Experience Christmas is a 19-day devotional series based on the Scriptural narrative and aimed at creating space during a beautiful, but hectic time of year to wonder at the miracle of Christmas. You’re joining us on day ten, with music from Michael W. Smith & Carrie Underwood, and encouragement for those whose world is not well this Christmas. 

Listen

All Is Well, Michael W Smith & Carrie Underwood
YouTube | Lyrics | iTunes

Read

Luke 1:67-79

Nestled at the end of Luke 1, between John’s birth and Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, is this incredibly beautiful, poetic passage of Scripture. Zechariah has been mute since seeing the Angel in the temple, and when he regains his speech he is filled with the Holy Spirit. In the most perfect recap of our study so far, he speaks a prophesy of Messiah’s Kingdom –

Praise the Lord God of Israel!

He is present in our midst, poised and ready to do something out-of-this-world amazing, just as He promised He would.

Yes, we have endured hard things, but He has made a safe place for us.

The intricate details of our lives, God has so wonderfully orchestrated, are now coming together in the master plan He’s been working on since the beginning of time.

There is a new light dawning on us people. Get ready. We are about to meet the Savior.

All is well, for He will make all things well.

– Paraphrase mine

There is something catching about Zechariah’s excitement, and our hearts today also resonate with the joy of this prophecy. Our Savior has come! Messiah is ours and we are given over to a new life of freedom!

All is well, for He has made all things well.

Even in the middle of our difficulty and distress.

When we brave the first holiday without a loved one.

When we face financial struggle, or a new normal, or the passing of a dream.

When our lives feel heavy and broken.

All can be well in our hearts, because He came, and because He walks so faithfully through the moments of our lives with us.

Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Even through the darkest nights, He is ever-present, rising as the morning star from heaven, breaking through the shadows of our hearts to bring light and illuminate peace.

Peace through the hard things.

Peace in the safe place.

Peace in your destiny.

Peace in the journey.

And that peace is something to hold onto when all is not well in your life.

Christ came to show us the way to peace. As we look towards the weekend, let us cling to the promise that all is well in our hearts and in our soul, because Christ has come, and His coming gives us the hope that makes it so.

Consider

• What are you struggling with this Christmas?
• Where do you need God’s peace in your life?
• Can things be well in your own heart, independent of what is or is not well in your world?

Pray

Invite God into your story and into your struggle. Ask Him to give you the peace that passes all understanding in your situation.

Jesus I thank you that we can have hope in You, despite what is or is not well in our lives. Father lead us in the path of peace, and help us to cling to you through the changing moments of our lives.

For a complete list of devotional posts visit the Experience Christmas series page. Sign up to receive posts directly via email by completing the online subscription form and join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #ExperienceChristmasDevotional. See my disclosure page for iTunes and other affiliate information.