Ponder: Spend some time reading the Christmas Story this week. Ask God to give you new eyes as you read it. Then PONDER this question: What part of the Christmas Story speaks to me most this year - and why?
Scripture To Consider: Luke 2:1-21
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Mary Ann's: What a blessing it is to celebrate this story every year. Many of us are blessed to share our birthday celebrations with family and friends, but Jesus’ birthday is celebrated across towns, counties, states, and many countries around the world. That alone is incredible—millions of hearts pausing on the same day, to remember this miraculous moment in history.
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving; however, I feel the most important part of the story is to remember that God is the One who gives, and we are the ones who simply receive. God gave us the gift of baby Jesus—a Savior born in humble circumstances and love (Luke 2:6–7).
As I read the Christmas story this year, asking God to help me see it with fresh eyes, the part that spoke to me the most was Mary and Joseph’s journey. I’ve reflected on their story many times before, but this year I found myself imagining even more deeply how uncertain and even afraid they must have felt about what God was asking of them—yet they chose trust over fear. It’s hard to truly imagine being in their place. Mary’s faithful yes (Luke 1:38) and Joseph’s quiet obedience (Matthew 1:24) remind me that life is a journey, and God doesn’t give us every detail, but He does promise to be with us through it (Isaiah 41:10). Their trust carried the greatest gift into the world, and it encourages me to trust God more deeply in my own life.
I’m also struck by their humility. When we travel, we usually prefer comfort—the nicest hotels, the best accommodations. Yet the Savior of the world entered a setting that was simple, humble, and far from extravagant. Mary and Joseph accepted what God provided. This reminds me to pause and ask: Do I really need more, or do I just want more? Their example helps me to focus not only to trust God more deeply but also to welcome humility—to appreciate what I have, to recognize what is truly a need, and to remember that God’s greatest gifts are often very simple.
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Karen's: 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.” Luke 2:10-11
As I read and reread the Christmas Story this year, the words found in verses 10 and 11 continue to catch my attention and speak to me in a deeper way than before. There is just so much packed into these 3. The angel was speaking to the shepherds, but I believe he is also speaking to you and me.
The angel begins with, “Do not be afraid,” which are words we need to hear each and every day. In this chaotic and uncertain world, I appreciate that God shares this important message even in the Christmas Story. With this in mind, let us begin each day from a place of faith, not fear.
Then the angel shares, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.” What a beautiful sentence to read. This is God’s redemption plan, said to the shepherds and meant for all people. God is so, so good, and wants all of his creation to know the joy of the Lord. Let’s not miss this invitation into the great joy only Jesus can provide.
The angel then declares that the one who has been born is our “Savior” and our “Messiah.” It is so important that we not only hear the good news, but also really know who Jesus is. He is the chosen one sent to save you and me. When I really focus on that, my response is praise and adoration.
Our weary world needs Jesus, not only on Christmas morning, but every day of the year. Let’s live from a place of peace, let us be filled with great joy, and let’s seek to draw near and know our Savior. As we do, may we, like the angel, boldly go forward to share the Good News with all people and become bearers of hope and joy to those around us.
