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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 10: We All Need Someone
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
When a dramatic event happens, we need someone to talk to but finding the right person can be challenging and isolating. This Advent, Mary’s story offers hope for our own.
The angel announced Mary’s life-altering event to bear God’s Son through miraculous virgin birth. We can safely imagine she felt anxious about what lay ahead. How would she tell her fiancé and parents? What would people think in the village? Would they believe her—or stone her?
Mary believed God’s words—but who would believe her?
The angel Gabriel gave her a person: Elizabeth. He told Mary that even Elizabeth in her old age was going to give birth to a son—only made possible by God’s miraculous provision—for no word from God ever fails (Luke 1:37).
Just hearing about God miraculously opening Elizabeth’s womb in her old age offered Mary comfort that she was not alone. Miraculous babies happen—maybe Elizabeth could offer her some friendship and wisdom.
I have needed such a friend, too. When both my parents died, friends who lost loved ones offered deep words of comfort and practical help on grieving. When we moved for my husband’s schooling, new friends provided a safe place to miss home.
Like Mary and Elizabeth, God provides people to share our journey with—if we will just look with openness to where and when it comes.
Read: Hear from God
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:34–37).
Reflect: Focus on God
What big changes have you experienced in your life story?
Where have you experienced healthy comfort in these times?
God gave Mary a person in Elizabeth. Is there a person you can reach out to in a deeper way, to offer your friendship?
If you can’t think of anyone, maybe use your prayer time to ask God to show you who he might want you to befriend.
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, thank You for providing comfort through your presence and others when I have needed it. Help me, Lord, to see others who might need words of encouragement, a listening ear, or a place to process. Help me to be to Mary what Elizabeth was. 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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