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Tuesday, December 23, 2025: John 11; John 12

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 
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5 Names of God to Sustain Us When the Holidays Hurt

Meredith N Mills

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … except when it isn’t.

I’ve always loved November and December — the cooler weather, the Christmas lights and décor, the anticipation of joy to come. But this year’s been a hard one for our family. A long season of grief and loss. 

The holidays hit differently this year. 

Carols playing in the grocery store bring an ache instead of happiness. Long-enjoyed traditions stir up a confusing tangle of sentimentality and sadness. The hustle and bustle just makes me tired.

If you, too, are facing a hard holiday season, I invite you to join me in stepping back, out of the rush and the noise, so we can tend to our souls and lean close to the Savior we celebrate this month.

Here are five names of God I’m resting in this December:

1. The God Who Sees

“Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are God Who Sees’; for she said, ‘Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?’” (Genesis 16:13, AMP).

As much as I’d love a picture-perfect holiday with nothing but peace and joy, that isn’t the true essence of Christmas. When Jesus entered our world, the inn was full, his guests were lowly shepherds, and a murderous king sat on the throne. No sterile hospital or cozy house, no feast gracing an elegantly set table. Jesus came to a world that was broken.  

So when our own worlds are broken, it’s as if Jesus says to our souls, “Christmas is for you.”

We don’t have to paste on smiles or stay busy to keep the pain at bay. He invites us to slow down, bring him our emotions, and be still in his presence. He feels our grief. He knows where our hope is fading. He seesus with understanding and compassion and holds healing in his presence.

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6 Joyful Prayers to Say on Christmas Morning

Sophia Bricker

For kids, there is one thought that awakens them on Christmas morning: presents. They bound out of bed and inform the entire household that the day has finally arrived. Only the command from their parents keeps them restrained from tearing into the gifts as soon as they spot the packages under the tree.

We all have our memories of exciting Christmas mornings as children. The whispers with siblings about what Santa might have left. The anticipation bubbling up into jumps and squeals of delight. Or the loud “wake up” greeting that we gave our parents to remind them of the holiday (as if they could have forgotten).

But what if we could add to these memories and create a tradition of families and friends praying together on Christmas morning before the wrapping paper starts flying? To sit amid loved ones and worship the One who is the focus of this holiday. Our eyes will be turned to the Light that makes the day possible, with our hearts re-centered on the love of our great God and Savior. When we pray, we make room for Jesus to come into our celebrations.

So, after the kids have hopped around and tugged at parents’ arms, grandparents and neighbors have arrived for breakfast, and the presents await opening, let us make an intention to pray. The following five Christmas morning prayers give us some ideas and places to start.

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