IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US!

Use this scripture and the following daily questions to engage the Bible. May God reveal Himself to you in a powerful way as you draw close to Him through study, meditation and prayer.

Luke 1:31-33 (NLT)… “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Monday, 12/14… The familiar characters in our Nativity scenes were real people, a lot like us. In what ways might you relate to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, or Elizabeth?

Tuesday, 12/15… Step into the stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary. What might they have wondered as the events leading up to Jesus’ birth took place? What would you have thought or felt if you were in their place?

Wednesday, 12/16… Read Luke 1:5–38. Compare the experiences of Zechariah and Mary. What similarities and differences do you see in their stories? In their responses to God? How are these similarities or differences significant?

Thursday, 12/17… Read Luke 1:46–55, 67–79. What do Mary’s and Zechariah’s songs reveal about God? About his plan of salvation? About the hope we can find in him?

Friday, 12/18… Read Luke 2:1–7. Catherine McNiel points out the significance of the details Luke includes, saying, “Jesus is born into history . . . The true God came near to us physically, tangibly, in a way that we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands.” How do these details underscore the nature of God’s love for us and our reason to hope in him?

Saturday, 12/19… How do you experience God’s presence with you in your life? How do you desire to grow in intimacy with Immanuel?