12/25-12/31

Christmas Week 1 Devotional: GOD WITH US

After weeks, or months, of preparation the day and time has finally arrived. It is Christmas! The day(s) we celebrate our dear Savior’s birth. Yes, celebrations have been taking place throughout the Advent season, but now is the time to “fall on your knees” as described in the Christmas song O Holy Night. Now is the time for us to sing “sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus” (O Holy Night). This baby born in Bethlehem and placed in a manger is described by the apostle Paul in this way, “God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ” (Colossians 1:19 NLT). Somehow the fullness of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth dwelled in the baby born in Bethlehem on Christmas morn. Matthew, the gospel writer, shared this detail about the Christmas story, “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23 NRSV). Yes, God came to be with us in the person of Jesus. The source of life, grace, hope, love, joy, and peace came to the earth to save us from our sins. Christ came to reveal the way to God, the will of our heavenly Father, and the ways of the Lord. Yes, let us “praise His name forever” (O Holy Night). Christ is born!

 

This daily devotional for the first week of the Christmas season is designed to help you focus on Emmanuel (God with us). The format is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the weekly and daily use of this devotional:

Each Week

• Answer the Questions
• Watch the Christmas Theme video once
• Listen to the hymns a few times throughout the week, perhaps on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, or whichever days the Holy Spirit guides you to listen

Each Day

• Read the portion of the hymn lyrics to begin
• Read the Bible verses for the day
• Think through your responses to the Daily Questions
• Pray
• Live in joyful response to Jesus

 

Week #1 of Christmas:

You may find it helpful to write your responses to the following questions or to talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group:

 

How did focusing on peace last week help me to be more peaceful? If not, why?

 

How am I experiencing God with me and us this Advent and Christmas season?

 

How am I responding to Jesus this Christmas?

 

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). Am I resting in Christ each day by giving my cares and concerns to the One who can carry far more than I can?

 

Am I giving my body the sleep God designed it to receive each day? If not, why not?

 

Am I resting each week by observing a partial or full Sabbath? If not, what do I need to stop doing so that I can have time to rest each day and observe the Sabbath?

 

Daily Hymn:

To celebrate the birth of Christ throughout the week, each day read part of the song lyrics from “O Holy Night ” by Placide Cappeau:

O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope—the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

 

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

 

Christmas Theme Video:

You are invited to watch a 19-minute video that was inspired by the Christmas story in Luke 2 this week either using the link below or searching for it on Youtube. You may want to watch the video on Thursday because the Bible verses go along with the video:

The Shepherd – A Story of the First Christmas by The Chosen

 

Daily Bible Verses to Read:

Sunday (Christmas Day) – Matthew 1:18-25 (The Birth of Jesus Christ)

 

Monday – Isaiah 7:14 and Luke 1:26-38 (a virgin will give birth, and he will be called Immanuel)

 

Tuesday – John 1:1-5 (Light of Life)

 

Wednesday – Luke 2:1-7 (The Nativity) and Isaiah 12:2-6 (the Holy One among you)

 

Thursday – Luke 2:8-20 (Shepherds and the Angel)

 

Friday – Luke 2:21-40 (Jesus Presented in the Temple)

 

Saturday the Sabbath – Mark 2:27-28 (Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath)

 

Daily Questions in Response to the Bible Verse(s):

What does this message from God shared through the Bible verse(s) reveal about Jesus?

 

Where, when, or how have I witnessed or experienced God with us this past year?

 

Am I being as fully present with Jesus as I can? If not, why?

 

Who do I know who needs to hear the good news of God with us today, this week, or sometime soon?

 

Listen to the Hymn:

You are encouraged to listen to the hymns for this week either using the links below for the YouTube videos, through Spotify, Apple Music, or another streaming service, or using versions that are familiar to you that you have available. You could listen to a different version every other day, including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:

“O Holy Night”

Carrie Underwood’s version

 

Tommee Profit featuring Tauren Wells & SVRCIN’s version

 

“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Chris Tomlin’s version

 

Pray:

Jesus, it was a holy night when you were born.

Our sinful world needed you, our Savior.

We still need you, Christ our Lord.

You are the source of hope, love, joy and peace.

We rejoice in you coming to be with us.

We rejoice in the new chapter of creation that you brought forth.

I lay my life at your feet, King Jesus.

May you be born anew in me through the present of your Spirit.

Teach me to love others as you have loved me.

Teach us, those who trust in you, to love one another.

Fill us with your peace that passes understanding.

Let your peace come forth on the earth as it is in heaven.

Break chains of oppression and slavery.

Enable all people on earth to see one another as you see us…as your children.

Let all that is in me praise you, holy One!

You are the Lord, now and forever.

Your power and glory are greater than I could ever proclaim.

Amen.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.