Countdown to Christmas Through the Book of Luke

UPDATED: December 1, 2019. I’m making this an annual tradition and started this again first thing this morning! How about you? I love Mary’s song. My soul magnifies the Lord. I love the contemporary Chris Tomlin song with this theme. We sing this a lot at my church. Have you heard this one?

I discovered a wonderful new Christmas tradition this year that I shared on my personal Facebook page and thought I would share here!

Beginning December 1^st, read one chapter of Luke each day through December 24^th.  There are 24 chapters.

By Christmas Eve, you will have read all 24 chapters – an entire account of the birth, ministry, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus.

You will wake up on Christmas day knowing WHO and WHY we celebrate!

Here’s a compilation of my daily comments on each chapter:

December 1. Luke 1. And go!  

I love that Luke decided to write us an “orderly account” of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the Savior of the world!

Luke 1: 1-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilledamong us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

December 2. Luke 2.

Being very sentimental right now – I love that this chapter says twice that Mary “treasured all these things in her heart”.  A mama’s heart.

December 3. Luke 3.

After reading this, I have an ear worm and will be singing “Go Tell It On The Mountain” all day!  Click the link to hear an awesome version by Sara Evans.

December 4. Luke 4.

An amazing chapter. His example for temptation. His healing of many. I can testify to this goodness.

December 5. Luke 5.

V12b-13: Lord, If you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus reaches out his hand and touched the man. “I AM WILLING,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.  

I love how my Jeremiah chapter 24 lesson intersected with Luke 5 this morning.

December 6. Luke 6.
Jesus had me at “JOY”! Unspeakable Joy.

December 7. Luke 7.  

A woman. An alabaster jar. And forgiveness.  

Please listen to one of my favorite Rend Collective songs – Alabaster Jar!

December 8. Luke 8.

V 17 (Jesus is speaking) “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”

December 9. Luke 9.

I underlined verse 23 today because it’s what jumped out to me as THE Christmas message. Then I found a commentary (Could Luke 9:23 Be The Good News of Christmas?) that gave me a different picture of carrying the cross – what always came to my mind was the heavy weight, which is in contrast to “my burden is light”. Read the commentary if you’ve always thought the same!

December 10. Luke 10.

So many awesome nuggets of truth in today’s chapter – but I like this one the best, especially for the ladies!

Gals, are you overwhelmed by your holiday to do list? Slow down and sit at the feet. “Only one thing is needed”!

Preaching to myself here…

December 11. Luke 11.

I’ve been praying a lot lately and I still feel like this will always be a work in progress. Verse 9 & 10:

A – ask
S – seek
K – knock

Verse 8 – with boldness

He was born into this world to teach us these things. Simply amazing.

December 12. Luke 12.

He was born for a relationship with you – who else knows the number of hairs on your head?

December 13. Luke 13.

Do you think it’s any coincidence that all my bible studying so far this morning speaks of restoration? I do not. He came as a babe in the manger to restore and I praise his name for that. Check out Jeremiah 30, for more on restoration!

December 14. Luke 14.

A lot of parables about celebratory feasts. This Christmas season, I definitely want to be at His banquet table!

December 15. Luke 15.

He was born into this world to seek and rejoice over the lost. Sheep. Coin. And prodigal son.

December 16. Luke 16.  

He came into this world to teach us these lessons. In person. That’s amazing!  Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

December 17. Luke 17. 

Jesus has come to heal. Gratitude!

I also read Jeremiah 31 this morning which is an entire chapter on RESTORATION. Great stuff!

December 18. Luke 18.

Verses 15-17 just speak to me of Christmas. Christmas through a child’s eyes is priceless. Receive the kingdom of God like a little child – with total dependence, full trust, complete sincerity – and awe.

December 19. Luke 19.

I love this part of the story. Christ is born without pomp and circumstance, and shortly before His work on the cross He arrives on a colt – still not the way you would expect a King. The Pharisees tried to shut down the praise of the people that recognized the significance of His miracles and He shuts them up with “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out”!  

Jump forward to verse 44 and don’t miss it!

December 20. Luke 20.

The leaders of the day were very confused and questioned the authority of Jesus. I think it would be so interesting to have a conversation with them after the story unfolded – about His birth, His ministry, His death, His resurrection. 

Parable of the vineyard tenants.

December 21. Luke 21.

Finally, finally one day He will come in power and glory. Be always on watch!

December 22. Luke 22.

He came to this earth to serve…you and me.  

Verse 27b “But I am among you as one who serves”.

December 23. Luke 23.

So much in this chapter it’s hard to pick one thing. But I was struck by the Roman Centurion that realized after the fact what had just occurred.  

No doubt he was one in charge of the crucifixion of Jesus. Imagine the fear that gripped his soul when the sun stopped shining and the temple curtain was torn in two.  

His response – he PRAISED God leading others to recognize the significance of what just took place. They beat their breasts – a sign of anguish. I imagine he shared his testimony for the rest of his days.

December 24. Luke 24. It’s so GOOD!

Where to start? So much JOY in this chapter.  

V5b “why do you look for the living among the dead?” 

V6 “He is not here; he has risen!”

V11 But they did not believe the women, because their words were nonsense!!! (Pro-tip: BELIEVE the women!!!)

V30-31 When He was at the table with them, He took book bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him! (Believe!)

V40-41 When He said this, He showed them His hands and feet. And while they still did not BELIEVE it because of JOY and amazement, He asked them “do you have anything here to eat?”

V45 Then He opened their minds…

V52-53 Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with GREAT JOY and they stayed continually in the temple PRAISING God!

And that’s how the book of Luke ends! I have enjoyed this daily reading so much. I hope you did, too!

I BELIEVE and I CHOOSE JOY! Do you?