Lucas 1:35

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.

Our Christmas story starts with the angel’s annunciation to Mary and concludes with the visit of the Magi. In these reflections and applications of the Christmas narrative I will mostly refer to Luke, as his is the fullest of the gospel accounts.

Christmas is a time of great joy, signaling the birth of Jesus, our Savior. There are many prophecies throughout the Bible of the coming of Jesus, and through this devotional, we’ll take a look at seven of the names God uses in Scripture to announce His coming. We’ll explore how Jesus embodies each of these names and is just as relevant for us today as when He walked the earth.

It seems we’re all in need of a good hug, real connection, and something delightful to celebrate right now. Our prayer is that this Advent devotional will offer you and your family a way to connect, learn about the real Christmas story, and celebrate Jesus’s birth with new traditions, dinnertime stories, bedtime conversations, and family activities. We hope this Christmas “hug” brings beautiful memories to your home this Advent season!