Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Matthew 1:23

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.

There’s nothing like music to put you in the Christmas spirit! We invite you to center your heart on the birth of Jesus and worship Him during our 25 Songs of Christmas—A Musical Celebration of the Season. Each day, you’ll focus on a Christmas song. As you read the day’s devotion, your heart will be filled with the true joy and peace that Christmas brings.

Advent is a word full of anticipation, preparation, and celebration – the Latin word means “coming” or “to come.” Christ has come as a babe, is coming to each heart that invites Him, and will come again to bring you home. Our 25-day Advent plan includes short daily devotionals based on Scripture and focused on Light, Peace, and Hope. Prepare your heart for Jesus as you prepare to celebrate Christmas!

This devotional is written to be used in the 25 days leading to Christmas. Commonly referred to as “Advent,” meaning “coming,” these readings look at the arrival of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, and anticipate his coming again.

Experience the greatest story ever told, the birth of Jesus, through the lens of the timeless Christmas carol, "O Holy Night." This advent devotional is great for the whole family to read together!

By pointing you toward the hope Christ provides through His coming at Christmas, this devotional is designed to help you unwrap peace instead of anxiety, belonging in place of loneliness, forgiveness over bitterness, kindness rather than judgment and rest from fatigue. Your guides are seasoned pastors and church leaders serving in the midst of the same stressors of life you’re facing. Let’s unwrap something great together this Christmas!

Welcome to the Crosstowne Advent calendar! This community Advent celebration will begin on December 1st daily through Christmas! You will have Scripture readings every day and a fun optional Christmas activity to get the whole family to celebrate the reason for this season. We're excited to remember the hope this season brings through the birth of Jesus!

In this 25-day Advent devotional, we'll look at the story of Christmas, starting with Genesis all the way through Matthew and Luke 1 and 2 and explore what it means that Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us."

There is no better season than Christmas to dwell on the reason for the season. Over the next 25 days, we will look back at some key prophecies relating to the promised Messiah. We will also observe the lives and circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus. Above all, we will see how Jesus makes a difference in our lives both now and forever.

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.