Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Matthew 1:23

Christmas has become quite the event in this country--much of it having nothing to do with the Savior whose birth we celebrate. Here are some short readings that may help us all get back to the "Reason for the Season."

We live restless lives. We rush from place to place to take on the thousands of concerns thrown at us daily on top of our struggles. This 5-day devotional is an invitation to calm your spirit and turn your gaze towards God. You can find peace and identity — more fullness in your life. You can know without a doubt that God delights in you. You are His beloved.

As you rediscover Christmas in these devotions, you will find your heart opening to the wider field of God’s Love, empowering you to participate in the new Creation Story launched at Christmas and extending far beyond the Christmas season.

The Christmas season serves as a time to remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Usually, when our calendar flips to December, our first reaction is to start listening to our favorite classic Christmas carols. But have any of us stopped to think about the depth of the lyrics that we’ve been singing every year since we were little? Join us as we adventure through “Melodies of Hope,” a series of Christmas carols that dive deep into the scriptures that inspired them.

Celebrating Christmas is a tradition many of us look forward to all year. We play music, decorate trees, and throw parties all through December. This Advent reading plan aims to help in those celebrations by exploring the themes of the Christmas story. This plan can be read with friends or as a family (kids too!). Use the “Application Questions” for groups to center the conversation on Jesus. And, for families, use “Next Steps”, to find creative ways to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

This Advent season, anticipate the celebration of Christmas with oral Bible stories. Listen to a story based on Scripture, reflect on its themes and journal with the Lord. May you be encouraged as you prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of our King Jesus!

This Advent, spend time in the opening verses of John’s Gospel reflecting on what these verses reveal to us about who Jesus is.

This five-day plan explores various angelic encounters that announced the arrival of the Messiah. We’ll consider Zechariah's doubt, Mary's humility, Joseph's obedience, and the shepherds' exuberance. Angels should not be worshiped, but they model true worship when they sing, “Glory to God in the highest!” This Christmas, marvel with the angels at the Savior born in the city of David who is Christ the Lord.

Does thriving through the holidays feel impossible? If the Christmas season has you feeling overwhelmed, lonely, and fighting for joy, there’s hope for you, Military Wife. Grab a cup of something warm and join us as we celebrate the season's most powerful source of joy: Jesus Christ. Discover the unexpected, simple, and extraordinary ways to thrive through the holidays!

This five-day devotional, “’Tis the Season to Be Looking,” invites us to reflect on the hope and promises fulfilled in Jesus. Each day highlights God’s faithfulness, His abiding presence, the anticipation of Christ’s return, our call to readiness, and the joy He brings to a weary world.