Matteus 2:6

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.

There’s something special about Christmas that tends to bring out the best in all of us. We’re usually kinder, more generous, and spend more time with those we love. But what if it didn’t have to end in December? What if we could celebrate Christmas every day?

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.

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.