Gift of Heaven: A Christmas Devotional SeriesSample

DAY 9 – God With Us in the Wonder

Wonder is the only fitting response to the incarnation.

The God who spoke galaxies into being chose to become a child wrapped in swaddling cloths. The Creator entered creation, not as a king in splendor but as a baby in a manger. This is not distant deity or abstract theology, this is Emmanuel: God with us.

At Christmas, we don’t just celebrate a birth. We stand in awe of the miracle: that God would draw so near, not just to walk among us, but to become one of us.

The Incarnation is God’s answer to humanity’s deepest questions:

• Does God see me? Yes.
• Does He care? Yes.
• Will He come close? He already has.

And not just close. He came all the way into our world, into our story, into our flesh and blood. Jesus is the clearest image of the invisible God. To see Him is to see the Father. The manger is not just a sweet scene, it is the turning point of history. It is the opening act of redemption.

This is the wonder of Christmas.

Prayer

Jesus, I marvel at the mystery and mercy of Your coming. Thank You for drawing near—so close that I can call You Friend, Brother, Saviour, and King. Fill my heart with holy wonder this Christmas, and help me to live in awe of Your love every day.

Practice

Take five minutes in stillness today. No distractions, no music, no movement. Just stillness. Reflect on this truth: God has come near. God is with you. God loves you. Write down or speak aloud one area of your life where you want to invite Him to be fully present.

Closing Thought

The Incarnation is not only a miracle to admire, but an invitation to accept. God has come close so that you can come home. The story of Jesus doesn’t end in a manger, but with an invitation to new life. His love is not a distant idea; it is here, now, and calling your name.

Thanks for walking with us on this Advent journey at Christmas time. Our prayer is that you continue to seek His face, dwell in His presence, and shine brightly for Jesus this Christmas Season.

We’d love to stay connected with you. To learn more about HopeUC, upcoming events, and how you can be part of what God is doing through our church, visit hopeuc.com/au.