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Christmas Day Devotional

Read the Christmas Story

Grab your bible or click the button below to read the Christmas Story, found in Luke 2:1-21.
Read Luke 2:1-21

God Loves you

John 3:16 NIV

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.

Remember

John 3:16 sums up the entire Christmas story. God loves you so much that he sacrificed His Son so you can be forgiven, redeemed, saved, and given a brand-new life!

Reflect

If you ever doubt that God loves you, you’re not alone. Take a few moments and imagine a Heavenly Father who loves you so much that He’d leave the perfection and comfort of Heaven just to be with you!

God is With you

Matthew 1:18-23 NIV

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Remember

The Christmas story is full of pain, hurt and confusion. But in the midst of the chaos, God draws near. Christmas reminds us that even when things feel like they are falling apart, God is always with us. No matter how you feel today, remember God is right by your side.

Reflect

How would today look different if you lived it knowing that God is with you every step of the way? Find a few small moments today to look for God in the mundane and to remind yourself that God is with you even when you don’t feel it.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

Micah 5:2 NIV

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Remember

Mary and Joseph had a few moments where they felt like everything was falling apart, but the truth is, God had a plan the entire time. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, prophets like Micah and Isaiah wrote about all the details of His birth, life, death and resurrection. Those details remind us that God has always and will always be in control. How crazy is it that the same thing is true for you? God has a plan and a purpose for your life.

Reflect

What is one area of your life you need to trust God with right now? Let the Christmas story build your confidence that God is for you and has good plans for your life.

Pray

God, thank you for the good plans you have for my life. Thank you for the Christmas story and the reminder that you love us so much that you sent your Son to save us. As I get ready to celebrate Christmas today, help me remember that you love me, are with me, and have a plan for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Family Time

If you are gathered with other people today (family, friends, roommates, etc.), then come back together.

Discussion

  • After you read, go around the circle and ask everyone what stood out to them during their quiet time.
  • Have everyone share one thing they are thankful for today.
  • When you are finished, have somebody pray a simple prayer of gratitude for the greatest gift ever given!
If you’d like background music while you share, turn on Hope Has Come by RRC Worship.

Merry Christmas

Thank you for joining us this Christmas. We love you church family!

Luke 2:1-21

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.