Listen to this article
An Advent Devotional Study from Caring.
Christmastime can carry many mixed emotions—and lots of stress. But this year will be different.
Reserve five minutes a day to read the daily devotional entry in this series and journey through the Christmas season with peace, perspective and hope.
This “Hope and a Future: Advent Devotional Study” will guide you through the month of December to ponder afresh the story of the Bible with Jesus’ birth as the focus. Find daily a reflection, highlighted Scripture, meaningful questions and a prompt for prayer.
Connect with God this Christmas season and experience hope for the future.
December 20: The Shepherds’ Nativity Visit
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
A teenager lives in my house and the wonder of Christmas sometimes sizzles when he’s around. He scoffs at “little kid” things like icing sugar cookies or building gingerbread houses. I invite my son into the wonder—and he rolls his eyes.
But when I think about it—aren’t we all like this sometimes when it comes to the miracle of Jesus’ birth? Maybe we all need a little more Christmas wonder.
When the angels left the shepherds, they looked at one another and perhaps thought, should we go? . . .Yes! Let’s go! The Shepherds wanted to see God’s cosmic present wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.
We can imagine they ran through the field on the outskirts of the town, maybe listening for cries as they got closer, like a game of hide and seek—and they found exactly what the angels said: a baby laid in a manger.
They marveled at God of the universe, made flesh. And they encouraged Mary and Joseph with the words the angel said. (First-time moms need lots of encouragement, but especially this one!)
The Scripture days Mary pondered all these things in her heart. She didn’t wrestle in anger wanting to know all the details, rather she rested in her trust of God in all the mystery.
Today, let’s take a moment to imagine we are in the room with Mary and Joseph, witnessing the mystery of God-becoming-flesh. Maybe this picture will help us treasure these things as Mary did—with a fresh picture of the wonder of Jesus.
Read: Hear from God
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 (Luke 2:15-20).
Reflect: Focus on God
Has the wonder of Christmas faded for you? Take time to consider the glory, mystery, and miracle of Christ’s birth.
Pray: Talk to God
Talk to God about your reflections above. If you would like a sample prayer, here is one to follow:
Father, God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. I praise you, Lord. Please help me to embrace the wonder of Jesus’ birth instead of racing through the season. Please help me to see you, God, in every light and candy cane. You are the light of the world, the greatest gift of all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do Good:
- Looking for a meaningful way to prepare your family for Christmas? Try our new, classic downloadable Advent Paper Chain. For 25 days, reflect on the love we receive from God and give to others during the holiday season.
- Join us in making a difference with The Salvation Army this season and help families in your community during the holidays and beyond.
Download this page as a PDF
