The following Christmas devotionals are designed to help you celebrate Jesus—our Savior, during the holiday season. This inspirational collection offers a blend of reflections, prayers, and insights, encouraging you to discover the many dimensions of joy found in Jesus....

The following Christmas devotionals are designed to help you celebrate Jesus—our Savior, during the holiday season. This inspirational collection offers a blend of reflections, prayers, and insights, encouraging you to discover the many dimensions of joy found in Jesus. Let these words guide your heart through a season of thoughtful celebration and introspective joy in the Savior's embrace.

1. Celebrate God’s Great Gift

One thing that parents often struggle with is giving their children gifts that not only give joy but will also last beyond a short season in their lives. Even something worthwhile, like a book, is designed for a specific reading level and age, so it will soon lose its value in the life of a child. Along with the desire to give something that will last, part of the joy is seeing the delight of their children when they receive the gift—and that is true of the gift God has given us as well. And His gift is “indescribable”!

The Bible says that our Heavenly Father gives us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23); the gift of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8); and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Romans 4:17 says, He “gives life to the dead,” and Romans 8:11 promises life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells within us.

We serve a kind and gracious God who gives us good gifts, and the most indescribable gift is Jesus Christ Himself!

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Gracious God, thank You for the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ, which brings joy to our lives, far surpassing any earthly present. May I never forget my reason for true joy during this Christmas season.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

How has the gift of Jesus Christ changed your life, and in what ways can you share this indescribable gift with others?

2. Celebrate in Song

Lip sync stands for lip synchronization, referring to people who pretend to be singing but are actually only moving their lips. Performers do this during dance numbers because of the lung exertion needed for physical activity. Vocalists use this method to preserve their voices. But many fans don’t want to pay money to see their favorite stars pretending to sing.

It’s easy for us to engage in a form of lip-syncing. We can “mouth” the words of Christmas carols without really thinking of the words or absorbing their meaning. How many of us have stood in church and sung while our minds were wandering far away? Or did we move our mouth without truly singing?

Not this Christmas! The wonder of Christmas—the birth of Christ and the hope of salvation—leads us to express our joy through song, just as it was that first Christmas.

Express your joy through music today and sync your heart to heaven’s choirs.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, this Christmas, fill my heart with joy and let my songs of praise reflect the wonder of Your love toward us. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

Which Christmas carol or song resonates most deeply with you, and why does it stir joy in your heart?

3. Celebrate the Friend We Have in Jesus

In the early 1900s, William C. Poole, a Methodist pastor in Delaware, told preachers that a sermon should have enough humanity in it to get down on everyone’s level to touch elbows and hearts and enough divinity in it to lift people up. That’s good advice for every Christian teacher or preacher.

That’s the way the Word Himself was—Jesus Christ. He took upon Himself humanity and came down here to touch elbows and hearts with us. But being God, He is also able to lift us up.

Because Jesus is a man, He can sympathize with us. Because He is God, He can strengthen us. No matter what we’re experiencing in our life, we have a Savior who understands.

About the time William C. Poole was preaching sermons, John Sammis was writing hymns. One of them said: “Why should I charge my soul with care? The wealth of every mine belongs to Christ, God’s Son and Heir, and He’s a Friend of mine.”

He’s your Friend too!

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our divine Friend who intimately understands our humanity. In Him, we find not only sympathy and strength but also unending joy, knowing we are never alone. Help me to embrace this joy daily, celebrating the friendship we have with Christ. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

Reflect on a time when you felt Jesus's friendship most vividly. How did it help you through a challenging moment?

4. Celebrate An Expanding Relationship

It often happens over a holiday meal or when everyone is enjoying time together. Family members begin reminiscing, and before you know it, children are hearing stories about their parents and grandparents that they’ve never heard before. Or adult children begin sharing some of the exploits from their childhood, and their parents learn what the kids “got away with” while they weren’t looking.

It seems as though no matter how well we know someone, even our own family members, there’s always more to learn about them. The same is true for our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Some of us have been learning about God since before we can remember. But there’s always more for us to learn about Him. Like the psalmist David, we should desire to know our Father more and to become closer to Him. Begin studying a specific attribute of God or spend time slowly reading through the Gospels—seek to know Him better each day.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, as I learn more about my family and cherish our time together, inspire me also to deepen my understanding of You. Guide me to a deeper understanding of who You are, drawing me closer with each passing day. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

What aspect of God’s character or nature are you eager to explore or understand better?

5. Celebrate Our Source of Joy

All of us have had the experience of waiting on an outcome—a medical diagnosis, a job application, a missing child—and we wait with a sense of dread. Then the phone rings, or a person approaches, and says, “Good news! All is well!” When that good report comes, we have experienced what the Bible calls evangelism—the receipt of good news that brings joy and relief.

In Luke 2:10, the angel’s words, “I bring you good tidings of great joy,” contain the Greek word for evangelism—the announcing of good news. The shepherds were no doubt anxious when the angel of the Lord appeared. But they were soon put at ease by the angel’s words. Dread and fear were replaced by “great joy” at the announcement of the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. And that is true of us as well. Fear may beset us in life, but the Good News of Christ can alleviate every worry.

This Christmas, let the reminder of Christ’s birth and life be a source of great joy for you.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, in moments of anxiety and waiting, remind me of the great joy that came with the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Let this Good News dissolve all fears and worries, filling my heart with lasting peace and happiness. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

When have you experienced a moment of ‘great joy’ similar to the shepherds, and how does this shape your view of Christmas?

6. Celebrate God’s Mercy

Our Lord had three encounters with bitter myrrh. In Matthew 2:11, the Wise Men brought it to honor His birth. On the Cross, the soldiers offered Jesus wine mingled with myrrh (Mark 15:23). And at Christ’s tomb, Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of myrrh to wrap into His burial clothes (John 19:39).

The gift of myrrh brought to baby Jesus points to our Lord’s suffering on the Cross and to His death. For Him, it was a symbol of tragedy; for us, it is a reason for thanksgiving. Oh, how we should constantly remember to thank Christ for all He bore for us.

Our lives are so complicated and needy that we’re prone to become self-focused. What would happen if we lived Christ-focused lives, remembering the totality of His redemption? Because He was born and died and rose again, our every need is met in Him. We can shift our focus from ourselves!

His present blessings to us are based on His past suffering. His myrrh brought us mercy! This Christmas, take a moment of deepest gratitude for deepest grace!

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Lord, this Christmas, I am deeply grateful for the gift of Your son, Jesus, and the profound symbolism of myrrh in His life. Help me to focus on Christ, remembering His sacrifice and celebrating the mercy and grace it brings to our lives. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

How can you show gratitude for Christ's mercy in your interactions today?

7. Celebrate, Slowly

Lots of terms describe busyness—the rat race, the daily grind, the hamster cage, the treadmill, the vicious cycle. This time of year, we call it the Christmas rush. But let’s make time for the Christmas hush—contemplative, meaningful, quiet time when we can ponder the wonderful story of Jesus and write on our heart every word.

How can we do this amid the shopping, cooking, and entertaining that jumbles our schedule? Christmas is a perfect time to slow down—at least for a night or two, perhaps for a day or so. The lights, candles, and decorations provide a tender atmosphere. Soft music helps. All our electronic devices—even our phones—have off buttons. The covers of our Bibles still open, and so is the listening ear of our Lord.

In the busyness of the Christmas season, make room for Him in your schedule through prayer and time in His Word. That’s what makes the Christmas season truly meaningful. That’s the Christmas hush.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Lord, this Christmas, guide me to find quiet moments to celebrate the joy of Jesus' birth. In the stillness, let my heart rejoice in the true meaning of this season. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

What practical steps can you take this season to create moments of ‘Christmas hush’ amidst the busyness?

8. Celebrate Life Without End

Imagine your family’s response if you brought home a seven-foot-tall oak sapling—a thin trunk, a few scraggly limbs, brown, with no leaves as your Christmas tree this year. Their response would not be joyful! When the custom of decorating a tree for Christmas began in Europe in the sixteenth century, it was the dead of winter. The only green trees in the forests were conifers (evergreens): hemlock, spruce, fir, and the like.

The time of year for cutting a tree may have had something to do with the choice of evergreens, but there was likely a better reason. Christmas is the celebration of the life of God coming to earth in the Christ-Child and His promise of eternal life. Therefore, an evergreen tree, full of life year-round, was the obvious choice to use in a Christmas celebration. We have been decorating at Christmas ever since with evergreen trees, boughs, garlands, and wreaths. Christmas evergreens speak of the ever-living life of Christ in all who believe.

Don’t let the significance of the evergreen go unnoticed this Christmas. Rejoice that life in Christ never goes away—not now, not for eternity.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, as the evergreen reminds me of the unending life found in Christ, let my heart be filled with joy and gratitude this Christmas that You have gifted us through Jesus. May the evergreens remind me daily of Your presence and unchanging love. Amen

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

In what ways does the symbol of the evergreen tree remind you of eternal life in Christ, and how does this inspire your Christmas celebrations?

9. Celebrate! You Are Not forgotten!

The Nativity story begins with Zacharias and Elizabeth, an old couple in the Judean hills who had faithfully served God for years despite bearing an intense disappointment because of childlessness. They had prayed earnestly for a child, but God hadn’t answered, and their prayers on that subject had been marked as unanswered—or answered with a “No.” As the decades passed, their prayer for a child faded from their prayer lists.

But wait! One day, an angel appeared to Zacharias and said, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (Luke 1:13). In this way, John the Baptist came into the world as a forerunner of Jesus Christ.

Just as God answered the prayers of Zacharias and Elizabeth, He continues to answer our prayers for us. He does sometimes say, “No.” But often, the answer is, “Wait.” If you’re discouraged about an issue today, keep praying. God hasn’t forgotten you or your need. Trust His timing and persevere in prayer.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Dear Lord, in celebrating the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, I rejoice in the truth that You never forget us. Fill my heart with gratitude and joy, knowing that You hear and answer our prayers in Your perfect timing. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

Can you recall a time when you felt heard by God after a period of waiting, and how did it strengthen your faith?

10. Celebrate the Heart Healer

Self-help magazines often include an article in their December editions for those battling the Christmas blues. Despite the merriment of the season, many people feel left out, especially if they can’t be with loved ones. The gray weather and colder temperatures can make things worse, along with financial stresses. Too much food and drink can cause problems, and the poignant nostalgia of Christmas can leave us wistful and downcast.

Yet Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted! He came to heal you!

Isaiah predicted this aspect of Christ’s coming in Isaiah 61, and in His first known sermon following His baptism, Jesus quoted this verse with the claim it belonged to Him, that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61, and that He Himself had come to heal the brokenhearted.

What great news!

If you feel downcast today, imagine the Lord Jesus Christ, coming from heaven, taking on the form of a baby, growing up, and becoming the Savior whose mission was to encourage, uplift, undergird, and restore your spirits.

Jesus came down so that you might be cheered up. Welcome Him today!

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to heal and uplift the brokenhearted. In moments of sadness, remind me of Your comforting presence and the joy You bring. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

Think of a time when Jesus healed your broken heart. How can you use this experience to comfort others?

11. Celebrate Surprises

Isaiah 55:9 provides a guide for managing expectations: God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. Meaning, whenever we think we are certain of how and when God will act . . . watch out!

For example, when God prophesied through the prophet Micah where the Messiah would be born, everyone was surprised that it would be in Bethlehem, a small village “among the thousands of Judah.” But there was a reason: Bethlehem was the home of David, and the Messiah would be “the Son of David” (Matthew 21:9). But there was another reason: Bethlehem in Hebrew is bet lechem—“house of bread.” Jesus, born in “the house of bread,” declared Himself to be “the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48). This was a surprise—a shock, actually—to the religious leaders. Jesus said He was the new manna from heaven, replacing the “bread” that had sustained the Jews in the wilderness.

Let God surprise you. Trust Him to do that which is best for you in His timing and in His way.

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Lord, teach me to trust in Your surprising ways, just as You showed in Bethlehem. Fill my heart with joy and faith in Your perfect timing and plans. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

What unexpected blessings have you received that reminded you of God’s surprising ways?

12. Celebrate the Presence of God

The days around Christmas can be lonely for many people, but there are ways to instantly recognize the presence of God near us. After all, that’s the core of Christmas. God wanted fellowship with us, and He gave Jesus the heavenly name of Immanuel—“God with us.”

Here are seven ideas for letting the presence of Christ cheer you:

(1) Praise Him aloud, even if you don’t feel like it. Start talking to Him out loud, thanking Him for specific blessings you’ve experienced this year. (2) Listen to hymns and worship music. If the Christmas carols make you melancholy, play an upbeat version of “Blessed Assurance.” (3) Read through the book of Philippians, circling the words “joy” and “rejoice” every time they occur. (4) Confess your sins. Often our sense of God’s presence is hindered by something in our thoughts or behavior that we should confess. (5) Overhaul your prayer list, bringing it up to date. (6) Find a small task to do in Jesus’ Name. (7) Light a candle. The temple contained a lamp, and Jesus said He was the Light of the World.

Don’t let yourself become discouraged. Get up, get busy, and remember God is with you!

~ Today’s Prayer ~

Heavenly Father, in the spirit of Immanuel, "God with us," fill my heart with the assurance of Your ever-present love this Christmas season. Help me find joy and peace in Your presence, banishing loneliness and reminding me that You are always near. Amen.

~ For Deeper Reflection ~

What personal practices help you feel God's presence, especially during challenging times?

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The post Finding Joy in Jesus: 12 Christmas Devotionals to Celebrate the Savior appeared first on David Jeremiah Blog.

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