Daily Dose For December 26

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 44:24-45:25, Proverbs 22:1-16

In five days, you will be half-way through our two-year journey to read the Bible in its entirety. That is an accomplishment most Christian have not done, so well done! A 2016 LifeWay Research study found 1 in 5 Americans said they had read all of the Bible at least once. However, more than half said they have read little or none of it. So, keep it up. You're almost there!

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: 'God with us.'  John F. MacArthur

Thank you, Lord, for the signs that confirm you are indeed sovereign and your kingdom will always prevail. May these signs encourage us to persevere in working toward justice for all who have reason to question its possibility in this world. Amen. (commonprayer.net)

Daily Dose For December 25

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 44:1-23, Proverbs 21

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” - 2 Corinthians 9:15

Emmanuel means “God with us.” It’s a word we sing about at Christmastime, but for believers, it’s a loving reminder that He remains “with us” always. 

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: 'God with us.' John F. MacArthur

Father, Today we are taking the time to prayerfully thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas. May we remember Christ in a special way throughout the day. You love us so much, God, that You made a way for us to be close to You, and eventually with You in heaven, forever. And that way …is Jesus. It’s hard to understand Your great love for us, but that will not stop us from being grateful for it each and every day. Thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 24

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 42-43, Proverbs 20

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:10-11

The wise men studied and followed the star that led them to Jesus. Along the way, they encounter King Herod, who told them to report the child’s location back to him. Warned in a dream to return home, they did not inform the king.

The star of Bethlehem was a star of hope that led the wise men to the fulfillment of their expectations, the success of their expedition. Nothing in this world is more fundamental for success in life than hope, and this star pointed to our only source for true hope: Jesus Christ.  D. James Kennedy

Father, The wise men followed the star faithfully, not knowing where it would lead them. Help us to follow You faithfully, not knowing what we will have to go through in this life, but knowing we will eventually be with You eternally in heaven. Help us to fix our eyes on You, Jesus, to bow down and worship You in awe as these three kings we read about today did. Let us offer the best of ourselves, as they presented you with gifts. This Christmas, as we exchange presents with each other, help us to remember that You, Jesus, are the greatest gift …of all time.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 23

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 40:12-41, Proverbs 19

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.” - Luke 2:21

God knew all of us before the day we were born. The Bible says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries. George W Truett

Father,  Just as Jesus was with You in the beginning, so You knew us before we breathed in our first breath of earthly air. Your purpose for us is good, because You are good. Help us to remember that we are known to You, special to You, and purposed by You to do great things. Let us celebrate Christmas! Because of Jesus, we can live the full life You designed for us. You know and love us, Father, so much. Thank You. We love You. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 22

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 40:1-11, Proverbs 18

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” - Luke 2:19

The observance about Mary in this verse is repeated in Luke 2:51 after Jesus is found at the temple. 

Maybe your life resembles a Bethlehem stable. Crude in some spots, smelly in others. Not much glamour. Not always neat. People in your circle remind you of stable animals: grazing like sheep, stubborn like donkeys, and that cow in the corner looks a lot like the fellow next door. You, like Joseph, knocked on the innkeeper's door. But you were too late. Or too old, sick, dull, damaged, poor, or peculiar. You know the sound of a slamming door.  Max Lucado

Father, The way You have created us is complex and wonderful. Full of thoughts and brimming with emotion, help us to remember the special moments we experience You in our lives. Like Mary preserved certain moments in her heart as she had the privilege of raising Jesus as her earthly son, let us not take for granted any of things or opportunities we are blessed with in life. May we hold Your love especially close, and top of mind, as we reflect on this Advent season. Help us treasure the good news for us in our hearts today.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 21

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 38-39, Proverbs 17

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” - Luke 2:15

In their travels to see Jesus, the shepherds spread the word of what had happened.

What good does it do me if Christ was born in Bethlehem once if he is not born again in my heart through faith? Origen

Father, We are called to “go” and “tell” of the good news of Jesus. Just like the shepherds on the night of our Savior’s birth, we are called to go shine light in dark places by speaking of Jesus, and living in such a way that our lives reflect his glory at work in us. But Father, it costs us to follow Christ, and we often lack courage. Give us a boost of bravery when we need it, to remember the shepherds awe and how they couldn’t help but spread the good news of Christ’s birth. Let us be so full of Your love that we cannot contain it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.(https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)

Daily Dose For December 20

Memory Verse; He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 

Isaiah 36-37, Proverbs 16

“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” - Luke 2:13-14

The angels sang praise to God in heaven, and of the unique peace believers in Christ experience in mind, body and soul.

You keep us waiting. You, the God of all time, Want us to wait. For the right time in which to discover Who we are, where we are to go, Who will be with us, and what we must do. So thank you … for the waiting time.”  John Bell, quoted in The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers, compiled by Dorothy M. Stewart

Father, Glory to God in the highest! Oh, Lord, how we want to experience your glory to the full, because there is nothing that compares to it. Nothing on earth, no person or accomplishment, can satisfy our souls completely. We were made to enjoy you and glorify you. Today we declare your glory! We see it in all the beautiful decorations of the season and the cheerful faces around us. We see your glory in all you have created. Help us glorify you today! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (https://www.ibelieve.com/holidays/family-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-advent.html)