This Christmas season, we’re preparing our hearts for the arrival of Jesus by going back to where the Christmas story really begins.
From the first pages of Genesis to the manger in Bethlehem, Christmas is the thread running through the whole Bible. It’s a story within God’s bigger story about how God plans to rescue the people He loves.
How to use this devotional:
Watch the episode. Reflect on and discuss the questions. Discover how to apply it to real life. Enjoy a simple prayer.
Key Scriptures: Luke 2:40–52; Mark 6:1–3; John 1:46; Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 5:7–9; Colossians 3:23–24
1. WATCH
VIDEO SUMMARY
Have you ever wondered whether the ordinary years of your life really matter?
You get up, go to work, raise a family, pay bills, fulfill responsibilities, and do many of the same things day after day.
Nothing spectacular seems to be happening.
And sometimes you wonder, Is this all there is?
In Episode 6, we visit Nazareth, the small village where Jesus spent most of His earthly life.
The Gospels tell us about His miraculous birth and one remarkable visit to the Temple when He was twelve. But then, for nearly eighteen years, Scripture tells us almost nothing about His life.
What was He doing?
We don't know all the details. But we do know that Jesus grew, learned, worked, and experienced the ordinary responsibilities of human life.
The eternal Son of God willingly entered our world, not simply as a visitor, but as one of us.
The hidden years were not wasted years. And the ordinary seasons of our lives can be filled with meaning and purpose too.
REFLECT & DISCUSS
Use these questions for personal reflection or conversation with others.
→ THE ORDINARY: Why did Jesus choose such an unremarkable place?
Read John 1:46 and Mark 6:1–3. Nazareth was a small, overlooked village. Why do you think God chose this setting for Jesus to spend most of His earthly life? What does that tell us about how God views the ordinary and seemingly insignificant?
→ THE GROWTH: What does Jesus' humanity teach us?
Read Luke 2:40–52. Luke tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. Why is it important to understand that Jesus experienced genuine human growth and development? How does that deepen your appreciation for who He is?
→ THE WORK: Can ordinary responsibilities be sacred?
Read Colossians 3:23–24. Before Jesus preached publicly, He worked as a craftsman. How does knowing that Jesus spent years doing ordinary physical labor change the way you think about your own work, family responsibilities, and daily routines?
→ THE WAITING: Are the hidden years really wasted years?
The Gospels record very little about Jesus' life between the ages of twelve and thirty. Have you ever experienced a season when you felt unnoticed, unproductive, or uncertain about God's purposes? How might God use seasons of waiting and ordinary faithfulness to shape our character?
→ THE SAVIOR: Does Jesus really understand what we're going through?
Read Hebrews 4:14–16 and Hebrews 5:7–9. Jesus experienced the realities of human life, including suffering and obedience, yet without sin. How does knowing that Jesus understands human weakness change the way you approach Him with your struggles, disappointments, and needs?
3. Discover: Living the Story
Think about the ordinary responsibilities that fill your days.
Perhaps you're raising children, caring for an aging parent, working a demanding job, studying, serving others, or simply trying to remain faithful in a season that seems to be going nowhere.
This week, instead of asking, "When will God do something extraordinary with my life?" try asking:
"How can I faithfully honor God in the ordinary things He's given me to do today?"
Choose one routine responsibility and approach it differently this week.
Do it consciously as an act of love, service, and worship to God.
And when you feel overlooked or wonder whether your efforts matter, remember the years Jesus spent in Nazareth.
Faithfulness isn't measured by how many people notice what we do, but by how we respond to God in the life He's given us.
A PRAYER
Father, thank You for sending Your Son not only to save us, but to enter fully into our human experience. Thank You that Jesus understands our work, our weariness, our responsibilities, and the quiet seasons of life when nothing extraordinary seems to be happening. Forgive us for the times we've overlooked the importance of everyday faithfulness. Teach us to recognize Your presence in ordinary moments and to honor You in everything we do. And when life feels difficult or lonely, remind us that we have a Savior who understands and welcomes us into His presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.
COMING NEXT — EPISODE 7
In our final episode, we'll bring our journey together as we reflect on the extraordinary significance of Jesus' arrival and what His coming means for our lives today.
