Friend, we invite you to light a candle or cozy up with your favorite hot drink and savor today’s passage from Scripture:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
May these ancient words from The Great Love Story sink deep into your soul.
It may be the first time you’ve read these words, or perhaps this is the first time in a long time that you’ve really read them. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, slowly losing steam as the quick pace of the season’s hustle and bustle sweeps you along.
No matter where your heart is today, pause, reflect, and rest in the story of the shepherds and the straw, of new decrees and new parents, of heavenly hosts and a baby King. What a wonderful story of a wonderful God, promising His love will be with us!
May the truth of this ancient story light your spirit with fresh hope.
May the twinkling glory of Christmas breathe peace and love into your heart right now.
Today marks the second Sunday in the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Join us here at (in)courage each weekend in December and let’s count down to Christmas together. For daily Advent devotions, visit DaySpring.com — where you’ll find (in)courage stories each day this month! Sign up here to receive one each day via email in December.
Make the season bright by reflecting on the gifts and promises from God. Amid the fullness of the season, make space to quiet your heart and listen for His.
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To the (in)courage women. This is such a beautiful and inspiring devotion today, the 2nd Sunday in Advent. While this season is very difficult for me, I can always depend on your words to cheer me and make me glad for this season as we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Today’s words I will read over and over and I will feel so Blessed to have found all of you women who literally have gotten me through some very serious situations. I have a way to go to get everything solved, but you give me the will to just keep going step by step. Thanks again. I have to leave for church now, but I could say much more if I had the time. I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday in advent and I look forward to your future daily devotions,,,,,,,,Love, Betsy Basile
Love this incourage. When we read it all that you have wrote in today’s devotion. It does make Love’s Thinking Glow in our hearts. That God knew what he was doing when he had his son born. Jesus was not born in Place or anywhere fancy. But a stable with farm animals. That amazes me. It always makes me think God knew he didn’t want his son born in any fancy place. To show it not about what fancy things. It is all about Love. God Love to the world to show us Jesus is human he doesn’t need fancy place to be born or fancy things. As that is not what life is about. It is showing that you can show the Love by being kind and caring. Not because of fancy things or fancy home. Just being humble like Jesus who was born in stable and didn’t want any thing fancy. It goes to also show me that when they knocked on the doors of people homes. They said they were full. That means they didn’t want Jesus who is saviour of the world. There are alot of people who have to have fancy things fancy home to live in. They will have it all. But if ask to put away the fancy things and let the most perfect fancy thing into their lives. They will say no as don’t want to give them up all their fancy things to have the most beautiful fancy thing in their heart that is Jesus the Saviour of the world. They see the fancy things as more important. If we’re ask to give them up they wouldn’t. As Jesus is the most beautiful fancy thing we can have. We that have Jesus have the most beautiful thing in our lives and heart. No fancy things will ever come close to that. Having Jesus is a million times better than any fancy. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
I love the Christmas story, and I love the advent season and most of all I love our savior!
♥️☦️♥️
Lisa Wilt
In Courage,
My pastor read those same words. His focus was on what the shepherds did when they saw baby Jesus. They got on their knees & worshipped Him. They probably traveled over 2+ years to get there. Question asked of all: how much effort & time do we put into knowing Jesus. He gave us everything including His only son. Think about worshipping & having a deep knowledge of Jesus.
Blessings 🙂