December 24, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:13-18, Jeremiah 31:15, Romans 8:28, Hebrews 11:8-12 

Describe Joseph and Mary’s pain that would have been associated with the first Christmas. 

How did God’s promise provide hope in the midst of pain? How does this help redefine pain? 

What painful situation are you anticipating this Christmas? How can you trust in God’s faithfulness? 

Advent Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

December 23, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:13-15, 28:20, John 14:18-28 

How could Joseph and Mary have felt very alone in Egypt? In what way were they not alone? 

How can loneliness cause doubt and disobedience to God? Why is this important to recognize? 

How can Christmas trigger loneliness in your life? What promise do you need to embrace this year? 

Advent Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

December 22, 2016

Read Matthew 2:13-15, 8:23-27, Mark 6:45-52, John 14:18-21, Philippians 4:6-7

What fears would Joseph and Mary have been facing as they traveled to Egypt? What promise did God make?

How can fear prevent faith and obedience to God’s word? What happens if this isn’t managed?

What Christmas promise will you cling to this year? Write it on a card and keep it as a reminder.

Advent Reading: John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:9-14

December 21, 2016

Read:  Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-15, Psalm 1:1-2, 119:105 

How did Joseph and Mary respond to God’s instructions? What were some alternative options? 

What spiritual principle did they demonstrate? In what way does this help contain emotional struggles? 

How can this relate to celebrating Christmas? What steps of faith is God prompting you to take? 

Advent Reading: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25

December 20, 2016

Read:  Matthew 1:18-21, 2:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5

List the different emotions you think Joseph and Mary could have experienced.

How does this compare to your emotional expectations at Christmas? Be specific.

Why is managing expectations important for emotional stability? How do you need to adjust?

Advent Reading: Psalm 145

December 19, 2016

Read:  Matthew 1:18-21, 2:13 

In what way would Joseph and Mary have struggled with the first Christmas? Be specific. 

Why is this important to recognize? What can happen when Christmas is over romanticized?

How would you describe your “Christmas spirit” this year? How does today’s devotion help?

Advent Reading: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-37, 46-52

December 17, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:11-12, Psalm 95:1-7, Revelation 19:1-8 

Why would Joseph and Mary have been shocked to see the Wise Men worshiping Jesus? 

How was this a model for what will take place at the end of the age? How does this encourage you now? 

Spend some time right now on your knees acknowledging and thanking Jesus for His love for you. 

Advent Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

December 16, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:11-12, Mark 12:41-44 

Why did the Wise Men fall or bow down before Jesus? (Hint: Kingmakers) How did their gifts relate? 

How did the widow in Mark 12 use the same approach? How does this expand your view about worship? 

In what way can you apply this truth in your Christmas preparation this year? Be specific. 

Advent Reading: Romans 15:4-13

December 15, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:11-12, Luke 2:8-20 

What three groups of people worshiped Jesus at Christmas? How were they the same or different? 

What does this highlight about the Christmas spirit? Why is this an important reminder? 

In what way does this encourage you to worship this Christmas? What steps will you take? 

Advent Reading: Luke 1:47-55, 2:1-20

December 14, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:1-10, 10:38-39, Mark 8:34-36 

What does it mean to “deny yourself”? How does this relate to “taking up your cross”? 

What is Jesus implying by setting this requirement in order to become a Christian? 

In what way did the Wise Men apply this truth? Why is this a helpful reminder at Christmas? 

Advent Reading: Psalm 20, 96:1-13

December 13, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:1-10, 4:18-22, 6:31-33 

What priority adjustment did Jesus require for those who want to follow Him? Be specific. 

How did the Wise Men model this same requirement? What was the result? 

How does this encourage you in preparing for Christmas? What specific steps will you take? 

Advent Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

December 12, 2016

Read:  Matthew 2:1-10


Given that the Wise Men came from the East, what does that imply about their journey? (i.e. challenges)


What are some ways they could have been distracted? How did they respond when the found Jesus?


What does this highlight about their focus? Specifically, how does this help your focus this Christmas?


Advent Reading:  Isaiah 9:2-7, 35:1-10

December 10, 2016

Read:  Acts 26:1-23 

How did Paul make his defense before Agrippa? What does this imply about the value of a testimony? 

Think through your testimony using Paul’s approach (i.e. your life before, how you got saved, and now). 

Take some time and write it out. How will reflecting on this help you prepare for a meaningful Christmas? 

Advent Reading: Romans 1:1-7, 5:1-10

December 9, 2016

Read:  John 3:16-17, Matthew 20:28, Romans 10:9-13, Colossians 1:15-20, 1 John 4:9-10 

Why did Jesus come to save us from our sins? What was required in order for this to happen? 

How can a “Christmas only focus” (i.e. birth of Christ) lose sight of this truth? Give an example. 

Describe your current attitude this Christmas. How can today’s devotion help you? Be specific. 

Advent Reading: Micah 5:1-5, John 14:27

December 8, 2016

Read:  Matthew 1:21-25, 20:28, Isaiah 7:13-14, Luke 2:8-10 

Why did the angel tell Joseph to name the child Jesus? What does this highlight about Christmas? 

Why is this a good reminder at Christmastime? Be specific. How does this personally relate to you? 

How can you use the images surrounding Christmas (i.e. lights, gifts, etc.) to remind you of this truth? 

Advent Reading: Psalm 23

December 7, 2016

Read:  Matthew 4:1-11 

How did Jesus respond to the temptations of Satan? What was the result? How was Jesus walking by faith? 

In what way does God’s word play a critical part when stepping out in faith? Give an example. 

How does this truth help you to trust God in deeper ways? What specifically will you do today? 

Advent Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

December 6, 2016

Read:  Hebrews 11:1-12:2 

What three people are standouts to you with regard to their faith in God? Why? 

Describe a challenging situation that required you to trust God at new levels. What was the result? 

How does this challenge you today? (i.e., relationally, financially, etc.) What steps of faith will you take?

 Advent Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7, 55:1-2

December 5, 2016

Read:  Matthew 1:18-20, 2:13-15, Luke 1:26-35 

How did the timing of Christmas create a lose-lose situation for Joseph? What did the angel tell him to do? 

In what way did these instructions require faith? How did the whole Christmas story require faith? 

Why is this a good reminder for celebrating Christmas? What step of faith will you take this Christmas? 

Advent Reading: Psalm 122 & 126

December 3, 2016

Read:  1 Cor. 3:18-23, Matthew 28:20, John 17:20-23, Romans 14:7-9, 15:13, Galatians 2:20 

Why did Paul remind the Corinthian Christians that in Christ “all things are yours”? (1 Cor. 3:21) 

In what way were they missing that truth? How was it leading to more and more spiritual instability? 

How can you make the same mistake? How is God challenging you to readjust? 

Advent Reading: Matthew 24:36-44, Revelation 7:9-17

December 2, 2016

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:12-17, Proverbs 9:10, 10:27, 14:27, Romans 2:12-16 

Why is it important to have a healthy fear of God? List the benefits of a godly fear stated in today’s Proverbs. 

What happens when God isn’t feared? How does this relate to pride and taking grace for granted? 

What is God teaching you about fearing Him? In what way are you at risk? How will you change? 

Advent Reading: Luke 1:68-79, James 5:7-10

December 1, 2016

Read:  1 Cor. 3:12-17, Matthew 6:19-21, 2 Cor. 5:21, Romans 14:10-12, Luke 19:11-27 

Explain how all Christians will be judged by God. In what way will this be different than eternal judgment? 

How can this truth be missed by an imbalanced view of grace? Why will this lead to spiritual instability? 

How does God’s judgment make you feel right now? What does this reveal about spiritual instability? 

Advent Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Lamentations 3:24-26