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The Twelve Days of Christmas
Devotionals for December 26 to January 6
***A printable copy of these devotions can be emailed to you free of charge. Contact us at swallacegs@aol.com
The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days from Christmas (December 25th) to Epiphany (January 6th)*.
By the middle of the 5th Century the “Western Church” celebrated the Birth of Christ on Christmas while focusing
on the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) on January 6th.
These devotions are written with the hope that the full story of Christ’s birth will be heard. By taking the time
to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas perhaps we will slow down enough to hear the story and see how it speaks to us.
I hope that you will first read each passage of Scripture, then use the devotional thought, and finally jot down a note or two
of what thoughts or meaning comes to your mind or heart. I pray that this will help you find the Good News of Great Joy
that God has for you.
God Bless,
Rev. Stephen Wallace
*Epiphany is the celebration of God’s coming among us in Christ Jesus. It includes the stories of the Wise Men as well as Jesus’ baptism.
December 26
Luke 1:46-55
Mary sings a song of praise to God for what is happening to her. So often we focus on the struggles God’s choosing
Mary must have created. The explanations needed, the reassuring of Joseph, the rejection, and the snide comments all must have
been a strain. But there was another perspective that we need to see besides the negative one.
Mary rejoiced because she realized how special it was to be chosen by God. Every woman in Israel dreamed of being
the mother of the Messiah. It was one of the greatest honors possible and she was very aware of that honor, and she chose to
focus on it.
When God taps you on the shoulder it can be easy to focus on the difficulties serving God will create. The questions to
answer, the changes in priorities or direction, and the lifestyle adjustments will all have to be dealt with. Yet we should make it
a priority to seek out “Mary’s Perspective.” We need to realize that to be chosen by God is a great honor. It is something to
be cherished, celebrated and maybe even…sung about.
December 27
Matthew 1:18-24
Immanuel…God with us. That is what Jesus was called by the angel. Do you wonder what it would have been like to be
around him? What would this “Immanuel’s” voice have sounded like? How would he have acted?
It may be as important a question to ask: “What would you have acted like in the presence of Immanuel?” Would you
have said things differently? Would you have felt differently? What kinds of things would you have done?
We can act as if we are out of God’s presence as we leave the church. Yet Christ’s birth proclaims that God is with us
always. Whether we are in church or out, God is with us. When we are good or bad, God is beside us. When we are obediently
following or running away as fast as we can, God loves us. In a world where it is easy to get lost in the shuffle or to become a
social security number, God says “I am with you, for you are my child.”
Where do you most powerfully feel God’s presence? Why? What would help you feel God’s presence in greater ways
in all areas of your life?
December 28
Luke 1:26-38
What would have happened if Mary and Joseph had said “No!”? If they had refused to be part of God’s plan would
God simply have found someone else? Or would their rejection have altered the entire plan? Could their choice have so changed
things that the people needing to hear the message of Christ would not have heard it?
It is easy to say “God can do it without me” as if we do not matter. We can say that as a way to get out of doing what
is asked of us or needed from us. But if God really does work through those willing to follow, perhaps Mary and Joseph’s refusal
could have tragically changed the Christmas story. Maybe our refusal to be used can just as powerfully change things today?
Look at how did Mary and Joseph accepted God’s will. They had questions and concerns but they also had a trust in the
wisdom and love of God. As we consider doing what God is asking how trusting are we? What is God asking of you?
What fears or concerns do you need to face in order to follow God’s call?
December 29
Luke 2:1-7
Have you ever been on a trip and when you wanted to stop for the evening you couldn’t find a place to stay?
You were tired and ready for the day to end but there was no hotel with room. On a trip several years ago, I was making
the long drive home. I had driven for hours and it was late at night but there were no rooms available. It took me looking in
numerous towns and driving several more hours before I found a room; and it was filthy and run down. What an exhausting
experience to need rest, but to not be able to find any place to get it.
Mary and Joseph must have been exhausted by the time the stable was offered as a place to sleep. They were probably
grateful to find someplace, even though they certainly hoped for a bit nicer accommodations. They made the best of the room
available to them.
I wonder if Christ has the same feelings in searching for room in our lives. Is Christ weary of looking for a place that is
open to His presence and available for His use? Is the Lord knocking and knocking in the hope that some area of our life will
open us? When we read the story of Mary and Joseph finding no room at the inn we may say, “If I had been there I would have
found room for them!” But in the busyness of our lives do we have out a “No Vacancy” sign when Christ comes calling?
As you remember Christ’s birth in that stable what can you do to make room in your life for him to live?
December 30
Luke 2:8-14
Angels appearing to the shepherds! What a shock! Why would they bother with people so common…so ordinary.
Why would they deal with folks who hadn’t made a name for themselves? It was strange to have the birth of a king told first to
these lowly people. It was odd to have the Messiah born in a stable.
Yet Jesus came not to some “special” group. He didn’t have a message just for the elite. Jesus’ message was one
that is just as relevant for the old as for the young, for the homeless person as those living in mansions. God tells you that your
dreams and hurts, your successes and joys are all understood. God knows about you.
You are not ordinary to the Lord. Instead you are a very special individual. Christ’s birth was news that you could
have a life which is richer, fuller and better. It was so that could know the wonders God is offering. The gift brought to us by
Jesus was a gift custom made for each of us. It is a gift that fits your situations. It is a gift that will answer your questions.
It is a gift that will help you with your struggles. It is a gift for YOU.
How does knowing that someone understands how you feel make you feel? Where have you been hesitant to let God
into your life because you felt like “He just won’t understand or care?”
December 31
Luke 2:15-20
The shepherds had a choice to make: would they stay at work or go see this magnificent thing God was doing?
God’s timing for this news was unexpected and certainly could have come at a more convenient time. Should god have
respected their schedules and only asked them to pay attention when business was slow? Or should they be willing to
take time in order to discover what the Lord was doing?
These shepherds took a break and so were privileged to be part of something spectacular. I am sure that it was
not easy to find someone to watch the flock for them in the middle of the night. It wasn’t easy to deal with the boss’
questions about why they went off hunting for a baby when they were supposed to be at work. But what they found
was worth all the struggles and questions.
How about you? Are you willing to stop and follow God? Will you let God “break in” on your day or do you
refuse to stop the work? I hope that you won’t miss the wonderful gift God has for you because you are too busy.
January 1
Luke 2:21-35
How do you respond when you have to wait for something? Would you rather come back later than wait a
few minutes at the grocery store? Do you become anxious or irritable when your phone call is put on hold?
Waiting is not something that comes easy to most of us; especially now that our world is moving so fast.
We use microwaves, instant messaging, cell phones and more conveniences that shorten our wait time.
So it can be hard to understand how Simeon could be so patient. He was waiting for the Messiah day after day,
year after year. He was willing to continue to watch even when time drug on and on. Simeon trusted that eventually the
ONE God had chosen to comfort and save the world would come. This man refused to give up the dream simply
because it took longer than a day, a week, or even a year, to be fulfilled.
How about you? Are you in too much of a hurry to wait for God? Do you become irritated and so give up the
effort to build a relationship with god when it doesn’t come in the “twinkling of an eye”? Are you willing to forget God’s
way when a “short cut” can save some time? What do you need to learn from Simeon about the virtue of patiently waiting?
January 2
Luke 2:36-38
Anna was a woman whose husband had died in their seventh year of marriage. After that tragic loss she lived alone
until she was 84. How easy it would have been for her to become bitter. The loneliness and the great loss she had experienced
could have been used as a reason to live under a dark cloud.
Yet that isn’t the picture of Anna which Luke shows us. Instead of being resentful and downcast she is grateful and
filled with hope. Anna had found a way to fill the void in her life. By turning to God and allowing the Lord to give her comfort,
healing, guidance, and peace, she could live a life of celebration.
Perhaps you are struggling with losses or hurts. Maybe you have experiences which threaten to make you bitter and
downcast. Is it possible that you can travel the same pathway that Anna followed; opening yourself to God and allowing the
Lord to lift you up? Use the tools Anna used (e.g. worship, prayer, fasting, fellowship) to find God’s great hope and joy for
your life.
January 3
Matthew 2:1
When have you felt excluded? After walking into a room where everyone knew everyone…except you? When you were the
only one not invited to a party? Whey you were the last one to know something?
In many situations we can be discover that we are outsiders. We can be people who want to be included but just can’t seem to
get through the doorway. The barriers may be because of our background, our job, our interested, how much money we have or don’t
have, our looks, our race, our age, or many other things. Whatever the specific reason, we can feel helpless to change the situation and
to become part of things.
We can feel that way about God. We can feel that what we have done or what we have not done has created a wall between
God and us. That wall can seem so high and thick that nothing will be able to penetrate it. Yet Christ came and ripped down the barriers
keeping us out! His birth proclaims that every one of us is invited to be with God! That is the message of the Wise Men. They were
outsiders. They were not Jews. What did they have to do with this child born “King of the Jews?” On the face of it they are out of place.
But according to God’s plan they fit right in. For God’s plan is to include us all. God’s desire is to have a relationship with each of us.
God does not want even one of us to be excluded or to miss finding the fulfillment of the life planned for us.
What are things that you feel make you unattractive to God? What are the barriers that you think will keep God away? God
wants you to know that you are beautiful and one He wants to be with.
January 4
Matthew 2:1-2
How easy is it for you to ask for help? Do you seek help whenever it is needed or do you refrain from asking for it
as long as possible? It can be difficult for us to admit that we need another. It can make us feel vulnerable. Asking for help
points out our limitations. Yet we do need help and must be willing to reach out for it if we are to overcome many of life’s struggles.
The Wise Men needed what we all need at one time or another – directions. But unlike many of us, they were wise
enough to ask for those directions instead of wondering around hoping that they would stumble into Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
How about you? What help do you need and what is keeping you from asking for it? Who can give you the direction
you need? Are you willing to accept the help you need or will you stubbornly go it all alone? Please do not miss the blessing
God has for you because you insist on finding everything yourself.
January 5
Matthew 2:1-12
Herod was a vicious man. He held on to his power by whatever means necessary. As a result many people conceded
to his wishes and did as he asked. After all, doing what King Herod ordered, even though it may rub you the wrong way, was
better than experiencing his wrath.
You, just like the Wise Men, come in contact with “Herods”. The Herods you deal with may not be able to put you to
death, but they can certainly make your life difficult. They can make you struggle with the question of whether it is better to just
give in rather than face their consequences. They make you choose between letting them decide what’s going to happen or letting
God lead you.
The Wise Men were warned by God of Herod’s deadly intention for Jesus and they rejected his demand to be told where
they had found the child. They risked Herod’s displeasure and chose to help God. You too must choose whom you will help.
Will you risk the displeasure or even wrath of your “Herod” in order to do what is right and good?
January 6
Matthew 2:13-23
What a horrible story! Why did this have to happen? What did God do about it? Whenever we hear of brutal or
tragic situations we ask hard questions such as these.
While the question of why such things happen is an important issue, right now let’s focus on what God was doing about
this tragic situation. We aren’t told about all of the things God did, but we are told that Joseph was warned of the coming danger.
God helped Joseph, Mary, and Jesus get out of harms way by fleeing to Egypt. Thankfully Joseph didn’t discount the warning
and he didn’t procrastinate until it was too late. Joseph trusted God’s warming about the danger and removed his family from
the threat.
At times removing oneself from a dangerous situation is all that one can do. Often times God desperately tries to warn us
of the danger coming our way. Yet it is easy to discount God’s warnings. As you reflect on this part of the birth stories maybe you
will be given. Maybe you will be made aware of a red flag waving in regards to an “opportunity.” Perhaps a warning bell will ring
for you as you think about the direction a relationship is heading. If so don’t discount or delay, but listen for what you need to do
to get out of harms way? Think about what adjustments or actions need to be taken. Horrible possibilities may come our way,
but God is standing ready to give us warning so that we too may find safety.
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