12.21 Sermon Devotionals
Let’s take some time to reflect on this Christmas season!
Tuesday, December 23rd
Day 1: The Heart of Worship
Reading: Genesis 4:1-7; Hebrews 11:4
Devotional: From the very beginning, God established that He alone determines what worship is acceptable. Cain and Abel both brought offerings, but only Abel's was accepted, not because of the gift itself, but because of the heart behind it. God doesn't need our religious acts; He desires hearts fully surrendered to Him. This Christmas season, examine your worship. Are you going through the motions, or is your heart truly engaged? Like Abel, bring your best not out of obligation, but from genuine love and faith. God sees beyond our external actions into the depths of our hearts. True worship begins when we acknowledge that He alone is worthy and respond accordingly.
______________________
Wednesday, December 24th
Day 2: No Other Gods
Reading: Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Devotional: God's first commandment reveals His heart: "You shall have no other gods before me." He's not being controlling, He's protecting us from the emptiness of false worship. During Christmas, we're bombarded with competing affections: materialism, family traditions, comfort, and entertainment. These aren't necessarily bad things, but when they take God's rightful place, they become idols. God is jealous for our worship because He knows nothing else can truly satisfy our souls. What are you tempted to worship this season? Your schedule? Your reputation? Financial security? God invites you to tear down these false gods and serve Him alone. Only then will you experience the blessing and peace He promises.
______________________
Thursday, December 25th
Day 3: The Holy Child
Reading: Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25
Devotional: The virgin birth isn't just a miraculous detail, it's essential to our salvation. Every human born of man's seed inherits a sin nature, making us unworthy of worship and incapable of saving ourselves. But Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born holy and sinless. This baby was different. He was fully God and fully man, the only person in history worthy of our worship. Mary and Joseph's obedience to God's plan, despite the social shame and confusion, demonstrates faith in action. This Christmas, don't just admire the nativity scene, recognize who this child truly is. Emmanuel means "God with us." The Creator entered His creation to rescue us. That truth demands a response.
______________________
Friday, December 26th
Day 4: Two Responses to Jesus
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Devotional: When Jesus was born, two responses emerged: Herod's and the wise men's. Herod claimed he wanted to worship Jesus, but his heart was filled with hatred and fear. He saw Jesus as a threat to his kingdom, his comfort, his control. The wise men, however, traveled thousands of miles over years to worship a toddler. They brought costly gifts and fell on their faces in genuine adoration. Which response is yours? It's easy to say "Jesus is the reason for the season" while our hearts remain far from Him. True worship isn't accidental, it's intentional, costly, and flows from a heart that recognizes Jesus's worth. This Christmas, examine your heart. Are you like Herod, giving lip service while protecting your own kingdom? Or like the wise men, willing to sacrifice everything to worship the King?
______________________
Saturday, December 27th
Day 5: Acceptable Worship
Reading: John 4:19-24; Romans 12:1-2
Devotional: Jesus told the woman at the well that true worshipers worship in spirit and truth. Worship isn't confined to a building, a song, or a season, it's a lifestyle of surrender. The wise men worshiped without music, without a temple, without religious formality. They simply recognized who Jesus was and responded accordingly. Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, this is our spiritual act of worship. What does that look like this Christmas? It means choosing Jesus over the idols competing for your attention. It means letting truth transform your heart from the inside out. It means falling on your face in genuine adoration, not because you have to, but because He's worthy. Don't just acknowledge Jesus this Christmas, worship Him with your whole life.