Summary:
The following Scripture Reading Plan for the month of December, drawing from the theme of wonder and aligning with Mesa’s Christmas message series, “Wonder.” This reading plan will focus on Scriptures that highlight the Wonder of Prophecy, the Incarnation, and our Salvation. Each passage will help prepare your heart to celebrate Christmas as you reflect on the story of Christ's birth and its significance—both historically and personally.
How to Use This Reading Plan:
- Personal Reflection: Read the daily scripture passages in the morning or evening, spending time reflecting on the wonder of God’s story in your own life.
- Family Devotions: For families with children, consider reading the daily passages together, with discussion questions or a short prayer after each reading.
- Group Discussion: This can be a great tool to keep everyone in your small group unified in their focus on the Wonder of Christmas.
How to Use This Reading Plan:
- Personal Reflection: Read the daily scripture passages in the morning or evening, spending time reflecting on the wonder of God’s story in your own life.
- Family Devotions: For families with children, consider reading the daily passages together, with discussion questions or a short prayer after each reading.
- Group Discussion: This can be a great tool to keep everyone in your small group unified in their focus on the Wonder of Christmas.
You can interact with the devotional by clicking a week- or if you would prefer, you can download the entire plan below!
Week 3: The Wonder of Our Salvation
DECEMBER 15:
Luke 2:10-11 – The Good News of Great Joy
“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
Question: How does the news of great joy for all people fill your heart with wonder about the extent of God’s love?
Luke 2:10-11 – The Good News of Great Joy
“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
Question: How does the news of great joy for all people fill your heart with wonder about the extent of God’s love?
DECEMBER 16:
Romans 5:6-11 – Christ’s Love Demonstrated
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."
Question: How does Christ’s sacrificial death for us while we were still sinners fill you with awe and gratitude?
Romans 5:6-11 – Christ’s Love Demonstrated
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God."
Question: How does Christ’s sacrificial death for us while we were still sinners fill you with awe and gratitude?
DECEMBER 17:
Titus 3:4-7 – Salvation Through God’s Mercy
“But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
Question: How does God’s mercy, shown through Jesus’ birth, transform the way you approach your own salvation?
Titus 3:4-7 – Salvation Through God’s Mercy
“But—
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
Question: How does God’s mercy, shown through Jesus’ birth, transform the way you approach your own salvation?
DECEMBER 18:
1 John 4:9-10 – God’s Love Revealed Through Christ
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. .”
Question: How does God’s love revealed in the birth of Jesus challenge you to love others unconditionally?
1 John 4:9-10 – God’s Love Revealed Through Christ
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. .”
Question: How does God’s love revealed in the birth of Jesus challenge you to love others unconditionally?
DECEMBER 19:
John 3:16-17 – God’s Ultimate Gift
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
Question: How does the ultimate gift of God’s Son make you feel about the depth of God’s love and sacrifice for the world?
John 3:16-17 – God’s Ultimate Gift
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
Question: How does the ultimate gift of God’s Son make you feel about the depth of God’s love and sacrifice for the world?
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Question: What does Mary’s song teach you about how to respond to God’s wondrous work in your life?
to Abraham and his children forever.”
Question: What does Mary’s song teach you about how to respond to God’s wondrous work in your life?
DECEMBER 21:
Romans 8:31-39 – The Inseparable Love of Christ
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Question: How does the assurance of Christ’s love and salvation make you feel about your security in Him?
Romans 8:31-39 – The Inseparable Love of Christ
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Question: How does the assurance of Christ’s love and salvation make you feel about your security in Him?