Celebrating the season of Jesus’ birth is a unique time of the year. Maybe it can be a time to set aside some time to reflect on the gift that you have been given by the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior.
It’s a great time to cozy up with some unique Christmas devotionals and spend some time in the Word. Instead of speeding up, why don’t you slow down this Christmas season? Enjoy this list of 10 Christmas devotionals for refreshment and peace.
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As I write this I am sitting in my basement, and it occurs to me that I have been blessed with a very picturesque setting.
Outside Minnesota, winter beast has descended, and the frigid temperatures have declared winter’s cold clutch. I am cozied underneath a fuzzy Christmas blanket my husband gave me our first Christmas together. A steaming cup of coffee with delectable whole cream is quickly disappearing.
Yesterday we hunted for that perfect Christmas tree and it’s glistening lights fill the space with warmth. My Dickens Christmas village’s ambiance rallies with the tree to create dancing lights that meet with the light of roaring woodstove across the room. The white rocking chair I bumped is quietly rocking back and forth in front of the fireplace. Upstairs my baby sleeps. Peaceful. At rest. Innocent.
Now before you think that this first-time mommy lives in some fairy tale land, let’s be clear. It took me an hour to get that sleeping baby back to sleep before I got up at 4:20 a.m. to start my day. That roaring wood stove was a struggle to lite. The dog tried to run away. The coffee pot was only made 3/4ths of a pot. I opened my email and to my dismay, it is filled to the brim. Before I could sit down, I remembered the large bag of cloth diapers upstairs that needed washing.
So, like a good crunchy mama, I spent time spraying poop off diapers, separating covers and inserts, and putting the poopy, smelly mess in the wash. And to be honest, I cracked open my bible, did my devotional, and immediately realized my thoughts were anywhere but soaking in the goodness and healing power of scripture.
Finding Balance During Christmas
Sound familiar? It’s hard to contemplate Advent reflections when our heart is anywhere but Christ Jesus focused.
The setting might be different. The circumstances might be different. But most of us struggle to find balance in our days. Our technology-saturated culture not only rallies for our attention but demands it. Work follows us home in the form of emails, texts, and our own busy minds. Our homes which should be healing, rejuvenating and lifegiving become squashed in a hurry to meet the needs of our outside world.
And Christmas devotionals? Time with God? Time with our King of Kings? Bible reading? It becomes a second priority. A rushed process. Add in the holiday season and it becomes a recipe for neglect.
Christmas Devotional Tradition
One of my favorite traditions looking back at my teen years was doing advent devotionals every holiday. I don’t remember if it was something I took upon myself, or if it was presented to me by my parents. But those quiet times every morning focusing on a fresh Christmas devotional while learning anew about the birth of Christ made an impression on my soul.
To this day it continues to be a tradition I strive for. Each season I set aside whatever Bible reading or study I am doing and find some advent devotionals that will cultivate an appreciation for the ‘true meaning of Christmas,’ I have found this practice helps to make my time with God a priority during the Christmas season.
Christians like to say that the ‘real reason’ for Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. Although that is completely true, I think there is a point we are apt to miss. The birth is just a small portion of a bigger story. The Gospel of Jesus Christ points us to the fact that we need a savior. This world is broken. 2020 has revealed the brokenness of our world more than ever. We need a savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23 says,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 NIV
We have fallen short, but we have been given a solution in the very being of Jesus Christ. You will find new life when you pursue Jesus with all your heart.
What are some Good Christmas Devotionals?
As we usher in the advent season, may I challenge those on the motherhood journey to take time to set aside the contradictions of the Christmas peaceful settings and the daily chaos to press into the goodness of God. Find time to relish Jesus’ gift of salvation he offered to the world. The Son of God came into the world and Christmas. That should shake up our lives during this unique time of year.
Use these Christmas and Advent devotionals as a way to point yourself and your family to the Gospel.
How Can I Have a Quiet Time with God?
Having quiet time with God is a Christian discipline that is not only necessary for growth, but it should be a delight in your heart. Choose a time to meet with God. It may be in the morning before your kids wake up or maybe it is in the evening before bed. Whatever works for you set the time aside to meet with your creator, dive into his Word, and lift up prayers to him.
If you are looking for more resources on quiet times, praying, and growing in your personal devotion time, I encourage you to visit Undoubted Grace. Her resources on devotional, prayer, and prayer journaling are inspiring. You will be blessed by her knowledge and passion for igniting the passion of Christ in your own life. Specifically, her prayer journal and bible reading plans are well worth the investment.
Christmas Devotionals for Refreshment and Peace
These Christmas devotional recommendations are meant to provide busy moms and families with resources to reflect on the Advent message, rejoice in Christ, and enjoy the season. May the Holy Spirit guide you as you choose the best devotional reading for your Christmas season.
Adding a devotional routine to your Christmas season is a great way to dig deeper into God’s gift that was sent at Christmas.
These Christmas devotionals would also make perfect gifts for the loved ones in your life. After all, often the best Christmas gifts are those focused on the true meaning of Christmas (in my opinion!).
Awaiting the Manger: Whispers of Advent in the Old Testament
New for 2023, this devotional dives into the Old Testament and uses the stories that foreshadowed Christ’s coming to illuminate the promise of “God with us”. There are daily readings with reflection questions, prayer, scripture, and a Christmas hymn to inspire worship. You won’t want to miss this beautiful devotional reading!
This is also a great book to do in a small group setting.
Emmanuel – An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always
Emmanual means God with us and in this 25-day devotional Ruth Chou Simons explores this captivating name for God and other names for Jesus. Christmas day is not the end, it’s only the beginning. She also has beautiful scripture readings and illustrations.
The King’s Mission: A Daily Advent Devotional
This daily advent devotional was written by a previous pastor of mine and I have found his writing to be encouraging, challenging, and inspirational during any time of the year. I would also recommend you check out his new book “Man up, Kneel Down.”
From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional
A.W. Tozer continues to be a favorite author and theologian of mine. This advent devotional I went through a couple of years ago and it was a great reminder to point my eyes to the cross every day of Advent. I love that this devotional does not end on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but leads past the typical 25-day devotional.
Behold the Lamb of God
Russ Ramsey tells a gripping tale of the Christmas story in ways you may have never heard before. It’s a lovely addition to your Christmas devotional collection. This is an advent narrative that brings the story to life on ground level.
The Dawning of Indestructible Joy
This is possibly one of my favorite advent devotionals that I have ever read. John Piper knows how to peel back the layers of scriptures to lay bare beautiful biblical truths. These are short daily devotions that are wonderful if you find yourself extra busy this season.
The Light Before Christmas
Best-selling author, Marty Machowski brings this four-week devotional that focuses on light and darkness through the story of eleven-year-old Mia and her grandmother as they prepare for Christmas. Sure to become a family favorite!
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift
This beloved Christmas book will bring your family on a daily advent devotional that will bring the experience of Christmas right into your home. It is one of the best family Christmas devotionals out there. You could even listen to Christmas carols during your reading to make it a unique time of devotionals for your family.
Find more family traditions and family advent calendar ideas here.
The Greatest Gift
A beautiful companion book for Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. In this book, the author unravels in great detail the love that has been coming for you since the beginning of time. This is a timeless book to add to your Christmas devotionals.
Christmas Peace for Busy Moms
I came across this book last year by complete happenstance and it was a Christmas devotional that truly was a blessing. If you are a busy mom, go ahead and grab this, it is very low-priced in the Kindle shop. It will be a blessing.
Come, Let us Adore Him
Paul David Tripp has some simple and quick devotionals during any time of the year, and this one is no different. He points readers to the ‘true meaning’ of Christmas while encouraging them on their unique journey of life.
Christmas Devotionals Christian Resources
Christmas devotionals can be a great resource for personal quiet time and reflection. I have a friend over at Divine Creative Love who really takes her Christmas devotionals to an entirely new level with her beautiful Bible Journaling. But what are some other resources for family tradition and reflection?
One of my new favorite resources for teaching children the real meaning of Christmas through books is over at Ayrn the Librarian. She is a master at coming up with book resources for families. Her resource telling the Christmas story to kids, is beautifully put together!
Follow Their Sunshine also has a stellar list of Christmas books for kids that are just fun and cheerful books to read during the holidays.
May you find peace during this holiday season with these Advent devotionals and Christmas devotionals for the whole family. Merry Christmas friends!
More Christmas Resources from Healing Home
10 Easy Christmas Handprint Craft Ideas
Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags
Self-Care at Christmas
Christmas Hope – Amid Troubling Circumstances
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