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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 24: Majesty in the Mundane
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
Christmas can feel majestic. The tree twinkling with lights. Sipping our favorite holiday beverage while watching our annual Christmas movie. Attending a party with a table full of peppermint cookies and chocolate pie.
Indeed, majesty came that first Christmas night to make his dwelling among us.
But we need to remember that our majestic Lord came into mundane reality. He was born into a family that still needed to wash the laundry. Raise the sheep. Clean the house.
After all the wonder of Jesus’ birth, the dedication of Jesus at the temple with a blessing from Simeon and the prophet Anna, Jesus, Mary and Joseph settled into the routine of everyday life.
Sure, they laughed at Jesus as he toddled, informed him of the Law as he grew, and probably taught him the family trade of carpentry.
Because even majesty dwells in the mundane.
If God on high came to live in the everyday normal, then let’s remember that every day is a gift.
The reason Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again was not just for salvation—but for peace in everyday living (John 14:7). When he healed the bleeding woman—she returned to her normal life (Luke 8:43–48). When he raised Lazarus from the dead—he returned to his vocation, whatever that might have been (John 11:38–44).
It is common for sadness to wash over us after the ornaments are back in the box and the apple pie dish is wiped clean, but let’s not forget why Jesus came: to give us abundant life (John 10:10). That life, my friend, includes right where we live after all the presents are unwrapped.
Read: Hear from God
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him (Luke 2:36–38).
Reflect: Focus on God
What have you most enjoyed about the holidays so far?
What does normal life look like for you beyond the holidays?
Both are a blessing.
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, I worship you. Lord, when all the holiday fun ends—there is still just you and me in the middle of all the mundane. Help me to see the mundane as marvelous because you placed me here and are with me to live for you—right here. Forgive me when I disdain the mundane. 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.
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