Go to home page

I heard a voice say; ‘Go to Bethlehem and see the child.’

 And I hesitated. What if I was hearing things?

 But my spirit was led to the child in the stall,

 And I was captivated; Christ was born in my heart.

I heard a voice say; ‘Glory to God in highest heaven!’

 And I said ‘what?’  I didn’t have a clue what it meant!

 But my spirit was consumed by heavenly praise,

 And I was transported into realms of amazing joy.

I heard a voice say; ‘Come follow me ...’

 And I didn’t know what to do.  Was the choice really mine?

 But Jesus took hold of my faint hearted hand

 And I was blessed beyond measure by His care.

I heard a voice say; ‘Give me Your all!’

 And I said ‘why?’ Why give back what you have been given?

 But the Christ within me was speaking from the Cross

 And He had given His all for me. So I knew what to do.

Go to home page

Devotions - St Stephen’s Day - 26th of December

links to pages about the vision behind the site and the author
links to pages describing the Christian faith, and explaining how to use the site
links to pages with helpful resources
Go to home page
various resources including information, article downloads, a desktop icon, and much more.
a discipleship programme to use with this site, for individual or group use.
links for all the devotion downloads currently available.
links for all the devotion downloads currently available.
links to each of the five dictionaries
Go to selections page to find other devotions
ways of contacting the author, including email contact, a guestbook, and a survey
use the guestbook to share your experiences with other users
a brief site survey, which gives the author helpful statistics about the site is used
make contact with the author, give testimony or report any problems
read about the author and how he was led to create this site
view the site plan, which has links to every page on the site
the vision behind this site, and a brief statement of faith
a list of Bible studies being planned for the future and other items of interest

What a privilege it is, dear Father, to rejoice in the birth of Your Son!  What a joy it is to be able to celebrate it with joy and thanksgiving in our churches and homes!  What an honour to be touched by Your gracious hand and lifted into heavenly places to rejoice with the angels!  Dear Father; may the wonder of Christmas never leave us; old or young:

ALLELUIA!

Consider praying under these four headings, and pray as you feel led.  The ideas below may help.

General theme for the week: CHRISTMAS

1. For self

Praise God for Jesus, and spend time doing this in whatever way you are led.  Give Him glory and honour from the depths of your heart.

2. For friends and family

Pray in thanksgiving for those members of your family who you have been with this Christmas, and pray especially for those you have not seen.  Pray for the day when all your family will know and love the Lord.

3. For the church and its work

Thank God for the many special events and services held by your church this Christmas.  Pray that God will speak through them, and pray for all those who have been touched by them.

4. For community, country and world (the ‘news’)

Pray for all who have been the subject of ‘news’ these past few days.  Pray for those who do not yet know that Jesus has come to earth for them and for their salvation.

find out more about the Christian faith, about Jesus, God and the Church.
choose from a list of daily devotions, to do on line or download
advice about get the best from this site

Use the links below

to choose your Bible study for today

Brief Bible studies from Hosea, the prophet who saw God's justice and love played out in his marriage
Brief Bible studies from 1 Timothy, containing some personal advice from a wise evangelist to a junior church leader
select a book from the Bible to do a brief Bible study including discipleship notes
Brief Bible studies from Psalms 1-24, the hymn book of the Bible
Brief Bible studies of the introductions to the four Gospels, including the birth of Jesus
Brief Bible studies from Jonah, the 'runaway prophet'
Brief Bible studies from 2 Corinthians in which Paul defends his ministry and reveals some remarkable teaching
Bible studies from Ezekiel, God's prophet to the people of Israel in Exile
Brief Bible studies from Hebrews, an open letter to Jewish people who were thinking intelligently about whether to accept Christ.
Brief Bible studies from 1 Samuel, the stories of David's early life including the victory over Goliath and the trouble between himself and king Saul.
Brief Bible studies from Proverbs, the famous book of 'Widsom' including many sayings of Solomon and others
Bible studies from Gen 25-36, the life story of Jacob, the devious youngster who became the father of many tribes and the forefather 'ISRAEL'
Bible studies from Isaiah 1-12 - The early prophecies and experiences of Isaiah of Jerusalem
Bible studies in Malachi - the last prophetic advice to God's Old Testament people before the coming of the Messiah
Bible studies from Matthew 26-28 - the Passion of Christ
Bible studies from Galatians, Paul's letter to some Christians who needed to know the difference between Christians and Jews
Bible studies from Ephesians, Paul's letter of encouragement to churches around Ephesus
Bible studies from Romans - Paul's great explanation of the Christian faith
Bible studies from Exodus - from leaving Egypt to the giving of the Law
Bible studies from Amos - the first prophet to speak out against the sins of Israel
select a book from the Bible to do a complete Bible study, including translation notes, 'going deeper', and application, as well as discipleship notes
Bible studies from Philippians, Paul's letter to a church he had founded, to keep them on the right track!
Bible studies in Judges - the record of great leaders of Israel in the years immediately after the occupation of the Promised Land
Bible studies from Luke 1-8, Luke's account of Jesus' birth and the beginning of His ministry
Bible studies from Isaiah 40-66 - Some of the most influential and memorable prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus Himself quote these prophecies frequently
Brief Bible studies from 1 Corinthians; a substantial letter telling a young church how to be a loving servant of the Lord
Bible studies from Gen 12-24, the story of Abraham and the birth of Isaac
Bible studies from Matthew 8-9, Jesus' first public minitrys in Galilee
Bible studies from Ephesians, Paul's letter to the churches around Ephesus , setting out the Gospel for Gentile churches with a vision of growth and evangelism
Bible studies from the Gospel of Mark, that part of the story of Jesus after the transfiguration and before His entry into Jerusalem.
Bible studies from Matthew 15-17, the disciples begin to learn the truth about Jesus and His ministry

Psalm 100

Psalm 100 is a classic Psalm of praise to God, encompassing all the great biblical themes of God’s love and mercy.

Luke 2:8-14

Some shepherds in fields nearby get the shock of their lives when they are spoken to by an angel from God, and then to cap it all, are serenaded by heaven’s hosts!  Something remarkable is happening!