The wise men bring gifts

When [the wise men] saw the star, the were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

The wise men realized the miracle they witnessed as they found the child Jesus. They didn't expect God to find them or to shower them with gifts. Instead, they brought gifts to him. Perhaps the most important was their worship. As we approach the start of another year, consider the gift you can offer God. Time together in prayer and in the Bible become gifts to you both!


Dear God, as the days pass and the time comes closer for Jesus to return, help us draw near to you. Teach us to pray and to hear your voice. Thank you for your love and the abundant blessing of a Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Leave a comment and let us pray for you!

Not everyone rejoiced at Jesus' birth

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." Matthew 2:13

Three amazing things happen in this verse. First, an angel speaks to Joseph in a dream. It's not recorded in this verse, but the Bible tells us that Joseph obeyed that warning (also an amazing thing!). Second, the angel promises to revisit Joseph and direct him further. Third, someone wants to kill the Messiah. The threats on Jesus' life began the minute he was born, but it wasn't time yet. God's plan would not be thwarted. He is sovereign and kind, and He wants to fulfill a plan in your life.

Dear God, please help us recognize your direction and your plan for our individual lives. May we never try to kill the Savior in our hearts or try to silence your plan for the world. Thank you for your kindness. Help us walk close to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Who can you commit to praying for, that their heart would be softened and their eyes opened to the truth?

The shepherds respond to Jesus' birth

[The shepherds] hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child...The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Luke 2:16, 17, 20

The New Living Translation of the Bible uses the word 'terrified' to describe the shepherds initial response to the angel who told them about Jesus' birth. In the end, though, they hurried to meet the newborn Savior. After meeting Him, they couldn't keep the Good News to themselves. Not only did they tell everyone, they praised God. It is not our first reaction to Jesus that defines our lives. It is what we do with the Good News that determines our eternity.

Dear Jesus, thank you again for coming to a fallen world and living as a man so we could live in paradise with You forever. Define our lives. May we be full of praise as those shepherds were and glorify God for all the world to see. In Your name, Amen.


What was your first reaction to Jesus? Has it changed?

Anna praises God

"[Anna] never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God." Luke 2:37, 38

The Bible tells us Anna was a widow and a prophet who lived to the age of eighty-four. She enjoyed a close relationship with God because of her time in fasting and prayer. As an older woman, Anna met the child Jesus. Her immediate reaction was praise! Then, "She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). May we react with such enthusiasm and immediate need to share the miracle of Jesus with others.

Dear God, help us speak boldly to the ones who need rescue. Give us the words to share Jesus. May we also enjoy a close relationship with you through prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Who do you know that needs rescue today? What words is God giving you to share Jesus with them?

Jumping for joy

"When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy." Luke 1:44

Even before he was born, John (Jesus' cousin and later known as John the Baptist) jumped for joy to be near Jesus. For the rest of his life, John would proclaim the Good News about a Savior, born of a virgin, come to "take away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). No matter what the situation looked like, no matter who he spoke to, no matter what the consequences, John spoke boldly for the Messiah and jumped for joy to be near Him.

Dear God, thank you again for sending your Son to be our Savior. Thank you for bringing us to realize our need. Jesus, thank you for being born. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Do you jump for joy to be near Jesus? How would you react if you could physically see and touch Him?

Elizabeth's response to Mary's news

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed." Luke 1:42

Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, the one who would become "the prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1:76). The Bible tells us that in her old age, Elizabeth conceived the son she had long desired. In faith, she believed her child would be born with great purpose on his life. Even more important, she believed Mary carried the Messiah all Israel had long desired. With all the possible reactions Elizabeth might have shown, she chose faith. May our faith be strengthened as we celebrate the birth of the Messiah!

Dear God, thank you for sending our Rescue. Please help us be like Elizabeth and show glad faith to others who need to experience it. May they be blessed through our belief in the Messiah. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How is your faith in Jesus today?

Joseph's Obedience

"When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife... And Joseph named [the child] Jesus." Matthew 1:24, 25

The Bible does not talk about Joseph's prayer life, but we know he was a godly man. He followed the traditions and the law of the Lord, taking his family to Jerusalem each year for the Passover and training his sons in Scripture. He must have been unusually close to God to be chosen as the earthly father of God's only Son. We know he was obedient, regardless of the consequences. May we also be remembered for lives of service and obedience to God.

Dear God, please help us to be obedient. May we recognize your calling and strive to please you no matter the consequences. Thank you for the examples of other believers in your Word, and thank you for your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do you recognize God's calling on your life? What does it look like?

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." Luke 1:38

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, Mary's first - and immediate - reaction was obedience. She didn't waver. She didn't ask questions beyond the first, "How can this happen? I am a virgin" (Luke 1:34). She didn't doubt.

When God visits us, whether by supernatural means or through His Spirit in prayer or reading the Bible, how do we react? Suspicion? Cynicism? Intellect? Do we show a humble and willing heart? May we, like Mary, confess that we are servants of the Most High God, blessed to participate in any plan He authors.

Dear God, please help us recognize You. We pray that our hearts would willingly accept Your divine plan. May we be obedient to Your calling on our lives. We bless You and praise You for using us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Has God placed a call on your life? How have you responded?