Daily Devotion 12 December 2025

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! - Philippians 4:4

READING: Philippians 4:4-7

Here the apostle Paul, who endured many hardships for the sake of Christ, tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. And with enthusiasm he exclaims, “I will say it again: Rejoice!

In the coming week many of us will hear Christmas carols that encourage us to rejoice, and at Christmas celebrations we will hear about “good tidings of great joy”

But for some people the Christmas season is not filled with joy. Some dread the Christmas holidays because of circumstances in their lives.

For some, December is the most difficult month of the year because of many sad things that had happened in their lives or families. For many it is a super lonely time where they experience no joy.

Paul encourages us to look much deeper than just to focus on the bright side of things. We are not being told to rejoice in tragic things that may happen to us.

We are urged to rejoice in the Lord, because Jesus came to save us from sin and death. In him we are forgiven. In Him we are embraced, valued, loved, cared for. In Him we are never alone. Because of Christ, we can rejoice even with tears in our eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you rejoice in the Lord, regardless of your circumstances.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to find your joy even through our tears, and help us to remember that you have come to turn our mourning into joy. We pray this in your name

Amen