Today's reading

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” –Matthew 1:23 NKJV

December 17, 2022

Glorious Day

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” –Matthew 1:23 NKJV

It’s December, the most joyful time of the year! Merry Christmas, Deck the Halls, and Noel!Wait—be real. For some, maybe even you this year, instead of celebration, the holidays bring a harsh reminder that someone you love is no longer here, or that your circumstances have not changed despite the hours you’ve spent on your knees. You’ve prayed. You’ve hoped. You’ve trusted. You have believed that it would be better this year. It’s December—expectations are high, so disappointments are magnified. The simple truth is that in some years the holidays bring little joy and a whole lot of heartache.You are not alone. You don’t have to go far into Scripture to realize that God’s people rarely get exactly what they want, when they want it. Look up Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, and Joseph, to name just a few. The human heart aches from unfulfilled promises, rejection, and loneliness, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately, you see such a small part of the big picture.If there is nothing else to make your heart sing this season, there is this: God sent you a Savior! He willingly left the splendor and perfection of Heaven and came willingly, humbly, and quietly—for you.

prayer focuses

Thank God for the gift of His Son, your Savior.

Ask our Lord to help you find joy in Him, even when the celebrations seem empty.

music

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about the

Author

Carol Lewis

Carol loves sharing God's Word with people through study groups and writing.