Ruuka 2:8-9

Christmas is coming! With it comes Advent – preparing for and celebrating Jesus’ birth. But does that fact get lost by the busy holiday schedule, shopping for the perfect gift, or hosting family gatherings? In the steady rush of the Christmas season, experience new ways to engage with God’s Word, ultimately drawing you closer to Him. Awaken your soul in this 4-day reading plan from Thomas Nelson's Abide Bible Journals.

For many, the holidays are a time of great joy...but what happens when the holidays lose their sparkle and become challenging due to deep grief or loss? This special reading plan will help those going through grief to find comfort and hope for the holidays, and shares how to create a meaningful holiday season in spite of deep grief.

In a crowded Christmas season, most of us feel the stress and anxiety of family relationships, financial pressure, hasty decisions, and disappointed expectations. So go ahead. Take a breath. Start this Life.Church Bible Plan and realize the weight we feel may be something God never asked us to carry. How about we let go of the baggage? Let’s travel light.

The Christmas story is one surprise after another. But sometimes the details become so familiar that they lose their impact. These short prayer devotionals help you to dwell deeply on the most unexpected and significant event in history: that God himself became one of us. Each prayer is written by David Mathis, executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.