December Bible Reading Plan

Welcome to the month of December!

December is finally here! This is absolutely my favorite time of year—not just because of Christmas, even though I do enjoy Jesus’ special day. December is when we focus on family celebrations, and Christmas parties. But the most important celebration is the birth of our Savior. This month, we are going to dive deep into scripture to learn about Christ the Savior is Born: The Greatest Gift of All.

When I think of Jesus’ birth, I particularly think of the angels telling the shepherds that the Savior of the world was born.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ “ —Luke 2:8–14 (NKJV)

What a glorious night that was. Christ the Savior is Born!

  • “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ ”
    —Luke 2:10–11 

God demonstrates His true love to us through the gift of His son. The “greatest gift of all time” not only brought the message of God, but it also insured our salvation. 

The Greatest Gift of All

The Night Jesus was born turned out to be quite unusual. As He drew His first breath, a new star appeared. Wise men studying the stars suddenly saw it.  What a night! It started out as ordinary but ended up as the night of all nights. Jesus, God’s gift to mankind was born into the world to free us from bondage to the evil one.

Do you know Jesus? Do you truly realize that Jesus is the greatest gift you can ever receive. He came to manifest Himself in you and me. I know that He is certainly the greatest gift I have ever received. It is the gift that will never end.

For me, the greatest gift of all and the greatest blessing is knowing Jesus Christ. Not just knowing who He is, but really knowing Him, having an intimate relationship, a saving relationship with Jesus. It gives me such great joy to see someone make that decision to trust in Jesus. It is overwhelming joy!

I am reminded of Paul, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Philippians 3:10

The angel Gabriel also spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus: Luke 1:26-38

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

After the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary brought Him to perform the ritual and sacrifice of the law during that day (Jesus would fulfill the law and begin a new covenant). Again, by the Holy Spirit, it was prophesied to Joseph and Mary of the great things Jesus was sent to do.

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Jesus Really Is the Best Gift Ever!

Let us look at Scriptures which speak of this indescribable best gift ever.

  • “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water’” (John 4:10 NASB).
  • “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38 NASB).
  • “Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!’” (Acts 8:20 NASB).
  • “Therefore, if God gave to them same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17 NASB).
  • “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23 NASB).
  • “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15 NASB).
  • “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8 NASB).

Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Nothing will ever compare to the love that He has for you and me. He created us with love and care and intricate detail. There is nothing about you, that He does not know. Every thought, action, and deed He knows. There is nowhere you can go where He cannot find you. He loves you more than you can ever imagine.

Believing in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross is all we have to believe in order to receive the greatest gift of all: salvation.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV), which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

As you prepare to spend Christmas with your family and friends, we encourage you to share not only gifts, but also this Good News of undeserved salvation. May your hearts and homes be filled and I hope that all of you will have a wonderful time with friends and family this Christmas season! 

A Prayer for December

Father, in the name of Jesus, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. Because of him, we have the hope of eternal life. We also have peace and joy that surpasses anything this world can give. I pray this year, as we celebrate the season that we will remember and celebrate this incredible gift. Sometimes life gets so busy that we let the holidays pass by without resting in Jesus’ presence. But this season offers the perfect opportunity to reset our hearts. We are grateful for Jesus, and we want to prioritize time with him. Help us find ways to recenter our lives and families around the love of Jesus. Help us see the beauty of Jesus as the greatest gift of all and inspire our hearts to carry gratitude for this gift into the next year and beyond. I thank You for the Holy Spirit who comforts and helps me – teaching me all things that You have said. I pause and take time to meditate on Your promises in the midst of my preparations for Christmas, in the name of Jesus. You are my Strength, my Light and my Salvation. I am grateful for the gifts that you never stop giving. I thank you that these gifts are not only for me but for everyone. Help me to share the greatest gift, You, Jesus, with the people in my life? Use me to spread Your Word in the world, I love you, Jesus. Thank you!!!  In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

A Love that Keeps on Giving!

 Reflection Questions

  1. How does the humility of Christ’s birth in a manger challenge your view of God’s glory?
  2. What does the angel’s announcement of “good news of great joy for all people” mean for your life today?
  3. In what ways do you see yourself in the shepherds—ordinary people invited to witness extraordinary grace?
  4. How do the gifts of the wise men inspire you to offer your own worship and devotion to Christ?
  5. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus came not only to be born, but to save?
  6. How does remembering Christ’s birth deepen your gratitude for His sacrifice on the cross and victory over the grave?
  7. What barriers in your life or community does Christ’s birth break down, reminding you that salvation is for all people?
  8. How can you share the joy of Christ’s birth with others during this season?

This season, let’s thank God for the incredible, life-changing gift – Jesus — the greatest gift we could ever receive.

Download the full reading plan, study & reflection questions and blank worksheets (shown below).

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