The night Jesus was born, angels lit up the sky singing their praises. Currently, we continue the praise by singing hymns, some of the same words the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).

And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord.

Ezra 3:11

With today’s news, you may wonder where the peace is. It certainly doesn’t seem like it’s on Earth. Jesus predicted that in the end times there would be “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). The peace the Bible talks about is a spiritual peace found in Christ. Jesus came to minister reconciliation between God and man. Paul exhorts believers not to worry, but pray with thanksgiving “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Do you have peace even during troubled times? Ask God to seal that peace in your heart through Christ. This year, sing Christmas carols with joy and thanksgiving. Pray for the spiritual peace of the people of this nation and the world – and look with renewed anticipation to the day when God will put all things right.

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 4:9-18

Billy Graham said, “To get nations back on their feet we must first get down on our knees.” He leads by example. He’s been on his knees praying for the United States for most of his life. In 2013, in a USA Today report he shared, “Our country’s in great need of a spiritual awakening. There have been times that I’ve wept as I’ve gone from city to city and I’ve seen how far people have wandered from God.”

Hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants.

Nehemiah 1:6

This is how Nehemiah must have felt about Israel in today’s verse when he prayed for God to help him get the nation of Israel back to being His “servants.” Nehemiah asked God to listen and confessed the people’s sins. God responded by not only helping him rebuild the wall, but by leading the Jews to once again obey His commands.

Today, stop to give thanks for the privilege and the power of prayer. Remember that you, like Nehemiah, can get on your knees on behalf of the nation’s leaders and people. There’s no better time to do this than during this blessed Christmas season.

Recommended Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Even in this season of giving and buying, you may remember Ian Usher, the Australian gentleman “selling his life” on eBay in 2008. Disillusioned after a failed marriage, he put everything he owned on the auction block in one package deal. Accepting a final bid of $309,292, Ian started over with the clothes on his back and a burning question on his mind. Today his life is rich, but not from that sale. He lives independently doing charity work and speaking around the world. He always asks others the question that changed his life. “What is it you are meant to do with your life anyway?” And then he gifts other with the encouragement to “take one out of the ordinary step in that direction today.”

We are…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.

Ephesians 2:10

Paul asks a similar question in the book of Ephesians and responded with today’s verse – if you are a believer in Christ, God already has a specific plan for you.

Today, you don’t have to start your life over to find a place of service in God’s kingdom. Just thank God for His amazing gifts and ask for the courage to do one out of the ordinary thing. That step may indeed change your life, the American landscape…and maybe even the world.

Recommended Reading: Jeremiah 1:5-10

Christmas is a time for guessing – shaking packages and surmising what might be inside. Based on the size, weight and “shake” of a package, speculations are made. Did your loved one pick up on the hints you offered?

To him was given…a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.

Daniel 7:14

Daniel, in the Old Testament, made predictions about what was to come, too. But Daniel’s foretelling wasn’t speculation – it was prophesy. Even though he lived 500 years before the birth of Christ, Daniel, through visions from God, shared details of the coming Messiah. Today’s passage tells how all nations will serve the King. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

As you open gifts with friends and family this Christmas season and guess what’s inside, stop and give thanks for the ultimate gift that didn’t require a guess – salvation through Jesus. Ask God to open the eyes of the people and leaders of this nation to the greatest gift of all.

Recommended Reading: Daniel 7:13-17

The boy who would grow up to become the Old Testament prophet Samuel was lying in his bed when he heard a commanding voice. Thinking it was Eli his father, he went to ask what was needed. Eli, somewhat befuddled, sent his son back to bed. This happened three times before Eli finally discerned that his son was hearing the voice of God. Eli had initially failed to recognize what was happening, Scripture says, because word from the Lord “was rare in those days.”

The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

I Samuel 3:1

Perhaps the same can be said today. In America, assaults on Scripture, on biblical values, on public prayer, and on almost any reference to God whatsoever seem to dominate daily life. Even at Christmas time, more than a few people work feverishly each year to write God completely out of the celebration.

And yet He still speaks to you. Do you recognize His voice amid the din and the disorder? The word of the Lord may be rare…but it is clear and distinct for those who will listen. As you pray for your nation today, listen, wait, and say, as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”

Recommended Reading: I Samuel 3:1-11

A family was having breakfast at a popular restaurant in Yukon, Oklahoma. But when they prayed before their meal, they didn’t realize some kind strangers had noticed. When the family was ready to pay the bill, they found a pleasant surprise. Anonymous fellow diners left them a note that read: “Because you prayed, we paid. Continue to raise your sons in Christ. God bless.” The restaurant’s assistant manager said, “We see a lot of people paying it forward, buying for other people. Especially around holiday time, we see a lot of that. It always makes you feel better as a server to know that there are nice, kind people out there.”

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14

When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was completely human and completely divine. People then could know the Lord fully because He became visible and tangible as He lived among them.

As a believer, you have the privilege and the responsibility to show Him to others through your words and your actions. So out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, show others the love of Jesus Christ. Perform an act of kindness to a stranger this holiday season. Pray that this kind of love becomes contagious throughout America!

Recommended Reading: I John 4:9-16

Many a parent has worked into the wee hours of the night on Christmas Eve putting together toys. Unfortunately, toy assemblage often results in hair pulling and teeth gritting. “Which piece goes in this hole?” and “Why are there left over screws?” are questions that could have been avoided if the instruction manual was used.

If you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules…then I will establish my word with you.

I Kings 6:12

God advised King Solomon to use the instruction manual in today’s passage. Solomon was preparing to build a house for God – perhaps the greatest built in history. Ever looked around at your circumstances and wondered what to do next? Follow God’s advice for Solomon and walk in his statutes.

Whether you are searching for a gift for a friend or trying to solve a problem at work, revisit your instruction manual, the Word of God, and then chat with the One who wrote it. Thank Him for salvation and ask Him to direct your steps. Pray for the people of this nation and its leaders to recognize the true meaning of the season this Christmas. Gratefully, it has nothing to do with toys or putting them together.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 119:105-112

The apostle Paul reports in II Corinthians 8 the remarkable generosity of the Christians in Macedonia. Despite great affliction and deep poverty, he says they were overflowing with joy, and even gave beyond their ability.

They gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

II Corinthians 8:5

When it comes to Christmas gifts and loved ones, giving beyond your ability is not a good idea. A good number of Americans will make that mistake and spend the next year digging out of a financial hole. There is a better way to celebrate Christmas than making it a debt debacle.

Before you give to others, first give yourself to the Lord as the Macedonians did…allowing His wisdom to guide your every decision. There are many things you can do this season for your family, for your neighbors, and for your nation – things that don’t require breaking the bank – to make an eternal impact. Measured by the world’s values, you may not appear to have the resources or ability to change anything. But when you give yourself first to the Lord and then serve as a vessel to pour out His love, there are no limits. Make this season the one in which you truly discover and share His love…beyond your ability!

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 3:5-10

Today’s verse speaks of Jesus. Jesus was a descendent of Judah. Judah was one of the 12 sons of Jacob, the patriarch of the Jewish people. As these brothers gathered around their dying father, could they imagine that he was predicting the coming of the Savior?

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler‘s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him.

Genesis 49:10

When Jacob gave his prophetic blessing, if his sons were expecting to hear about their great futures, some of them were disappointed. Jacob believed in telling it like it is and some of their futures were not good because of past behavior. He predicted Reuben’s failure, Simeon and Levi’s dispersion throughout Israel, and Issachar’s enslavement. Jacob gave the rest of them more promising prophecies. Concerning Judah’s future, Jacob prophesied not only for his son, but for all people through all time.

God knows the span of history from beginning to end. Praise Him for His beautiful plan of salvation in His Son, and the opportunity you have to come before Him in confidence. Knowing that your persistent prayer will be answered, bring this nation before the Father and ask for His mercy and grace to be extended to its leaders and citizens.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 22:31-45

A man’s wisdom gives him patience. —Proverbs 19:11 NIV

People often ask me, “How can I learn contentment and stability?” One way, straight out of the Bible, is patience.

God wants us to use wisdom, and wisdom encourages patience. Wisdom silently tells us to wait a little while, until the emotions settle down, before you do or say something. Then check to see if you really believe it’s the right thing to do. Emotions urge us toward haste, telling us we must do something and do it right now! But godly wisdom tells us to be patient and wait until we have a clear picture of what we are to do and when we are to do it. I like to say it like this: Let emotions subside and then decide. We need to be able to step back from our situations and see them from God’s perspective. Then we need to make decisions based on what we know rather than what we feel.

Power Thought: I have the wisdom to develop patience and emotional stability.

From the book the book Power Thoughts Devotional by Joyce Meyer.