December 10, 2025

643 // When Christmas Doesn’t Feel Merry: How Jesus Heals the Hidden Pain You’re Carrying | Christmas Devotional

24 minutes

Hey Sis! 🎙️

Today’s episode is a midweek heart check for your head, heart, and soul—and a reminder that God’s plans are still good even when you’re standing in the middle of something hard. We sit with Jeremiah 29:10–14 again, this time leaning into verse 11 and what it really means that God knows the plans He has for you in seasons that feel anything but “prosperous.”

As we reflect on exile, disappointment, and Isaiah 55:8–9, you’ll be invited to remember that His thoughts are higher, His purposes are bigger than what you can see right now, and His heart toward you is still for peace, hope, and a future that includes Jesus Himself.

We then step into a new devotional, Christmas in a Season of Struggle by Pastor Rick Warren, starting with Day 1: “When It’s Not the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Together we talk honestly about hidden wounds, holiday grief, and the quiet hurts we often try to push down—and how Jesus came at Christmas to heal those very places.

If this season feels heavy, lonely, or anything less than “merry,” this episode will gently remind you that you’re not the only one carrying pain, that Christ is the light who meets you there, and that you’re invited to bring every hidden hurt into His healing presence instead of managing it on your own.

📓 Want a tool to anchor your quiet time this season?

➡️ Order your “For The Soul” Prayer Journal: https://circletimeforthesoul.com/journal

Love y’all! 💕

Diana Marie

🔗 HELPFUL LINKS

❤️ Accept Jesus Into Your Heart

https://pages.billygraham.org/find-peace-with-god/

📓 Order Your "For The Soul" Journal

https://www.circletimeforthesoul.com/journal

📺 Join Diana Marie on YouTube

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📘 RESOURCES

DEVOTIONAL: “Christmas in a Season of Struggle” Rick Warren

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/53021-christmas-in-a-season-of-struggle

Bible Project — Jeremiah

https://youtu.be/RSK36cHbrk0?si=wrqNXc1wLs7sU1Jt

BlueLetterBible

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv-study-bible/notes/heb/chapter-12?a=1145001

BibleRef

https://www.bibleref.com/

The Bible Recap

https://amzn.to/4iAph0Q

BetterHelp — FREE 2 WEEKS OF THERAPY!

https://www.betterhelp.com/rpc/c0bab3ae1e8ae495-5-01?utm_term=ref_v2_dd

Circle Time for The Soul Website

https://circletimeforthesoul.com

Episode Catalogue

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hR3MY-4Sp4YXeQNOTTSi2-7H6eXlaH2_8g3VMFz-IM0/edit?usp=sharing

🌟 MY FAVORITES

Bible: NLT Study Bible

https://amzn.to/3KyKz20

Book: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

https://amzn.to/3ZE7le3

Bible Study: The Bible Recap

https://amzn.to/4iCbhmZ

Devotional: Every Day in His Presence by Charles F. Stanley

https://amzn.to/43mGZPe

🎧 Listen to My Testimony

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-399-a-testimony-a-story-of-finding/id1687321834?i=1000676189319

🎧 SOAP Episode

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/circle-time-for-the-soul-daily-devotional-bible-study/id1687321834?i=1000716080885

🎵 Music: “Buenos Dias” by Matt Large

Note: Some of the links in our show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast. Thank you! 💛

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By Diana Marie | Bible Teacher & Faith Mentor

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