Welcome to week 3 of the series, “Preparing Your Heart for Christmas.” Our Advent journey continues as we look to the Christmas story and our response to it.
The Advent season is a “holy awakening” of sorts.
Take a moment—away from the noise and clutter and demands of the season—to look anew at all that Christmas means, and let it change you all year through.
First, let’s read the Christmas story, about the birth of Jesus, in Luke 2:1-20. Then read inspiring words about God’s peace and love—and our response in awe and wonder.
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Wow! What a beautiful story of Jesus coming to earth in such a humble way. For you. For me.
And the baby Jesus grew up.
And taught us how to love each other, and how to live forgiven and free. And how to have a relationship with Him so we could be with God forever in Heaven. Forever.
To help you reflect on this amazing gift, here are a few inspiring excerpts for preparing our hearts for Christmas—by remembering God’s peace and love, and then being moved in our response in awe and wonder. Because of His love, we are forever changed.
(Excerpts from Ruth Chou Simons’ book, Emmanuel.)
PEACE
Peace on earth…the peace we all say we want at Christmas, and year ‘round, is a gift that comes through trusting Jesus to provide what we cannot. True peace with God is the good news of the gospel, but continuing peace of mind—the peace that surpasses understanding—is the byproduct of trusting God through prayer and thanksgiving.
LOVE
As we continue in this Advent season…we encounter a love that is greater than any…love is the character of God, and this is the love that changes everything for a believer.
When the love of God, cradled in a lowly manger, becomes our greatest gift of the Christmas season and throughout the year, we can’t help buy lavish such love onto others…and declare His love with our actions before a watching world.
AWE + WONDER.
The miracle of Christmas is this: that a holy God made a way for all who believe to come to Him…by first coming to us.
Let that sink in.
God’s promises, fulfilled by God Himself, are more than remarkable; they merit a response—not to get busy, but to fall down in reverence and awe for our great God.
PONDER
What stirs up awe and wonder in your soul?
PRAYER
Father, You are worthy of our praise.
When we consider Your faithfulness
through the works of Your hands,
through the gift of Your Son, and
through the ways You care for us day by day,
we’re humbled and we remember once again:
You are God and we are not.
Lord, forgive us for the ways we try to steal Your glory
and trust in ourselves. You draw near to us each day
and put on display the ways
You are still sovereign and good.
May we give You the adoration and praise You deserve—
not just this Christmas season, but each and every day.
Amen.
Resources from Jackie M. Johnson
If you are feeling lonely this holiday season.
If you are dealing with a loss or tragedy.
If you are feeling discouraged or down, and need to get your joy back.
If you need to find peace.
–Excerpts from Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always. By Ruth Chou Simons
(Harvest House Publishers, 2022)
Photo credit: Alain Gehri, Unsplash