Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Advent-Christmas Devotional - 2017 - single page | Page 17

God Cares for You
Wednesday, December 13th
1 Peter 5:7
While this time of year is filled with anticipation and excitement, it can also be a time of anxiety and fear.
There are so many things we need to do: buy Christmas presents, put up decorations, bake goodies, go to
parties, coordinate travel plans. . . .the list goes on and on. We grow concerned about family fina nces and
spending money we don’t have. We grow anxious about spending Christmas with relatives who don’t get
along, or sad because this year there is an empty spot at the table where a loved one used to sit. These
fears and anxieties are exhausting and overwhelming. They darken our holiday spirit and threaten to leave
us in a state of depression. A time that should be filled with joy and excitement becomes one of dread and
fear.
What an invitation Peter offers to us: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” The one
thing you don’t have to be anxious about at this time of year is where you stand with almighty God. You
can have peace and joy because you know that God sent Jesus into this world at Christmas to rescue you
from your sins, and secure for you the certainty of life in heaven. All the wrong that you have done is
forgiven because of Jesus our Savior. Through faith, we stand before God covered in his perfect
righteousness.
The same God who cared so much for our spiritual needs also cares for us as we face all the challenges of
life. In these times of fear, he invites us to cast our anxieties on him with the full confidence that he not
only cares for us but will act to take care of us. The same God who worked to rescue us from our sins will
work through his Word to remove our fears and anxieties and replace them with the peace and joy of his
loving care. Despite the busy-ness of this season, take some quiet time with your Lord in prayer to lay your
anxieties on him. Be confident he will hear you and answer you. Then go to his Word and let God bring
you his peace and joy as he reminds you of his love in sending Jesus to be your Savior.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, during this busy time, we lay our anxieties and fears on you confident that you
care for us. Keep our eyes focused on your love in Jesus and bring us the peace and joy you offer through
his sacrifice. Amen.
Activity: Take a moment for each family member to share a fear or anxiety that is weighing on their heart.
For each fear or anxiety, come up with a Bible passage in which God speaks to that fear/anxiety, or
promises his love and care to overcome it.
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