Most Wonderful Time of Year

By Julianna Young

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”  

Luke 2:19

I absolutely love Christmas! If you would’ve asked me a couple years ago what I liked about Christmas, I would’ve told you my favorite part was the traditions — the baking, the decorating, the gift-wrapping…. It is all so much fun to me! As I have gotten older, that answer has changed. 

I was saved at a very young age, but I felt as if I would always get caught up in the activities and festivities of Christmas rather than taking a step back to truly appreciate what Christmas is all about. It wasn’t until I was about nineteen that I truly started enjoying Christmas and the true meaning of it. 

That year, I was encouraged to do a scripture writing plan through the month of December. Each day of the month was spent reading a portion of scripture dealing with our Savior’s birth and things surrounding that wonderful event.

As I saturated myself in the Word every day in December, I couldn’t help but constantly meditate on the story of Christmas. It truly sent me into a spirit of thankfulness that entire month.

I remember as my Dad was reading Luke 2 to me and my siblings on Christmas morning, I just sat there and tears began to fill my eyes. As we prayed before we opened presents, I was just thanking the Lord over and over for sending His Son to be born in a manger and to die for me! I know for a fact that because I decided to take a step back that year and focus on the true meaning of Christmas, it made that year one that I will always remember! 

I want to encourage you to do the same. I have compiled some of my favorite passages concerning Jesus’ birth and divided it into 25 days. You can read a passage each day and then even write it down in a notebook to meditate on if you would like. I hope we all spend this month saturating ourselves in the true meaning of Christmas and the reason why we celebrate the season. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! 

Isaiah 7:14  |  Isaiah 9:6-7

Luke 1:26-28  |  Luke 1:29-31   |  Luke 1:32-33  |  Luke 1:34-35

Luke 1:36-38  |  Luke 1:39-41   |  Luke 1:42-45  |  Luke 1: 46-48

Luke 1:49-51  |  Luke 1:52-53   |  Luke 1:54-56 

Matthew 1: 18-20  |  Matthew 1:21-23  |  Matthew 1:24-25

Luke 2:7  |  Luke 2:8-10  |  Luke 2:11-12   |  Luke 2:13-14   |  Luke 2:15-16  |  Luke 2:17-20

Matthew 2:1-2  |  Matthew 2:3-6  |  Matthew 2:7-11