A Prayer to Remember the Real Reason for the Season - Your Daily Prayer - December 19

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A Prayer to Remember the Real Reason for the Season
By: Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“Today in the town of David a Savior 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 favor rests’” (Luke 2:11-14).

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Due to materialism, the focus of Christmas can stray far away from Jesus. Christmas is often associated with giving and receiving gifts rather than celebrating the Lord. Becoming aware of the materialism surrounding the holiday season will help ensure that we keep Christ at the center of Christmas, rather than placing Him on the back burner.

Jesus is truly the reason for the season, and we must avoid allowing anyone or anything to distract us from Him. Psalm 73:25 states, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

I am not often persuaded by the materialism of the world, but I must admit, Christmas gets me at times. I want to buy my loved ones great gifts, but I often don't have enough money to afford the nicest things, which makes me feel ashamed that I can’t keep up with this elaborate gift-giving.

You might be struggling with financial hardships this Christmas, but take solace in knowing that you can still have a great Christmas. It’s not about the huge presents or the elaborate parties. Remind yourself of this truth this holiday season, and it will help take some of the heavy weight off your shoulders. 

The Bible tells us, “Today in the town of David a Savior 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 favor rests’” (Luke 2:11-14). 

As the Gospel of Luke records, the Savior has been born, and He is the Messiah. The heavenly hosts appeared, and they praised God. They gave glory to God and lifted His Name to the Heavens. 

We need to take a moment to appreciate the lengths God went to in order to save us. He left Heaven to save us and bring us home to Him. Do we also have this great love in us? Would we leave the comfort of our home to die for someone else’s sins? Reflect on the matter and allow it to bring your heart back to Jesus. 

Ultimately, this is what Christmas is all about: Jesus was born into the world to save us. He lived a sinless life and died the death we deserved for us to live. The greatest gift has been given to us, and His Name is Jesus. During this Christmas season, let us find our hope, praise, and strength in the gift that the Savior has come. 

Let's Pray: 

Dear Jesus, I praise You for coming into the world as a baby to save me from my sins. You grew up, lived a sinless life, and died the death I deserved. I will never be able to repay You for what You have done. All I can do is give You praise and thanks this Christmas season and every season going forward.

Help me to always keep You at the center of the Christmas season, Lord. You are truly the reason for the season, and You have covered me with many blessings. Please prevent my heart from chasing after materialism again. Help me to only pursue You and follow Your heart. Merry Christmas, Jesus.

In Your Name, I praise, Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/RoterPanther 

Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/. 

Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026

This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.

Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.

 This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!