Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:34

We hate to admit it, but after years of reading the same story of Christmas, we get a little bored—we lose some of the awe that we had the first time. That's why The Characters of Christmas was written, to give you a fresh look at the Christmas story by getting to know the characters that played a part in Jesus' birth and restore awe to the Christmas story.

Watch this devotional plan to find out what you can do when the Christmas season isn't so happy and merry.

In a world of social media and cable news outlets, we’re often more concerned with our outer image than our inner make up. You can look good on the outside without being good on the inside. If you long to commit yourself to the content of your character, join James Merritt for a look at five traits that form the bedrock of a godly life and a good society.

God cannot be known as we know a machine, an idea, or a tree, which we are able to “objectify.” He is truly known only in relationship. In the contemplative tradition, Richard Rohr describes how we can come to know God through relationship—by joining in a “dance” of holiness and love with the Father, Son, and Spirit—through which we are transformed, pray meaningfully, and serve others in love.

God is inviting you to join him, to participate in his redemptive work in the world. But where do you start? How do you discern calling? How do you know whether you are hearing God’s voice, or just last night’s pizza? What do you do when you experience challenges, criticism, and doubts? This 5-day plan will help you discover and live out your calling with confidence and joy.

Christmas carols fill the air this time of year. From the radio to shopping malls, these joyful tunes remind us of the coming King. In this Abide plan, we meditate on some of the most popular Christmas carols and the truths of Jesus they proclaim.

During the Christmas season, many Christians sing the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," which depicts the longing of the people of God for their Savior. This hope for the Savior is grounded in the Old Testament and its revelation of the Messiah. In this plan, we will look closely at the Old Testament promises about the Messiah and see how Christ perfectly fills that role.

Christmas is a time of joy, hope and love. As we get ready to celebrate, we are going to take a journey to Bethlehem and experience the story of Christmas to prepare our hearts to receive the greatest gift of all - Jesus.

Weariness can steal the joy from our Christmas journey! Let the Nativity refresh your heart as you walk with Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary and the shepherds in preparation to experience Emmanuel this holiday season.

Christmas for many of us is a time of celebration and community, but for others it can be a time of loneliness and pain. This week Jon Owen (Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel, Sydney) reflects on the radical life of Jesus – a life defined by love and a heart for the oppressed and marginalised. There is hope, and we have a part to play.