December stirs up a mix of emotions. For some, it brings warmth, celebration, and anticipation — a month full of Christmas lights, gatherings, and meaningful traditions. For others, it surfaces the ache of unfulfilled expectations, difficult memories, or the heaviness of a year that didn’t unfold as hoped.

Regardless of how we enter the final month of the year, Scripture reminds us that God offers hope, joy, and peace to every heart that trusts Him. Preparing for December isn’t about forcing ourselves to feel a certain way — it’s about positioning our hearts to receive what God desires to pour into us.

Lynette Kittle outlines five simple, biblical ways to prepare your heart for this new month:

1. Count Your Blessings
Even in a year marked by difficulty, God’s hand has carried you here. Remembering His faithfulness builds confidence for the month ahead.

2. Look Ahead with Hope
Hope is a spiritual posture. We don’t have to see what’s coming to trust the One who holds the future.

3. Feed on God’s Word
December can be busy or emotionally draining; God’s Word is the nourishment that sustains you through both.

4. Open Your Hands
God fills what is surrendered. Whether your hands feel full or painfully empty, He invites you to receive His goodness.

5. Ask God for His Joy
Obedience keeps us close to the Father, and closeness leads to joy — a deep, sustaining joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances.

However you are entering December — hopeful, tired, grieving, or joyful — God promises to meet you where you are. He offers His hope, His peace, His presence, and His unchanging love as you step into the days ahead.

Bible Reading:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13

Takeaway Truths

• December may bring both joy and sorrow, but God meets us in every emotion.

• Gratitude helps us recognize God’s faithfulness throughout the year.

• Hope grows as we trust God for what we cannot see.

• Spiritual nourishment prepares us for both celebration and hardship.

• God fills open, surrendered hands with His goodness.

• True joy comes from walking in God’s love and obedience.

Let's Pray

Dear Father,

As we prepare our hearts for December, bring to mind the blessings You’ve given us throughout this past year. Help us remember Your faithful care and protection.

Strengthen our faith to look ahead with hope, trusting that You are already present in every day to come.

Give us a hunger for Your Word that we might grow stronger spiritually and more rooted in Your truth.

Teach us to open our hands before You. When our hands are full, help us lay down what doesn’t matter. When our hands are clenched in disappointment or fear, gently open them so we can receive Your goodness.

Fill us with Your joy — a joy that is complete, steady, and rooted in Your love.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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