Daily Devotionals
Friday, December 6, 2024 (Ashley)
For Thanksgiving, I received a Christmas devotional from a sweet family member. It is called, “Be of Good Cheer” by Susan Hill.
I’ve had different Advents and devotionals in the past but this year I added a new stipulation to my readings. I would either take time to slow down and read the message with full focus or I wouldn’t read it at all.
Some of you may not agree with this method but my Type A personality can often get caught up in the check marks, missing the full meaning of the message. Well, not this Christmas!
If there is one thing I’ve been consistently working on this year, it would be LISTENING to the Lord and paying special attention when I see the same scripture or message again and again. While relaxing in a hot bath, I snapped this picture in awe as it was the fourth time this message had been presented to me within a couple of days.
Christmas doesn’t need to, nor should it, fill us with stress, anxiety, and depression. There will be no gold stars being handed out on December 26th for the best-decorated home, biggest dinner feast, most expensive present haul, or fullest calendar.
Your kids will most likely forget what you get them this year but they will always remember how you made Christmas FEEL year after year!
Nine times out of ten, your husband could care less about the decorations being in the perfect spot but would love you next to him, cuddled up on the couch!
You might be lucky enough for a couple of people to comment on your matching Christmas outfits but more times than not, your friends are worried about what people are thinking of their own outfits and won’t even notice yours!
I heard it said the other day that we should aim to encourage, not praise one another. Praise will only lead us to feeling empty because, at the end of the day, we are not worthy of it. If we want to praise someone, we should praise God. Encouragement is what we actualneed from one another!
So, sister, that is my aim in today’s devotional for you. I am here to encourage you to slow down, rest, and relax this Christmas season. Allow the Prince of Peace to fill you with his peace and the Holy Spirit to focus on the things that truly matter.
Anyone who is missing a loved one knows that holidays are never the same without them. Any of us who are able to experience this Christmas are extremely blessed – Let us live like it!
With love and encouragement –
Ashley
I’ve had different Advents and devotionals in the past but this year I added a new stipulation to my readings. I would either take time to slow down and read the message with full focus or I wouldn’t read it at all.
Some of you may not agree with this method but my Type A personality can often get caught up in the check marks, missing the full meaning of the message. Well, not this Christmas!
If there is one thing I’ve been consistently working on this year, it would be LISTENING to the Lord and paying special attention when I see the same scripture or message again and again. While relaxing in a hot bath, I snapped this picture in awe as it was the fourth time this message had been presented to me within a couple of days.
Christmas doesn’t need to, nor should it, fill us with stress, anxiety, and depression. There will be no gold stars being handed out on December 26th for the best-decorated home, biggest dinner feast, most expensive present haul, or fullest calendar.
Your kids will most likely forget what you get them this year but they will always remember how you made Christmas FEEL year after year!
Nine times out of ten, your husband could care less about the decorations being in the perfect spot but would love you next to him, cuddled up on the couch!
You might be lucky enough for a couple of people to comment on your matching Christmas outfits but more times than not, your friends are worried about what people are thinking of their own outfits and won’t even notice yours!
I heard it said the other day that we should aim to encourage, not praise one another. Praise will only lead us to feeling empty because, at the end of the day, we are not worthy of it. If we want to praise someone, we should praise God. Encouragement is what we actualneed from one another!
So, sister, that is my aim in today’s devotional for you. I am here to encourage you to slow down, rest, and relax this Christmas season. Allow the Prince of Peace to fill you with his peace and the Holy Spirit to focus on the things that truly matter.
Anyone who is missing a loved one knows that holidays are never the same without them. Any of us who are able to experience this Christmas are extremely blessed – Let us live like it!
With love and encouragement –
Ashley
