Encountering the Light of Christ

Devotional: As we enter the Advent season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, and preparations. But have you paused to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas? Christ’s birth is not just a beautiful story; it’s a transformative encounter with God’s love. Have you personally encountered the light of Christ, or is it just another tale to you? This season, take a moment to truly seek Him. Christ came to reveal God’s bright love, a love that can only be truly seen by looking into the light of Christ. Let this be a time where you make room for Christ in your life, allowing His light to shine brightly and guide you.

Verse: Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.

 Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Mic 5:2.

Question: Have you encountered the light of Christ in your life, or has the busyness of the season dimmed your view?

Prayer: Lord, help me to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Let me encounter Your light and love in a profound way this Advent season. Amen.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Devotional: Are we missing the point of Christmas just like the people in Bethlehem and Jerusalem did? Christ came not merely to give us a beautiful story, but He came for us to encounter the God of the universe. Through Him, we see the bright love of God on display at Christmas. This season, let’s not get lost in the nooks and crannies of our lives, expecting to find fulfillment in things that can never truly satisfy. Instead, let’s look directly into the light of Christ, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. His light reveals the face of God and brings true joy and peace.

Verse: ‘No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.’ – John 1:18

Question: Are you missing the point of Christmas by focusing on the wrong things?

Prayer: Father, help me to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Let me see Your bright love through Jesus and not get distracted by the busyness of the season. Amen.

Seeing the Face of God

Devotional: Have you seen the face of God most dynamically visible by looking into the face of Christ Jesus? Often, we seek fulfillment in intellect, legalism, success, or substances, but these cannot reveal God’s face, only Christ can. This Advent season, make room for Christ in your life. Let His bright love shepherd you, guiding you through life’s difficulties and leading you to encounter God in a profound way. Remember, Jesus came to reveal God to you and me. Let’s not miss this incredible opportunity to see the face of God through Christ.

Verse: ‘For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.’ – Romans 1:20

Question: What is dimming your view and holding you back from seeing and encountering Christ?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see Your face through Jesus. Remove anything that is dimming my view and holding me back from encountering You. Amen.

The Shepherd’s Guidance

Devotional: Jesus came to lead you, guide you, and shepherd you. And the shepherd is good and kind and shines to us sheep so we can see Him, experience Him, and encounter Him. This Advent season, let the bright love of Christ shepherd you through life’s difficulties. He is the Good Shepherd who restores your soul and leads you beside still waters. No matter what you face, He is with you. Trust in His guidance and let His light shine in your life.

Verse: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’ – Psalm 23:1-3

Question: Are you allowing the Good Shepherd to guide you through life’s difficulties?

Prayer: Good Shepherd, lead me and guide me through life’s challenges. Restore my soul and let Your light shine brightly in my life. Amen.

Running the Race with Endurance

Devotional: Think of Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2. It says, ‘Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, the author and perfecter of our faith.’ This Advent season, let’s focus on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For every look at ourselves, let’s take ten looks at Christ. Live near to Jesus, and all things will appear little in comparison with eternal realities. Let His bright love reveal the face of God to you and guide you in running the race with endurance.

Verse: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ – Hebrews 12:1-2

Question: Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus as you run the race of life?

Prayer: Lord, help me to lay aside every hindrance and sin that entangles me. Let me run with endurance, keeping my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen.