Matthew 1:23

Millions of Christians around the world will be celebrating Christmas this year. Advent, a beautifully symbolic celebration leading up to Christmas Day, is a huge part of the Christmas festivities in many countries. As you read this exciting Advent devotional, you'll have the opportunity to join in and celebrate with your brothers and sisters from far off nations and learn from their unique and powerful perspectives and traditions.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Looking at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival at Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to be the fulfillment of God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

Every good story has a plot twist—an unexpected moment that changes everything. One of the biggest plot twists in the Bible is the Christmas story. Over the next five days, we’ll explore how this one event changed the world and how it can change your life today.

In all the holiday hustle and bustle, it can be easy to lose sight of why we’re celebrating. In this 5-day advent plan, we’ll dive into the promises fulfilled by the birth of Jesus and the hope we have for the future. As we learn more about who God is, we’ll discover how to live through the holiday season with hope, faith, joy, and peace.