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 14: Great Mercy
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
Whose story has inspired your faith?
Stories of God’s faithfulness encourage us, like when we see people delivered from addictions or healed from cancer miraculously—or like the time I saw God save my son’s life through medical workers when he was born with his intestines in his lung cavity.
Witnessing God’s power at work in impossible situations anchors our faith. Such also was the case with Elizabeth and her neighbors.
God miraculously opened Elizabeth’s barren womb in her old age after an angel announced to her husband Zechariah they would have a son (see Day 4 reflection, Luke 1:11-20).
Elizabeth’s neighbors rejoiced with her at the birth of John the Baptist. We can imagine hugging, gift-giving of swaddling clothes, and a meal train of first-century versions of chicken casseroles. Elizabeth’s friends proclaimed God’s mercy on her to bear a child in her old age.
I’ve lived in sprawling suburbs or urban cities my whole life, so I can’t imagine my whole community rallying around my joys as personally as Elizabeth’s—but I do have many memories of seeing God’s faithfulness at work in the lives of others.
Let’s pause to think about how we have seen God at work, the stories of God’s faithfulness. This builds our faith to trust him for the future work he will do.
Read: Hear from God
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy (Luke 1:57-58).
Reflect: Focus on God
Elizabeth’s neighbors saw God’s faithfulness to her, and it built up their faith.
Whose story of following God has built your faith?
How have you seen God at work in your life this year?
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 your Word which leads me into all truth. Lord, you are faithful. I have seen your faithfulness in my life, and I ask you to help me to see you at work in the lives of my neighbors and friends too. May we all give you the credit and glory. I specifically pray for __________. 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
