Today’s Verse – Luke 2:4-5
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. —Luke 2:4-5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… For the next few days, let’s journey with Joseph and Mary as they experience the incredible grace of God in the miraculous birth of God’s Son to their family. These verses give us the basics: They took a trip south from their home. The expectant couple went to Bethlehem, which was King David’s home city as well as their own. The two were “betrothed” (legally pledged in marriage), but not yet married. The time for Jesus to be born was quickly approaching. Joseph and Mary were going there to register with the Roman government in Bethlehem as required by the census. Intrigue about Jesus’ biological father hinted at scandal associated with Mary’s pregnancy. Themes of promise and fulfillment from the prophets frame the story, reminding us that this is God’s story. Human faithfulness amid social, religious, and familial storms echoes throughout the story. The Roman census provides a real historical context for real everyday people who journeyed, risked, sacrificed, and welcomed the newborn Messiah. The LORD enters our world very much in a place where we find ourselves. God has chosen to enter our world in Jesus, Immanuel, as one of us. The Messiah born into such a mess is certainly a Savior and LORD we can reach, follow, and love. This Jesus is one of us. My Prayer… Holy and loving God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for entering our messy world with all its contradictions, ironies, and conflicts. Thank you for not being aloof or immune to our struggles, but for sharing in them with us as our Immanuel, “God with us”! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
22 Dec 2025
As we come to the end of the year, I hope we can look back and thank God for carrying us through. It may have been smooth sailing for some, tough for others. Whatever the case, He has allowed us to get to the end. I pray that we can look at the future with hope and optimism. May we get to know Him more and also understand ourselves better. 2 Peter 1:3-8 Merry Christmas and a blessed 2026! We shall resume our devotions on January 5th, God willing.
Today’s Verse – Acts 2:21, 40-41
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. … With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. —Acts 2:21, 40-41 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Call on the name of the LORD to save you! Proclaim Jesus as your risen LORD! Share with him in baptism as the first Christians did. Have God add you to his holy people. Know that Jesus will save you from the corruption that plagues our world and so many of our lives. You see, God sent Jesus to save, redeem, restore, and bless us. Share in the joy of that salvation. Don’t wait! Today is the day of salvation! Rejoice in it. Pass it on to others. Christ our King has come to bring his salvation to all of us who will truly believe! My Prayer… Father, thank you for sending Jesus the first time to die for my sins! Thank you for sending Jesus into my heart to comfort and strengthen me as he works in my life! Thank you most of all for my salvation, which will be fully realized when Jesus returns. So, I pray in Jesus’ name, with anticipation. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Acts 13:38-39
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. —Acts 13:38-39 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Law couldn’t do it. Sacrifices couldn’t do it. Piety couldn’t achieve it. Religious practices couldn’t make it happen. Only Jesus could bring complete salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. Only Jesus can make us fully righteous and holy. Forgiveness and righteousness come through him, and faith in him. Jesus is God’s most complete revelation of himself and his grace, and the sacrifice he made for our sins brings us forgiveness and eternal life (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 John 2:2, 4:10). My Prayer… Holy and Righteous Father, God Almighty, I confess that your Son is my Savior and LORD, Jesus the Christ. I thank you, Jesus, for being my LORD and paying the price for my sins. I ask, blessed Holy Spirit, that you fashion more of Jesus’ character and compassion in my life as I pursue him in my daily life and in the Scriptures. In Jesus’ name, I ask you for this grace, and I ask for this blessing. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. —Psalm 80:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… In the days of Jesus’ birth, a group of devout and lowly people called the “pious poor” were looking for God’s redemption of his people. We meet some of them in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel – Zechariah and Elizabeth, Anna and Simeon, along with Mary and Joseph. They knew that salvation could not, and would not, come without great cost – not just to themselves, but also to God. Isaiah had prophesied about this redemption in his Servant Songs (Isaiah 53:1-12). They had experienced suffering and hardship in their own history. So with honest hearts, they confessed that they didn’t have the power to bring their own salvation and deliverance. This power had to come from their almighty God. They believed God would release this power for the powerless, yet righteous and devout, people seeking God’s transformation in their lives and waiting for God to console and redeem Israel (Luke 2:25; 24:21). They knew they needed to ask God for it! They knew to seek his face and find his presence in their daily lives. So we join them as we cry out, “Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O LORD, God of heaven and earth, Ruler of all creation, I praise you. I praise you for your power and glory. I praise you for your wisdom and creativity. I praise you for your mercy and righteousness. I praise you, because you alone are worthy of my praise. O LORD, you alone can bring full salvation to me, to the lost, and to my brothers and sisters in need. Please, shine your face upon me. Please, make your presence known in our lives and shine your face upon us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
19 Dec 2025
Are you walking the journey of life alone? Do you have companions you can fellowship and face the challenges of life together with? David had Jonathan, Jesus had the disciples, Moses had Aaron. May the Lord always avail brethren who can stand with you, solution providers who can facilitate you, resourceful people who can support you. And you in turn should be a blessing to them too. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 31:9
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. —Proverbs 31:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “No room in the inn!” “Placed him in a manger!” “Take the Child and flee to Egypt!” Those were the kinds of words to describe the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, and our Savior, whose earthly parents were powerless and poor by the world’s standards. Our LORD was born into a world that played favorites and often despised the poor and powerless. So often today, we also play favorites with the rich, beautiful, powerful, famous, and prestigious. Isn’t it interesting that God revealed himself as the defender of the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner (Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:10) and then entered the world as the child of a Jewish carpenter and a young virgin from a small town. God wants us to notice those in need around us. He wants it to be more than an annual good gesture at Christmas. He wants us to be advocates for folks like Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. We’re not just told to be fair; we’re told to defend and to plead the rights of those in need. When we do, we do it for him and to him. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). My Prayer… Please soften my heart as you make me more aware, Holy Father, of those around me who need your love and grace. Please use me as your person of grace to defend the powerless and serve those in need. Open my eyes to see Jesus in the faces of those in need and bless them as I would my LORD. In the name of my Jesus, my Savior, and Savior of all peoples, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
18 Dec 2025
Let us never forget or get tired of praising God and acknowledging His greatness. His nature and works portray His majesty. May we have testimonies to share with others just like others share with us. May the evidence of His goodness be irrefutable. Psalm 145:1-12.
18 Dec 2025
In our quest to understand who we are, where we are and where we are going, we could easily get overwhelmed. But we are fortunate to have Jehovah on our side. He sees our struggles and knows our infirmities. May He have mercy on us and help us day after day. May we humble ourselves before God and find favour in His sight. Psalm 25:3-9.
17 Dec 2025
There are situations that are beyond our control as human beings, because we are limited. I purpose not to fret because of them. Let us surrender them to the Lord and depend on Him. May His peace be our portion even in those difficult times. And may His will be done. May God cause all things to work together for our good. Psalm 23:4-6.