The Ministry of Hospitality

 Lisa Sheffler, author

Day 5 | Reflect, Connect, Respond

Throughout this season of Advent, we’ve been anticipating the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today is Christmas Day! How has the Holy Spirit used this season to draw you closer to God and grow you to be more like Jesus? Reflect on that today.

Since it’s Christmas Day, consider reading this devotional with anyone you’re spending the day with — in person or virtually. Take some time to worship Jesus with others today!

Reflect

Read Luke 2:1–16 and John 1:1–14 and think about the following.

What do the circumstances of Jesus’ birth say about the character of God?

How do John’s descriptions of Jesus as the Word-made-flesh and the Light help you understand the Savior more?

Connect

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2

Nothing could stop the Light. He has come, and the darkness fled. Evil is not and will never be the ultimate victor. Though sin and death have not been banished once and for all, the resurrection promises us that they will be. The Light shines into the dark night, and, though some choose to hide their eyes and shrink back from it, others walk into its glorious warmth and truly see for the first time.

God’s plan to save humanity was coming to fruition as the Word became flesh so he could dwell among us (John 1:14). Jesus changed everything. The God who created humanity and animated it with his breath became one of those whom he created. Jesus was completely human in every way, but without sin, and he knows firsthand our every joy and sorrow. But he never ceased to be divine.

When we allow the pages of the Gospels to show us Jesus, we are seeing God. The compassion for the hurting, the wisdom for life, the grief at unbelief, and the anger at injustice give us a tangible understanding of our Creator. How wonderful and merciful is our God? Powerful and good, tender and strong.

We pray that you have grown closer to him during this Advent season. That his joy has filled your heart and will pour out of you and into the lives of others as you celebrate his birth. May his grace become ever more real to you and may you be filled to overflowing with his love.

Merry Christmas!

Respond

How can we show our love for Jesus? What can we do to encourage those around us to grow closer to Jesus?

       

      About the Engage God DailY

      Jesus invites us to know him personally and engage with him daily. Through daily Bible reading and prayer, we can grow in our relationship with him. The Engage God Daily is a daily resource designed to help you better understand the Bible and take you deeper into the concepts taught on Sunday mornings.

      Use this guide to prepare for next Sunday’s teaching. Each day presents a reading, Scripture, and a prayer to help grow in your walk with Christ this week. 

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