The Good News of Hope
by Bo Stern Brady

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” — Luke 2:10-12

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” — Les Misérables

There is good news, and then there is GOOD NEWS. It’s the kind that reaches into the dark places and sad spaces of our souls and whispers, “This darkness won’t last forever.” It opens doors into hallways of hope, where we may not see the fullness of promise yet, but we can at least see a path toward it.

That’s what the shepherds experienced on that one holy night in the fields of Bethlehem. They were cold, bone-tired, and probably wondering if anything in their lives would ever change. Then heaven split open, right over their ordinary night. Not because they had prayed the right prayers or arranged their lives perfectly, but because God loved them enough to find them in the dark.

Good news sometimes bursts onto the scene with celebration and confetti cannons. Other times it slips in quietly, whispering possibilities that once felt impossible. But in the darkest seasons of my life, good news has always found me. Jesus’ story of hope has always come for me. It’s rescued me and moved me forward. Sometimes it arrived as a word from a friend, or a moment of unexplained courage. Other times, it showed up as a simple sense that God was nearer than I thought. These little nuggets of good news rarely brought the final resolution I wanted, but they always carried hope. They brought me the steady voice of God, saying with certainty, “Do not be afraid. A Savior has been born for you, too.”

This is what Advent promises us. We don’t have to manufacture hope. We simply receive it. Jesus arrives in our ordinary nights, slips into our weary places, and brings good news meant for all people, including you, right now, exactly as you are.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask God to show you where hope is already breaking into your life, quietly and gently. Pray for the courage to receive it.

Hope or Fear
by Steve Mitchell
Read: Exodus 3:1–12

Advent is about waiting while sustaining a hopeful anticipation. But that waiting can induce complacency, doubt, or even fear. Consider Moses’ story.

Beginning with his unusual birth and royal upbringing, he endured decades of turmoil, including court intrigue, impulsive violence, and a flight into the wilderness. But he had finally carved out a quiet, predictable life. Moses had a family of his own. He had work to do, paced by the reliable rhythms of tending sheep. That stability must have felt like a gift, perhaps one he had been longing for as a respite from his disappointments and fears.

Then, without warning, everything blew up. A burning bush. A voice calling his name. A divine assignment he clearly didn’t want. What must that have stirred in him? Confusion? Fear? Disbelief? Moses was aware of his weaknesses, and he knew Egypt’s power. Fear was a familiar companion.

“Who am I to do this thing? What if they don’t listen? I’m not a good speaker.”

Yet something deeper was happening. Moses was not spiritually unformed. He carried within him the stories of his ancestors. He had heard of Abraham stepping out into the unknown, Jacob wrestling until dawn, Joseph trusting God through betrayal and prison. Even during the wilderness years, Moses had lived under the God of Israel’s watchful eye. Prayers, promises, and providence had been quietly shaping him.

So when God called from the fire, something long dormant in Moses awakened. A covenant hope. He still protested. He still trembled. But he listened. He removed his sandals. He encountered God and learned His name. And as God promised His presence, Moses took the first hopeful, obedient steps. 

Not perfectly. He wasn’t superhuman. He met God’s call with fear, reluctance, and honest questions. Yet when God revealed Himself, something deeper than fear came alive in Moses. Hope and faith began to take root.

If someone as conflicted as Moses could embrace a murky future despite his confusion and fear, perhaps the same is possible for us.

For Prayer and Reflection
Talk with Jesus about what you dare to hope for this Advent. Name the disappointments or fears that live alongside that hope.

When Hope Extends Beyond Us
by Mark Nicklas
Read: Matthew 2:9-11

Imagine the daily life Mary and Joseph knew after the birth of Jesus. Settled among modest routines, they had learned to rely on God through each challenge. Suddenly, strangers from a distant land arrived at their home, following a sign—a star that led them straight to Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.

It was just an ordinary day, but it was life-altering with the arrival of these unexpected visitors. Their presence alone was extraordinary: foreigners affirming heaven’s promise from afar. As the magi knelt in worship and offered gifts of immense value, Mary and Joseph must have realized that God’s plan was bigger than their own needs or struggles. Their hope—and now the world’s hope—was being affirmed in ways they never imagined.

The treasures the magi brought were more than symbols of honor; they were provisions for what came next—a journey across borders and into uncertainty. While Mary and Joseph had already risked everything in trust, now God’s faithfulness was evident through others, confirming that they were never alone in their hope.

Like Mary, Joseph, and the magi, we are called to entrust ourselves—routines, fears, and even our longings—to the God who keeps promises. Sometimes hope is personal, and sometimes it extends, through us or others, to places far beyond what we can see. Even in uncertainty, God shows up, providing for needs and confirming hopes in ways only He can orchestrate.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask God to show you who in your world might need hope today. Pray He would use you to bring joy or encouragement, and thank Him for how He provides, sometimes from unexpected directions, and always in ways that reveal His care for you and for others.

Hope After the Brokenness
by Andy Sloan
Read: Revelation 21:4-5

How can we hold onto hope when the world around us seems broken and filled with pain?

Hope is not the naïve and blind expectation of a perfect future; it’s the honest recognition of the struggle we are entangled with today. Hope doesn’t ignore the reality of our current pain but looks beyond it to something greater.

As followers of Jesus and His teachings, we often confuse the word hope with wishful thinking. When we hope for something, we usually have no control over whether it will happen. But hope is much deeper than mere desire or uncertainty. Hope is a confident expectation, grounded in trust in a faithful God. Because God has never failed us in the past, we can be assured that whatever He promises for the future will come to pass.

Hope is not flimsy or fleeting; it is steadfast and enduring.

In a world where peace seems distant, where faith feels weak, and where love is often distorted, we are called to cling to the hope found in the birth of this child. Though His arrival was unexpected, His presence is the answer to the deepest longings of our hearts. This child, Jesus, will one day save us all.

This hope is found in Jesus, and Jesus alone—and it is the hope that one day, each one of us will see Him face to face. We will finally see the fullness of life as it was intended: free from the pain of this world and fully alive in the presence of the One who made us.

Hope is the courage to look straight at the ache and still whisper, “God is here.”

For Prayer and Reflection
Talk with Jesus about what you dare to hope for this Advent, and what fears flicker near that hope.

Hope in the Middle
by Casey Parnell

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him…” — Psalm 43:5

Sometimes the psalms feel a little… ADHD. The writers jump from despair to confidence, from questions to pep talks, almost like a parent hyping up the team before a Friday night football game. But honestly, that’s what real life feels like — emotional whiplash, mixed themes, highs and lows all tangled together.

In Psalm 43:5, the writer asks a question most of us recognize: “What is going on inside me? Why do I feel off? Why does my soul feel unsettled?”

It’s emotional and spiritual honesty, an awareness that our inner world doesn’t always line up with what we want it to be. 

Then, in the very next breath, the psalmist shifts, “Put your hope in God…” It’s abrupt, almost jarring. But it’s also deeply human. Faith is rarely a straight line. It’s a conversation between what we feel and what we know to be true.

I’ve found in my own life that hope is easiest at the beginning of something, before anything has gone wrong. And hope at the end is clearer too, when you can finally see how God was weaving everything together.

But hope in the middle of the story? That’s the hard part. That’s where things feel dark, confusing, and disappointing. That’s where grit is required. And yet, that’s often where God does His deepest work. In the messy middle. The place where hope must be chosen, not simply felt.

For Prayer and Reflection
If you were to write your own psalm today, how would it read? What questions or emotions would you bring? Being honest about your story doesn’t threaten God. He meets you right where you are. Even in the middle.

Speak of Hope
by Russell Joyce
Read: Luke 1:5-25

The Bible describes Zechariah and Elizabeth as righteous before God. They had trusted the Lord and walked in his ways for a long time. They were also barren and well along in years, having endured the personal pain and social stigma of childlessness for just as long.

Their story illustrates how all of us, even the most righteous, need healing.

As their story unfolds, though, a remarkable scene takes place. The angel Gabriel appears and announces the reversal of Zecheriah’s fortunes. He and Elizabeth will have a child! Healing has come to this family at last. But, as righteous and faithful as Zechariah has been, in this moment, he struggles to trust God’s promise and power.

Meaning even the most righteous, the Zechariahs and Elizabeths among us, can lose hope.

But at Christmas, we hear of a God who restores both. He announces healing to our lives and renews our hope by revealing his miraculous power. However, like Zechariah, we may have to go quiet for a while and watch God work.

Christmas declares we will see the fullness of Heaven, with all of God’s healing and hope, come into the world in the form of a child. And when we do, our mouths will open and, along with Zechariah, we will declare the saving mercy of our living and healing God!

For Prayer and Reflection
What in your life needs healing? Where have you lost hope? Offer these places to Jesus today.

Anchored Hope
by Krissy Hires
Read: Luke 1

We don’t know many details about Mary, but we do know she lived in Nazareth, was very young, probably around fifteen, and was engaged to Joseph. Based on the historical context, we can imagine that her life was simple, rooted in home, village, and obedience to the Torah. Like most young women of her time, she would have been preparing for marriage, the central focus of a woman’s life in that culture.

Mary would have repeatedly heard the Scriptures and known the prophecies about a coming Messiah. Still, she could never have imagined that she would be the virgin who would give birth to the Savior.

Everything changed when the angel appeared and told her she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear the Messiah. In that moment, her ordinary life became extraordinary. Yet her response was remarkable: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Her hope wasn’t superficial. It was rooted in deep trust in God. Hebrews 6:19 says we “have this hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure,” and Mary lived that truth. She anchored her life to God’s promise and trusted Him even when His plan was far beyond her understanding.

We can anchor ourselves to God in the same way. When life feels uncertain, confusing, or frightening, God’s promises can steady our hearts just as they did Mary’s.

For Prayer and Reflection
Take a moment to thank God for His promises and ask Him to renew your hope in Him.

A Kingdom of Peace
by Bo Stern Brady

“And His name shall be called… Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” —Frederick Buechner

Every kingdom reflects the character of its ruler. Some kings lead with fear, others with force. But Isaiah gives us a beautifully tender title for the One who would come to rule the world: Prince of Peace. Not Prince of Power. Not Prince of Punishment. Prince of Peace.

A prince carries authority, lineage, and the right to reign. And a prince has a domain, a territory that flourishes under his leadership. That’s who Jesus is for us. We live within the borders of His good Kingdom, where peace isn’t fragile or situational, but woven into the very atmosphere. Peace is the culture of His reign.

But if I’m honest, I don’t always feel like a citizen of peace. I sometimes feel like a citizen of anxiety, hustling to manage outcomes and brace for the next hard thing. Yet, Advent reminds me that peace isn’t something I achieve. It’s something I belong to.

Peace is the King I follow, not the mood I manufacture.

Some of the most transformative moments of my life came when I simply remembered who my ruler is. When I slowed down enough to recognize that Jesus is not panicked, not in a hurry, not pacing heaven’s hallways, wondering how my story will turn out. His reign is steady. His kingdom is safe. And I am at home within it.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to steady the places inside you that feel anxious or chaotic. Pray to live today as a citizen of His peaceful kingdom.

Hidden Peace 
by Elijah Hamilton
Read: Matthew 6:6

We live in a world that celebrates being seen. Influence, recognition, and visibility have become the markers of success. Yet the life of Jesus invites us into something far deeper. For most of His earthly life, He lived quietly—hidden, yet wholly known by the Father. His hiddenness wasn’t about fear or insignificance; it was about intimacy and preparation.

In our culture, being unseen can feel uncomfortable, even wrong. We often equate visibility with value. But Jesus reminds us that there is beauty and holiness in the hidden place. In Matthew 6, just before giving us the Lord’s Prayer, He says:

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

Jesus teaches that the reward of the hidden life is not the applause of others, but the quiet joy of communion with the Father. This is the kind of peace the world cannot give—the peace that comes from simply being with Him.

As we enter this Advent season, may we embrace the sacred rhythm of waiting and the gift of being hidden in Christ. May you find rest in His presence and renewal in His peace. The Prince of Peace sees you, loves you, and meets you right where you are.

For Prayer and Reflection
May His presence be your reward this Advent and His peace your constant companion.

Calm Amidst the Storms
by Corey Parnell
Read: Hebrews 6:13-20

Life can often feel like an unpredictable ocean. Some days arrive calm and bright. Work is meaningful, relationships are peaceful, and our spiritual life feels vibrant and connected. On days like these, the sea around us is glassy, still, and peaceful. Gratitude feels almost effortless.

Other days are far different. The winds pick up. The current grows strong. The future feels hazy, and our emotions shift like the tide. On those days, we need something stronger than our own resolve to hold us steady.

Hebrews 6 reminds us that our hope in Jesus is that strong and steady thing. Scripture calls it an anchor for the soul, a promise that does not drift with circumstance and does not weaken with time. The Gospel secures us in a way nothing earthly ever could.

Because of Jesus, we can face storms with a quiet, peaceful courage and even a deep, abiding joy. We can do this because our lives are held by something far more trustworthy than our shifting circumstances. This anchor is not our strength of character, our moral track record, our physical health, or the size of our bank accounts. These are the things the world leans on for security — a calm sense of wholeness — but they rise and fall like waves. As followers of The Way, our hope rests in Christ alone, the One who holds the future in His steady and capable hands.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask God to reveal one anchor you have been relying on for peace or stability. What have you placed your hope in besides Him? Sit quietly with that question, and then pray for God to draw your heart back to Jesus, your unchanging Savior.

The Gift of Peace
by Anita Mitchell

Peace is one of God’s most tender and powerful gifts. It is not fragile, temporary, or easily shaken. Instead, His peace protects, stabilizes, and strengthens our heart, soul, and spirit. Like a steady river that never runs dry, it continually pours into us, quietly filling every empty place, calming every storm, and reinforcing every weak area.

God’s peace brings boldness when we feel uncertain and clarity when the next step seems complicated. It stands guard against fear and anxiety, changing the very atmosphere around us. Where fear brings chaos, His peace brings calm. Where anxiety pulls us apart, His peace makes us whole.

God’s peace grants mental, emotional, and spiritual steadiness. It helps us think clearly, choose wisely, and respond with faith instead of panic. Scripture characterizes it as a supernatural guard, a divine armor that surrounds the mind and heart. It anchors us when life shakes, and it breathes hope into places that feel fragile.

Peace flows when we draw near to the Lord and listen to His heartbeat. But there are three keys we need to keep in mind. Humility opens the door. Submission softens the spirit. And a sincere connection with God makes room for His presence to flood in.

When we trust His covering and yield our fears, His peace settles like a holy calm over our souls. It strengthens us from the inside out in ways we could never produce on our own.

For Prayer and Reflection
What fears do you need to let go of? How might you humble yourself before God with a soft, submitted spirit? Ask Jesus to lead you into the deep connection that offers peace.

Shifting into Peace
by Cassandra Dieterich
Read: Luke 2:8-15

As we put ourselves in the shoes of the shepherds, the first ones to hear of the good news of Jesus’ birth, we see mixed emotions that overcome them as they hear from an angel in their very own field.

As soon as the angels come down, it says the shepherds were “terrified”, and for good reason! But as they are hearing the good news of Jesus’ birth, we see this shift to a peace that comes upon them; otherwise, I think they would have run away. The peace the angels announce is so compelling that the shepherds immediately go and seek this Messiah, to see if it all could be true.

Let’s reflect on the story of the shepherds. In our own lives, when have we been terrified? Where have we seen the intersection of God’s plan with our lives? And how did that compel us to move? Maybe it wasn’t a host of angels in a field, but most of us have experienced moments that should have brought fear, unease, or questions. Instead, Jesus has met us with peace.

For Prayer and Reflection
Talk with Jesus about where you have seen His peace in your life, and if this is something you are currently asking for, bring those prayers to him. No matter the circumstances, he will exchange it for peace.

The Power of God’s Peace
by Russell Joyce
Read: Philippians 4:6-7

Paul says that in prayer, the peace of God will transcend our understanding. Other translations say “surpass” or “exceed.” Interestingly, the Greek word translated here is much more physical and even violent. It literally means “to be stronger than” or overpower.

That is strange for us in the West. In our understanding, peace means the absence of violence, chaos, or strife. It is the removal of something strong that brings peace: the kids are asleep, so now I have peace … war is over, now there is peace … I’m on vacation, now I have peace and quiet.

For us, violence, chaos, and anxiety are stronger forces, and only when they are removed will peace emerge, like an animal coming up from the ground checking to make sure it’s safe to show itself.

But the Bible paints the opposite picture! Peace is not the absence of violence or chaos. Peace is the overpowering presence of God that brings the flourishing of His shalom! When God arrives, violence is displaced; when God arrives, anxiety and fear are pushed out. Chaos is much, much weaker than the powerful presence of God. Read Paul again with this in mind:

“Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything with prayer and supplication make your requests known to God, and the peace of God which overpowers your understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”

At Christmas, when we say that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, we’re saying that in the Christ child, God is pushing out the anxiety and fear of the world. Make way! At Christmas, God is revealed as stronger than anxiety, and his Son, the babe resting in Mary’s arms, will overpower every attempt to keep us lost in the confusion of a dying world.

Be at peace, my friends, and pray. For God’s presence is stronger than your wisdom, and when you recognize this, then you, too, can sleep in peace, just like God’s Prince.

For Prayer and Reflection
What things are you anxious about today, and how can you offer them to Jesus, receiving his peaceful love and assurance in your hearts of his sovereign power?

Courageous Peace
by Jamie Robison

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son…and he will save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:20–21

During Christmas, we embrace the wonder of starry nights, tiptoeing mornings, and carol singing by candlelight. All the while, we toss and turn in our circumstances, praying for answers, for understanding, and maybe even for peace.

Rarely do we contemplate Joseph’s quiet and courageous part in the Christmas story. He stood at the center of an unfolding scandal, learning his betrothed carried a baby that was not his own. Everything in his world would have told him to walk away quietly. His reputation, his future, his family’s cultural expectations—none of it made sense anymore.

Finding peace in his situation certainly would not have come from Joseph’s understanding of it.

Before he walked away, he waited; and in that space of confusion and disappointment, God’s voice met Joseph in a dream that surely both startled and steadied him. The voice of the Lord revealed that Mary and Joseph’s story wouldn’t ultimately carry shame. It would bring forth salvation. And while God didn’t remove the complexity of Joseph’s situation, His presence reframed it.

This Advent, we remember that peace is not the absence of heartache or confusion. It’s the presence of God in the middle of it. Like Joseph, we may find ourselves in seasons that feel messy, countercultural, misunderstood, or heavy with unanswered questions. Yet the same God who whispered, “Do not be afraid,” still speaks peace over us today.

For Prayer and Reflection
May we lean into His voice, even when the path is unexpected. And may His peace, deeper than understanding, settle into our hearts this season.

Seriously Joyful
by Bo Stern Brady

“God has anointed You with the oil of joy more than any of Your companions.” — Hebrews 1:9 (referring to Jesus)

“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” — C.S. Lewis

Somewhere along the way, many of us took up the picture of an angry, perpetually disappointed God: crabby, clenched-jawed, arms folded. But that image is wrong. Dead wrong. The Bible describes Jesus as the most joy-soaked person in every room He entered. The happiest among His companions. The most alive. The most full of delight.

Jesus loved people. He loved children who climbed into His lap and told Him their wild stories. He loved parties: wedding feasts, dinner tables, and crowded rooms fragrant with food and laughter. And the very first miracle He ever chose to do wasn’t calming a storm or raising the dead. It was keeping a celebration going. That tells us something about His heart.

Jesus didn’t embody joy as a performance. He lived joy because He is joy. And He lived it in front of us so we would know it’s possible, even in a world that can feel sad, mad, unfair, and heavy all too often.

And here’s the part that gets me every time: as He neared the Cross, with suffering looming, He prayed that the Father would give us the very joy that lived inside Him. Not a lesser version. Not a diluted copy. His joy.

Such good news.

Advent reminds us that joy is not naïveté or denial. It’s connection with the One who carries unshakable joy in Himself and shares it freely with His people. Including you.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask Jesus to place His own joy within you today. Pray to experience joy not as a mood, but as His presence alive in you.

Room for Joy
by Shanon Hladek
Luke 2:8-20

In 1917, Isaac Watts penned the famous words:

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.

It’s a dark night on the hillside, and the shepherds are protecting their sheep from any harm. But these aren’t just any sheep; they would be used for temple sacrifices and have been set apart for the cleansing of sin, for the atonement of the people. Being a shepherd was not a position of honor, yet God chose to reveal the King of the universe to these faithful servants.

When the angels appeared in their glory, they said, “Fear not!” immediately silencing the enemy of fear and unworthiness by replacing it with news of great joy. In the darkest of nights, the light of Christ came to earth. Jesus enters, bringing light and joy to even the darkest of places in our lives if we will welcome Him in. Joy isn’t found in our circumstances… for the joy of the Lord is our strength.

The shepherds rushed to find the baby that the angels spoke of. They didn’t hesitate to enter the presence of the Savior, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Once they encountered Him, their lives were changed. The birth of the Savior truly brought great joy to all people as they spread the word about the new King.

When we prepare a place for Christ to enter our hearts, He changes us. In His presence, we exchange our fear for joy.

For Prayer and Reflection
Prayerfully consider how you can prepare room for Jesus to move in your life this Christmas.

Draw Near to Joy
by Missy Barnes

From the very beginning, while Jesus was still being formed in Mary’s womb, His presence was already bringing joy and good news to others. In Luke 1, beginning in verse 39, Mary goes to visit Elizabeth only days after hearing the angel’s announcement. She barely steps through the doorway when the child in Elizabeth’s womb, John the Baptist, leaps with joy. In that same moment, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful greeting, all because Jesus had drawn near.

Later in Luke 2, angels appear to a group of shepherds, proclaiming good news of great joy for all people. Their joy and anticipation are so strong that they hurry to Bethlehem to see this child. They aren’t simply captivated by a newborn, though that alone can stir delight, but they recognize that this baby carries the hope of the whole world. Their joy naturally becomes a testimony as they tell everyone in the village what they have seen.

A little further into the chapter, when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, they meet Simeon. He has waited faithfully for the promised Messiah, and the moment he holds Jesus, he praises God for fulfilling His word. Just then, Anna the prophet approaches, and she cannot help but lift her voice in praise. She tells everyone nearby that this child is the One they have been longing for.

From the moment of His conception, Jesus has been a source of joy, hope, and fulfilled promise. I sometimes forget how enormous this truth is. I follow Jesus, yet in the busyness of life, I often overlook the quiet moments where His joy is present to all and His promises are still unfolding.

For Prayer and Reflection
Who in your life needs a touch of joy today? Lift them up in prayer right now. Where might you pause to thank God for what He has done? How could you share even the small moments of joy with those around you?

The Joy of Salvation
by Debi Mills
Read: Luke 1:5-23; 1:57-66

Few stories in the Bible describe such painful waiting as the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. They were “very old” and had never been able to have children. And yet, they lived righteously before God, probably having let go of the hope of a child and accepting that this was their story.

Did they have joy in their lives? Likely so. “Living righteously” before God did not include anger or bitterness about their circumstances. Their joy flowed from their faithful devotion to the Lord, and He sustained them. But God had a different plan. Something they could never have imagined. We see this from Zechariah’s reaction in verse 18 when the angel told him they would have a child.

God planned to give them a son who would herald the coming of the Messiah, preparing people’s hearts to believe in Jesus. Their long season of waiting had a purpose far greater than simply granting them a child. Their story became intertwined in a profound way with the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. And so, we witness incredible joy at the birth of John! We see that God’s ways are for the greater good of all humankind, a plan designed to bring the “joy of His salvation” to everyone who believes. And these two humble families were invited to be part of it.

For Prayer and Reflection
Where do you need the “joy of His salvation” to encourage your heart? Ask Jesus to fill you with His joy today.

Awaiting Joy
by Jenna Anderson
Read: Luke 1:26-38

Oh, sweet Mary, newly engaged and filled with giddy dreams. What a life her new marriage would bring. And then the angel bursts on the scene. Gabriel proclaims news of favor and extends a wild invitation. Mary was chosen to receive a miracle that would require deep courage and strength.

The juvenile tale she had penned for her future collided with the big, beautiful Story of God. What a wonder that this humble servant turned out to be the Mama of Jesus, Hope of the world. Mary responds in humility and gut-level trust. And then….she waited.

And waited. And watched as her belly grew. With every discomfort and tiny kick, Hope whispered to hang on. Mary surely faced fear and uncertainty along the way. But even more, she chose to worship and recount the ways and works of her God. His faithfulness before fueled her faith for what lay ahead. In that, there was joy. That joy and hope are at the ready for us, too.

For Prayer and Reflection
Ask Jesus how you can access His miraculous joy even in your waiting today.

Explosive Joy
by Russell Joyce
Read: Luke 2:10

I recently learned of a long-standing Christmas tradition practiced among German Christians. In it, the parents set up the Christmas tree, decorating it, wrapping presents, and making it absolutely beautiful. But the difference is that the room with the tree is entirely off limits to the children until Christmas Eve. The parents lock the door, even putting paper over the keyhole and under the doorframe so the children can’t peek. Then on Christmas Eve, after church service, they all go home to a bountiful, delicious feast, and with the anticipation thoroughly baked, they open the door and the children cast their eyes on their decorated, lit Christmas tree and all the presents for the very first time!

My German friends tell me the joy is explosive.

Though I’m not sure I, as an American, have enough patience for a tradition like this, there is something very biblical about this practice.

Humanity has been waiting for salvation and the arrival of the Messiah for so long with no sign of his light. And then, all at once, angels! Multitudes of angels! All in festal clothing, with song and trumpet and majesty declaring a report of exceedingly overwhelming joy that is for all people! The Messiah is revealed!

Like opening the door in the darkness of winter and having lights and tinsel, decorations, and presents overwhelm your senses, sparking a joy so great you can’t control it, this is the message of Christmas.

God has come. The Messiah is revealed. The Light has dawned. And this is incredible news for all people.

For Prayer and Reflection
Give thanks to God today for the presence of his gracious love in the midst of the darkest places in your life.

Preparing for Joy
by Brent Mills
Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Few details are known about the Magi, the “wisemen” or “kings” from the East, but they are among the few who experience the joy of meeting Jesus in person. God placed a miraculous, glorious star in the sky, but it was their response that allowed them to be witnesses to Jesus.

The Magi clearly showed patience, as many believe it was around two years from the time the star first appeared until they traveled to Israel to see Jesus. They eventually got to see the King they were seeking, but their visit with the Son of God did not come quickly.

They also demonstrated perseverance, not only in their travel, but also while enlisting King Herod to help them. It would not have been simple for a Gentile to travel through first-century Israel, and yet they were not dissuaded by the distance or cultural obstacles. They had faith that Jesus was the true King, and spending time with Him was worth the effort.

Most of all, they came prepared. These Magi brought gifts on their journey (the Bible calls them treasures). They made plans before they left home, and when they arrived in the presence of Jesus, they offered extravagant gifts of worship to Him.

For Prayer and Reflection
Consider telling Jesus how much joy it brings you to be in His presence today, and let the Holy Spirit guide you into more extravagant worship!