Luke 2:8-9

Christmas is coming! With it comes Advent – preparing for and celebrating Jesus’ birth. But does that fact get lost by the busy holiday schedule, shopping for the perfect gift, or hosting family gatherings? In the steady rush of the Christmas season, experience new ways to engage with God’s Word, ultimately drawing you closer to Him. Awaken your soul in this 4-day reading plan from Thomas Nelson's Abide Bible Journals.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Looking at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival at Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to be the fulfillment of God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

Every good story has a plot twist—an unexpected moment that changes everything. One of the biggest plot twists in the Bible is the Christmas story. Over the next five days, we’ll explore how this one event changed the world and how it can change your life today.

Our Christmas story starts with the angel’s annunciation to Mary and concludes with the visit of the Magi. In these reflections and applications of the Christmas narrative I will mostly refer to Luke, as his is the fullest of the gospel accounts.