It’s so easy to fly (or sled if we’re lucky!) right through the Christmas season, missing the opportunity to reflect on the miracle of Jesus. So much of our time from Thanksgiving to New Years is spent rushing around – parties, family gatherings, community events, family gatherings, shopping, decorating the house … more family gatherings! Oh, and Jesus’ birth!
Do you ever get to January 1 and think, “I wish I would have taken time to slow down and be during the holiday season?” To be. To be present – with God, with others, with yourself. To be aware – of the miracle of Jesus, of the life you've been given, of the moment you’re in.
We feel this tension too, so we developed a resource to help you slow down, be present to God and others and be aware of your own soul in the midst of the craziness of the holiday season. We hope you can use this resource for personal reflection time, in a group setting or with your family!
Join us for the first week of a 4-week journey where we slow down, be with God and allow yourself to be in awe of Jesus who is Emmanual, God with us.
Follow along with the daily devotional below—or if you'd like to download the resource, you can do so at the bottom of the page!
Lyric
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
Scripture
Romans 8:14-15
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Lyric
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Scripture
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
Lyric
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Scripture
Isaiah 42:3-4
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Reflect
Today, there are more than 40 million people held against their will in slavery - more than at any point in human history (enditmovement.com)! This is just one of the countless injustices oppressing people in the world today – poverty, racism, orphaned children, gender inequality, food insecurity, wars, oppressive governments – the list feels like it’s a mile long.
So where is the hope in it all? Isaiah 42 shows the heart of God and the end of the story. He is and He will ultimately bring justice. His Kingdom is built on justice.
Also, we must pursue justice. Micah 6 shows us what we are to do as followers of Jesus - act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
Reflect
If you’ve never read all of Psalm 103, start there! It’s a beautiful accounting of all the amazing things God has done for us. It’s also a great description of who God is! He is the Savior, the Healer, He is righteous, just, compassionate, gracious, patient, loving, and so much more!