⭐ WEEK 1 — DAILY REFLECTIONS
(MONDAY–SATURDAY)
Hi friends — here are your daily reflections for Week 1 of Christmas Lights. Each day invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and let the Light of Christ meet you right where you are. Take these one at a time and let God speak gently into your week and your heart.
A Light Has Dawned
Isaiah 9:2
🗓️ Monday — Seeing the Darkness Honestly
Scripture:
Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)
“Search me, O God… point out anything in me that offends You.”
Reflection:
Before the light comforts us, it reveals what the darkness has been hiding. Isaiah described people “living in darkness,” not because they preferred it, but because they could not see anything different. The same is true for us. Worry, sin, discouragement, or exhaustion settles quietly until it feels normal.
The season of Christmas should begin with honesty—gentle, hopeful honesty before the God who already knows us.
Prayer Prompt:
Pray Psalm 139:23–24.
Lord, help me see the places where I’m struggling rather than hiding them
Today’s Response:
Name one area of your life where you feel darkness. Offer it to Jesus prayer, repent (if necessary), listen for next steps, commit to them, and follow through.
🗓️ Tuesday — God’s Promise Comes First
Scripture:
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
“For I know the plans I have for you… to give you a future and a hope.”
Reflection:
Before the people saw the dawn, God spoke a promise. That’s how He works with us, too. His promises don’t follow our circumstances—they precede them. He isn’t waiting for us to get stronger or wiser. He speaks hope into our darkness long before we see the first light. His promises are not predictions; they are declarations, they are life! They are the light of the dawn before sunrise.
You don’t have to understand the entire road ahead.
You simply trust the God who goes before you.
Prayer Prompt:
Pray Jeremiah 29:11 using your own name. Ask God to steady your heart with His plans.
Today’s Response:
Write one sentence beginning with “God, I trust You with…”. Then add what it would look like and how you would feel if that were true. Make it so!
🗓️ Wednesday — Light for Weary Hearts
Scripture:
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength…”
Reflection:
Some darkness settles simply because we’re tired. The kind of tired sleep doesn’t fix—emotional, spiritual, soul-deep weariness. But God’s light doesn’t scold the weary; it renews them. Strength doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from waiting, resting, and letting God breathe new life into our souls and our circumstances.
The promise is not that life will be easy — but that wee do not walk alone and we need not walk in darkness.
Prayer Prompt:
Pray Isaiah 40:31 slowly. Ask God to replenish what feels worn or stretched too thin.
Today’s Response:
Set aside 5–10 quiet minutes to rest in God’s presence. Let His presence warm your heart and His light illuminate your path.
🗓️ Thursday — The King Who Comes Close
Scripture:
Ephesians 3:17–19 (NLT)
“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts… and that you may know His love…”
Reflection:
The miracle of Christmas is not just that a King has come—but that He has come close. Close enough to enter our fears, questions, and hurts. Close enough to fill the deepest parts of the heart.
The light of Jesus is not distant — He is near.
His light moves toward us—gently, personally, lovingly.
Prayer Prompt:
Pray Ephesians 3:17–19. Invite Jesus to dwell deeply in the places you guard most.
Today’s Response:
Pray this simple sentence “Jesus, I welcome You here.” Then write down what He is telling you. I’m pretty sure He’ll reveal something for you to do. Do it!
🗓️ Friday — The Joy of New Light
Scripture:
John 15:7–11 (NLT)
“Remain in Me… so that My joy may be in you.”
Reflection:
The joy Jesus offers is not surface-level happiness—it’s the deep, steady joy of His presence. Joy rises as His light fills the spaces where heaviness once lived. It grows when we stay close to Him.
Joy is not something we manufacture.
It is something we receive. It’s God’s joy and it is His gift.
Prayer Prompt:
Read John 15:7–11. Ask Jesus to let His joy take root in you today.
Today’s Response:
Thank God for specific blessings from this week. Joy often starts small. What would be different in you if you accepted His gift of joy? How would that gift functioning in you impact the people in your world? If you are having trouble believing that it’s possible for you, declare it — believe it — trust the giver.
🗓️ Saturday — Making Space
Scripture:
1 Peter 1:13 (NLT)
“Prepare your minds for action… set your hope fully on His grace.”
Reflection:
As this first week closes, we pause to prepare room—not in our homes, but in our hearts. Jesus fills whatever space we make available: slowing down, letting go, loosening our grip on what we can’t control.
Preparing room is not pressure.
It’s surrender.
It’s a gentle turning toward the Light.
Before the Light came into the world, God prepared the hearts of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the Magi, Simeon, and Anna — each one made room for what they did not fully know — the promised one of God.
Prayer Prompt:
Pray 1 Peter 1:13. Ask God to clear space in your heart for His presence as you make room for Him.
Today’s Response:
Lay aside one distraction for the rest of the day and give that space to Jesus. Let your heart be filled with anticipation of the coming King — the coming of the Light of the World. Make a list of a couple things your could eliminate in the new year that could make room for only what God knows :).
🎁 A Gift to Share
If someone in your life might need encouragement this season—or if you’re participating as a family or small group—you’re welcome to forward these emails or invite them to subscribe:
👉 thisistheway.live
Sometimes the smallest invitation makes the biggest difference.
Read the full series here: https://thisistheway.live/t/christmas-lights