Christmas is an exciting time, but with all the hustle and bustle, it will pass us by before we know it. That’s why it’s vital that we intentionally make time to prepare our hearts and minds to reflect and respond to the true meaning of Christmas. One way to do that is to focus on a specific idea for each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas. For each day, there is a focal scripture, the meaning contained in the verse, and a way to respond by putting this truth into practice in our lives. My prayer for you is that you will have the most meaningful Christmas this year and that these 12 Devos of Christmas will help you to have a Merry Christmas.
You can download a free PDF of the 12 Devos here: 12 Days of Christmas Devo
1 – December 14: Hope
Read: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Reflect: Imagine a time before Jesus had come into the world. What a dark world it must have been. But there was hope. God promised to send a Savior!
Respond: If you are feeling hopeless, as if something could never change, remember that there is always hope with God. Hold on to that hope today.
2 – December 15: Signs
Read: All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! Isaiah 7:14a
Reflect: Signs. Signs. Everywhere there’s signs. The fact that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb was a sure sign that this baby was sent from God.
Respond: Look for the signs around you today of God’s promises. When you see a sign, give thanks to God for reminding you of His unfailing promises.
3 – December 16: Presence
Read: She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14b
Reflect: One name for Jesus is “Immanuel,” a reminder that at Christmas, and all year long, God is not far away.
Respond: Choose to live today with an awareness of God’s presence with you everywhere you go. Remember that you are never alone. God is with you.
4 – December 17: Room
Read: She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7
Reflect: It’s easy for our lives to be so full that there is no room for Jesus. We push Him away for lesser things.
Respond: Choose to say no to unimportant things to make room today for what’s most important: Jesus.
5 – December 18: Courage
Read: But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” Luke 2:10a
Reflect: It’s natural to be afraid when you face something new and challenging. God’s message to you is to not be afraid, but to be courageous.
Respond: No matter what you are facing today, God’s message to you is the same: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage.” Choose to move forward today in the power of Jesus.
6 – December 19: Tell
Read: After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. Luke 2:17
Reflect: The shepherds didn’t keep the Good News of Jesus to themselves. They made sure everyone heard the Good News by talking it up to everyone they encountered.
Respond: Ask God for the boldness to “tell everyone” about what Jesus has done in your life and what He can do in their life too.
7 – December 20: Joy
Read: When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:10
Reflect: The star was the proof that God’s message to them was true. When you see what God is doing around you, you will know the Joy that comes from Jesus.
Respond: Ask God to help you see the great things that He is doing around you today and respond with joy.
8 – December 21 – Forgiveness
Read: And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21
Reflect: Without Jesus, we are stuck in our sins, complete with the accompanying guilt. But Jesus came to save us from our sins and give us the gift of forgiveness.
Respond: Ask God for forgiveness for those things that have been making you feel guilty. Thank Him that He freely forgives you when you confess to Him.
9 – December 22 – Remember
Read: But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19
Reflect: Mary had seen God do one miracle after another. That must have helped her during the times that she had doubts about what was happening around her.
Respond: When you find yourself doubting today, remember how good God has been to you. His faithfulness in the past is an assurance of how faithful He will be in the future.
10 – December 23: Love
Read: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Reflect: God doesn’t just love with words, but also with action. He sent His only Son to demonstrate His unfailing love so that anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus will live eternally with God in Heaven.
Respond: God has loved you fully so you can give love to those around you. Receive His gift of love from Jesus and choose to share it with those around you today.
11 – Christmas Eve: Peace
Read: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14
Reflect: In the middle of conflict, Jesus came to bring peace. Faith is the necessary ingredient to please God.
Respond: Commit to doing what pleases God in your life to experience the peace that comes from Jesus.
12 – Christmas Day: Jesus!
Read: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Reflect: Not many gifts defy description, but the gift of the baby Jesus in the manger is so big that it changed the world and eternity.
Respond: Thank God today for the best gift of all: Jesus!