Here is today’s devotion to start your day.
Available now at Power, Love & Miracles:
Saints, Sinners, and Scandals: Mary: The Courage of a Teenage Girl
A Vision in the Temple: Isaiah. The Bible Unplugged podcast, episode 61
Sunset’s Dawn, Part 10- The “big date”
All Monday devotions include a free audiobook preview.
CLICK HERE for more information about the complete ebook, audiobook, and bonus resources.
Scripture: Isaiah 40:3
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’”
Reflection
The Christmas story passes through wild places.
Before there were choirs of angels and silent nights, there were prophets—strange, passionate, often misunderstood voices crying out across centuries. They didn’t dress for comfort. They didn’t preach for applause. They spoke for God.
Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord filling valleys and leveling mountains. Micah named the obscure town of Bethlehem. Hosea spoke of a child called out of Egypt. Malachi promised a forerunner. These weren’t guesses. They were glimpses—spirit-born visions of a coming King.
To most people, the prophets must have sounded like noise: ranting, riddled, irrelevant. But God was preparing the way.
It’s easy to overlook the role of the prophets in the Christmas story. They aren’t at the nativity scene. There are no figurines of Jeremiah or Malachi on our mantels. But without their voices, we wouldn’t recognize the Child for who He is.
God didn’t send Jesus unannounced. He spent centuries shouting through wild men and weeping women, through dreams and darkness and scrolls. His coming was never quiet in heaven, even if it felt delayed on earth.
When God is about to do something new, He often begins by stirring up the wilderness. He raises a voice before He reveals the vision.
Are you listening?
Centering Prayer
Lord of the wilderness,
Open my ears to the voices You send. When life feels barren or uncertain, let me hear Your call preparing my heart for Your coming. Make me willing to clear the cluttered roads within so Your glory can be revealed. – Amen.
Practice for Today
Turn off every unnecessary noise for ten minutes. Sit in silence. Ask God what wilderness voices you’ve been ignoring—whether in Scripture, your own soul, or the people around you.
Journaling Prompt
What message might God be trying to speak to me through unexpected or uncomfortable voices?
Blessing for the Day
Lower the volume of the distractions of the season.
Tune your ears to the wild winds of God’s Word.
Make room for the voice crying in the wilderness.
God was with us—and you—before Emmanuel was even born.
Pray As You Go
Breathe in: Prepare the way…
Breathe out: … my heart is listening