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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 25: The Excitement for Jesus’ Return
Take a deep breath. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts through today’s reflection.
Merry Christmas!
Today we celebrate the eternal life we have by faith in Jesus—because of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection.
But it’s not over!
Jesus came to earth in his first Advent to make a way for us to have a relationship with God through faith in him (Rom. 10:9-11), but Christmas also reminds us that we are still waiting for him to come again (a second Advent).
What in your life makes you long for Jesus’ return?
Maybe it is your struggle to heal from trauma or addiction. Maybe it’s the pain of broken relationships or difficult health. Maybe you just long to be reunited with loved ones.
One of my favorite realities of Jesus’ second coming is that he will destroy Satan and all his demonic powers once and for all. In Jesus’ first coming, he overcame sin and death for us (1 Cor. 15:56–57). In Jesus’ second coming, Satan will finally be gone in forever death (Rev. 20:9–10).
This is great hope as we wait like a child before Christmas morning—longing for all that is broken to be set right.
Are you ready for that day? Are you a part of his kingdom?
If you have not placed your faith in Jesus, what are you waiting for? Have you confessed him as Lord and become a follower of Jesus? Don’t wait. Don’t miss the greatest gift we celebrate at Christmas: eternal life in Jesus.
Read: Hear from God
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23-24).
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-38).
Reflect: Focus on God
What do you think about when you think of Jesus returning to make all things new, destroy Satan, and ensure those who have believed in him will live with him forever?
Are you a follower of Jesus? If not, what is holding you back?
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. Please help me to know what is holding me back in my faith or in my living as a surrendered follower of you. Please help me trust and follow you every moment of every day. You are Lord and Savior and when you come back, I want to be with you. 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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