By Yodit Kifle Smith

What a year! I think we can agree to that.

Some of us are sighing a heavy sigh of mental relief that we are in the last week of 2020 because we are more than ready to say goodbye! There are others of us who have experienced some amazing things despite the chaos of the year and then there are some of us who are probably thinking that not much will change in 2021 and are a bit indifferent to the year ending.

We have all experienced this year and interpreted this year differently but we know that there are lessons learned through it all.  Every devotional that has been written this year has sought to lift your eyes to Him, the One whose nearness is truly our GOOD.

Now, there’s nothing really magical that happens during the last week of the year but there is something special about being still and reflecting on God’s faithfulness, His steadfast love, His provision, His sustenance, and His nearness this year.

His Faithfulness:
Isn’t it mind-blowing that God’s faithfulness to us isn’t based on our faithfulness to Him? (2 Timothy 2:13) If I’m honest, this year has caused me to become so weary of so much and when my spirit was weak to even turn to His Word, His faithfulness drew my weary heart—even if it felt like it was dragging. I thank God that the faithful work He’s begun in us (Phil. 1:6) hasn’t taken a pause EVEN when we felt stagnant. Have you praised God for His faithfulness?
 
His Steadfast Love:
Since I’m being very honest--my love grew cold towards others this year after seeing some of the insensitivity they had towards the injustices that occurred. I found myself growing bitter towards the very things that were put in place to protect people. And the colder and more bitter I grew, the farther I stayed away from coming to the Lord. And you know what I found, that as long as I wasn’t going to the Lord, my heart became more hardened. And it was through His very Word that reminded me that God’s steadfast love isn’t threatened by a hardened heart---it welcomes it because He alone is the only that can turn a heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). His steadfast love loved me through the hardness and opened my heart to pray for what I grew bitter towards and that made all the difference. Have you praised God for His steadfast love?
 
His Provision:
We may not have gotten what we wanted this year but God’s provision is never truly about our wants as they are our needs. And not even the needs that we think we need but the need He knows we need. His word reminds us in Matthew 6:25-34 just how much more valuable we are than the birds of the air that have their needs met daily by our good Father. How much more  would our needs be met by the very Creator whose image we bear? Can you praise God that every need was met for you this year?
 
 
His Sustenance:
One of my favorite verses in Psalm 63:8, “My soul clings to you, Your right hand upholds me.” It’s the reminder that I may be holding God’s hand but it’s really His grip that’s sustaining me. I’m like that 2-year-old who although they are holding tight to their parent’s hand, it’s really the grip of the parent that’s keeping them from falling. And I’ve come to see that clearly this year and I’m so grateful. Have you praised God for His sustenance?
 
His Nearness:
We just celebrated Christmas, reflecting on how Immanuel, “God with us” has made all the difference in our lives. The nearness of God isn’t about an emotional experience; Rather, it’s the deep knowing and believing that His Words are true and His word tells us that He is with us—not in the “I’m with you,” that we may get from a loved one who encourages us but an actual “I live with you, abiding IN you,” kind of with you. This nearness is what the Psalmist in Psalm 73:28 acknowledges as “his good.” No other good can compare than the truth that God’s very presence no longer has to be accessed through a priest but now His presence has come to us and is with every one of us who have confessed Jesus as Lord. This presence is our comfort. Our guide. Our hope. Our very life. Have you praised God for His nearness?
 
Sisters, may our souls shout “HALLELUJAH” as we take the moment to reflect and praise for all that God is to us and all He’s done for us this year.
As we enter 2021, it’s the same GOD that goes before us and lives within us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:

2 Timothy 2:13
Psalm 63:8
Psalm 73:28
Phil.1:6
Ezekiel; 36:26
Matthew 6:25-34


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Make a list of all that you believe God has taught you this year. About Himself. How you.
2. How has this devotional helped you lift your eyes to Him?

By Yodit Kifle Smith

I’ve talked to many people during this Christmas season who’ve expressed that they’ve not been able to get into the “Christmas spirit.” And given the kind of year 2020 has been, I completely relate.

Then I started to ask myself what that “Christmas spirit” was supposed to feel like. Perhaps it was being home with family. Or hosting my annual white elephant gift exchange with my sisters from church OR buying gifts for everyone I had intended. If you’re like me, I realized that I had attached the memories I made during this time to add to the significance to why we celebrate this time. 

It’s no secret that Christmas has been so romanticized that anything less than lights, decorations, presents, family, parties, white elephant gift exchanges, and eggnog (not a fan) falls short of having the Christmas spirit.
​
As we enter this week, perhaps struggling to “feel” the Christmas “spirit,” what must we remember about the real significance of this season?

1. The Christmas season is NOT about comfort and convenience. 

Can you imagine Mary’s situation? A teenage, unwed Jewish young woman who gets visited by an Angel and told that she would carry the Savior of the world? Oh, and don’t forget the shame that people would have tried to hang over her as they assumed that she broke the law by getting pregnant before marriage. On top of that, she and Joseph couldn’t even find a decent place to give birth to Jesus (Luke 1-2). Talk about discomfort and  inconvenience! 
The nature of this time wasn’t about the beautiful aesthetics of how the world should have welcomed our Savior. It wasn’t about the comfort or the convenience expected from God to fulfill His great purpose.  No, it was a reminder that in the midst of hardship and confusion and fear, God, in His rich mercy, sent Jesus to enter this world to save us. It was about using the unlikely to show forth His glory. So if we are carrying the weight of hardship, confusion and fear in this season, you aren’t alone. He is able to sympathize. If you are feeling "unlikely," His glory will show forth mightily. 

1. The Christmas season isn’t about feeling good as it is about rejoicing in a TRUE HOPE.

We aren’t missing out on the Christmas season because our emotions may not be expressing it with decorations all over the house and baking cookies and buying gifts. It’s natural to think that if we aren’t feeling “jolly” and sentimental during this time, then we must be dishonoring God. And this is really reflective of how much mainstream romanticized Christmas has wired us to feel and think. As mentioned earlier, for the believer, celebrating Christmas isn’t focused on the feelings that this year brings us or the memories we make. Truth be told, this time of the year is very hard for many who may be estranged from family or who have lost loved ones. This time, with the hardship, confusion and fear we may be feeling, should lift our eyes up to a TRUE Hope that was given to us by God our Father. His name is Jesus, the anchor of our soul (Hebrews 6:19). The One who sits with us in those moments and lifts us from being overcome by them.

1. The Christmas season is a reminder of God’s RICH Mercy.

We see the words Joy, Peace, & Love plastered all over during this season--and all are reflective of what we’ve been given in Jesus. But how quick are we to think of the word Mercy? Perhaps we’ve reserved that word for Easter. Mercy is at the very heart of this season because it’s at the heart and nature of God! Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high (Luke 1:78) In fact, JOY should well up in us when we think about how Merciful it is for God to send His Son to be born in the conditions He was born into and endure the suffering He would experience ALL for the sake of our reconciliation with Him (Eph. 2:4-10). It’s easier to equate Easter with the Gospel message but THIS Christmas story is PART of the Gospel message too. He had to be born to die. And so this season is monumental to how we understand God’s Mercy. It is yet another reminder of how this Merciful Father loves us and made a way for us to know and love Him.
Sister, regardless of what emotional state you find yourself in this season, I pray you submit those emotions to these glorious truths and worship Him as He restores the JOY of your salvation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:

Ephesians 2:4
1 Peter 1:3
Titus 3:5
Luke 1-2


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Do you find yourself not feeling the “Christmas Spirit?” How have these truths lifted your eyes?

By Diana Rose (WITHIN Devotional Contributor) 
​“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” -Psalm 104:33


Singing is pleasurable and powerful, and it provokes a deep emotional response in us. We sing by ourselves as well as with others. Singing is versatile and appropriate in a multitude of settings. Holidays are an occasion for singing, as are significant life events and milestones. We sing when we’re celebrating as well as when we’re grieving. 
While I do enjoy singing, I have no formal education in the art, nor am I skilled at it. My lungs are untrained, my diaphragm is weak and my ear cannot distinguish between soprano or alto. Singing may not come naturally to me, but as a follower of Christ I am compelled to sing to the Lord out of gratitude for what he has done for me, and for the joy of being in relationship with him. 
The Lord commands us to sing. 
PSALM 96: 1-5 
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.” 
The Bible makes it clear, singing is both a blessing and an act of worshipful obedience. It is a blessing because of the object of our song, the Lord, our Lord. Unlike secular music with its focus on man, the song of our hearts is to center on Christ, in whom our redemptive relationship rests. Singing to the Lord is an act of obedient worship because he is a great and mighty God worthy of our praise. He is to be feared! We sing to the Lord because our song is due him both for who he is, and the great things he has done! 
If you are a child of God, sing because of Jesus! 
Sing! A child is born! 
Love came down! The Lord himself condescended, and removed his royal robes putting on a robe of flesh that he might clothe all who would believe in his righteousness. We have hope in Christ! Covid will not stop us from singing to our Savior during Christmas. We will lift up our voices in spite of lockdowns and curfews. We will praise him in Zoom meetings and on FaceTime calls. 
Sing! He is risen! 
Death could not hold him and the grave could not keep him. We have victory in Christ! Our struggles may continue, but so will our song! Our pain may pierce, but as with Paul and Silas, so will our voices. The battle may rage, but we will continue to sing to the one who overcame.
Sing! He is coming back! 
There is coming a day! A happy day, a sweet day, when we shall see him as he is in all of his glory! We will be complete in Christ! Keep singing of his promises. Keep singing of his faithfulness. Keep singing of his everlasting love! 
“When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he has done for me. My soul cries out, ‘hallelujah, praise God for saving me!’” 
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the gift of song. God help us to employ it in worshipful obedience. May we sing of your goodness while we have being. In Jesus name amen! 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:

Psalm 104:33
Psalm 81:1
Psalm 92:1
Psalm 96
 
Questions to Reflect on:

1. What song will you sing to the Lord today?

 

By Debbie Ramamoorthy (WITHIN Devotional Contributor) 
 
Recently, I've noticed the word "Wonder" come up a few times in various different readings, conversations and devotionals. I am someone who is inquisitive and curious. I have always had a love for learning, growing and exposing myself to new ideas. So, the word "wonder" kept kindling something within me. I wanted to understand how to tie wonder with my inquisitive nature. That, combined with other circumstances, seemed to be a fascinating concept.
 
For many of us who have endured seasons of waiting, we may have responded with a sense of urgency, irritation, restlessness, frustration, anger, isolation, excitement, anticipation, hope, joy- and every emotion in-between! I certainly have experienced the myriad of emotion in my response to seasons of waiting. So, when I wanted to dive deep into the idea of wonder, I decided to understand it in the context of waiting. 
 
As we enter into the month of awaiting our Savior's birth- I keep reflecting on the season of waiting in joyful, nervous anticipation for a baby's birth. I imagine the excitement that prevails and the wonder in which one would immerse themselves in, imagining who the baby will grow up to be.
 
In relation to the concept of wonder, I read this quote by Eugene Peterson: 
 
“It is not easy to convey a sense of wonder, let alone resurrection wonder, to another. It’s the very nature of wonder to catch us off guard, to circumvent expectations and assumptions. Wonder can’t be packaged, and it can’t be worked up. It requires some sense of being there and some sense of engagement."

The idea of wonder is to take the inquisitive nature within ourselves, to immerse ourselves in it and then to behold whatever direction it takes you in. What I concluded is that we should really immerse ourselves in the reality of what these days leading up to Jesus' birth mean for us and to us. And then to simply behold that truth- to let it stir in our hearts and lead us to a total submission and surrender of our souls to the Lord.
 
We should take in the beauty of our Savior's birth- apart from the gifts, the decorations, the seasonal drinks and parties. To really let the beauty of our Lord's birth simmer within us and cause us to reflect continually on what His birth meant for humanity.
 
I encourage you to let wonder take over in this season of awaiting our Savior's birth, and allow other distractions to take a back seat. In doing so, I pray that you will come to a fresh understanding of how we are each His beloved daughters- known and seen by our Heavenly Father!
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:


Luke 5:26
Romans 15:13
Malachi 2:5

 Questions to Reflect on:

1. What does wonder mean to you? What does it (or has it) led you to?
2.  During this Christmas season- what new ideas and truths have been presented to you?
3.  What are some distractions getting in the way, and what can you do to prevent them?