Listen to today’s devo!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

Merry Christmas! I hope you have beautiful gifts under the tree this morning and open them with people you love. Whether you received the Christmas presents you desired, I want to share one more with you. This gift is for you, specifically. It has your name on it. It is from someone who knows you very well. (The best gifts come from people who are very familiar with our interests, hobbies, and needs.) This gift is not under the tree, and you can’t touch it, but it is just as real. It is the gift of the Spirit. It comes not from Santa, but from God. This gift is yours and is brand new today.

The birth of Jesus happened historically, many years ago. But the gift of love he brought to us is present right now. After he resurrected and returned to heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live with people. The Spirit is with you now, living in you this moment.

The Spirit renews our hearts with God’s love. We can receive a new installment of grace every morning. When we’re happy, we can celebrate God’s nearness. When we’re lonely, we can find comfort from God’s Spirit. Our heavenly Father has certainly blessed us with wonderful people in our lives, but the best gift is his loving Spirit. He is yours today.

Ask the Spirit to fill you with love and joy.

Jarod Osborne is lead pastor of Pathway [Wesleyan] Church, in Warsaw, Indiana. He is the author of “Jaded Faith” (WPH).

© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.