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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 12: A Joyful Greeting
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
Mary hurried to Zechariah’s home after the angel told her Elizabeth was miraculously with child. When she arrived and called out to Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. The Spirit filled Elizabeth and she welcomed Mary with prophetic words.
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her” (Luke 1:42-45).
What a greeting!
We can imagine the joy that filled Mary’s heart when she was seen and known—without having to explain; she was welcomed with open arms, without having to give a reason for her coming. She found a spacious place in her cousin’s heart where she could just be, as she processed the amazement of carrying God’s Son.
Who can we be a spacious place for this Christmas season? Who needs love and belonging?
Read: Hear from God
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her” (Luke 1:39-45).
Reflect: Focus on God
Have you ever experienced welcoming hospitality? How did it make you feel? If not, how did the lack of hospitality make you feel?
Elizabeth welcomed Mary with love—she didn’t welcome her with fancy preparations (she didn’t even know Mary was coming). Who can you be welcoming and loving to this Christmas—even in the imperfection?
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, for reminding me that hospitality is extending friendship and welcome—even if it doesn’t look fancy. Please show me how to extend friendship and welcome this Christmas to anyone you want me to. Open my eyes and prepare my heart, Lord. 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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