Get the appFollowing Jesus Through the First Christmas: 25 Days of Advent TruthsНамуна
When the world feels broken, God’s Kingdom is still strong.
Herod’s rage brought about heartbreaking evil. In his attempt to stop what he feared, innocent children suffered — and Matthew points us to the raw grief of Rachel weeping.
This is not a cheerful passage. It’s a brutal reminder that evil is real and that people we love sometimes suffer undeserved pain.
But the Christmas story holds those two truths together: real sorrow and real hope. Herod’s anger brought heartbreak, but not defeat.
The same chapter that records this horror also shows how God protected the child who would fulfill the promise.
God’s plan continued, and the kingdom He promised moved forward.
This shapes how we live in a broken world. We don't overlook the pain. Scripture gives us lament—naming the hurt, grieving honestly, being brutally honest with God.
At the same time, we don’t have to despair. The cross and the resurrection will not be undone by cruelty or fear.
In the meantime, we join God’s work by comforting the hurting, protecting the vulnerable, and living with hope.
If the world around you feels broken today, remember: we grieve as people with hope, not in our circumstances, but in the person of Jesus. Your hope isn’t wishful thinking — it’s rooted in a God who enters suffering and ultimately makes all things right.
Evil is real, but it will not win. God’s kingdom is unshakable, and His plan unstoppable.
Pray:
God, we bring our grief and anger over the brokenness we see. Help us live as people who trust Your unshakable kingdom. Let our sorrow lead to action, and our hope shape how we love. Amen.
Talk About It:
Where do you need to name grief or anger honestly before God today? What is one practical step you can take this week to comfort someone who is hurting?
Worship:
Take a few minutes today to sit with this truth in song. Listen to Son of Suffering by Bethel Music. Search for Following Jesus Through the First Christmas on Spotify by Biltmore Church for the full playlist.
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About this Plan
During a season that often feels busy and stretched thin, we invite you to pause and remember what matters most: following Jesus. The birth of Christ is more than a story we tell in December. It's the beginning of our Savior's life on earth — and the pattern for our own life with Him. Our prayer is that these 25 days prepare your heart to celebrate His birth, deepen your walk with Him today, and stir your hope for His return. We’ve also created a companion worship playlist – search “Following Jesus Through the First Christmas” on Spotify to listen.
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