Holidays With Jesus: ChristmasSample

I absolutely LOVE Christmas! It’s my favorite time of the year. And I love and adore Jesus! He is my absolute Best Friend.

It wasn’t always like this.

After experiencing my 22 year-old sister’s death on Thanksgiving Day, my grandmother’s death a few days before Christmas, my boyfriend’s death over Christmas break, three other family member’s deaths on major holidays, and multiple other grief experiences, I wasn’t the cheeriest elf on the block.

I found God in the midst of my great heartache and pain – and it made ALL the difference in how I viewed and experienced holidays.

I found true peace.

I found genuine joy.

I found the most extravagant Love.

I found true life!

I’ve never been the same since.

Growing up, Christmas was an incredible time of year! My mom did (and still does) holidays better than anyone I know. She decorates, bakes, makes candy, plans fun activities, and has always made Christmas the most magical time of the year.

Most importantly, she always taught us the true Reason for the season...Jesus!

In addition to all of the fun festivities – when we look past all of the decorations, tinsel, carols, candy, and garland – we find the true treasure and miracle of Christmas. And the treasure and miracle can be found, no matter life's circumstances.

Regardless of what you are currently going through, whether your life is joy-filled or not, are you ready to experience the most meaningful Christmas season with Jesus?

This reading plan will guide you each step of the way to fully experience the best Friend, and most extravagant friendship, you’ll ever find.

Each day will help you experience the true joy of the season...and will allow you to find the amazing heart and treasure of Jesus Christ! Each day will have a fun or meaningful activity you can do with Jesus, too.

Let’s prepare our hearts to experience Christmas like never before!

Prayer: “Dear Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You so much for giving us the greatest gift: Your beautiful Son! Father, we want to thank You for all of the good – and also the bad – that is currently in our life. Right now, we choose to leave it all – the joys, heartaches, our relationships, jobs and finances, our hopes, dreams, schedule, and this Christmas season...everything – in Your more than capable hands! Father, please prepare our heart for this Christmas season with You. We truly want to find Your precious heart! There is no one else we’d rather spend the holidays with each and every day. We ask You to show us truths, Your extravagant love, Your loving kindness, and we ask You to bless our heart richly as we walk with You through this most special Christmas season. We love you, Lord, and ask all of this in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!”

Activity: decorate a Christmas tree. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy, it just needs to be special for Jesus and you. Each night throughout this reading plan, light your Christmas tree, play some soft Christmas music or praise music, and snuggle up to Jesus. Share your heart with Him as you talk about your day and life. Ask Jesus to meet you by the tree each evening so you can daily unwrap the best gift of the season — the miracle of Christ, His love, and His beautiful heart!

This devotional © 2018 by Kim Niles/Grief Bites. All rights reserved. Used by permission.