When God Drew Near: A Christmas Devotional

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

 John 1:14 (NIV)

There is a quiet wonder to Christmas that flows deeper than all the lights, music, and traditions. There is the wonder that comes from realizing that God chose not to be distant. The Lord did not wait for us to climb our way up to Him. Instead, He stepped down into our world of dust, darkness, and disorder and willingly made His home among us.

Jesus Christ did not arrive in polished places. Our Lord was born among the overlooked, the ordinary, the poor, and the weary. He came to people who were trying their best and failing often. People who longed for hope. People like you and me. People like the ones I meet every day.

In that manger, God rewrote our story. Not with any fanfare or great force, but with presence. Christmas reminds us that we do not navigate life alone. The God who formed magnificent galaxies wrapped Himself in humanity so He could walk with us; not above us, not beyond us, but with us. Emmanuel. God with us in our questions and our doubts. God with us in our grief. God with us in our joy. God with us in our becoming who he created us to be, in the highs and the lows, and through the valleys and the mountaintop experiences.

Wherever this season finds you, be it celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between, the same truth still holds:

You are seen. You are known. You are loved. And God has drawn near. He is with us.

Prayer

Precious Lord Jesus,

Thank You for coming closer than we dared hope. Thank You for choosing humility, for stepping into our world and into our lives. For being God with us. In this season, help us notice Your nearness. Help us carry Your grace into the spaces we enter and the people we meet. Renew our hope, soften our hearts, and steady our steps as we follow You. In Your name we pray. Amen.

 Reflection Question

Where do you sense God drawing near to you in this season—and how might you make room for His presence in that place?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

 Biography: Rainer Bantau is a husband, mentor, and storyteller whose passion is helping people draw closer to Jesus. After rededicating his life to Christ in 2007, he has shared God’s Word in churches across Texas and walked alongside others as a trusted guide in their faith journeys. A visual artist, Rainer’s work has been shown throughout the state, often reflecting themes of hope, redemption, and the beauty of God’s creation. Rainer also writes The Devotional Guy™ blog, where he encourages readers to hold fast to their faith through life’s joys and struggles. He and his wife, Terri, make their home in Richardson, Texas, where they live next door to her parents and enjoy the company of a lively menagerie of pets. Grateful for God’s grace, Rainer seeks to live each day in a way that leaves a legacy of faith for future generations.

https://thedevotionalguy.blog/

Image by DEEPAI