The Gift of Jesus: A Five-Day Devotional for the HolidaysSample

Winter days can feel really long, can’t they? The sun takes its time rising in the morning, and before you know it, it’s already setting again. Sometimes it feels like we spend more time in the dark than in the light. And honestly, life can feel that way too — especially during the holiday season.

The holidays can get heavy. The calendar fills up, the to-do list grows longer, and the pressure of expectations piles on quickly. It makes it easy to want to pull back and isolate. It’s tempting to lean on old habits or to reach for quick fixes — like drugs, alcohol, or other distractions — that promise comfort but never truly fill the emptiness inside. It’s easy to lose sight of the beauty of the holidays and the purpose behind them as well.

Take a moment to think about how lights make even the dreariest street feel cheerful; think about how they light up the darkness. That’s just a tiny glimpse of what Jesus does in our hearts. But His presence doesn’t just decorate our lives for a moment or a season. Where there is heaviness, He brings hope. Where there is fear, He brings courage. Where there is sadness, He brings joy that runs deeper than our circumstances. In everything, He is a light for us to follow.

Prayer: Jesus, fill me with Your hope and joy, and help me keep my eyes on You this season.