Christmas is full of excitement. Planning meals, wrapping gifts, and gathering with loved ones make the season special. Yet sometimes, even the most joyful traditions can feel overwhelming or exhausting. Have you ever felt like the Christmas season was more about getting things done than celebrating Jesus?
Maybe your family has felt rushed or distracted, trying to do everything just right. But what if this season could be different? What if this Christmas you could be filled with peace, purpose, and moments that draw your family closer to Jesus?
This three-part devotional is designed for families of all ages to enjoy together. Through stories, Scripture, and prayer, you’ll explore Christ’s love for people all around the world and discover how your family can reflect His heart on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Thanksgiving Day: A Grateful Heart
Gratitude doesn’t always come easily, especially when family plans don’t go the way we hope. Maybe it’s health challenges that weigh heavily, the struggle to balance home life with work expectations, or financial pressures in this season of high costs. In those moments, it’s tempting to complain. But even then, God invites us to respond with thankful hearts, trusting that He is in control and working for our good.
Angel, a teenager in Honduras, knows what it means to struggle and to be restored. After years of health challenges and blurry vision, he received a pair of glasses and medical care through Compassion International. As Angel explains it, “I started having trouble with my vision, but I couldn’t afford glasses; then I was blessed with a new pair, and now I can see clearly.” His story reminds us that even simple gifts can reflect God’s deep care for us.
Angel’s gratitude wasn’t just about seeing clearly. It was about being seen. In a moment of need, God provided. And through that provision, Angel’s hope was renewed. What might God be inviting your family to see more clearly this Thanksgiving?
May Angel’s story inspire your family to look beyond circumstances and see God’s goodness. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling. Gratitude is a way of living that reflects trust in God’s care, even when life doesn’t go as we planned.
Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Even when life doesn’t go as planned, God invites us to respond with gratitude. This verse reminds us that thankfulness is not just a feeling but a faithful response to His goodness.
Reflect: What blessings has God placed in your life today? How can your family practice gratitude even when things feel uncertain or during disappointments?
Live It Out: Create a family gratitude journal to capture the ways God has shown His love. Each entry becomes a testimony of His faithfulness. You can use blank paper and a pencil, or you can download Compassion’s printable template to get started!
Pray: “Dear God, we have so much to be thankful for because of the countless ways You take care of us. Thank You for our family, our friends, and for the simple joys we overlook. Most of all, thank You for Your Son, Jesus, Your greatest gift. Help us to see Your goodness in every moment and grow our hearts of gratitude, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but throughout the year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Christmas Eve: Serving as We Wait
Waiting can feel endless, especially when we are amped up with eagerness for the arrival of Christmas morning. Maybe it’s the excitement of opening gifts, the joy of seeing loved ones walk through the door, or the thrill of a favorite family tradition. When our hearts are full of expectation, time can seem to drag, and in looking ahead to what’s next, we often miss the beauty of what’s happening right now.
Christmas Eve is a day of anticipation, but for many children around the world, waiting isn’t just on Christmas Eve. It’s daily. They wait for change, for opportunity, and for hope. And yet, waiting can also be purposeful. It can be a time when faith deepens and hearts are prepared to serve. In the waiting, God is still working.
That truth came to life in Guatemala, where three girls, Yoselin, Keily, and Arelys, challenged the belief that electrical work was just for boys. In a place where girls were told the work was too difficult, they boldly asked their Compassion center to open its electrician training to them. The answer was yes. The answer changed everything.
Today, these young women are using their skills to serve others. Yoselin made her family’s home safer. Keily repaired a circuit breaker after a power outage. And 13-year-old Arelys installed an electrical outlet at her school. Their work is more than practical. It’s a powerful reflection of faith, leadership, and the kind of transformation that happens when waiting turns into action. As Yoselin put it, “I love showing others that I am capable of doing things that no one would expect because I am a woman.”
These girls didn’t wait for change; they became it. In the face of limitation, they chose action. Their story reminds us that waiting doesn’t always have to be passive. It can be purposeful. No matter our age or circumstance, we can wait well by loving boldly, serving faithfully, and trusting God is at work.
Scripture: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
This verse reminds us that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is a way of serving Jesus. When we serve others, we reflect His heart and participate in His kingdom work.
Reflect: How do you feel when you do something kind for someone else? What does it mean to wait well, not just with patience, but with purpose? Who in your life might need encouragement, help, or hope today?
Live It Out: As you celebrate Christmas Eve, take a moment to reflect on how you might carry Christ’s love into the days ahead. Serving doesn’t need to be grand. It can be simple and intentional. Consider helping with chores, writing notes of encouragement, or praying for someone in need. Begin making plans to serve today, and if you need more practical ideas on how you can make a difference, check out this article!
Pray: “Jesus, thank You for coming into the world to bring hope and light. As we wait for the joy of Christmas morning, help us to serve others with love and humility. Remind us that when we care for those in need, we are truly serving You. Just as You said, ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,’ may our actions reflect Your heart and draw us closer to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Christmas Day: The Light of Jesus
Merry Christmas! Today, families around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus in unique and special ways. Though our traditions may differ, our hearts are united in worship and celebration. From Colombia to Kenya, from Indonesia to Haiti, the story of Jesus’ birth is being honored with joy. Want to learn more? Visit Compassion International’s Christmas Around the World page to discover how various countries celebrate Christmas, and how you can pray for them!
Around the world, Christmas traditions reflect the creativity and culture God has given each community. In Colombia, families enjoy festive treats like buñuelos and natilla. In Bolivia, roosters join Midnight Mass, symbolizing the first announcement of Jesus’ birth. Children in Burkina Faso craft cribs from clay and straw, while in Bali, artisans create Christmas trees from chicken feathers. These traditions are more than customs — they’re expressions of worship.
Isn’t it amazing to imagine the global celebration of Jesus’ birth? From every corner of the earth, people are lifting up His name. What does it stir in your heart to know that the light of Jesus shines in every culture, every language, every land?
As you celebrate today, let your heart rest in the truth that Jesus’ birth changed everything. His arrival brought hope to the hopeless, light to the darkness, and love to the whole world. May your family’s traditions reflect the joy of knowing Him and call you to share His light with others.
Scripture: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:9
Jesus didn’t just come for one place or one people. He came for the whole world. His light shines in every culture, every language, and every heart that welcomes Him.
Reflect: Where have you seen Jesus’ light in your life this year? How can your family reflect that light to others around you, both near and far away? What does it mean to be part of a global celebration of Christ’s birth?
Live It Out: Make a cozy Christmas candle for a loved one, neighbor, or friend as a symbol of Jesus’ light. Include a note about how Christ’s birth brings hope to the world. As you create and share, pray for children and families around the world who are celebrating today with some candles, some clay cribs, and some joyful songs.
Pray “Jesus, on this Christmas Day, we celebrate the moment You entered the world as the true light, and we thank You for shining Your love into every nation, every home, and every heart that welcomes You. As we gather with loved ones, help us to reflect Your light in our words, our actions, and our worship. May our celebration today be a testimony to Your global grace and eternal hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
By taking time to reflect on stories, Scripture, and prayer together, families can center their homes on Jesus and His love for others. Whether through simple acts of kindness or intentional service, each moment becomes an opportunity to live out faith in action. Compassion International offers a rich library of resources to help families grow in discipleship and care for their global neighbors. From encouraging someone next door to helping release children from poverty in Jesus’ name, your family can be part of God’s work around the world.
For more devotionals and tools to help your family serve others as though serving Jesus Himself, visit https://www.compassion.com.
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