The Greatest Gift
Christmas Devotional - Day 5
Listen along as you read today's devotional:
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
— Matthew 2:10-11 (New Living Translation)
The jewel-toned beauty of multi-colored Christmas lights reminds me of sweet chocolate M&Ms. One Christmas Eve, I sat near my mother’s tree munching a handful of the colorful candies with excitement. The wait would soon be over, and I could finally open my presents!
Being 7 years old, I couldn’t define “anticipation,” let alone write the word in a sentence. But I knew that feeling of excitement, wonder and hope. What was soon to come was a goodness that wrapped my heart in joy.
The practice of waiting has its benefits. Your perspective becomes focused. You long for what has not yet come. You believe, in faith, for what will arrive at the perfect moment.
Through the gift of His Son, Jesus, God fulfills the eternal anticipation of your heart’s desire, which only He can do. The wise men in Matthew 2 who sought the Savior of the world felt this anticipation as they searched for Jesus. And when they found Him, they responded in sincere worship because this is what happens when your hope in God is fulfilled — He satisfies you with unspeakable joy.
Watch: Reflect and Pray
Reflect:
What are you anticipating this Christmas season? Have some relationships and distractions left you feeling unfulfilled?
Pray:
Lord, we feel excitement, wonder, and hope when we remember that You are coming back for us. Will You help us place our hope in You in the midst of challenging circumstances? Sometimes our emotions feel very heavy. Will You comfort each of us with Your love and peace? Thank You for reminding us of Your promises and giving us the gift of unspeakable joy. Today, we celebrate Your coming to the earth to save us. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Melody Copenny serves as editor in chief for Cru Storylines® and journalist with Cru®. She’s an Atlanta, Georgia, native and University of Georgia graduate with a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism. She enjoys exploring the intersection of creativity, theology and popular culture in her writing projects.
