Each daily email in this program features a scriptural passage from the Christmas story, followed by readings touching on some aspect of the passage. At the end of the readings for each day is a set of reflections, together with some questions for consideration. There are twenty-five readings in all, designed to carry you from December 1st through Christmas day.
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Program Details
This year’s Christmas readings are gathered around a theme titled, “Our Part”. It’s a theme that acknowledges the role each one of us plays in our eternal destiny. The Lord our God is the Savior of all, but He can’t prepare us for heaven without our cooperation. He has given us hearts that can love, minds that can think wisely and creatively, and bodies that can do many useful things. His hope and even expectation is that we will take these gifts and use them to orient ourselves toward Him and toward others around us. He wants us to consider the role we can best play in any given situation, and then pour our energy in that direction.
This theme shows itself throughout the Christmas story. There, each person or group of people has a part to play in the divine narrative: Zacharias and Elizabeth walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; Mary and Joseph trust the Lord’s leadership, and they devoutly do what is required of them; the shepherds come with haste to see the newborn babe, then they make widely known the saying which has been told them concerning the Child; the wise men follow a star to find the newborn King, and when they find Him, they present gifts to Him, then they fall down and worship Him; Simeon waits patiently for the Lord’s coming; and Anna the prophetess speaks of Him to all who seek redemption. Each of these characters symbolizes a different part of each one of us, and a different role that each one of us has to play, in the birth of the Lord’s love and wisdom in our lives.
This year as we read Christmas story anew, what can we learn from the different characters that are there? In what way can their lives, and the examples they set, help us do our part in making loving and wise choices, doing useful things, and contributing to the goodness of any situation that we find ourselves in? How will all of these things carry over into the new year?
Optional Discussion Groups
We also offer online discussion groups for those who enjoy a weekly discussion of the readings.
New Church groups typically involve an opening prayer, reflection, discussion, and the sharing of thoughts and ideas from participants. No prior experience is required and all are welcome, although typically groups are for adults (18+) unless otherwise specified.
These groups will meet once a week for 4 weeks, at the same day and time each week. Groups usually use Zoom, but your group leader will contact you with specific login information for their group meetings.
Testimonials
This program is loved by many. See what others have said about the Christmas Readings emails.
“The daily readings have become an integral part of our Christmas season. They
help us to focus on the Lord's birth and its broader meaning amidst an array of
potential distractions.”
“Every day the readings were easy to read, very applicable and didn’t leaving me
feeling like I had to journal for hours. We need joy and these readings provided
that!”
“I looked forward to receiving them everyday, they were inspirational and very
reflective. I actually miss receiving them presently.”
“I enjoyed the Christmas readings, it was like a pocket bible study “
“The daily readings are uplifting, comforting, and make the Christmas story come
alive.”
“I loved them! They were just what I needed. Not too long. The readings from the
Word were precious and the explanations from the Writings were right on! Loved
the tasks suggested as well. Thank You!"
“Just as in past years, I found the readings to be a great help in mindfully preparing
for the coming events and celebrations, putting my focus, daily, on the real "reason
for the season". It was also a wonderful way of being able to do a daily reading from
the Word if I wasn't able to do anything more that that.”
“All about love and peace.”
“the readings and reflections really added to the sense of celebration, of the
significance of the Christmas season—the Lord’s birth in our hearts and minds.
Thank you for offering them.”
“I really appreciated the richness and depth of the commentaries and reflection
questions that accompanied each piece of Scripture.”
“Bible + Writings + a reflection = a deep, digestible, soul-nourishing bite of Spiritual
food to start my days. Thank you.“
“I love the daily readings. They help to put a focus on the season that doesn’t
involve craziness.”
“These readings enrich my Christmas celebrations by keeping me in touch with
others. They brighten each day of the Advent season with the Word. They are an
essential help for the homebound.”
“Really liked getting these. Just the right balance of readings and thoughts for
practical application.”
“Best selections ever. I need these readings.”