord like to “repurpose” today?

The Gift

Rejoice in The Gift of Christmas!

Reflection: God was the first gift Giver. He gave the most unique, one-of-a-kind Gift of all – Jesus Himself!

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Have I received His gift? Have I acknowledged that I have sinned and fallen short of His glory? (Romans 3:23)

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for giving Yourself to die for my sins. I give myself to You and ask You to be Lord of my life. Amen.

Action: What can I do to share my gift of Jesus with someone today?