When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:10 ESV
Christmas 2025
Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Join us as we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas leading us to the Epiphany. These daily devotionals will guide our worship of the King of Kings.
Week 2 Devotionals
January 4, 2026 | Second Sunday after Christmas
1 Kings 3:5–14; Colossians 3:12–17; John 6:41–47; Psalms 20 & 150 (AM); Psalms & (PM)
Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with
thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
– Colossians 3:12–17 ESV
I want you to imagine the most beautiful quilt you have ever seen. We all know a quilt is made of many different pieces, shapes, and colors. On their own, they might not look like much, but when they are stitched together with strong thread, they form something beautiful and warm.
Paul says love is the thread that “binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Without love, the pieces would just fall apart. But in Christ, our lives even with all their differences are woven together into something that tells a story of God’s grace.
Just as a quilt holds together because of the thread running through it, our lives hold together when love runs through everything we say and do. Instead of letting anger, fear, or bitterness take charge, something beautiful happens—Christ’s peace becomes the unifying force that keeps the quilt of our lives from unraveling.
“Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love is what makes the Christian life coherent. Without love, even the most “Christian” acts can become hollow or prideful.
Paul then urges us to “let” two things happen.
First, “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.” This means actively surrendering control, allowing His Word to have the final say over our emotions, our decisions, and our relationships. This peace does not come from perfect circumstances but from knowing that we are reconciled to God through the cross.
Second, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This happens as we hear God’s Word proclaimed, as we gather around the Lord’s Table, and as we teach and admonish one another in truth. Our lives of faith overflow into worship—singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude.
Finally, Paul wraps it all up: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This means every part of life—work, school, conversations, decisions—is an opportunity to bear Christ’s name and reflect His love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You have chosen us, made us holy, and called us beloved in Christ. Help us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and above all, love. Let Your Word dwell richly in us, that we may forgive as we have been forgiven, live in peace with one another, and give thanks in all things. May everything we say and do be in the name of Jesus, bringing glory to You. Amen.
Devotion written by the Rev. Teresa E. Peters (tpeters@thenalc.org)
January 5, 2026 | Twelfth Day of Christmas
Joshua 3:14—4:7; Ephesians 5:1–20; John 9:1–12, 35–38; Psalms 99 & 145 (AM); Psalms 96 & 110 (PM)
John 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, ”The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ’Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, ”And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, ”You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
– John 9:1–12, 35–38 ESV
When hearing this passage, I can’t help but think of the famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” Written by John Newton, we sing “I once was lost, but now am found” (Luke 15:32); “was blind but now I see” (John 9:25). In the Scripture for today, we hear a man born blind confessing those very words later in the reading. We might be tempted to see the point of this passage as asking the question, “can you ‘see’ Jesus for who he truly is?” But it seems it’s actually the opposite. Is Jesus actually asking, “can you ‘see’ who you truly are?”
In our passage, we hear that the man born blind was ‘cast out’ of the synagogue by the Pharisees. The Pharisees cannot see who Jesus is. Even though they should have a full view of who He is, the promised one, the Alpha and the Omega, the Messiah, they refuse and reject Him. They are far more blind than the man born blind because they have seen the light of the world and turned from it. The man born blind rejoices in receiving his sight while the Pharisees have no desire to have their spiritual eyes opened. They are the blind ones.
Early in his life, our hymn writer John Newton was a foul-mouthed sailor, a blasphemer, a slave trader. He eventually became a pastor though. God claimed him at a very young age in Baptism. God set his path there. God later opened his eyes because of His grace.
We all have up-and-down lives. Sometimes we see God right there before us and sometimes He seems so far away. Some days we can see God guiding our lives and other times see ourselves wandering off under the temptation of the world around us. We call out, “God, where are you?” He answers, “I’m right here, where are you?” No matter where we see ourselves, God, seeing us at our Baptism, calls us His own.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, Heavenly Father, thank You for gifting me with sight to be able to see You through the eyes of faith. When I wander, please guide me back to You. When I am distressed, comfort me. When I lose sight of the hope that is in You, remind me that Christ’s death and resurrection was for my sake and is Your sure promise. Fix my gaze upon You, O Lord, with the full assurance that nothing will be able to separate me from Your love. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Devotion written by the Rev. Marvin Combs (mcombs@thenalc.org)
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
January 6, 2026 | The Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 49:1–7; Revelation 21:22–27; Matthew 12:14–21; Psalms 72 & 146 (AM); Psalms 100 & 67 (PM)
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we aw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
– Matthew 2:1-12 ESV
Today we recall the Magi coming to pay homage to Jesus, the Light of the world. The Christ light, born as a small flicker in an insignificant corner of the world, has ignited a blazing flame. With great passion, the Church’s missionary movement has taken this Gospel light to every continent and almost every corner of the world, including the Chinese-speaking world.
Mandarin Chinese provides intriguing insight into Epiphany and Christian witness today. In Taiwan, friendly convenience store clerks have an interesting practice. When a customer walks in, the clerk greets her by shouting enthusiastically, “welcome, light!” Can you imagine walking into Sheetz for a soda and the clerk greeting you with, “welcome, light!”?
While I doubt the earliest Jesuit missionaries to China received such a warm welcome, their courageous witness brought the light and power of Christ’s Gospel to a new culture. Today, centuries later, the Protestant church in China is the fastest growing church body in the world!
For someone to greet you with, “welcome, light!” is a profound theological truth. Because Christ lives in us, we are, literally, light-bearers. This is true of you, no matter how you feel, whether you are an active layperson, volunteer, lay leader, pastor, or deacon. Jesus urges his followers, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
In this new year, may you be equipped to share your light by joining others—a fellowship group, a Bible study, a service team. Just as a log in a campfire can’t keep burning unless it is close to other logs, take the time to nurture your Gospel light by joining others. And don’t forget to pray for the unreached, both in North America and elsewhere, that the Gospel light might shine upon them!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of the world, as disciples called to Your service, we pray for the salvation of all. Lead us to bear witness to friends and neighbors. Fill our words and manner of life with the convincing power of Your Spirit. Grant that Your Church may always grow in grace and in numbers. Bring multitudes from every people to bow and confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Devotion written by the Rev. Dr. Jukka Kääriäinen (jkaariainen@thenalc.org)