But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
TO PONDER: I have never been 4-Wheel driving, but I have seen videos. It always makes my heart go into my throat when I see the track, often very steep and rocky, with water at the bottom. Or perhaps it is a river that is flowing, the depth of which is anybody’s guess. I don’t know how the drivers have the nerve to move the car forward so it tips over the edge, or it slowly drives into the unknown water. I guess it is because they have experienced or been told that it will be okay. Our faith walk can be like that too. We have times where we experience the unknown, the scary and rocky. Without being confident about the road ahead, we stay still, stuck to the spot. However Isaiah reminds us that we don’t need to fear, we don’t travel this life alone! We have Jesus with us as we pass through the water and walk through the fire and He promises that we won’t be burned or swept away. So, if you are feeling stuck in an area of your life, ask Jesus to help you have the courage to take the first step forward, and the faith to know that you don’t do that on your own.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank you that as I walk through this life, with its excitement and also its struggles, I don’t do that on my own. When I feel stuck, help me to turn to you. Give me the courage to move forward into the life you have for me, and the faith and trust that you are with me through it all, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
TO PONDER
Anyone who has spent any time around babies or young children will know that patience is not something that we are born with. When babies feel they are lacking something, they need it right away. They will also let you know they need it, and not stop until they get it! While this can become overwhelming for new parents, there is a huge amount of trust and faith involved in this too. Babies need, and they trust that the adults around them will meet their need. In many ways this is like our relationship with Jesus. We have so much need, not only our salvation, but also our daily needs too. We can seek to meet the needs ourselves, or we can seek them from the Lord and trust that He hears us and meets our need, even if it’s not in the way we might expect. Unlike new parents though, Jesus never tires of us calling out to Him. If things are taking longer than we would like or expect, it’s not because he is weary of us. There may be bigger lessons we need to learn, or our answer may not be what we were hoping for. So continue to cry out to Jesus, He hears you, and also wait patiently for His perfect and complete provision and direction.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you that you never tire of my crying out to you. Help me to trust that you are there and give me the patience to wait for your help and healing. When your answer comes in a form I was not expecting, help me to be thankful and to see your bigger picture for my life, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath
TO PONDER
We have had a few occasions as a family where mobility has been an issue. Most recently, our son broke his leg and was in a full cast and wheelchair for a number of months. As you can imagine, expecting a seven year old boy to simply be immobile for that long was not really an option. Creative solutions were needed to make sure that he could still get to school safely, spend time with his friends at break time and also attend his sporting activities, even if it meant more observation than participation for a time. He didn’t want his limitations to stop him from being involved in life, so we found ways to help him.
This is true of us in our faith lives also. We all have limitations, however Jesus doesn’t want those to stop us from getting involved in our lives and the work He is calling us to. He didn’t want the limitation of our sin to stop us being in relationship with the Father, so he took care of that on the cross, and he didn’t want us to be lacking when we are called into His work, so He left us His Holy Spirit. Jesus is inviting each of us to get up and walk, let’s be ready when he does, knowing that if He calls us to it, he also gives us what we need to get it done!
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your gift of healing and your invitation to join you in your work here on earth. Help me to now focus on my lack or limitations, but to instead focus on your power and Holy Spirit at work within me. Thank you that I never walk alone, you go before me as a guide, beside me as a friend and behind me as an encourager, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
To Ponder:
After the manger and the miracles, after the cross and the resurrection, after everything—this is the promises, Jesus spoke: "I am with you always."
Where is Jesus after Christmas? The answer is stunning: He is with you!. Right now. Today. Tomorrow. In every season, every circumstance, every moment until the end of the age.
After Christmas, we pack away the decorations and the nativity scenes—and without meaning to, we might kind of “pack away” Jesus too, as if he only shows up for the Christmas season. But that’s never what Christmas was about. It wasn’t a quick visit from God—it was the start of him being with us for good. Emmanuel means “God with us,” and that name doesn’t run out on December 26. Jesus doesn’t say, “I was with you at Christmas,” or “I’ll be with you when life gets tough.” He says, “I am with you always.” That means all the time—on your best days and your hardest ones, when you feel close to him and when you don’t, when your faith feels strong and when it’s hanging by a thread. He’s there. Once the holidays are over, we go back to work, to chores, to everyday life. And it can feel like the “holy” part is over too. But it’s not. Jesus’ promise breaks through that lie. There’s never a moment or place where he’s not present. The same Jesus who came at Christmas still walks with you today.
So, the question isn’t “Where is Jesus after Christmas?” He’s already answered that—he’s with you, always. The real question is, will you notice him?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that echoes across the centuries into this very moment: "I am with you always." Forgive us for living as though you were absent, as though your presence were something we only experience in special moments or sacred spaces. Open our eyes to see you in the everyday—in our morning routines, our work, our relationships, our struggles, our joys. Help us to practice your presence, to cultivate awareness of the truth that you are here, now, always. May the wonder of Christmas—Emmanuel, God with us—become the wonder of every single day. We are not alone. You are with us. Let that truth transform how we live. In your name we pray, Amen.
Today's Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), 'where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him."
To Ponder:
The two disciples in today’s reading ask Jesus the question we should all be asking: "Where are you staying?" When they asked this they wanted to know more than his address—they wanted to know where they could find him, where he'll be, how they could spend time with him.
Jesus' answer is beautiful in its simplicity: "Come and see." He didn’t give them directions or draw a map. He offered an invitation. And notice what happens—they spent that day with him. Not just a quick visit. Not just a moment of inspiration. They invested time in his presence.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's extending the same invitation he gave those first disciples: "Come and see." He's not hiding. He's not distant. He's inviting us into relationship, into his presence, into the ordinary rhythm of spending time with him.
We often treat Jesus like a holiday guest—wonderful to celebrate with during special occasions, but not someone we make daily space for. But Jesus isn't looking for occasional admirers. He's looking for people who will ask, "Where are you staying?" and then actually go there. People who will rearrange their schedules, adjust their priorities, and spend time with him.
The Christmas story brought Jesus near. Now the question is whether we'll accept his ongoing invitation. "Come and see" isn't just for that day two thousand years ago. It's his invitation to us today, tomorrow, and every day after Christmas. He's staying. Are we coming?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we ask you the same question those early disciples asked: Where are you staying? We don't want to just celebrate you once a year and then lose track of you in the busyness of life. We want to know where to find you, how to stay with you, how to spend our days in your presence. Thank you for your gracious invitation: "Come and see." Give us the wisdom to accept it—not just once, but daily. Help us to prioritize time with you above all the demands that compete for our attention. May we be people who don't just ask where you are, but who come, see, and stay. Draw us close, Lord, and teach us what it means to stay with you. In your name, Amen.
Today's Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'"
To Ponder:
I liked reading this after Christmas. Why? Because the Christmas baby is now a man with a mission. Mark's Gospel does not tell the birth story but shows us where Jesus is after those quiet years in Nazareth: he's in Galilee, preaching, announcing that everything has changed. The waiting is over. The kingdom of God has arrived.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's not lingering at the manger. He's on the move, proclaiming good news. He's calling people to a radically different way of living. He's announcing that God's reign has broken into human history, and nothing will ever be the same.
Notice the urgency in his words: "The time has come." This isn't a gentle suggestion or a philosophical discussion. This is a declaration that demands response. The King who was born in Bethlehem is now claiming his kingdom—not with armies and force, but with an invitation: "Repent and believe."
After Christmas, it's easy to let Jesus remain a sweet memory—a baby in a manger. But Mark jolts us awake. Jesus didn't stay in the stable. He grew up and got to work. He's out there right now, still proclaiming the same message: the kingdom is here, turn around, believe the good news, follow me.
The question isn't where Jesus is after Christmas. He's actively building his kingdom, calling people to himself, transforming lives. The real question is: Are we still sitting by an empty manger, or have we heard his call and started following him into the world he came to save?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, forgive us when we try to keep you contained in the Christmas story—a baby we can admire from a distance. You didn't come to stay in a manger but to proclaim your kingdom and call us to follow. Wake us up to the urgency of your message. Help us to truly repent—to turn from our own agendas and embrace yours. Give us faith to believe the good news, not just intellectually, but with our whole lives. May we hear your voice calling us forward and have the courage to follow wherever you lead. The time has come, Lord—help us to live like we believe it. In your powerful name, Amen.
Today’s Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him."
To Ponder:
After the angels had sung and the shepherds returned to their flocks, something quiet and extraordinary happened: Jesus grew up! There are no miracles are recorded about this. No dramatic events. Just the steady, unremarkable, ordinary times of childhood—learning to walk, helping in the carpenter's shop, studying Scripture, playing with neighbours, growing taller each year.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's in Nazareth, living an ordinary life. He's growing—physically, mentally, spiritually. He's becoming strong through daily work. He's gaining wisdom through observation and study. He's experiencing the grace of God in the ordinary moments that make up most of life.
This might be, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked miracles of Jesus coming: He didn't just visit earth for a dramatic moment and leave. Jesus lived through approximately 10,950 ordinary days before his public ministry began. He knows what it's like when life isn't spectacular—when it's just one faithful day after another, growing gradually, learning slowly, living outside the spotlight.
We often struggle with the "after Christmas" because we want to live from one mountaintop experience to the next. But Jesus shows us that spiritual growth happens in the valleys—in the daily choices, the quiet faithfulness, the unglamorous routines. He grew. He became strong. Wisdom filled him. Grace rested on him. Not overnight, but through years of faithful living.
Where is Jesus in your after-Christmas life? He's in the ordinary moments, the daily disciplines, the slow work of growth. He meets you in the routine. And he invites you to grow with him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you that Jesus didn't just appear as an infant and then skip to adulthood. Thank you that he lived through countless ordinary days, growing gradually in strength and wisdom. Help us to value the everyday moments where real growth happens—the morning prayers, the small acts of obedience, the patient endurance through routine. Remind us that your grace is present not just in the spectacular, but in the steady work of becoming who you've called us to be. May we, like Jesus, grow strong and be filled with wisdom as your grace rests upon us. In his name, Amen.
Today’s Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LIfeWay Epping
"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.' So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt."
To Ponder:
What struck me as I read this reading was that Christmas cards don't usually show this part of the Christmas story. After the shepherds returned to their fields and the wise men went home, Mary and Joseph bundled up their son (estimated to be about 2 years old when the Wise men came) and fled into the night. Jesus' first journey after Christmas wasn't to the temple or back to Nazareth—it was into exile, into danger, into uncertainty.
Where is Jesus after Christmas? He's on the road to Egypt, a refugee in foreign land. He's in the arms of frightened parents who don't know when they'll return home. He's learning what it means to be human in all its vulnerability—dependent, displaced, and hunted by powerful men who see him as a threat.
This isn't the peaceful scene we imagine when we put away the nativity set. But it's important. The baby born in a stable because there was no room in the inn now has no room anywhere in his own country. The King of Kings is fleeing for his life. Jesus enters fully into the human experience—not just the joyful parts, but the fearful, uncertain, and difficult parts too.
After Christmas, Jesus doesn't retreat to heaven's comfort. He stays in the mess and danger of our world. He knows what it's like when celebration gives way to hardship, when joy is interrupted by crisis, when obedience to God leads through dark valleys rather than around them.
Where is Jesus in your "after Christmas"? He's right there in your uncertainties, your disrupted plans, your midnight anxieties. He's been a refugee. He understands.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank you that you didn't come just for the celebration, but for the whole journey—including the hard parts we don't talk about much. Thank you that when the joy of Christmas fades and we face the struggles of ordinary life, you are no stranger to difficulty, displacement, or danger. You've walked these roads before us. Remind us that you are present not just in our moments of peace, but in our seasons of upheaval. Give us faith to follow you wherever you lead, trusting that you go with us even through the darkest nights. Amen
Today’s Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
To Ponder:
Christmas celebrates the most amazing miracle: God didn't just visit us—he moved in. The Word became flesh and "made his dwelling among us." The Greek word John uses literally means "pitched his tent" or "tabernacled" with us. God set up camp in our neighbourhood.
The beauty of the Jesus coming is that it wasn't temporary. When the Word became flesh, it wasn't a brief holiday appearance. Jesus didn't un-become human after his birth. He remained Emmanuel—God with us—through dusty roads and fishing boats, through teaching and healing, through the cross and the empty tomb, and even now at the Father's right hand.
John says, "We have seen his glory." Not "we saw" but "we have seen"—past action with present implications. The glory revealed in Bethlehem still shines. The grace and truth that took on flesh still dwell among us through his Spirit, his Word, and his body, the church.
After Christmas, Jesus hasn't gone anywhere. He's still dwelling with us, still full of grace for our failures and truth for our wandering. The question is whether we're living like he's still here—or whether we've mentally packed him away until next December.
Prayer:
Father, thank you that Jesus didn't just visit us but became one of us. Thank you that he didn't come and go, but came and stayed dwelling among us, revealing your glory, bringing grace and truth into our everyday lives. Help us to live aware of your abiding presence. Keep our eyes open to the Word who dwells with us still. Amen.
Today’s Devotion written by Pr Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping