God With Us... 31 Days of Waiting, Wonder, and the Wild Story of Christmas
Christmas is wild.
Not the shopping carts crashing into each other in crowded aisles, not the overstimulated calendar or the perfect tree we try to sculpt from branches and lights—but the story itself. The real story. The sacred one that thunders and whispers through Scripture, from the Garden to the Manger and beyond.
The Christmas story is not gentle and tame. It is full of fear and faith, betrayal and beauty, silence and songs, pagan kings and peasant girls, long roads and longer waits. It is the story of God stepping into our mess—not with a polished performance, but with blood and cries and starlight.
This book is a journey through that story.
For 31 days, we’ll walk through the hidden beginnings of Christmas—where the gospel was first whispered in Eden—and follow the thread of God’s presence through prophets, parents, angels, outcasts, tyrants, and travelers. Each day will invite you to wait more expectantly, to wonder more freely, and to walk more boldly in the mystery of Emmanuel: God With Us.
This is not just the story of Jesus’ birth. It is the story of longing, of love wrapped in flesh, and of a light that still shines in the shadows.
It’s the story you’re in.
So, unplug from the noise. Step into the wonder. And rediscover the wild, untamed glory of the God who comes to be with us.
How to Use This Book
This devotional is meant to slow you down, not speed you up.
Each of the 31 days offers a doorway into the deeper story of Christmas—not the cultural version, but the Scriptural one. Some of what you read may surprise you. Some may comfort or challenge you. But all of it is meant to help you encounter the living God who chose to enter the world in the most unexpected way.
You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to get it perfect. Just show up each day with an open heart.
Each day includes:
Scripture: A short passage from the World English Bible (WEB) that grounds the day’s focus.
Reflection: A devotional meditation exploring the theme of the day. These readings are rich in biblical insight and full of wonder, designed to stir both your heart and mind.
Centering Prayer: A prayer to focus your mind and heart on the message of the reflection and to set the tone for the rest of the devotion and the rest of your day.
Practice for Today: A simple, meaningful action or meditation to help you live the story in real time.
Journaling Prompt: A reflection point to help you process what God is revealing in your life.
Blessing for the Day: A spoken word of truth, modeled after biblical imperatives, to guide your heart throughout your day.
Pray As You Go: A short two-part phrase for prayer throughout the day. Use it as a breath prayer—breathe in on the first line, breathe out on the second. Let it anchor you in God’s presence.
Tips for Your Journey:
You can begin on December 1st and finish on New Year’s Eve or start anytime you feel drawn to reclaim the wonder of Christmas.
If you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Just begin again. This isn’t a performance—it’s a pilgrimage.
Use a journal to write your responses. The Spirit often speaks through the pen.
Invite others to journey with you. This story is too good not to share.
Whether you’re in a season of joy, grief, doubt, or expectation, this book is for you.
Because no matter where you are on the road, the truth of Christmas remains:
God is with us. Still. Even now.