The Adventures of Christmas Sample
![The Adventures of Christmas](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F28684%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
December 7th
I don’t know if you realize this, but most people don’t get to have an angel tell them they are pregnant.
Gabriel only appears three times in the Bible. He comes to: the prophet Daniel, the priest Zechariah and the peasant Mary.
So this is a BIG deal! She is essentially told that her baby is going to be the supreme leader of all the land. Considering the Roman rulers of the time and then imagining a day when her son would reclaim the throne of his ancestor, David, it's understandable Mary was probably overwhelmed.
So how does Mary reconcile God’s promise that Jesus will sit on a throne with his first crib being a food box? Bethlehem is only thirty minutes away from Jerusalem. They are close to the throne, close to King Herod’s massive temple, yet so humbly far away.
Do you ever feel far away from Gods promises? Does it ever feel like what God has said will never come true… for you? When we don’t understand God’s promise, we won’t understand God’s plan. God’s promise to Mary was never about Herod’s temple. God’s promise was so much bigger than an earthly throne. God’s promise was so much bigger than what Mary could hope or dream. But the plan wasn’t a path she would have chosen or signed up for. While we get excited about God's promises, we rarely get excited about God’s process and plan.
Christmas reminds us that it’s important to be flexible. It’s important to not judge the manger moments prematurely. Keep your heart open and look for how God is at work in your life.
My family did this for a hurting family one year by dropping off a surprise on their porch every day for twelve days. It mirrored the twelve days of Christmas. My kids loved trying to bless the family without getting caught. Consider doing the same thing for a neighbor.
Scripture
About this Plan
![The Adventures of Christmas](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F28684%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The true intention behind Advent was a way of preparing one’s heart for Christmas. It was a way to create a posture like Simeon: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Luke 2:25). This devotional by Dan Stanford is designed to help us do that.
More
We would like to thank Moody Publishers for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.moodypublishers.com
Related Plans
![Unlikely Fighter](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52030%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Unlikely Fighter
![The Kingdom Driven Author](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52016%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
The Kingdom Driven Author
![Two by Two (S3-E2)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F51952%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Two by Two (S3-E2)
![Biblically Navigating Finances in Uncertain Times](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52015%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Biblically Navigating Finances in Uncertain Times
![Man vs. Fear](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52014%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Man vs. Fear
![Quit Porn, Live Free](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F51902%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Quit Porn, Live Free
![Expect the Unexpected](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F51789%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Expect the Unexpected
![7 Sins That May Hinder God's Plan for You in Your Retirement](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52013%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
7 Sins That May Hinder God's Plan for You in Your Retirement
![Understanding the Sermon on the Mount](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F52028%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Understanding the Sermon on the Mount
![Benaiah: Overcoming Giants With God's Strength](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans%2F51972%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)