December 9th, 2025
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
5-Day Advent Devotional: Trading Worry for Peace
This is a 5-day devotional that is based on the sermon and blog post for this week.
Day 1: The Prince of Peace Has Come
Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 2:8-14
Devotional: Before Jesus was even born, Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would be called the "Prince of Peace." When angels announced His birth to shepherds, their first message was "peace on earth, goodwill toward men." This wasn't coincidental—peace is central to who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. As you enter this Christmas season, remember that the baby in the manger grew to be the Savior who reconciles us to God. True peace isn't found in perfect circumstances, but in a perfect Savior. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm you, return to this foundational truth: Jesus came to bring you peace with God, peace in your heart, and peace that surpasses understanding.
Reflection: What areas of your life need the Prince of Peace to reign today?
Day 2: Seek First the Kingdom
Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Devotional: Jesus doesn't tell us to ignore our needs—He tells us to reorder our priorities. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." When we obsess over physical necessities, we forget we have a higher purpose. God feeds the birds who don't plant or harvest. He clothes the flowers that last only a day. How much more will He care for you, His beloved child? The antidote to anxiety isn't positive thinking—it's kingdom thinking. When you focus on advancing God's kingdom, serving His purposes, and trusting His provision, worry loses its grip. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Let Him be King, and watch your worries shrink in the light of His sovereignty.
Reflection: What would change if you truly believed God has your physical needs covered?
Day 3: One Day at a Time
Reading: Exodus 16:13-21 (Manna in the wilderness)
Devotional: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Jesus calls us to live with daily dependence on God. The Israelites learned this lesson when God provided manna—enough for each day, but it spoiled if they hoarded it. Many of our worries are about tomorrow's problems we're trying to solve with today's limited perspective. That dense fog covering seven city blocks? It's just one glass of water divided into billions of droplets. Your worry might be the same—something manageable that you've allowed to obscure everything. Take care of what you can control today. Trust God with what you cannot. Tomorrow has enough grace waiting for tomorrow's challenges.
Reflection: What "tomorrow worry" are you carrying today that you need to release to God?
Day 4: Peace with God Through Christ
Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Devotional: The greatest peace you'll ever need is peace with God—and it only comes through Jesus Christ. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Before you can experience peace in your circumstances, you must have peace in your relationship with God. Through faith in Jesus, you're declared righteous, welcomed into grace, and given hope that doesn't disappoint. Even tribulation becomes purposeful when you're anchored in this peace. The love of God has been poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit. This isn't wishful thinking—it's the solid foundation of your faith. When everything else shakes, this peace remains. Have you placed your faith in Christ? This is where lasting peace begins.
Reflection: Do you have the assurance of peace with God through Jesus Christ?
Day 5: The Faithfulness of God
Reading: Philippians 4:6-13; 2 Timothy 2:13
Devotional: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." Even when your faith wavers, God's faithfulness never does. Paul learned contentment in every circumstance—not through self-sufficiency, but through Christ who strengthened him. The prescription for anxiety is clear: pray about everything, thank God in everything, and let His peace guard your heart and mind. This peace surpasses understanding—you won't always know why you have it, only that you do. As you face this Christmas season with its unique pressures and painful memories for some, remember: you can dwell on your problems or dwell on God's promises. Choose promises. Your heavenly Father has never failed, and He won't start now. Let His faithfulness anchor your soul.
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to cling to today instead of your problems?
Closing Prayer for the Season: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to reconcile us to You. Help us to seek Your kingdom first, to live one day at a time trusting Your provision, and to rest in the peace that only comes through Christ. When worry threatens to steal our joy this Christmas, remind us of Your faithfulness. May we trade our anxiety for Your peace and our burdens for Your rest. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This is a 5-day devotional that is based on the sermon and blog post for this week.
Day 1: The Prince of Peace Has Come
Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 2:8-14
Devotional: Before Jesus was even born, Isaiah prophesied that the coming Messiah would be called the "Prince of Peace." When angels announced His birth to shepherds, their first message was "peace on earth, goodwill toward men." This wasn't coincidental—peace is central to who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. As you enter this Christmas season, remember that the baby in the manger grew to be the Savior who reconciles us to God. True peace isn't found in perfect circumstances, but in a perfect Savior. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm you, return to this foundational truth: Jesus came to bring you peace with God, peace in your heart, and peace that surpasses understanding.
Reflection: What areas of your life need the Prince of Peace to reign today?
Day 2: Seek First the Kingdom
Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
Devotional: Jesus doesn't tell us to ignore our needs—He tells us to reorder our priorities. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." When we obsess over physical necessities, we forget we have a higher purpose. God feeds the birds who don't plant or harvest. He clothes the flowers that last only a day. How much more will He care for you, His beloved child? The antidote to anxiety isn't positive thinking—it's kingdom thinking. When you focus on advancing God's kingdom, serving His purposes, and trusting His provision, worry loses its grip. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Let Him be King, and watch your worries shrink in the light of His sovereignty.
Reflection: What would change if you truly believed God has your physical needs covered?
Day 3: One Day at a Time
Reading: Exodus 16:13-21 (Manna in the wilderness)
Devotional: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Jesus calls us to live with daily dependence on God. The Israelites learned this lesson when God provided manna—enough for each day, but it spoiled if they hoarded it. Many of our worries are about tomorrow's problems we're trying to solve with today's limited perspective. That dense fog covering seven city blocks? It's just one glass of water divided into billions of droplets. Your worry might be the same—something manageable that you've allowed to obscure everything. Take care of what you can control today. Trust God with what you cannot. Tomorrow has enough grace waiting for tomorrow's challenges.
Reflection: What "tomorrow worry" are you carrying today that you need to release to God?
Day 4: Peace with God Through Christ
Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Devotional: The greatest peace you'll ever need is peace with God—and it only comes through Jesus Christ. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Before you can experience peace in your circumstances, you must have peace in your relationship with God. Through faith in Jesus, you're declared righteous, welcomed into grace, and given hope that doesn't disappoint. Even tribulation becomes purposeful when you're anchored in this peace. The love of God has been poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit. This isn't wishful thinking—it's the solid foundation of your faith. When everything else shakes, this peace remains. Have you placed your faith in Christ? This is where lasting peace begins.
Reflection: Do you have the assurance of peace with God through Jesus Christ?
Day 5: The Faithfulness of God
Reading: Philippians 4:6-13; 2 Timothy 2:13
Devotional: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." Even when your faith wavers, God's faithfulness never does. Paul learned contentment in every circumstance—not through self-sufficiency, but through Christ who strengthened him. The prescription for anxiety is clear: pray about everything, thank God in everything, and let His peace guard your heart and mind. This peace surpasses understanding—you won't always know why you have it, only that you do. As you face this Christmas season with its unique pressures and painful memories for some, remember: you can dwell on your problems or dwell on God's promises. Choose promises. Your heavenly Father has never failed, and He won't start now. Let His faithfulness anchor your soul.
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to cling to today instead of your problems?
Closing Prayer for the Season: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to reconcile us to You. Help us to seek Your kingdom first, to live one day at a time trusting Your provision, and to rest in the peace that only comes through Christ. When worry threatens to steal our joy this Christmas, remind us of Your faithfulness. May we trade our anxiety for Your peace and our burdens for Your rest. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No Comments