The Essential Journey to Bethlehem 1
Introduction
he Essential Journey to Bethlehem provides you with one short scripture reading each day T followed by a reflection question or two designed to help you see how God promised the world a Savior and then kept that promise.
How to Use This Guide
irst, decide on a brief time and a quiet place for your daily journey. Begin each day’s time F with prayer (you can use the suggested prayer or compose one of your own). Then, read the passage from your Bible, ponder the reflection & application questions and end your time with a brief prayer, also (Again, you can use the suggested prayer if you wish). That’s all it takes, so when you’re ready, begin your journey to Bethlehem and meet the new-born King!
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The Essential Journey to Bethlehem 2
His Coming Foretold
His Birth Foretold His Peace Foretold His Suffering Foretold 1 2 3 Pray: Pray: Pray: Lord, may the light of Your holy Heavenly Father, I marvel again Lord, how I praise You for all You Word shine in my life today as I at Your greatness and goodness did for me on the cross and Your come to read it now. in sending us Your son, Jesus. mercy every day!
Read: Read: Read: Isaiah 9:1‐7 Isaiah 11:1‐10 Isaiah 53:1‐6
Reflect: Reflect: Reflect: What are the special names given What will empower this “root of What was the reason for this to the child who is to be born? Jesse” to bring such peace and one’s sorrow and suffering? justice to the world? Apply: Apply: How is Jesus a “Wonderful Apply: Have you trusted Jesus to take Counselor, Mighty God, What can you do on behalf of away your “iniquities”? Confess Everlasting Father, Prince of peace and justice in your world? any known sin now. Peace” to you? How could he be Make a plan to start today. even more so? Pray: Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live each Pray: Lord Jesus, Help me to know day in obedience to You. I want Lord Jesus, be all to me that You what I can do to bring Your peace my life to always please and want to be. I gladly open my and justice to this world—and to honor You. heart and mind to You. do it.
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His Coming Foretold
His Birthplace Foretold His Kingship Foretold 4 5
Pray: Pray: Lord God, teach me by Your Holy Lord Jesus, I bow before you in Spirit what You want me to learn worship today. You are my God from Your Word today. and King!
Read: Read: “ For to us a child is born, Micah 5:2‐5 Zechariah 9: 9‐13 to us a son is given, and the Reflect: Reflect: Where does the prophet say the What might surprise someone government will be on his “promised ruler” will be born? about the description of this King? shoulders. And he will be Apply: What does it mean to you to Apply: called Wonderful know Jesus’ birth was planned Is there anything about Jesus that and foretold by God long in surprises you? If so, what and Counselor, Mighty God, advance? How might it affect why? your life today? Pray: Everlasting Father, Prince Pray: Lord Jesus, continue to help me Show me Your plan for me, Lord, get to know You better each day. of Peace.” at least for today, so that I may Keep surprising me with Your know it and follow it. love and power. Isaiah 9-6
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His Coming Prepared
At The Right Time By the Holy Spirit Preceded by John 6 7 8 Pray: Pray: Pray: Gracious God, I look forward to Holy Spirit, come afresh into my Speak to me today, Lord. I’m here this special time with You now. heart, renew my mind and lead and ready to listen to Your Word. Draw me close, I pray. my life throughout this day. Read: Read: Read: Luke 1:5‐17 Galatians 4:4‐7 Matthew 1: 18‐24 Reflect: Reflect: Reflect: What did the angel say was to be For what reason did God send his Why do you think it was John’s task in life? son “at the right time”? important that the baby be conceived by the Holy Spirit? Apply: Apply: What tasks does God have for Recall how God prepared you for Apply: you this day or this week? Is the coming of his son into your How would you have reacted if there someone whose life you life. Thank him for that. you had been Joseph? Has God could help prepare for Jesus to ever asked you to do something come in? Pray: quite incredible? How did you Lord Jesus, thank You for all react? Pray: You’ve done in my life so far. Lord, give me eyes to see those Help me to cooperate with all Pray: around me with whom I can You have yet to do! Lord Jesus, build in me a strong share all that You’ve done for and trusting spirit so that I’ll be me. willing to do whatever You may call me to.
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His Coming Prepared
Announced by the Angel With Great Rejoicing! 9 10
Pray: Pray:
Gracious father, I praise You for Heavenly Father, I rejoice at the Your unfailing love and for thought that You love me so inviting me to spend this time much that You gave Your beloved
with You. son for me.
Read: Read:
Luke 1:26‐38 Luke 1:39‐45
Reflect: Reflect: How did Mary feel when she How did Elizabeth show her joy heard this momentous at Mary’s news? “ ‘ The virgin will be with announcement? Apply: child and will give birth to Apply: Has God done anything in or How do you react when God calls through you that has made you a son, and they will call you to a surprising or frightening rejoice so unreservedly as Mary task? What can you learn from did? If so, thank him. him Immanuel–which Mary? Pray: means, ‘God with us.’ ” Pray: Thank You, Lord, for Your Lord Jesus, give me the faith and constant presence with me and trust to follow where You lead for all You do in my life each day. Matthew 1:23 me and do what You ask of me.
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The Child is Born
The Birth of Jesus The Angel’s Good News The Shepherds Find Him 11 12 13 Pray: Pray: Pray: Lord, as I read Your Word today, Almighty God, how I praise and Lord, I’m amazed and awed by help me to enter into the wonder thank You today for the Good Your majesty and power and by of the birth of the Savior. News the angels announced that Your tender, loving and first Christmas. compassionate heart, also. Read: Read: Read: Luke 2:1‐7 Luke 2: 8‐14 Luke 2:15‐20 Reflect: Why did Mary and Joseph have Reflect: Reflect: their baby in Bethlehem? What immediately followed this How did people react to the momentous announcement of shepherd’s report about the Apply: good news? Apply: Meditate on child? Are you surprised that the Lord what that “Good News” means to would be born in such humble you. Who could you share this Apply: circumstances? good news with in the next few What is it about Jesus that days? amazes you and people you How does that make you feel know? Thank him for all the about him? Pray: amazing things you recall. Pray: Thank You, Lord, for this great “Good News” about You. Help Pray: Lord Jesus, remind me again me to share it effectively with Lord Jesus, continue to amaze today that humble circumstances someone soon. me. Help me never to take You don’t determine a person’s and Your love for me for granted. worth; You’ve already done that.
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The Child is Born
The Child in the Temple The Child’s Future 14 15
Pray: Pray:
Thank You, loving God, for all Lord God, I praise You that You that You patiently teach me in so know my future, that You control many ways each day. Help me to it and that You intend good for learn well. me. “ But the angel said to Read: Read: them, ‘ Do not be afraid. I Luke 2:21‐32 Luke 2: 33‐40 bring you good news of Reflect: Reflect : Why was Simeon so moved by What did Simeon and Anna see great joy that will be for all seeing this baby? for Jesus’ future?
Apply: Apply: the people. Today in the Think about what you praise God In what ways are you, like the for this Advent season. Then, do child Jesus, growing and town of David a Savior praise him. becoming strong in the grace of God? What more could you do? has been born to you; he is Pray: Lord Jesus, I thank You that You Pray: Christ the Lord’.” grew up just like me and Lord Jesus, give me the desire to understand me in every way. grow in Your grace and in Luke 2:10-11 obedience to You more each day.
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His Childhood and Youth
The Magi’s Search The Magi’s Worship The Flight to Egypt 16 17 18 Pray: Pray: Pray: Lord, I thank You today for Your Father God, I bow in reverent As I come to Your Word now, I Word and all the wisdom and worship before You now as my pray “Speak Lord for Your servant riches it holds. Teach it to me loving creator, sustainer and is listening (1 Sam. 3:9). now. redeemer. Read: Read: Read: Matthew 2: 13‐18 Matthew 2: 1‐6 Matthew 2:7‐12 Reflect: Reflect: When the Magi finally Reflect: saw the child, what was their How was the baby delivered from How did the priests and teachers response? being murdered? of the law know where Jesus would be born? Apply: Ponder Apply: Apply: what God’s Word means to you. What kind of gifts have you given In what ways does God speak to How has it helped you in your (or are you giving) to Jesus in and lead you? How has he done “search” for Jesus and in your gratitude for what he’s given so recently? life? you? Pray: Pray: Pray: Lord Jesus, sharpen my spirit to Lord Jesus, help me to treasure How very thankful I am, Lord be able to hear You speak to me Your Word and study it eagerly Jesus, for all You’ve given me. and know Your leading. so that I can know You and Your Help me to always have a ways better. grateful heart.
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His Childhood and Youth
The Return to Nazareth The Father’s House 19 20
Pray: Pray: Heavenly Father, I praise You for Lord, I want to know You more “After three days they the great wonder that I should be clearly, love You more dearly and called one of Your children (1 follow You more nearly this day. John 3:1). found him in the temple Read: Read: courts, sitting among the Luke 2: 41‐52 Matthew 2:19‐23 Reflect: What was so surprising teachers, listening to them about Jesus’ time in the Temple? Reflect: and asking them questions. What was significant about Jesus Apply: growing up in Nazareth? Do you treasure your time in Everyone who heard him corporate worship and the study Apply: of God’s word? If so, how is that Recall how God worked in your evident? If not, what can you do was amazed at his childhood to make you the about it? person you are. Thank him for understanding and his that and for the specific people Pray: involved. Lord Jesus, give me a greater love answers.” for Your Word and for Pray: worshipping together with other Luke 2:46-47 Thank You, Lord, for all those believers, I pray. who love me and have helped make me the person I am in You.
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His Incarnation Explained
His Divine Being His Superiority He Humbled Himself 21 22 23 Pray: Pray: Pray: Lord, I praise You as the Creator Gracious God and Father, show Heavenly Father, I say with Your of all and my Savior! May Your me more about Jesus today as I people throughout time ‘How name be held in highest praise read and study Your word. great You are! How wonderful everywhere! and awesome!” Read: Read: Read: Hebrews 1:1‐4 Colossians 1:15‐20 Phil. 2: 5‐11 Reflect: Reflect: Why is Jesus clearly so Reflect: What is given as God’s purpose “superior”? How and why did Jesus “humble and intention for Christ here? himself”? Apply: Apply: What is it about Jesus for which Apply: Is it evident that Christ has “the you are most thankful? Thank In what ways is it hard for you to supremacy” in your life? If so, him. be humble? How can you show a how? If not, what might you do? greater Christ‐like humility in Pray: your life? Pray: Lord Jesus, help me never to Lord Jesus, may it always be clear forget that there is no one equal Pray: to everyone I meet that You are to You! You alone are God. Lord Jesus You know it isn’t truly the Lord of my life. always easy for me, but help me to have Your humility in my life.
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His Incarnation Explained
His Offering for Sin His Gift to Us 24 25
Pray: Pray: How grateful I am, Merciful God, Loving Lord, give me the gift of that You have set me free from greater love for You, the one who the power and penalty of sin. has given so much for me. Read: Read: “ Therefore, there is now no Romans 8:1‐4 Ephesians 2:1‐10 condemnation for those who Reflect: Reflect: What has been accomplished for What is the gift Christ gives and are in Christ Jesus, because us through Christ’s coming? how does one receive it? through Christ Jesus the Apply: Apply: What does it mean to you to Have you received the gift of know that you have been set free God? What would you say are law of the Spirit of life set from condemnation by Jesus? some of the “good works” God How does your life show it? has prepared for you to do? me free from the law of sin
Pray: Pray: and death.” Lord Jesus, may my life always Lord Jesus, show me what “good reflect the peace and freedom works” you have for me to do so Romans 8:1-2 You give to all those who You’ve that I may gladly do them. set free.
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CHRISTMAS DAY “The Word Became Flesh”
Pray: Heavenly Father, on this joyful day, I lift my heart with all Your people to praise and worship You!
Read: John 1: 1‐17
Reflect: What blessings has “the word become flesh” brought to us?
Apply: Consider what you would thank and praise God for on this special day and then do it. Thank him especially for the gift of Jesus.
Pray: O Lord, how can I ever thank You enough! May my life be a continual act of thanks and worship.
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Congratulations on Completing a Journey to Bethlehem!
Now that you’ve finished your Journey to Bethlehem, we at Scripture Union hope that you’ll want to continue meeting God every day in the Bible and prayer—all throughout the year ahead.
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