December 2025 Devotional | renewchurchcleveland

December 1: Advent Day 1 "He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." Luke 1:16–17 Devotional: Prepare the Way What John the Baptist did for Israel, Advent can do for us. Don’t let Christmas find you unprepared. I mean spiritually unprepared. Its joy and impact will be so much greater if you are ready! So, that you might be prepared . . . First, meditate on the fact that we need a Savior. Christ- mas is an indictment before it becomes a delight. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). If you don’t need a Savior, you don’t need Christmas. Christmas will not have its in- tended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Savior. Let these short Advent meditations help awaken in you a bittersweet sense of need for the Savior. Second, engage in sober self-examination. Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! / Try me and know my thoughts! / And see if there be any grievous way in me, / and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). Let every heart prepare him room . . . by cleaning house. Third, build God-centered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home—especially for the chil- dren. If you are excited about Christ, they will be too. If you can make Christmas exciting only with material things, how will the children get a thirst for God? Bend the efforts of your imagination to make the wonder of the King’s ar- rival visible for the children. Fourth, be much in the Scriptures, and memorize the great passages! “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord?” (Jeremiah 23:29)! Gather ’round that fire this Advent season. It is warm. It is sparkling with colors of grace. It is healing for a thousand hurts. It is light for dark nights. - John Piper

December 2: Advent Day 2 "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever." Luke 1:46–55 Devotional: Mary’s Magnificent God Mary sees clearly a most remarkable thing about God: he is about to change the course of all human his- tory; the most important three decades in all of time are about to begin. And where is God? Occupying himself with two ob- scure, humble women—one old and barren (Elizabeth), one young and virginal (Mary). And Mary is so moved by this vision of God, the lover of the lowly, that she breaks out in song—a song that has come to be known as “the Magnificat.” Mary and Elizabeth are wonderful heroines in Luke’s account. He loves the faith of these women. The thing that impresses him most, it appears, and the thing he wants to impress on Theophilus, the noble reader of his Gospel, is the lowliness and cheerful humility of Elizabeth and Mary as they submit to their magnificent God. Elizabeth says (Luke 1:43), “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” And Mary says (Luke 1:48), “He has looked on the humble estate of his servant.” The only people whose soul can truly magnify the Lord are people like Elizabeth and Mary—people who acknowl- edge their lowly estate and are overwhelmed by the conde- scension of the magnificent God. - John Piper

December 3: Advent Day 3 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us." Luke 1:68–71 Devotional: The Long-Awaited Visitation Notice two remarkable things from the words of Zech- ariah, Elizabeth’s husband, in Luke 1:68–71. First, nine months earlier, Zechariah had not believed that his wife would have a child. Now, filled with the Holy Spirit, he has become so confident of God’s redeeming work in the coming Messiah that he puts it in the past tense: “He has visited and redeemed his people.” For the mind of faith, a promised act of God is as good as done. Zechariah has learned to take God at his word and so has a remarkable assurance: God “has visited and redeemed!” (Luke 1:68). Second, the coming of Jesus the Messiah is a visitation of God to our world: the God of Israel has visited and re- deemed. For centuries, the Jewish people had languished under the conviction that God had withdrawn: the spirit of prophecy had ceased, and Israel had fallen into the hands of Rome. And all the godly in Israel were awaiting the visitation of God. Luke tells us that another old man, the devout Simeon, was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). Likewise, the prayerful Anna was “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). These were days of great expectation. Now the long- awaited visitation of God is about to happen—indeed, he is about to come in a way no one has expected. - John Piper

December 4: Advent Day 4 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered… And Joseph also went up from Galilee… to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.” — Luke 2:1–5 For God’s Little People Have you ever considered how amazing it is that God ordained the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)? And how, when the time came, Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth—not Bethlehem—God moved history to fulfill His word? He placed it in the heart of Caesar Augustus to issue a decree for the entire Roman world, just to move two unknown people seventy miles to the exact town He promised. A global census for the sake of two ordinary servants. Have you ever felt small and insignificant in a world of billions, where news is dominated by politics, economics, and powerful people? Don’t let it discourage you. Scripture shows that great movements and empires are steered by God—not for their own sake—but for His people. God wields nations to bless His children, just as He moved Mary and Joseph. Do not assume adversity means God’s hand is shortened. He does not seek our fame or ease, but our holiness. To that end He rules the world. As Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” He is always turning it toward His saving and sanctifying purposes. God is a big God for little people. We can rejoice that, even when leaders and nations are unaware, they fulfill the sovereign decrees of our Father. All of history bends toward His plan: that we would be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, and finally enter His eternal glory.

December 5: Advent Day 5 "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Luke 2:6–7 "No Detour from Calvary" You would think that if God so rules the world as to use an empire-wide census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, he surely could have seen to it that a room was available in the inn. Yes, he could have. He absolutely could have! And Jesus could have been born into a wealthy family. He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness. He could have called ten thousand angels to his aid in Gethse mane. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. The question is not what God could do, but what he willed to do. God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” (2 Co rin thi ans 8:9). God rules all things—even hotel capacities and available Airbnbs—for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem. And we must not forget that Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Luke 9:23). We join him on the Calvary road and hear him say, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). To the one who calls out enthusiastically, “I will follow you wherever you go,” Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:57–58). Yes, God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

December 16: Isaiah 9:1–2 Light in the Darkness Isaiah speaks to people who are walking in darkness. The Hebrew word is ḥōshek (חֹשֶׁךְ)—not just the absence of light, but confusion, fear, and disorder. Life not working the way it should. Into that reality, God doesn’t give instructions. He gives a promise: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” The word for light is ’ôr (אוֹר). It comes to them. Grace always moves first. This light is not an idea or a program. It’s a person. What Isaiah sees from afar, we see fully in Jesus. God enters our darkness and brings hope, clarity, and life. Darkness doesn’t win. Light does. Reflection Questions Where do you sense ḥōshek—confusion, fear, or heaviness—in your life right now? What would it look like to stop striving and receive God’s ’ôr instead? How does knowing that Jesus comes to you change the way you face this season? Prayer God of light, Thank You for meeting us in our ḥōshek and bringing Your ’ôr. Help us live as people who trust that Your light is already breaking in. Amen.

December 17: Isaiah 9:6 Father Forever Isaiah gives us a name that feels both tender and staggering: “Everlasting Father.” In Hebrew, it’s ’Avi-‘Ad (אֲבִי־עַד) — literally, “Father of Eternity.” Not just a father who lasts a long time, but the One who stands over time itself. For many of us, the word father carries weight. Some of it good. Some of it painful. Isaiah isn’t pretending that earthly fathers are perfect. He’s pointing us to something deeper. God is the Father who does not disappear, withdraw, or grow weary. The word ’av (אָב) speaks of source, protector, and provider. And ‘ad (עַד) means perpetuity—without end. Together, they tell us this: God’s care is not seasonal. His presence is not fragile. His love does not expire. This is why Jesus can say, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” The Father forever doesn’t rule from a distance. He comes near. He enters our world. He shoulders our weakness. He stays. When life feels unstable—relationships shift, seasons change, people let us down—Isaiah reminds us that at the center of reality is not chaos, but a Father who remains. You are not orphaned. You are not forgotten. You are held—now and always. Reflection Questions What emotions rise in you when you hear the word father? Where do you need to trust God as ’Avi-‘Ad, the Father who never leaves? How does Jesus reshape your understanding of what a true Father is like? Prayer Father of Eternity, Thank You that Your love does not fade and Your presence does not fail. Heal what is broken in us and teach us to rest in You. Help us live today secure in the truth that we are Your children—forever. Amen.

December 18 Devotional — Isaiah 9 God Is a Warrior Isaiah 9 shows us a God who does not stand at a distance while His people struggle. He steps into the conflict. Darkness is real. Oppression is heavy. And God responds with action. Isaiah says the child who is coming will be called ’El Gibbor (אֵל גִּבּוֹר). While this is often translated “Mighty God,” the heart of the phrase is “God is a warrior.” Gibbor means champion, hero, one proven in battle. This is not abstract strength—it is strength exercised on behalf of others. But notice the kind of war God wages. Isaiah speaks of broken yokes, shattered rods, and boots burned in the fire. God’s warfare is not about conquest, but deliverance. He fights to free people from what enslaves them—fear, sin, injustice, and death. And His strategy is unexpected. The warrior comes as a child. Victory arrives through humility. The cross looks like defeat, but it becomes the moment the enemy is undone. God wins not by overpowering, but by absorbing the blow and breaking the cycle of violence and sin. So when your battles feel personal—when fear, temptation, or exhaustion press in—remember this: you are not responsible for winning the war. God is a warrior. And He fights for you. Reflection Questions Where do you feel like you’re in a battle right now? How does seeing God as **’El Gibbor—God who fights for you—**change how you face that struggle? What would it look like to trust God’s way of winning rather than relying on your own strength? Prayer God who fights for us, ’El Gibbor, Thank You that You enter our battles and carry the weight we cannot. Help us release our need to control the outcome and learn to trust Your victory. Strengthen our faith as we rest in You. Amen.

Devotional — Isaiah 9 Jesus Is the Ruler of Peace Isaiah says the coming child will be called Sar Shalom (שַׂר־שָׁלוֹם). It means “Ruler of Peace.” The Hebrew word sar means ruler, leader, one who governs. Isaiah is not describing Jesus’ personality or rank, but His authority. Jesus does not simply bring peace. He rules peace. And shalom is more than calm or the absence of conflict. It means wholeness, completeness, life restored the way God intended. Peace is not a feeling we manufacture—it is the result of living under the reign of the right King. Isaiah speaks into a violent, fractured world and declares that peace will come through governance, not negotiation. Through a ruler who restores order by reconciling what is broken. Jesus establishes peace in an unexpected way. Not through force, but through the cross. Not by crushing enemies, but by defeating sin and death themselves. His resurrection proves that chaos does not have the final word. Peace grows where Jesus rules. Not fully yet. But truly now. And completely one day. Reflection Questions Where do you most need shalom—wholeness—in your life right now? What area are you resisting Jesus’ rule because you want control? How might peace grow if you trusted Jesus as the Ruler of Peace? Prayer Jesus, Sar Shalom, You are the Ruler of Peace. We submit our anxious and fractured places to Your reign. Restore what is broken in us and teach us to live under Your good rule. Amen.