15th-21st December 2025
It all begins with an idea.
It’s that time of year again — the season of gathering with family and friends, nibbling mince pies, stocking up on Shloer, shopping till we drop, party nights filling the calendar, cosy evenings watching Christmas movies in our pyjamas, carol services that stir the heart, and — if you’re anything like me — tears streaming down your face the moment O Holy Night begins. The list goes on and on and on …
We fill our days with so many good and joyful things, all part of the way we celebrate Christmas. But in the midst of the busyness, when do we pause? When do we breathe, rest, reflect, and allow ourselves to be drawn back into the awe and wonder of the true meaning of CHRISTmas?
I love finding moments — right in the middle of the chaos — where I can be still and read, and reread, and read yet again the story of Jesus’ birth. As I take you on a journey through the real Christmas story this week, my prayer is that you will discover a deeper peace, a fresh joy, and a renewed sense of wonder as you encounter the miracle of His coming.
Written by Emma Trueick
MONDAY
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
God, thank you for Mary’s surrender to your calling, thank you for her unwavering trust in you and the plans and mighty purposes you fulfilled in her – help us to hold fast to you and trust in the plans and purposes you have for each one of us. AMEN.
TUESDAY
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
God, thank you for the obedience of Joseph. In the midst of such uncertainty and not being able to understand what all lay ahead, he embraced the responsibility you gave him. Help us follow your leading and welcome Jesus fully into every part of our lives. AMEN.
WEDNESDAY
The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
God, thank you for the birth of your Son, thank you for the greatest gift of all - this moment in history changed the world and each of our lives - for this we give you praise and thanks. AMEN.
TAKE A MOMENT TO GIVE YOUR OWN PRAYER OF THANKS TO GOD FOR THIS WONDERFUL GIFT.
THURSDAY
The Shepherds hear Good News
Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
God, just as you broke into the quiet night with good news of great joy, break into our hearts today with your light and your peace. Help us, like the shepherds, to seek you eagerly and to share the wonder of your coming with all we meet. AMEN.
FRIDAY
The Magi Visit the Messiah
Matthew 2:1-12
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.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and 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 worshipped 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.
God, like the Magi who followed the star with longing and expectation, guide my steps toward you. Help me to seek you with an open heart, to recognise your glory when I find you, and to offer all of my life in worship to you. AMEN.
SATURDAY
The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13-15
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.”
God, thank you for your protection. Help us to listen to your voice. Help us to discern your guiding hand over our lives and lead us trusting in your plans, knowing you are always with us. AMEN.
SUNDAY
Adaption of Isaiah 9:2 & 6
Interlude from Won’t You Come (by For KING and COUNTRY)
The people who have walked in darkness have seen the great light
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows, light
The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings
For a child has been born for us
The gift of a son, for you and for me
His names will be Amazing Counsellor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace
And there will be no limits to the wholeness that he brings
God, as we get closer to Christmas day, draw us closer to you, draw us into your Son. Help us to never forget the true meaning of this wonderful gift in the birth of Jesus and let our hearts be filled with the wholeness, hope and joy that only accepting Jesus can bring. AMEN.