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For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10a

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Right before the school talent show started, Connor developed a bad cough. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t stop coughing. There was no way Connor could sing his song on stage. No performance meant no chance to win the prize.

But something amazing happened. Connor’s brother, Grayson, stepped in. He looked a lot like Connor. He wore Connor’s clothes. He sang Connor’s song. Everyone thought, “Wow, Connor did a great job!” The performance won first place. And when it was time to get the award, Grayson gave all the credit to Connor—even though Connor hadn’t sung a single note!

That’s called a substitute—someone taking another person’s place. That kind of switch only worked because Grayson was human and looked like Connor. When it comes to the prize of heaven, something similar—but much bigger—happened. Jesus became one of us so he could take our place. Yes, Jesus is God. But he also became fully human. That’s what the apostle Paul means when he writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness” (Colossians 2:9-10a). Jesus didn’t stop being God—but he also became a real human being.

The Bible is clear what we humans have earned because of our sins. We have earned suffering, pain, and death. God made that clear to Adam and Eve—and he explained it to us too. For sin to be forgiven, someone had to pay the price. That price was death. And it had to be paid by a human who had never sinned.

That’s a problem—because none of us are perfect. We couldn’t make a perfect sacrifice. So God made one for us. God sent his own Son. Jesus became human so he could:

That’s what it means when we call Jesus the Lamb of God. He didn’t just show us who God is. He took our place and paid our debt as someone who was innocent.

What you and I couldn’t do, God did for us. What you and I don’t deserve, God declared that it is ours. Jesus, the Lamb of God, looked like us. He had a body. He got hungry and tired. He felt sad. He felt pain. In everything, he stepped in for us, just like Grayson did for Connor—but on a much greater scale. What we lost because of sin, God gave back to us completely through Jesus.

Now that’s victory—through a substitute!

Dear God, thank you for sending a substitute to die on the cross instead of us. Help us to praise you for this wonderful gift with our thoughts, words, and actions. Amen.

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“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine living in the desert. Day after day, hundreds of thousands of families walked through the wilderness to a huge tent called the tabernacle. Can you picture it? Sand under their feet. Sun in the sky. Animals bleating and people talking.

Families didn’t come empty-handed. They brought animals—sheep, goats, and bulls—because God had given them a special rule. When someone sinned, an animal was sacrificed to show that sin is serious and that forgiveness costs something.

One kind of sacrifice was called the guilt offering. One person would bring one ram to take away one sin. Just one. Now let’s think together. How many sins do you think one person commits in a week? More than one? Probably!

Now imagine hundreds of thousands of people sinning every day. That would be piles and piles of animals. The sacrifices would never stop.

That’s what makes Jesus as the Lamb of God so wonderful and so powerful. Listen again to what God promised through the prophet Isaiah: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).

God was saying: “It’s not enough for Jesus to save just one group of people. Jesus will be the Savior for everyone.”

It would have been incredible if Jesus had died only for the Jewish people. That would be one sacrifice for millions of people. But God said, “I have something even bigger in mind.”

Jesus’ death on the cross was one sacrifice for the whole world.

One sacrifice. For everyone.

Seeing animals sacrificed would not have been fun. Seeing Jesus die on the cross was sad and scary. But because of that cross, God now looks at you and adores you. He doesn’t see your ugly sins anymore. Not the ones you remember. Not even the ones you forgot. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took them all away.

And now God calls you his precious treasure.

Dear Lamb of God, thank you for your perfect sacrifice on the cross to take away the world’s sins. Help us to share the wonders of your sacrifice with the world. Amen.

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“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When Jesus was baptized, something amazing happened. The Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven. God said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him.” That’s a big moment! God was showing everyone that Jesus is special. Jesus is God’s chosen Savior. There is no guessing here. God tells us clearly who Jesus is.

But there is a question we might ask: Why did Jesus get baptized? Jesus never sinned. He didn’t need his sins washed away like we do. So why did he do it? Jesus answered that question himself. He said it was right to be baptized “to do everything God wants done.” That means Jesus was obeying God perfectly—for us.

A long time ago, kings were chosen by having oil poured on their heads. That was called being anointed. Jesus wasn’t anointed with oil. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. At his baptism, God was saying, “This is the one I have chosen.”

God tells people to be baptized. So Jesus obeyed that command too. He obeyed every rule perfectly—so we don’t have to. Jesus lived a perfect life for us, and one day he would give that life on the cross. And God would be pleased again.

Here’s the amazing part for us: Because of Jesus, baptism is special for us too. Baptism is not just a symbol. It is something God does. In baptism, God forgives sins. He gives new life. He makes us part of his family.

When you were baptized, God chose you. He made you his child. He anointed and appointed you too. That means you belong to him and get to live for him. Just like God said about Jesus, he also says about you: “This is my child, whom I love. With this child, I am pleased.”

Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing us to faith in Jesus through the precious waters of baptism. Help our family remember our baptisms and live as people who belong to you, and the Father, and the Son. Amen.

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[You know] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Adults like to argue about sports players. They talk about who they think will be the best player ever. Sometimes they get really excited about a player and say, “This one will be amazing!” But later, that player doesn’t do very well. When that happens, people say the player was a “flop.” That means they didn’t turn out the way people hoped.

Now let’s think about Jesus.

Long before Jesus was born, God talked about him in the Bible. People heard that he would be powerful and that he would help others. God chose him and anointed him at his baptism. Everyone expected great things from him.

And Jesus did amazing things! He healed sick people. He helped people who were hurting. He was kind to everyone. But then something confusing happened. Jesus died on a cross. He let people hurt him. At first, that might make someone wonder, “Did Jesus fail?”

But Jesus was not a flop. The apostle Peter reminds us what really happened. He said that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing people because God was with him (Acts 10:38).

Jesus’ miracles were like big signs pointing to who he really is—God’s Son and our Savior. The good things Jesus did weren’t only miracles. They were also the loving words he spoke. And the most important words he spoke were on the cross: “It is finished!”

That means Jesus finished saving us. His death paid for our sins. His death broke the devil’s power. And just like God promised, Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus didn’t fail. He won.

God knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus was never a flop. He is God’s chosen Savior—and our forever champion.

Dear Jesus, we praise you for fulfilling all that Scripture said you would do. Guide us safely home to your side in heaven, where we will see you, our champion, face to face. Amen.

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“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Cameron walked onto the playground, excited for field day kickball. As a team captain, he got to pick his team. He looked around and thought, “Who runs fast? Who kicks hard? Who catches the ball?” He wanted the very best team. But picking was hard. What if he chose the wrong person? Cameron kept wondering, “Did I pick the right teammate?” Only time would tell.

Waiting a few months can feel long. Now imagine waiting 700 years! That’s longer than your great-great-great-great-grandparents ago. That’s a really, really long time. If we had to choose a champion 700 years ahead of time, we would get nervous and change our minds.

But God is different.

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words 700 years before Jesus was born: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” God was saying, “This is the one I choose.” God didn’t guess. He didn’t worry. He already knew the perfect champion.

God had been talking about this champion for a very long time. He promised Adam and Eve a Savior. He promised Abraham a Savior. He promised through Isaiah. And then he sent his Son, Jesus. Jesus is God’s forever choice. His name “Christ” means “the Chosen (Anointed) One.”

Jesus did what no one else could do. He obeyed God perfectly. He died on the cross for our sins. And he rose from the dead. That means Jesus defeated sin, the devil, and death—for us! God picked the perfect champion, so we never have to wonder if we are safe.

God’s choice is good. And Jesus is our champion.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son to be our champion over sin, Satan, and death. Lead us to keep on trusting in him alone for our salvation. Amen.

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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-2,9-12

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the last two devotions, we learned an important truth: Jesus came for everyone—people from every place, family, and nation. This wasn’t a surprise to God. It was his plan all along! God had promised it long before through his prophets.

At Christmas, God showed this truth in a special way. Wise men from the East followed a star to find Jesus. These wise men were not from Israel. They didn’t grow up going to the temple or celebrating Jewish festivals. They weren’t part of the group people expected to meet the Savior first.

And yet—God invited them too.

Somehow, they learned about a promise of a coming “King of the Jews.” Maybe they heard it from God’s people who once lived far from home. However they learned about it, they knew the star meant something important. So they traveled a long way—just to meet Jesus.

When they found him, they worshiped him in special ways.

You know this same light. Someone has told you the good news about Jesus and what he has done for you. So what does worship look like for you?

Like the wise men, you can worship Jesus by going where he promises to be. Each week, you have the chance to gather at church with other believers. Being there shows that Jesus matters to you. You worship Jesus when you confess your sins and trust his forgiveness. That’s you saying, “Jesus, you are my Savior.”

You can also worship Jesus by giving gifts. Sometimes that means offerings at church. But you can also give him:

All of these acts of worship show something important. They show that Jesus is the light of your salvation. They show that he is a top priority in your life. And they shine like a bright light for others to see—so they, too, can come to worship Jesus, the Light of the World!

Dear Jesus, through the star and the wise men, you showed that you are the Savior for everyone. Fill our hearts with joy and help us worship you with our whole lives—with our hearts, our time, and our strength. Amen.

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Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:2-6

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever read a mystery book—or watched a mystery show—where you’re trying to guess what’s going to happen next? You look for clues. You make predictions. You keep thinking, “I wonder how this will end?” That kind of mystery keeps you guessing right up to the very end.

But when God talks about a “mystery,” he means something very different. God’s mysteries are not puzzles you have to solve. They aren’t only for super-smart people. They don’t depend on you finding the right clues. And they aren’t secrets God wants to hide from you.

God’s mystery is actually GOOD news meant to be shared. God’s mystery is the light of Jesus. Jesus came not just for one group of people, but for everyone—people from every country, language, and family. Jesus came to shine God’s truth like a bright light so everyone could see it.

This truth is called a mystery because we could never figure it out on our own. The Holy Spirit shows it to us and helps us believe it. Because you trust in Jesus, you get to see amazing things in his light! In the mysterious light of Christ:

That’s a LOT to see—and it’s all because of Jesus’ light!

And here’s the best part: None of these gifts come from being extra good, extra smart, or extra strong. They are gifts from God—the Creator of everything—freely given to you.

God doesn’t want your life to feel like a confusing mystery book. He wants you to know that you are loved. He wants you to know where you are going—heaven! And he wants to guide you with his wisdom every day until you get there.

That’s why the Bible is so important. Keep reading it. Keep listening to it. God uses it to fill you with the “riches of Christ” and to help you grow wiser and stronger in faith.

Lord, thank you for bringing us into your family through the glorious mystery of Jesus. May we be true servants of this gospel and shine your light so others can see your love too. Amen.

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“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy. Isaiah 60:1-5

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Raise your hand if you like Christmas lights. By now, some of them have probably been put away, but do you remember going to see Christmas lights last month? December is the month with the shortest days and the longest nights. When it gets dark so early, bright, colorful lights feel extra special! Some displays are so big and beautiful that people will drive from all over just to see them.

Christmas lights remind us of something very important. The birth of Jesus shows us that God sent his light into a dark world. When we hear bad news, see people get hurt, or feel scared or sad, it can feel like darkness is everywhere.

But that darkness isn’t just “out there.” Sometimes it sneaks into our own hearts too. When we get angry, say mean things, or choose not to listen to God, that’s sin—and sin is like darkness.

Here’s really good news for January: God didn’t leave us in the dark! Jesus is the brightest light of all. Even brighter than the best Christmas lights, Jesus shines his love into your heart. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven, and you belong to God forever.

And this joyful light isn’t just for you, it’s for everyone! Jesus came for people from every place and every family. Just like darkness can cover the whole world, Jesus’ light shines everywhere. And guess what? Jesus lets you help shine that light too.

Think back to the Christmas lights you saw. Did you tell someone, “You HAVE to see this house!” Did you tell them where to find the brightest lights? That’s how it works with Jesus too. God uses you—yes, YOU—to tell others about Jesus’ love.

When you know Jesus loves you and forgives you, your heart can sparkle with joy. And when you share that joy, you help others see the light of Jesus too.

Dear Jesus, when life seems difficult and dark, give us joy by reminding us of your glory that saved us. Fill us with your joy and light that we can’t help but tell others the good news as well. Amen.

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When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:13-23

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine a grandpa talking about his eleven grandchildren. He might say: “She sure is something!” or “He sure is something!” Sometimes it’s just a little laugh from a baby. A silly joke from a toddler. A great math test from a 3rd grader. Or a hustle play in basketball from a middle schooler.

Grandkids sure are something!

King Herod thought the same thing—but in a bad way—about the baby born in Bethlehem. People were calling him the “King of the Jews,” wise men had come to worship him, and now Herod felt outsmarted. There sure was something about this baby! But Herod didn’t like it—so he tried to get rid of Jesus.

Yes, there really is something special about this baby—and God wants you to know it.

So, what makes this baby so special? God himself became a child so that you could be called a child of God! That’s why, yes, there’s definitely something about this baby Jesus!

Dear Lord, we thank you for working throughout history to accomplish our salvation. Lead us to marvel at your grace, your protection, and your love for us in Jesus. Amen.

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But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Most people love Christmas! It’s the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s full of cookies and candy canes, treats and traditions, music and magic. Christmas means family. And most importantly, Christmas means Jesus.

But here’s the thing—you only fully understand what that truly means when you think what Christmas without Jesus looks like. How would that change the phrase “Christmas means family”?

People love Christmas because it gives them something to look forward to. It’s fun! It makes them feel happy. But we also know life isn’t perfect. There are lots of times we see sin and sadness in the world. Christmas reminds us that we don’t just need fun—we need to belong to God’s family.

Through Jesus, you belong to God’s family!

Jesus didn’t come just to make a few weeks of Christmas cheer. He came to save people from sin and death. He bought you for his family. And in God’s family, you can talk to your heavenly Father anytime—asking for help, peace, and love.

So, when you are afraid of what’s going on in the world, when you feel burdened by your sins, you can call out “Abba, Father”—and your heavenly Father will hear your cry for help because you are his child!

Christmas means you belong to God’s family. As part of this family, you get to wear Christmas clothes! Mom and Dad make sure you have nice clothes to wear for a service. Did they tell you to keep them clean for a nice picture? Christmas gives you something even better: Jesus gives you holy white robes of heaven! That means you get to live as someone who belongs to God’s family.

Christmas means Jesus. And because of Jesus, Christmas means family—God’s family.

Abba, Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that through him you call us your children. In the joy of belonging to your family, may we continue to keep our “Christmas clothes” clean by living lives according to your will. Amen.

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