THE BIBLE TELLS us: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” (Luke 12:48) On this glorious eve of the coming of our Savior, demonstrate your love—and God’s—to those around you.
Lord, today and every day help me show my gratitude in loving deeds.
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BELOVED LONGTIME GUIDEPOSTS editor and former editor-in-chief Van Varner said, “At last all the candles of our Advent Wreath are burning, and we stand in their glow, contemplating their meaning for us. We see their blazing light, and know that it proclaims the coming of the Great Light, Jesus Christ. We feel the heat of the candle flames, and know the warmth of Jesus in a cold world. We watch the way the wax melts, diminishing each candle, symbolizing the deepest meaning of Christmas: for as these tapers give away their light, they also give away themselves.”
Heavenly Father, help me greet the One who came to give us light with the true spirit of Christmas, which is selfless giving.
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The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”—Luke 1:19 (NIV)
THIS TIME OF year, angels are everywhere: on Christmas cards and wrapping paper; in countless store windows and Nativity scenes. Take time this holiday season to turn back to the tremendous events of these celestial beings chronicled in Luke and Matthew. Listen carefully, the angels may have something to say to you.
Lord, open my ears and heart to the good news of Your angels of long ago…and the angels of today.
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
NOBODY IS PERFECT. Yet, many of us suffer from negative thoughts about our self-image—maybe it’s our reflection in the mirror or that nagging feeling like we’re falling short on making the holidays wonderful for our loved ones. The fact is that we are completely beautiful in God’s eyes—right now, exactly as we are. He loves and accepts us.
Lord, free me from unrealistic expectations and unhealthy judgements. Help me to see myself with Your eyes of acceptance and love.
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Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.—1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
IS THERE A relationship in your life that could use mending? Perhaps a friend that has drifted away or a dispute with a loved one. Mending bruised and broken relationships is Christ’s work. He can go before you and make the crooked ways straight. Pray for help straightening out misunderstandings between yourself and others.
Heavenly Father, I confess my heart is not always tender and kind to those in my life. I ask You to give me as a gift, Your tenderness, Your kindness and generosity of Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Lord, You know how to forgive. Help me to follow Your footsteps.
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“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”—Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)
NOTHING PAINTS THE earth cleaner than fresh snow. A blanket of snow can be a trigger to reflect on Isaiah 1:18. Only God can take the imperfections of our hearts and turn them into something pure, clean and lovely. He can forgive and help heal our anger, resentments, and addictions. He can help us dissolve the blocks so that we may grow closer to Him.
Forgive my transgressions, Lord, and keep me from repeating them.
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Heavenly Father, this season may I recapture the awe of the season and receive the kingdom of God with the humility of a child.
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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
ON THIS THIRD Sunday of Advent, as you gather gifts for one another and answer the question of “What do you want for Christmas?”, it’s important to remember Whose birthday it is and what can you do to help honor and celebrate Jesus. Share your generosity and thoughtfulness. Share His message and goodness with others.
In this holy Christmas season, Lord, show me how to best communicate Your love.
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This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.—1 Corinthians 2:13 (NIV)
DO YOU KNOW the story behind the Christmas song Silent Night? On Christmas Eve in 1818, Pastor Joseph Mohr had a problem: his church’s organ was broken. Worried about how to celebrate Christ’s birth without music, he found a poem he had written and brought it to his organist, who spontaneously put the words to music using his guitar. In just a few short hours, Silent Night was composed. If you’re feeling at a loss about something, find the song God has placed in your heart.
Heavenly Father, You are the source of inspiration, You are the music that moves us.
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CHRISTMAS IS A time of renewal. Pause and ask yourself: How obedient am I to God’s Will and His Word? When defiance or selfish impulses crowd your thoughts, remember an honest, uncomplaining carpenter named Joseph and try to follow the example he has left us.
Heavenly Father, give us the wisdom to know Your Will for us and the obedience to follow.
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THERE CAN BE moments during the holiday season where you feel disheartened. If that happens remember this: Over 2,000 years ago, God made a supreme effort to let us know that He cares about each of us! To remind us, to reassure us, He gave us His perfect Christmas gift—and laid it in a manger.
Lord, fill my heart with Your heavenly peace.
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Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly…—1 CORINTHIANS 9:26 (NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.—PROVERBS 12:25 (NIV
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.—Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.—Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.—Genesis 1:21 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.—Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:2 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.—Psalm 96:1 (NIV)
Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.—Job 6:8 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.—Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21 (NIV)
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.—Psalm 119:30–32 (NIV)
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.—Jeremiah 10:12 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?—John 11:25–26 (NIV)
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.—Psalm 108:1 (NIV)
