Introduction:

When was the last time you looked forward to something? The long planned vacation, the birth of a child, the start of a new school year, the last day of school, a new movie/book release , a visit from a friend or maybe your favorite holiday? The Christmas season is one that many, especially children look forward to and wait for all year long. It’s also a season that just as many dread. The purpose of this devotional is to take an honest look at this Christmas season, spend some time examining why we look forward to it and on the flip side why we may dread certain aspects of it as well, There will be a key verse and thought each day, as well as a longer passage of scripture that hopefully you will dig into and listen for what God may have for you. 

Day 1:

Key Verse: Genesis 12:1 “The Lord said to Abram: Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”

Talk about anticipation and dread all wrapped into one major event! Here is Abram, minding his own business, trying to make a life for his family and obey God. Then one day God comes along and says “Hey Abram, guess what? Here’s what I’m thinking; Let’s get you and all your family packed up and move you to a new land. Don’t worry about where, cause I’ll show you and oh by the way I’m going to bless you and make you a great nation.” The crazy thing is Abram at the ripe old age of 75 obeyed!

Can you even imagine? Excitement, anxiousness, fear and more than a little confusion all rolled up into one event. Think of all the questions, all the dreams, all the anticipation. 

Think and journal about:

• How would you feel in this situation? Which emotion would take over and why do you think that is? 
• Thinking about the Christmas season and your anticipation of it, how do you feel? What are the things that trigger those feelings or emotions?

Deep dive scripture: Genesis 12