Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Matthew 2:18

In this devotional written from the perspective of Jesus' mother, Mary vulnerably and honestly details the intimate moments of her experience as a mom. In each compelling scene, Mary treasures a small token to remember it by. Little does she know the divine significance each item will play in the ultimate purpose of her son’s role on earth.

Christmas is a time when we should all expect heaven’s entrance into our dusty, dirty worlds. Christmas is a time that reminds us all that miracles really do happen, prayers are actually answered and that heaven is just one response away. Through the experiences of Mary, Joseph, Zecharias and Elizabeth, the shepherd and the wise men, this devotional explores the significance of the first Christmas and how it intersects with each of our lives today.

The shame of barrenness. Diviners. Village obscurity. A child’s naming ceremony. A king’s shocking bloodline. Supernatural dreams. This advent season, fresh African insights illuminate the Bible’s timeless tale. Learn from the continent’s cultures, early theologians, and today’s Christian leaders. Journey through the whole Christmas story, from prophecies about Christ through Matthew, John, and Luke’s nativities. You won’t see the Christmas story the same way again.

What could be better than fully experiencing the holidays with Jesus? Each day of this special plan will help you celebrate Jesus and enjoy the Christmas season as we prepare our hearts for His birthday! Perfect for individuals, couples, families, small groups – or anyone who may feel alone this Christmas. Are you ready to experience Jesus and the holidays like never before?

Rahab and Ruth never expected to be in the lineage of the Son of God. Zechariah was simply showing up for his turn in the temple when an angel showed up too, announcing old Zechariah and old wife would have a baby! Augustus Caesar sent out a decree to tax the world, and ended up fulfilling a prophecy. Yet God was at work in all of these people and situations.

This Advent, join us as we wait with expectancy for the arrival of an extraordinary God. Use these daily reflections to reflect and prepare for the celebration of Christmas. We hope you can claim a little bit of time each day to focus and be inspired during this precious and beautiful time of year.

As we enter the Christmas season, we are all eager to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the point in history where God descended into humanity to bring life to a broken world. Each day leading up to Christmas, we will provide an overview of the biblical significance of a location in Israel, along with a devotional prompt that will connect that location with the life of Jesus in Scripture.

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.

Amidst all the hustling to get stuff done during the Christmas season, we invite you to pause daily and meet 25 Bible Characters (some well-known, some not-so-well-known) that Jesus brought healing to. Just as He has brought healing into the lives of those in the Bible, He is ready to bring healing to you today.

You know, it’s funny. When we read Bible stories, we tend to view the characters as supernatural beings – heroes at the least and almost perfect people close to deities at the most. Neither is probably true. Oh sure, they accomplished heroic deeds and are worthy of admiration, but the truth is they were humans, just like us, with all our foibles and failures, fears, and worries. Maybe it’s time to see them for who they really are and experience what it might have been like to witness firsthand the true Christmas miracle.